Training Gracie Jiu-jitsu is good for your body, mind, and soul. The striking and grappling aspects of Brazilian jiu-jitsu offer huge benefits of keeping you in shape physically and balancing out stress from everyday life. Recently I read an article published on WebMD citing 20 habits of healthy people. I wasn’t the least bit surprised to learn that most of the habits listed are rituals of BJJ addicts! Let me share with you a few of my favorites.
1. Live Life In The Moment
Countless psychological studies have noted that people are happiest when their mind is focused on a specific activity. A specific activity like trying to counter a training partner from passing your guard, trying to choke you from the back, or forcing a tap via a Kimura trap set up!
2. Be Curious Like A Child
In Brazilian jiu-jitsu if you stop learning you get left behind. BJJ training is very much like a cold war era arms race. Your training partners are studying and learning new techniques; but are you? Curiosity may have killed the cat but if you aren’t learning new set ups, counters, and defenses your sure to find yourself BJJ road kill!
3. Exercise Every Day
Every doctor on the planet will tell you to exercise daily! If getting some treadmill time in at ‘the Judgment Free Zone” is good for you imagine the benefits of something as intensive as Jiu-jitsu!
4. Play Every Day
Remember how much fun you had as a child playing and creating new games? Well as it turns out playing is good for you. There are strong scientific correlations between play and enhanced social skills, creativity, and cognitive advancements. Make attempts to try new techniques, new set ups, or just something crazy during sparring. Doing so will not only make things more fun but will also help your learning curve in a huge way.
5. Make Time to Groom
Whether it’s a new do, brand new kicks, or a sweet new gi when you look good you feel good! Looking good is important when it comes to training. Keep your fingernails and toenails short, shower on a regular basis, brush your teeth, and wash your gi. Not only will you look good but people will actually want to train with you.
Don’t wait until AFTER the fight to learn Gracie Jiu Jitsu,be prepared BEFORE the fight with Gracie Jiu Jitsu! Click here to begin your personal transformation at Scranton, Pa’s best Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu learning grounds!
About The Author:
Jeff Reese, Gracie Jiu-jitsu black belt, has had the honor of learning from two generations of Gracie family members including Royce, Royler, Rodrigo, Rolker, Ralek, Rener, and Ryron; he teaches at Gracie NEPA in Scranton, PA.
