Posts
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Teen Party
We are having a Teen Party Saturday Dec. 19th from 6-8 pm. 7th-12th grade, old and new friends welcome.
Monday, November 16, 2009
RCJ Machado Jiu-Jitsu Seminar with Rigan and Carlos..
Just got back late last night from the seminar with Rigan and Carlos Machado. These guys are just amazing. Rigan is down in weight to 240lbs which scares the crap out of me because he was too fast when he was around 300... I can't imagine how slick he is now when he is seriously rolling. Carlos has continued to improve and refine our curriculum...Guys if you will come to class and work you will become awesome... You cannot learn it by osmosis, it requires effort. Rigan made the point that Carlos and Jean Jaques learned much faster than he did but he was diligent about repetition... He told us that when he was working on new material he often did up to 400 repetitions a day so that it became reflex... So much jiu-jitsu so little time. We will be working on the new ideas and concepts tonight and the rest of this week so come to class and let's get to work!!!!
Peace
Chris Holmes-Master Teacher
Peace
Chris Holmes-Master Teacher
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
New Halloween Safety Tips
NEW Halloween Safety Tips
October 27, 2009
Dear Parents, Students & Friends,
Here is a list of some new safety tips for Halloween we are teaching in classes this week.
Some new tips have been added for children as well as for adults please take a moment to read them to enjoy a fun & safe Halloween 2009!
Thank you Chris Holmes-Master Teacher, Epic Martial Arts.
Safety should be at the forefront of everyone’s mind as Halloween approaches, especially parents of young children
Employing safety tips can make a difference. Tips include:
1.Parents should accompany young children.
2.Don’t go inside a stranger’s house, no matter what anyone says.
3.Trick-or-Treaters should always be in groups so they aren’t a tempting target for real life goblins.
4. Make a map of your Trick-or-Treat route and check the route against the sex offender database.
5.Stay in your own neighborhood.
6.Stop only at well lit houses.
7.Carry a flashlight or light stick.
8.Use make up instead of a mask so you can see.
9.Wear light colored clothing or costumes.
10. Always keep a safe distance between you and moving cars.
11. Be respectful of other people and their property.
12. Parents should screen all treats before you eat them.
13. Don’t accept and, especially, don’t eat anything not commercially wrapped.
14. Start early, end early.
15. Use sidewalks or walk facing traffic.
16. Stop, look and listen at corners.
17. Walk, don’t run.
18. Don’t go between parked cars or crisscross back and forth across streets or into traffic.
19. Don’t carry sharp instruments.
20. Never carry a lighted torch or candles.
Before heading out to “trick-or-treat” this Halloween, visit the MS State Sexual Offender and Predator database click on this link to be taken there,http://www.sor.mdps.state.ms.us/sorpublic/hpsor_search.aspx to ensure the residences your children are visiting do not house registered sex offenders.
- When the “trick-or-treaters” begin their neighborhood trek, exercise extra vigilance for those excited, costumed youths whose exuberance may overcome their awareness of vehicles.
- Many adults will don customs and drive to various events; check to be sure your costume doesn’t impede your ability to operate your vehicle in a safe manner.
- If celebrations include alcohol, whether hosting or participating, be responsible, as always, drivers need to remember “Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk.”
Happy Halloween,
Chris Holmes-Master Teacher
Epic Martial Arts
313 Richmond St.
McComb MS
(601) 250-0550
www.epicmartialarts.com
Monday, October 19, 2009
Judo vs Brazilian Jiu Jitsu...
So what is the difference between Judo and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu? Like everything else in life it just depends...but as a practitioner of both arts I can give you some generalized differences that I see between the two of them. Feel free to comment, ask questions, etc. I will address these both based on the experiences that I have had in the course of over ten years of constant training in these type arts.
First let me give you some background on my training.. I started training in 1995 at USM with Christian Shoemaker in Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do. It was very informal but I did began to learn kicks and how to work angles. I started training in an official Tang Soo Do Dojang in 1997 approximately 5 or 6 months after I graduated from USM. I trained there under Master John Magee and Mr. Michael Langhart for about 3 years. In 1998 or 1999 I met Master Steve Kincade who was a 5th dan in Hanmudo under Dr. He Young Kimm. I started training with Master Kincade 6 months to a year after I met him. I had already earned my 1st Dan in Tang Soo Do and was working on my 2nd Dan material.
Master Kincade became my primary instructor for a while then from him I was able to start training with Dr. Kimm... Dr. Kimm is a 8th or 9th Dan in Yudo, a 9th Dan in Hapkido, and the founder of Hanmudo. Dr. Kimm taught us many of the basics of Yudo or Judo. In 2004 or 2005 Master Frank Caracci started teaching more grappling sessions at the Hanmudo seminars. I began to pick up what I could from him. In 2006 Master Caracci, Master Mike Reed, and myself traveled to Las Vegas to meet Master Carlos Machado at the Martial Arts Super Show. We began to train with him from that point forward. (Master Machado is the nephew to the founder of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Carlos Gracie). I have been an official Machado representative since February 2007. Sensei Vincent Fernando started teaching me Judo sometime in 2007.
