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

"Make Your Luck" Jiu-Jitsu Tournament

Walk the Walk

Challenge of the Month for March 2012:

LEAD by EXAMPLE!

   Be an example to those around you, and lead them through your actions. TRAIN with FOCUS, DISCIPLINE, and DETERMINATION, and LIVE each day with higher standards off the mat. Don't worry about telling them, be the one to SHOW them! Research has shown that 90% of communications take place NON-VERBALLY. Therefore it is essential to be the one who  "WALKS the WALK," rather than just "talks the talk." 
   The truth: ACTIONS always speak louder than words. By practicing a MARTIAL ART like Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, Judo, or any form of grappling, people become more sensitive to what you DO. What you say will always matter, but what you DO will always matter more.
   As a leader we must find a way for our actions to match our words. Sometimes, you need to start talking about the CHARACTERISTICS, and remind yourself what ACTION is needed. As a result, you've paved a road with the mind for the body to follow. This would be a case where the MIND led the BODY. How we think and how we act are very POWERFUL tools! Let's use them to their full potential! 
  

Eliot Kelly

"Lead by Example" 

El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Self Defense, Fitness, Competition 

The Climb

The Climb: (What I learned at the Great Sand Dunes of Colorado)

     When you look out and see the top of the mountain it's not hard to say, "That's not so high. I'm gonna climb it." With a voice in the background saying "No, that'll take all day," you start running thinking "Nah, I'll do it in 30min.' The flat road leading up to the base of the mountain is a breeze as you brace yourself for the climb. Soon, you realize you need to shorten your stride because the "hills" are steeper than they appeared at a distance. You start to breathe harder and struggle to keep going as you adjust your pace and try to catch your breath. There's PAIN, but you're still fresh enough to push that aside. As you get over the first hill you come to a realization. It's not just a STRAIGHT UPHILL BATTLE, but an up & down path to make it to the top. On one hand you're relieved from fighting to go up, but on the other hand you realize it's going to be a lot harder than you initially thought. With this realization, the first sign of DOUBT hits. As you start to go uphill again, the pain increases and lactic acid starts to form, and combined with a steeper climb, adversity hits you like a slap in the face. With the dry air of 8,000ft. your throat starts to burn. Everything sucks and you want to justify just going to the second highest peak... or maybe the third... no one will notice. but I tell myself I CAN..... I WILL BECAUSE I HOLD MYSELF TO HIGHER STANDARDS!  

       So you keep going one step at a time, at one point you have to dig your hands and bear crawl with your head down, and have faith that the the steep climb will eventually taper. The closer you get the more you realize I'M GONNA DO THIS!!! You see less and less shoe prints in the sand, and soon enough you are on the top.... Enjoy the top, take pictures, rejoice, holler and throw your hands up in the air! There is not much FUN, about getting to the top. But the satisfaction of being on top and the few minutes descending were pure bliss!! 

      The toughest part is that 3/4 mark... Realize when you get to that point you must hold yourself to higher standards...So, Climb YOUR hill!! Fight that pain and doubt and have faith that you will reach the top one tiny step at a time!!! 

      Let's take notice of the other "Sand Dune Climbers."

1) Not everyone made an attempt to get to the top: That's fine, they were happy with the view they had from where they were. 

2) Not everyone chose to run to the top: One lady walked 20~30 yards and took a break to catch her breath & appreciate the view. Others made their way to the top. 

3)Not everyone decided they were going to run to the top: The important thing is to find a pace that works for you. If you have a consistent pace you will eventually get to see the top! 

Eliot Kelly

"Climb that Hill"

El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Tony Gonzalez: "Your body says quit, but your mind says keep going"

Tony standing on the far left with his blue belt

One of the neatest things about Jiu-Jitsu is the extended network of brotherhood we fall into once we become committed students. This brotherhood is a bond amongst warriors who have had to earn all that they have. It's a brotherhood where we all compete for the one common goal. To fight the good fight and better our bodies, minds, and spirits by bettering those around us. When I received an encouraging e-mail from Tony, I knew I had to share his triumphs with everyone. Thank you for sharing Tony.

1. Please tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Tony Gonzalez age 44. I’ve been living with MS for 14 to 20 years. Raised in Newark NJ, and served in the USMC. In 2008 my family & I relocated to Florida.  I reside here with my beautiful wife Teri. She is a Colon cancer survivor. We have identical twin boys Justin & Brandon, age 11.

2. When and why/how did you start Jiu-jitsu? 

 I started BJJ in April of 2010, along with my sons. We joined Marico Cruz Bjj, in Lutz, Fl. I was asked to try a free class. I was hesitant at first. I was still getting over a relapse from my illness. The class was tough; my stamina was not at the same level as any of the other students. But, I showed up for class # 2. Determined to give it another try.

