“Jiu-jitsu” translates from the Japanese as “the gentle art.” The idea here is that practitioners can execute moves realistically and at full speed without having to worry they will injure their partner. ... Continue Reading
Jiu-Jitsu? I Do!
Sometimes it’s hard for grapplers to explain their relationships with Brazilian jiu-jitsu to people who don’t train. All the “civilians” see is their friend or loved one disappearing for hours at a time ... Continue Reading
Strength Endurance for the Endurance Athlete
You know something is important when a bunch of really clever guys all repeat it. I originally heard the following in Dan John’s excellent DVD Intervention. He attributed it to Brett Jones. So I emailed ... Continue Reading
Preparing for Competition: Psyching up in the Eleventh Hour
Tournament season is under way in the Brazilian jiu-jitsu world. This means many competitors are cleaning up their diets, stepping up their training and conditioning, and re-establishing their ... Continue Reading
Parenting an Athlete: It’s a Razor’s Edge
I often ride a razor’s edge as the parent of two young athletes. The blade sharpens when trying to figure out when to push them, or not push them; be involved, but not too much. A situation becomes ... Continue Reading
Befriend Your Body: Say No to Overtraining and Say Thank You to Your Body
“Love thyself as they neighbor.” Frequently, I think we should word the old adage this way instead of the way we normally read it. Most of us tend to be kinder and more forgiving to other people than we ... Continue Reading
Jiu-Jitsu Kryptonite: Is It a Real Phenomenon?
One of the great things about writing about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is that it gives me an excuse to chat with practitioner friends and acquaintances who can share their perspectives on technique, ... Continue Reading
Harnessing Momentum: 2 Tools for Creating and Keeping It
“Momentum” is one of my favorite concepts. It pervades all areas of success and is always a missing or misguided ingredient when struggle is present. Who hasn’t had a period in their present or history ... Continue Reading
Cupping and the Injured Athlete – Does It Work?
Throughout history, there have been many eastern and western forms of medicine that have come and gone. Some have survived the test of time. Others have been considered to be more “trendy” while other ... Continue Reading
Repeated Small Blows, Not Concussion Could Be the Real Danger in High-Impact Sports
For those who played sports growing up or have children who play sports, the common belief is hits and bumps to the head are no big deal if they don’t induce symptoms of concussion. Two recent studies ... Continue Reading
Insurance for MMA Fighters – It’s Real and It’s Affordable
Professional mixed martial arts fighters put their health and well-being at risk every day. Even the most scrupulous and seasoned practitioners may find themselves seriously injured by an errant knee or a ... Continue Reading
Science Says Massage Heals Your Muscles
Most of us know a massage feels really good when your muscles are tight, tired, and sore. Now science tells us the reasons why and how massage not only feels good, but can actually help us heal inflamed ... Continue Reading
Core Strength and the Athlete: Keeping It in Perspective
Training the “core” is purportedly vital if you want to do anything nowadays: being able to better perform household chores, improve athletic performance, own a rock-hard mid-section, and prevent injuries ... Continue Reading
Are Coaches REALLY Worth the Money?
Coaches like me are expensive. We charge big money and then turn right around and make YOU do all the work. What gives? On the surface that sounds a heck-of-a-lot like a scam! If you peaked into the ... Continue Reading
Skin Infections—A Look at the Glamorous Side of Grappling
When you grapple, you spend lots of time in close quarters with other people. You get sweaty. Frequently the sweat you come away with after a training session isn’t even yours. (And let’s not even discuss ... Continue Reading
Tips for Choosing a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy
With the increase in popularity of Brazilian Jiu-Jtsu (BJJ), more and more people are trying it for the first time. Choosing a grappling academy is no small feat. For those of us who become addicted and ... Continue Reading
Avoiding Over Training: How Chinese Medicine Can Help
Being involved in two of the most intense workout crowds around - CrossFit and fighting, I often have to remind my patients we workout to keep ourselves fit and healthy. We strengthen our bodies to keep ... Continue Reading
Seeing Starting Over as an Opportunity
The last six months have been a struggle for me in regards to physical activity and fitness level. While there have definitely been days my lagging fitness has gotten me down, I have decided recently to ... Continue Reading
A Guide for the Novice: Competing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Competition can be a big part of the grappling experience for practitioners who are so inclined. The conventional wisdom is that competition helps expedite progress and enables practitioners to test what ... Continue Reading
Balance for Grapplers & Humans: The Relationships Between Physical & Emotional Balance
One of many concepts that has a specific meaning in grappling but a complementary and related meaning in life is balance. We need to be able to balance in order to grapple effectively. If we have balance, ... Continue Reading
Know Your Tongue – Know Your Health
What can your tongue tell you about your health? I don’t see a lot of pediatric patients for acupuncture, but when I do, I always look forward to asking the question that throws most new patients for a ... Continue Reading
Applying the Belt System to Life & Success – Are You A White or Black Belt?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has a built-in milestone system: the belt levels. Over the course of many years, practitioners progress from white through blue, purple, brown and black belts, and a very select few are ... Continue Reading
Analysis Shows Suits to Blame for 2009’s 43 World-Record Swims
In the world of international sports, any and every advantage that can be gained is capitalized on by the athlete - whether it be training methods, the mobility exercises of Dara Torres, or the world of ... Continue Reading
The Role of Ego in Jiu Jitsu – and Elsewhere
Most people who have been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and submission grappling for any length of time have probably heard the phrase, “Leave your ego at the door.” It is usually associated with the ... Continue Reading
