Jiu-Jitsu & Yoga

An overview of my ideas

Many people say that we should “leave the ego outside the mat,” but I believe that another ego takes its place when we step on the mat.

Improper guidance in any discipline, such as BJJ or yoga, can be detrimental to a student’s physical, psychic, and mental health. They may lose sight of the reasons for why they are practicing and it can become more about self-confirmation and seeking attention. The discipline may become less fulfilling as the student never achieves anything personally. Combined with the influence of social media, it can be difficult for individuals to find their own path.

Like drug addiction, we often try to recreate the feeling of the “first high.” My intention was never to create a “Yoga for BJJ system” or meditation to improve work or sports performance. Both yoga and BJJ are complete disciplines in and of themselves. However, I believe it is important to return to the essence of what martial arts are meant to promote: the well-being and balance of the individual, which ultimately improves society as a whole.

I have always been drawn to the essence of things. For me, the principle of balance is fundamental. It is my hope to help others find this balance in their own lives through the practices of yoga and martial arts.

Extracting the Essence: Finding Balance Through Yoga and Jiu-Jitsu

To live a meaningful life, we must balance our analytical and intuitive minds. This path requires a conscious effort and brutal honesty with ourselves. Inner peace and joy cannot be achieved by simply staring at the light, but rather by shedding light on our own darkness.

For many years, I have explored different disciplines, seeking to extract their essence. However, I have found that many of these practices are often too abstract and lacking in concrete meaning. In order to truly understand and benefit from these disciplines, it is important to maintain an open mind, while also engaging in critical thinking to filter out misinformation. I have avoided dogmatic and narrow-minded practices, as I have found that they do not lead to true personal growth.

Unfortunately, I have encountered teachers who are misleading, confusing, and dishonest, and I have seen students become brainwashed or too afraid to leave out of fear of being labeled as a “deserter.” Some individuals, even if they know deep down that a practice is not right for them, will shut down their intuition in favor of maintaining their image within a “cult.”

The Westernization of yoga often either over-inflates spiritual concepts, creating a myth around the practice, or removes these concepts entirely, turning yoga into a purely physical activity. I believe this is a result of the East trying to adopt the technocratic ways of the West, while the West tries to embrace a superficial form of “spiritualism” by making Buddhism, yoga, and other Eastern teachings into trend-based consumer goods.

It is important to understand that yoga is a constantly evolving practice. Any connection to the self is the natural path for any human being.

BJJ is a highly diverse discipline, but modern Jiu-Jitsu has become too focused on competition and pragmatism, often distracting the mind rather than freeing and enlightening it. Schools, coaches, and students often measure success based on their team’s results in competitions.

While I enjoy the competitive aspect of BJJ, I recognize that it can lead to a closed-minded mentality. People may constantly compare themselves and their achievements to others, and may even sacrifice their own bodies with injuries in the pursuit of success.

The basic structures for development in - JIU-JITSU & YOGA

I view yoga, BJJ, and the basic dimensions of our personalities as interconnected structures that support and enhance one another. By being aware of these structures, we can promote physical and mental health. However, this process is recursive, meaning that we never truly reach an end or beginning.

True completeness is only achieved when we reach a state of harmonious balance. This requires integrating different aspects of our personality into our actions, and vice versa. By combining the practice of Jiu-Jitsu with yoga, we can improve the skills necessary for personal growth. Together, these disciplines can help us achieve a sense of balance and harmony.

Reconfigure your mind

It is important to set specific and achievable goals for ourselves in order to make progress and improve our lives. However, it is equally important to be honest with ourselves and make sure that our goals are genuine and align with our values. If we are not honest about what we really want, the world will not manifest itself in a way that helps us achieve our goals. It is also important to ask ourselves a few questions if we are having trouble reaching our goals:

