Qwick Update.

Well I've been off of here for awhile now.   A few things to update:

1.  I've been having some health issues that have keep me off of the mat.
      - I ended up getting an infection (kidney) that has really messed up my body.
      - As a result of the kidney infection I ended up with a urinary tract infection that is still giving me problems.
      - continued problems with digestion and stomach.
      - major acne breakout on my chest.

2.  Depression came roaring back (perhaps accentuated by the kidney infection and the myriad of health problems since?).

3.  Problems with work - co-workers (one in particular) have made work an less than enjoyable place to be.

4.  financial problems - it just seems that I'm barely making it to my next pay check.  Working to pay bills and just the everyday things in life (gas - I wish their were viable and affordable options to using a petro based vehicle). 

Because of the above problems I've not had the energy nor the desire to train (although it is on my mind all the time).  I'm still dealing with the symptoms from the infection and it is starting to become worrisome.  I try not to think of the worst but it is hard not to.

I'm going to be scheduling an appointment with my doctor again next week to try and get things figured out or at least start to finding out what may be the problem.

I had tried training about a month and a half ago to less than desirable results.  To start off my conditioning was awful and as a result I could not last more than 30 seconds going at a mild pace.  The breakouts on my chest were still bad (I had been on the antibiotics for about 2 weeks at that time) and they were busting open and bleeding - which is a concern in regards to infection and a did bear on me mentally.  I was also, for whatever reason, bleeding at the drop of a hat.  Little scrapes would not stop bleeding.  I ended up only training for about a 20 mins then called it a night and a day (for about a month and half.).

I still want to train, I still have my goals and reasons for continuing this long journey.  It has just taken a detour.  I'm not sure what will happen in the next few weeks - as I will be going to see my doctor and begin the process of trying to figure out what is up with me.  Mentally, the sun is out (spring time), I have noticed a slight change in my mood with the added sunlight.  Winter was really wearing on me.  Waking up and leaving for work when it was still dark out and not getting home till it was dark - that is not the dream.

I  managed to make it in this past week to train.  I'm on my Easter break and taking care (house sitting) the parents house while they are off with my sisters and kids in California (Disneyland).  I'm pretty much isolated out at my parents house (no internet).  I do have cell phone service (somewhat).   I happened to check my phone and facebook on Monday afternoon and noticed that one of the guys from the gym was going to open the academy up for an open mat.  I ended up driving the 3hrs to go train and it was very good for the soul to be back doing what I need to be doing, doing the one thing that never lets me down.

I compare BJJ to having a girlfriend (or boyfriend - whatever the case may be).  As it is a relationship, a relationship that gives back whatever I put into it.  Is always there and has never let me down; unlike every relationship that I've ever been in.

While I've been on hiatus I've been watching video clips, reading articles, etc that have anything to do with BJJ.  Anyhow I had seen the video of Keenan Cornelius doing an armbar from 50/50 guard.  Having trained at, and being a fan of, Ryan Hall's gym I have played around with the 50/50 guard but I'm not at the level where I can heel-hook ( I also rarely do no-gi anymore) so I really did not see many options from this guard; other than sweeping.  Anyhow, this offers up a cool possibility for me.  I even played around with trying to get the armbar from 50/50 on Monday night - to very little success.  Here is the clip of the armbar from 50/50:



This was from the recent PanAms Jiu Jitsu tournament.  Also at this particular tournament we may have seen the passing of the guard in featherweight division.  Rafa Mendes has been on a tear and was neck in neck with Ruben Charles (Cobrinha) for the top dog in that particular division.  But at this years past PanAms Rafa dispatched of Cobrinha in stunning fashion (armbar).  Here is the clip;



I've also been wanting to try the following pass (demonstrated by Caio Terra) but having been on off of the mats for so long I had not had a chance to try it out.  Well i tried it out a few times on Monday night and had some success; all things considered (mind you I have not trained in over a month and a half and before that it had been at least a few weeks since I had trained).  It is a very high percentage pass from what I've been told and just with my little bit of experience with it it is indeed a high percentage pass (passing the butterfly guard). 



