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.

It's been awhile; some inspiration.

As the title of my blog says - its's been awhile since I've written and updated the blog.  Last time I wrote it was just a week or so after getting back from Jeremy Ariel's gym in Fort Mill South Carolina.

I did not have my own computer - I was using a loaner computer which I did not have access to once I got back.  I just got a new computer - A Macbook Pro.  Yay!

So now I can start trying to update.  Obviously I'm back in Canada, working, and, unfortunately, not training as much as I'd like.

I'd like to use this blog to just show some techniques that I've found on line - namely from two of my mentors - Dennis Asche and Jeremy Arel as they both use the medium of Youtube to show new techniques.  I'd also like to just showcase anything I'm working on or inspirational videos I've found.

I'll also try to close up this past summer's adventures - in a future blog.  I just have to get my pics and notes together.

On the subject of inspiration - I came across this video last week and have become very inspired by it.  It involves Rodolfo Viera - currently the man to beat in BJJ (that is with the Gi).  I'm not sure how a match between Roger and Rodolfo would go.  I'd say experience, mastery of the basics, and ability to come back from adversity would side with Roger.  While explosiveness (athleticism), youth, conditioning, and hunger would belong to Rodolfo.  Not trying to disparage anyone  as both men are amazing technicians - just Roger is a bit more a laid back basic game while Rodolfo is more of a pressure/top/athletic game.

This video also hints at the other BJJ lineage of Luis Franca and Oswaldo Fadda.  Here is a link to the BJJ Heroes website that delves a further into this relatively unknown BJJ lineage.  As the Gracies are usually only mentioned when one speaks of BJJ:

BJJ Heros Oswaldo Fadda

Here is the clip that has so much inspired me-with the prominent figures being rodolfo Viera and his master  Julio Ceasar Pereira from Grappling Fight Team (GFT).



In particular I like the notion that Julio Ceasar wants to use Jiu Jitsu to form a citizen aka a good person who is able to function and contribute to society in a positive way.  This is why I continue to train (when I can) and take my summer pilgrimages to go and train anywhere I can.

Here are the BJJ Heroes bio of Julio and Rodolfo:

Julio Cesar Pereira

Rodolfo Vieira

Here is another new clip from Dennis and Connection Rio that showcases some of the Older guys who've gone to Rio.  Being an older guy (late 30's) it was nice to see this clip to highlight a few guys that may be a bit older but still love and hold that passion for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.



For anyone reading this and planning on heading to Rio here is a clip with Dennis and his Portuguese for BJJ:



Good Training!!!

Well that is all for now - I hope I can continually update the blog (work eats up so much time).

Till next time!!!

Connection Rio

I'm not making it to Rio this year and obviously not going to be hanging out with whom ever is staying at the Connection Rio house (from what Dennis has told me they are two houses now - both within walking distance to Gordo's Academy.

I came into contact with Dennis Asche and his company ConnectionRio about a month and a half before I left for Rio 2yrs ago. This was at a time when I had decided, for various reasons, to quit my job and try to pursue the BJJ dream of going to Rio and doing nothing but training and living the lifestyle.

It was a chore to try and get everything in order and a big leap of faith for me - considering I'd never flown in a plane, never been farther than Vancouver in Canada and Wyoming in the USA. But I guess when you've become heartbroken (with life in general) one to many times you either make changes or just resign that your life is going to suck and you're going to die unfulfilled and a chump.

Anyhow, long short - I tried in vain to secure a place to stay in Rio. Most places were way out of my price range. I was pretty certain that a long term stay was out of the question (I had planned to stay at least 5-6 months). Anyhow a friend from Gracie Barra Calgary sent me a website that had tips and pointers for people wanting to go train in Rio. I ended up contacting them (they were from the UK - if i recall correctly) and in turn he gave me Dennis Asche's contact info. I ended up contacting Dennis right away and he said that he had a space for me. And well the rest is history. I stayed at the ConnectionRio HQ for about 3 months; a family emergency sent me back to Canada cutting short my trip but for good reason (perhaps another blog will get in to this).

I ended up going back to Rio and ConnectionRio last year and had planned on going back but things don't work out as you plan. But I do plan on making my way back to Rio, ConnectionRio, and Gordo's academy again. The previous blog got into my plans for this summer.

If you are into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and want to experience the birthplace of BJJ (Brazil, Rio, Barra da Tijuca, etc...) in a safe and secure environment. Then i highly recommend contacting Dennis Asche through the connection rio website and start working on living your dreams.


http://www.connectionrio.com/

Here is a clip of BlackBelt Dennis Asche (under Roberto "Gordo" Correa de Lima) and founder of Connection Rio showing off a couple of butterfly guard passes:





Here is a clip of the ConnectionRio show; an interview with Rafael dos Anjos who just fought and defeated George Sotiropoulos this past weekend at UFC 132.






Finally, here is a clip of a young gentleman I've seen but never really talked to at Gordo's academy talking about being positive and training. He is Robson Gracie:

I'd suggest subscribing to the ConnectionRio youtube page or contacting Dennis if you have desire to go to Rio, train, and live the Jiu Jitsu lifestyle.

Anyhow, that is it for now. I'm still waiting on the Marcelo Garcia academy to get back to me so i can start booking flights and finalizing my plans. Hopefully everything come to fruition.

Till next time . . . Peace!