Master B's Web log

Sunday we began our 5 hours of mid term testing for Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jutsu. Black Belt David Meyer has flown in for the weekend. Mr Salisbury, Mrs Duethorn and I have been logging many hours in preparing for this testing. In the last 2 weeks I have trained around 20 hours of BJJ in preparation. Any chance I got I had a few extra reps of practice in. Mr Meyer can do it and teach it. Not only is he a world class competitor but his teaching is some of the best I have seen. He had us go from the basics to the advanced, working all the details and giving feedback. We have been grappling for many years but have never had such a high level of expectation from a teacher. I think he demands a high level of performance but he does it in a way that makes you want to excel and be the best you can. Five hours later, after lots of positions and submissions, after we took a break (and all wrestled him during the rest period), we passed the testing. He had some nice praises for us and encou

Here we are training nearly daily in Brazilian Ju Jutsu. I am preparing to take my mid term evaluation for my blue belt rank. I gave been training, training, training. Dozens of techniques, each with its subtleties. Every time I do a technique I fell like I know it a little better. I am very happy to be learning and honing these techniques. After being in martial arts for 36 years it is easy to become stale. I remember a few years back when I felt like I wasn't learning anything new. I knew there was more to learn but between working and life there was not much time and sometimes not enough motivation. I am happy that the Black Belts have given me pressure (although maybe not intentionally) to learn new material. This has been good for me, good for the students and good for the philosophy of the school. Many thanks to all, who in many ways, have helped.