I have to iron out some details but I definitely think this will be added to my arsenal (such as it is).  A friend of mine informed me that he knows it as the Terere pass; I consulted my Andre Galvao book and it indeed bares a similar mechanics to the Terere pass (look up it up as I'm having trouble finding it on youtube).

Anyhow, that is my update for now;  hopefully my health issues will be non-existent next time I update.

I'll leave you with a cool clip of Rafa Training for Abu Dhabi 2011.



Ciao!


Andre

Back to training, Summer Plans, North/South Choke, Portuguese for BJJ

So I've finally gotten back to training. Gracie Barra Calgary - I started about 2 weeks ago and have been going 2-3 times per week as time and body permit.

I'm in the process of trying to decide where I'm going to go train this coming summer.  Ideally I'd love to get back to Brazil, Rio and the family at Gordo Jiu Jitsu.  But as with most things in life it does not happen till it happens.  The flight is going to be expensive, and if I do go back I want to be able to have my own room at the new Connection Rio house and I do believe that will be expensive as well.

I've been looking into going to NYC and training with my personal BJJ/Grappling hero Marcelo Garcia.  I've been looking into apartments and any money I save on flights will be made up by booking an apartment in NYC.  Expensive place.  I'm attracted to going to NYC to not only train with Marcelo but because I'd just like to see the City - it has been on my list of places to go before I'd ever thought I'd be travelling the world to train BJJ.  Here is a link to Marcelo's academy in NYC:

Marcelo Garcia NYC Academy

My other wish would be to train with Rubens "Cobrinha" Charles.  About two weeks ago I came across his academy webpage and I would love to spend a few weeks there.  The only hitch is that it is on the other side of the USA in California.  If you've read my blog you should know that Marcelo Garcia is a favourite of mine but you might not be aware of Cobrinha.  Here is my personal favourite Cobrinha highlight:



Here is a link to Cobrinha's academy website:

Cobrinha BJJ Academy

If I'm not able to make it to Rio this summer my plan is to spend 2 weeks training at Marcelo Garcia's academy in NYC, then fly west to Cali and spend another 2 weeks training at Cobrinha's academy.  So at this moment my options are open but I'm looking to book flights and accommodations asap to save money.

So upon returning to training I've been able to somewhat work on a few things that I've been researching and that have been on my mind while on hiatus from training BJJ.  One of the techniques that I've been wanting to explore was the North/South Choke.  I've recently purchased Marcelo's newest book and there is a big section on his favourite chokes - basically the Guillotine, Rear-naked Choke, and North/South.  I've spent my time working on the Rear-naked Choke - even prior to training at Gracie Barra Calgary - it had been one of my favourite techniques.  Mainly, due in part, to being a big fan of not only Marcelo Garcia but BJ Penn as well.  I'd played around with the North/South in the past but had not really tried it out.

Prior to returning to training I'd some some research - both through book and youtube stuff that is out there - on the North/South Choke.  So once I got back in to it I was able to pull a few training partners off to the side and drill the set up and finish to this particular choke.  Besides Marcelo's book the following YouTube clips have helped out (of course nothing beats mat time, drilling and live training):

Marcelo explaining it himself:



Here is Stephan Kestling with Marcelo braking down the choke for him:



I've been able to catch a couple of guys with and I'm in the process of working out the nuances of the choke.  I hope that eventually I can add it to my repertoire - such as it is.

Well that's about it for this round of blogging, writing, and BJJ updating.  Before I leave you I'd like to point you to a website and post that I came across - Portuguese for BJJ.  If you ever plan on going to Brazil to train it would be good to have some knowledge of Portuguese (especially if it pertains to something you love doing; in this case BJJ).  Enjoy:

Introduction to Portuguese for BJJ

Well that's it for now - hope you're training or following and doing whatever makes you smile and your heart float.

Till next time...

A.

I forgot to add this little news clip - it fills me with such hope and inspiration.

78 yr old man receives his Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

I hope to attain my Black belt within the next 5yrs - lofty aspirations but what the hell; 4 years ago I would have never dreamed that I would quit my job and  move to Brazil to train bjj.  here's to making dreams and hopes happen...