3. Why do you like Jiu-Jitsu? What do you get out of your training?

BJJ keeps me healthy. I’ve become an addict. Keeps me focused, I feel my body come alive on & off the mat.

3. Who do you look up to in Jiu-Jitsu? If you could do a private lesson with anyone who would it be? 

My instructor Marico Cruz is a great instructor. He knows my limitations, but he’s got patience. But, a private lesson would be with Marico Cruz & Marcelo Garcia.

4. How have these people shaped your life? What elements about them do you relate with?

BJJ teaches you to take care of body & mind. The sport encourages clean living with diet & attitude. Friendship & family are a priority.

5. What has been some of the frustrating moments for you in your training? 

Second month of training I broke my ankle on the mat, practicing a move. I still attended class with my brace on. I would sit & watch Marico Cruz teach the techniques. One month later, I was back on the mat.

6. How did you overcome those frustrations? 

Master Cruz actually gave me a stripe for attending class with my broke ankle.

7. How would you describe the Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle?

Master Cruz would always say “Tony your body says quit, but your mind says keep going”. BJJ encourages you to focus on making your body better.

8. How has the Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle made an impact on your life?

It’s my obsession. It’s a lifestyle that I can share with my kids.

9. What are your future goals? What do you hope to accomplish from doing Jujitsu?

My future goals are to stay with the sport. I hope to pass on the positive changes to my sons. MS can’t take that away.  

Tony Gonzalez

BJJ FOR LIFE OSSSS!

Eliot Kelly

El Dorado Hills Jiu-Jitsu

"Fill someone's cup with yours and trust that your cup will be filled by another."

An Attitude of Gratitude

An Attitude of Gratitude is something we can all have regardless of our circumstances. The events that take place in life are many times beyond our control. However, our attitude towards those events are completely in our control. Have an ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE and even the most difficult events will become much more of a joy to overcome! Here is a story I would like to share with you.

     This summer I was bailing hay at the Eternal Warrior Wrestling Camp in Trego, Montana. At first it was hot and dry, my allergies started kicking up as soon as we started moving hey. After a couple hours, the weather took a turn and all of a sudden we were ambushed by the rain. "This sucks...." To add to the conditions, the tall stack of hay at the barn had been mismanaged and had fallen over. "This sucks...."Not only did we have to continue collecting the hay in the fields, but also had to come back to re-stack the hay at the barn, adding about four hours to the labor intensive job. "This sucks....."

      In the middle of all this, I started to think to myself, "Why am I so negative.....?" I realized I was frustrated by things that were beyond my control. I couldn't control the rain, I couldn't control the hay falling, I couldn't control having to work an extended amount of hours. Things were bad and my attitude "this sucks...." was making it worse.  At some point during the day I became conscious of my attitude and started to think of ways to have an attitude of gratitude. Grateful that I could take a break and drink a bottle of water. Grateful that there were delicious PB&J sandwiches. Grateful that I was able to do the stuff, be in Montana, surrounded by many good people. The reality was that things weren't really that bad, and I was making it worse by being negative. Having an attitude of gratitude helped me appreciate the process of working. Rather than just having a positive attitude, but an attitude of gratitude took the focus on what was bad and helped me find the good things of the moment. 

So, have an Attitude of Gratitude. Thank those around you. Appreciate what you get to do even when it's raining and things are falling down, there are always things you can be grateful for. Doing so will only make you stronger and the people around you better. 

Eliot Kelly

El Dorado Hills JiuJitsu

"An Attitude of Gratitude builds Champions!"

Halloween Safety Tips

Happy Halloween everyone! Here are a few safety tips to follow when you go out Trick-or-Treating!
Safety Tips:
- Don't eat any candy until your parents have inspected the wrapper. 
- Make sure costumes don't drag on the ground. 
- Shoes should fit (even if they don't go with the costume)
- Avoid wearing masks while walking from house to house
- Carry only flexible knives, swords or other props. 
-Wear clothing with reflective markings or tape.
- Stay away from and don't pet animals you don't know. 
- Approach only houses that are lit. 
- Carry a flash light. 
- Trick or treat is groups of 3 or more. 
- Do not enter an unfamiliar home. 
- Walk, don't run. 
- Stay on the sidewalk. 
- Obey traffic signals. 
- Stay in familiar neighborhoods. 
- Don't cut across yards or driveways. 
- Wear a watch you can read in the dark. 

- Safety Tips courtesy of West Coast Martial Arts 

Eliot Kelly 

El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 

"Have a safe & happy Halloween!"