Gracie

Well I've finally had the opportunity to attend an introductory Brazillian jiujitsu seminar with Royce Gracie himself. It's really something to have a hands on session with someone you've heard of, and is effectively a legend in the industry. It's a lot like me having a game design workshop with Will Wright, or Ian Livingstone. Awesome!

There really is something to the techniques in BJJ, even though I probably will not be likely to commit to mastering this exceptionally sophisticated art. I am constantly amazed at how easily a BJJ expert can manipulate someone on the ground, even if they resist, to the point of establishing a perfect submission hold. The expert can just as easily maim the person using just a little more force.

However, I find that such groundfighting does not mesh with my general self defense objectives because indeed getting out of a ground situation and ready to escape or take on another opponent would be the sort of situation I am more likely to be in, rather than a one on one duel exclusively on the ground with a single assailant. Which, of course, seems quite in line with what Krav Maga teaches. Anyway, I am very much honored to have had a basic class under Gracie and having learned a few little techniques. This will be one of the more memorable moments, and a fine entry in the blog.