How's your summer going? Dealing with heatwaves are always fun! I spent this week doing quite a bit of training - just 1 hour classes in the evenings after work. The humidity was incredible in Toronto. To enter the dojo after the No GI class was somewhat suffocating when it's probably +40 but when the mats had dried and the air had cleared the smaller class sizes made it a good week to jump back in.
I've made several adjustments in my warm ups to help protect my shoulder. Learning to roll forward and backwards over my opposite shoulder was interesting and I have modified my hip escapes. Hindu Pushups are also still a bit annoying and more challenging to do.
The classes this week focused on escaping the mount, and also taking an armbar or the back from mount. Thats another reason it is a nice time to get back training. There are no upcoming major international tournaments our guys are competing at. The training is more relaxed and we are back to learning some fundamentals and core jiu jitsu. I've only rolled with smaller people and usually a higher belt so that I know there will be no smashing.
I don't really feel like my game is too bad either. I'm still a bit slower than I would like to be but I have never been that speedy. I am reacting somewhat slower but nothing considerable and it's only after about 90 minutes that my shoulders start to burn. But again - nothing too bad. It's usually been a couple of hours after training that my shoulders seize up somewhat and get a bit tender.
But I've spent alot of time just hanging out after class too. Just soaking it all up. Either staying for an extended roll or just a chat in a corner of the dojo. That's a good place to get into some good philosophy about Jiu Jitsu. Or just shooting the shit in the lobby trying to cool down in the heat wave...(the ice bucket full of Gatorade was a good idea guys!)
This was Professor Britto's last week before his vacation. No doubt he will be facebooking soon about eating his Mama's cooking and hanging out under waterfalls in Rio...it will be good for Jorge to recharge as he has had a very busy year so far with 3 MMA fights, International Team Tournaments, weekly training and presenting local Jiu Jitsu tournaments. He will be spending the next few weeks in Brazil and with be hanging out with Saulo and Co at the Masters / Rio Open while training at Gracie Tijuca which is all around the same time as the Rio Sport Tour BJJ Camp I was at one stage going to. Then he returns for the Toronto Jiu Jitsu Classic in August.
Eduardo took his first Saturday class today and stayed with the basics. His first move he showed the class was the basic standind guard break with knee through pass. After some specific it was all rolling.
All in all a good week and it will be wrapped up on Sunday with open mat which I havent been to in ages but is always one of the best days. And Tommy who run the class before will allow me to take over the sound system so you know it's going to be dark and dirty on Sunday as I'll connect up my blackberry and play som new Dubstep mixes I have been listening to. In my humble opinion Dubstep is the perfect music to roll to.
Lastly - with Eduardo taking Saturdays it appears Ahmed is no longer teaching and as a student of his for the past few years I would like to acknowledge that. I really enjoyed the Saturday class but I have no doubt under Eduardo that will continue. But I wanted to say thanks and good luck because at the end of the day when a student and a teacher part I think that's an important part of anybody's jiu jitsu journey. BUt it is also important when you gain a new teacher and I am happy to get the opportunity to learn more from Dudu. Best owrd here? Oss.
Scott.
How's your summer going? Dealing with heat waves are always fun! I spent this week doing quite a bit of training - just 1 hour classes in the evenings after work. The humidity was incredible in Toronto. To enter the dojo after the No GI class was somewhat suffocating when it's probably +40 but when the mats had dried and the air had cleared the smaller class sizes made it a good week to jump back in.
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Felipe Costa from BRASA
Master Royler Gracie spent 2 weeks in Canada in April with the first week being in Ontario. As well as visiting RGDA schools, the legendary Black Belt was guest at 
Multiple World Champion, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu legend and Co-Head of the University of Jiu Jitsu in San Diego, Xande Ribeiro sits down for a pow wow with me and shares many philosophies, theories and personal insights into not own his game of Jiu Jitsu and MMA career, but of his students, family and friends.
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