Hello Mat Rats,
Happy April 1st, it doesn’t really seem like an appropriate time to be making any April fools jokes so let’s just pretend it’s March 32nd. It’s the 3rd week of the quarantine and there is no clear end to self isolation in sight. This means we will have to make the best of the resources we have. And honestly all we really need is our minds.
Our minds are capable of creating all kinds of imagery. Real quick, close your eyes and imagine yourself hip-escaping down the mat. Whether or not you did it, you know you can! It’s a known fact that visualization is key to success in anything, whether physical or not. One of the things that helped me through college was mentally rehearsing the material that was taught. I created a catalog of information in my mind and would try to “rep it out” as often as possible. With physical tasks this is also possible. We can remain still and imagine techniques that we know, movements we’ve seen, something we’ve done in the past, or maybe even something we’re planning on doing in the future such as a competition. Mental imagery does not require any physical output, however there are similar practices that can implement some physical output.
It takes two to Jiu Jitsu, most of the time. At least 80% of a Jiu Jitsu class requires physically interacting with a partner. Drilling, sparring, chit chatting, let’s be honest hanging out with other people is why we go to Jiu Jitsu classes. But in these times that’s not an option. So what can we do by ourselves, what is the 20% of class that doesn’t require a partner….? Warm ups! Within our warm ups we are practicing solo movements or forms, which in traditional Japanese martial arts are referred to as Katas. Can we takedown someone who’s not there, is there a submission when there is no neck to triangle, when a tree falls alone in the woods does it make a sound? I’m not sure, that’s what physicists are for. But I can say that neural adaptions are being formed, more simply put we’re creating muscle memories and are being conditioned.
I challenge everyone who is reading this to create a personal kata or form. To think of your kata as your own blade to practice with and to keep sharp. Challenge yourself and get very detailed, create vivid images of fighting an opponent. Use your shadow Jiu Jitsu to control and react to that imaginary opponent. Most Importantly have fun with it and enjoy the process.
Have a great rest of your week and I hope to see you in Zoom-Jitsu Classes,
Coach Caleb