Why go to a GYM when there's a DOJO

I realized the other day that in many gyms, human relationships are non existent. People just want to get in, do their workout, and leave. Sounds like a very productive way to do "your fitness for the day," and move on with the rest of the day. Unfortunately, health and fitness is much more than just activating your sweat glands, stimulating your muscle fibers, and feeling sore the next day. It needs to be mind stimulating, rather than mind numbing. It needs to be interactive, rather than independent. It needs to be community building, rather than simply self fulfilling.

Don't get me wrong, there are people who have mastered the SCIENCE of gym training, and created their own forcefield Dojo around them, but those people are the exception. The problem here however, is that they have built a forcefield that keeps others out of the Dojo. Some might be allowed in, but most are not. It's highly exclusive and caters to only a few.

In my opinion, it seems like such a waste to have so many people with a common goal conglomerate in one area, yet never share a word of enthusiasm, encouragement, or excitement. There is the potential for so much energy, just no one there to channel it in a specific & productive direction. In short, it lacks leadership. We need leadership, a sensei, a coach, even a friend to guide the energy along a path... A DOJO.

So, what is a DOJO? Well, 道場 written in Japanese, literally means "The Place of the Way." You might ask, "what is the way?"  Now we're thinking and not just moving in some direction.  On the surface "the way" is whatever it is you are LEARNING; Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, Judo, Karate, Tae-kwon-do. It's typically Martial Arts, but could be flower arrangement, calligraphy, or even ceramics. When you dive deeper, "the way" could be seen as the journey you are taking, footsteps for your energy to be guided, your journey to deeper awareness and mastery. A Dojo is a place where the learning takes place.

I also believe the gym atmosphere is a good reason why people fail to meet their fitness goals. A life altering journey, is not easily done on your own. The qualities of a gym are seldom enough. Proof is in the NBC show "Biggest Loser." The show has created a REALITY TV DOJO. The contestants don't just train in the gym. They become a community, are educated, led by leaders, challenged, encouraged, and more recently have started sharing their knowledge and reaching out to members in their immediate community. A Dojo doesn't need to fit into the typical image.... but there are some key ingredients that you need to have in the mix!

Eliot Kelly 

"Give back to Your DOJO"

El Dorado Hills Brazilian JiuJitsu

Self-Defense, Fitness, Competition