Having discipline and structure in our lives is essential, especially for those of us who may have more spontaneous or disorganized personalities. It is also important to have a schedule and a plan in order to achieve our goals. Without discipline and structure, it can be difficult to make progress or improve our lives. Learning to say no and finding a balance in agreeableness is also important. It is crucial to stand up for ourselves and what we believe in, and not to be swayed or manipulated by others. This is especially important to avoid getting caught up in cult-like situations where our minds become trapped. Resilience and the ability to bounce back from challenges is also essential for personal growth. We must learn to accept things as they come, including obstacles and setbacks. This does not mean passively accepting everything that comes our way, but rather learning to embrace challenges and find ways to overcome them. Instead of reacting, it is important to respond in a proactive and mindful way. Effective communication is also key to success in all areas of life, whether it be personal, professional, or in relationships and training. This includes both verbal and non-verbal communication. The way we communicate under pressure, such as while sparring in Jiu-Jitsu, is especially important. It is easy to become overwhelmed by our emotions and say things without really paying attention to the accuracy of our communication. Good communication skills can also help us de-escalate dangerous situations. In addition to verbal communication, body language is also important for success in Jiu-Jitsu and Yoga. The ability to make associations and connections between ideas is crucial for learning and developing our own unique style. Jiu-Jitsu has many techniques, but we can only memorize a certain amount of them. Therefore, it is important to learn how to make associations and apply techniques in different ways. Critical thinking is also an essential skill that allows us to filter valid information and only assimilate what makes sense. There is a lot of biased and misleading information out there, so it is important to be able to think critically and make our own conclusions, even if they differ from what we have been told. This is especially true when reading or listening to others. Don’t blindly accept what you are told or read, but take the time to analyze it and determine its validity for yourself. This way, you can form your own unique perspective and not be swayed by the opinions of others. Self-learning is another crucial skill that determines success in any area of life. A thirst for knowledge and the ability to constantly seek out new information and learn how to learn are essential for personal growth and advancement. The self-learner is always progressing and evolving, and should never stop learning, no matter their age. The world is constantly changing, and it is important to stay aware of these changes and be ready for what comes next. If we stop learning, we become stagnant and fall behind, just like in Jiu-Jitsu. The practice of patience is also important in achieving our goals. It is important to take things step by step and stay within our goals to avoid overstepping or losing our way. If we want to improve something, we should start with small changes and make progress gradually. Small changes made every day can lead to significant improvements in the long run. It is important to remember that the secret to success is not pushing ourselves beyond our limits, as this can lead to injuries and traumas. Instead, we should learn to work within our limits and build up gradually. Comparing ourselves to others can be tempting, but it is important to remember that the only person we should compare ourselves to is ourselves. We should focus on our own progress and development, rather than comparing ourselves to others. This can be difficult, but it is important to be aware of this tendency and stay focused on our own goals and progress, rather than getting caught up in comparing ourselves to others.

Connecting Jiu-Jitsu and Yoga Through Movement: A Path to Flow and Self-Awareness

I believe that Jiu-Jitsu and Yoga are connected through movements, both physical and mental. By focusing on our thought patterns, mindset, and breathing, we can improve our connection with ourselves and enter the flow state, where body and mind are synchronized and focused on a single activity.

Yoga is particularly effective at calming the mind and helping us enter the flow state. By becoming more aware of our bodies, we can increase our focus and awareness in our minds, and reduce the influence of our unconscious.

Jiu-Jitsu is a valuable tool for entering the flow state because it teaches us how to combine intuition and reason when fighting. The opponent or problem is constantly changing, and Jiu-Jitsu helps us develop the cognitive flexibility to adapt and change with the situation, solving conflicts with maximum efficiency and minimal effort.

The Philosophy Behind My Teaching and Training Method

As an engineer turned Yoga and Jiu-Jitsu instructor, I bring a unique analytical approach to my teaching and training methods. Rather than focusing on technical solutions, I emphasize the importance of understanding movements and concepts, such as physics and bio-mechanics. This allows my students to develop their own unique style and creativity.

In my Jiu-Jitsu training, I use a structured approach that involves identifying problems, researching solutions, and testing techniques in sparring and competition. I am constantly seeking ways to improve and refine my own game.

My Yoga practice, which is based on the Vinyasa style, is holistic in nature, taking into account the body, mind, and spirit as a whole. I focus on transitions and proper alignment in poses, and I have developed intuitive sequences based on my own experience. I also incorporate other movements and equipment as needed.

In addition to physical training, I also prioritize good eating habits and a consistent circadian rhythm for optimal physical and mental performance. These habits are integral to my overall philosophy of holistic wellness.

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Finding Balance Through Jiu-Jitsu & Yoga

Through the practice of Yoga and Jiu-Jitsu, we can cultivate a sense of mindfulness and awareness that can improve our physical and mental health and emotional stability. These practices also help us to balance our logical and analytical side with our emotional and creative side.

Jiu-Jitsu, in particular, is an excellent tool for developing focus, self-control, and precise decision-making. It also helps us to maintain balance in both our body and mind. Meditation, which is an integral part of the flow state achieved in both Yoga and Jiu-Jitsu, is a powerful workout for the soul.

By exploring the depths and essences of these practices, we can discover our motivations and understand the reasons behind our actions. This enables us to create our own personal way of life and continue evolving and developing ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Ultimately, the goal of my work is to connect body, mind, and emotions through thinking, feeling, moving, and breathing, so that people can become more self-aware and understand the purpose behind their actions. By contributing to the personal development of others, we contribute to our own growth and self-improvement.

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