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...

Breaking the cycle, trying to get enthusiasm back, Marcelo Garcia Book and thoughts.

Well it's been a while - over a month - since I've written anything in this blog.  I've not been training at all either.  I'd like to say that it is some big injury that is keeping me out of the BJJ training but it's really nothing like that.

It's because of not being mentally tough.  Not being able to push through the tiredness (mentally and physically).  I remember back in 2008 when I was training a couple of times here in Lethbridge and also commuting the 2 1/2 hour drive (one way) to train at Gracie Barra Calgary 2-3 times a week.

I just pushed through the tiredness and wanting to quit.  Eventually it just became habit.  Of course that did not last forever and I eventually got sidetracked.

Now on to more positive things.  It is my goal to start training again and get my purple belt before the start of summer.  If things go according to plan I'd also like to do the Mudials and the Rio Open (provided I make it down to Brazil in July).

I'm also restarting the book that I had started writing when I got back from Brazil the first time.  So here's to things getting better and looking up in 2012 (not that 2011 was all that bad - the last few months were a bit of a let down but otherwise it was pretty good.).

Jiu Jitsu has been on my mind the whole time - so I do know that eventually I will come back to it - as it is always there waiting for me.  One of the things I like to do during my down times (evenings) is search youtube for new video techniques and/or highlight videos.

One of my favourite grapplers/BJJ players is Marcelo Garcia.  I just recently purchased his new book Advanced Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Techniques.  In this book Marcelo outlines some of his philosophies about BJJ.

One thing Marcelo brings up is his preference of chokes that do not involve the "arm being in".  For example an "arm-in" arm-triangle choke is something that Marcelo would avoid in favour of a choke that does not have an arm-in; like the 'rear naked choke' or 'guillotine' choke.  Here is a clip that I found in which Marcelo is explaining why he favours chokes that do not involve an "arm-in"; it is up to you to decide whether or not you agree with him.



Here is another video from the sessions for the book.  In this particular clip Marcelo explains why he uses/found the "Arm-Drag" technique.  If you're familiar with Garcia you have no doubt seen he use the 'Arm-Drag" to back.



So if you find yourself using the Arm-Drag to Back Control - from the standing position you may find yourself saying, "now what?".  Well Marcelo has the answer for you.



Finally, if you've purchased the book, Marcelo goes into why he prefers wrestling style takedowns to judo style takedowns.  Again, its up to you to decide whether or not you agree with Marcelo.



Marcelo also won his weight division this past year at the ADCC submission wrestling championships.  Here he instructs the sequence he used to submit, and win, the final match against Leo Viera.  With a choke that goes against what I had posted earlier...ha ha!  The Leg Triangle choke.  it is a very slick choke and I do believe Mark Bocek used to submit Dustin Hazlett.  Of course Mark trains with Marcelo and I'm sure that he picked this up there or perhaps even showed Garcia ????



Here is the Gracie Breakdown of the Mark Bocek triangle:





Finally, here is a clip of Marcelo having his way with UFC Fighter Jake Shields.  Jake being one of top grapplers in MMA today and Marcelo just, for the most part, doing what he wants.  The song accompanying the clip is horrible so feel free to turn down the music while watching this match.



so x-mas just happened.  I spurged and bought myself a pair of Vibram 5 fingers Komodo shoes.  Low and behold I also got a pair of Vibram KSO shoes for xmas.  This brings my total to 3 pairs of Vibrams.  If you're not sure of what Vibram 5 fingers are please follow the link below:

Vibram 5 Fingers

To end off this particular blog I'd like to show a couple of clips from Dennis and Connection Rio:

This first clip is some guys spending x-mas in Rio:



I don't think I'd ever have it in me to spend xmas away from family.  It would be just too depressing.  Hats off to anyone who can take off to somewhere far away from family and friends.

Here they are surfing on x-mas day



Finally an xmas greeting from Dennis and some Portuguese for BJJ:



Well, I'm off to go and have some x-mas fun.  It has been a tough and grinding 4 months at work and I need to let loose.  One of my new life mottos is to just take things as they come and not stress so much about things.  Hence my decision to go off and let loose tonight.

Till then - Hope you had a good Xmas and a great new year.

Andre.