So to reinterate my lineage: I have been taught Judo by Dr. Kimm, Vincent Fernando, and now I am trying to learn from Sensei Robert Harvey. My Brazilian Jiu-jitsu training has been under Master Frank Caracci and now with Master Carlos Machado.
The Judo I was taught from Dr. Kimm was old school judo from the 1940's and 50's. The Judo I was taught from Sensei Vincent was from the 1980's and early 90's. Sensei Harvey explained to me and Sensei Vincent that the Judo we were doing was old Judo, not modern Judo as it has evolved over the last 20 years or so. So we are having to make some minor modifications...
The Brazilian Jiu-jitsu I am learning is modern RCJ Machado Jiu-jitsu as it has evolved over the last 20 or so years from the Machado brothers and their students. The BJJ that I have seen Royce Gracie teaching is older BJJ and is not as evolved as Machado Jiu-jitsu... No offense to Royce as he is responsible for popularizing BJJ here in the USA but I'm calling it as I see it. Some of the guard passes he is teaching are not effective today against experienced grapplers and most of the white to blue belt techniques are much more basic than the Machado requirements.
So what are the differences between Judo and BJJ? Well the intent and purpose is different for starters... In Judo you want to finish the guy as soon as possible. In BJJ it is expected that you are fighting a larger, stronger, and younger opponent, so you want to wear them down on the ground until they become tired and give up an arm, neck, leg, or whatever... You allow them to exhaust themselves on the mat trying to escape your guard, mount, side control, or whatever position you have. Judo has evolved quite a bit in the last 30-40 years and BJJ has advanced mat work and grappling tremendously in the last 80 or so years.
Judo is all about speed, power, and execution. BJJ is all about control, setups, angles, and execution. There are more similarities then there are differences but I think that most BJJ schools will have far superior mat work and most Judo schools will have far superior throws... I think all BJJ schools should incorperate Judo to improve their takedowns and I think all Judo schools should incorperate BJJ to improve their mat work.
Here at Epic we are working on bringing you the whole enchilada... Superior throws combined with superior mat work, supplemented by excellent striking. All this is topped off by project based leadership training, Verbal Judo, Diabetes education, and top notch instruction.
Peace
Chris Holmes-Master Teacher
First let me give you some background on my training.. I started training in 1995 at USM with Christian Shoemaker in Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do. It was very informal but I did began to learn kicks and how to work angles. I started training in an official Tang Soo Do Dojang in 1997 approximately 5 or 6 months after I graduated from USM. I trained there under Master John Magee and Mr. Michael Langhart for about 3 years. In 1998 or 1999 I met Master Steve Kincade who was a 5th dan in Hanmudo under Dr. He Young Kimm. I started training with Master Kincade 6 months to a year after I met him. I had already earned my 1st Dan in Tang Soo Do and was working on my 2nd Dan material.
Master Kincade became my primary instructor for a while then from him I was able to start training with Dr. Kimm... Dr. Kimm is a 8th or 9th Dan in Yudo, a 9th Dan in Hapkido, and the founder of Hanmudo. Dr. Kimm taught us many of the basics of Yudo or Judo. In 2004 or 2005 Master Frank Caracci started teaching more grappling sessions at the Hanmudo seminars. I began to pick up what I could from him. In 2006 Master Caracci, Master Mike Reed, and myself traveled to Las Vegas to meet Master Carlos Machado at the Martial Arts Super Show. We began to train with him from that point forward. (Master Machado is the nephew to the founder of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Carlos Gracie). I have been an official Machado representative since February 2007. Sensei Vincent Fernando started teaching me Judo sometime in 2007.
So to reinterate my lineage: I have been taught Judo by Dr. Kimm, Vincent Fernando, and now I am trying to learn from Sensei Robert Harvey. My Brazilian Jiu-jitsu training has been under Master Frank Caracci and now with Master Carlos Machado.
The Judo I was taught from Dr. Kimm was old school judo from the 1940's and 50's. The Judo I was taught from Sensei Vincent was from the 1980's and early 90's. Sensei Harvey explained to me and Sensei Vincent that the Judo we were doing was old Judo, not modern Judo as it has evolved over the last 20 years or so. So we are having to make some minor modifications...
The Brazilian Jiu-jitsu I am learning is modern RCJ Machado Jiu-jitsu as it has evolved over the last 20 or so years from the Machado brothers and their students. The BJJ that I have seen Royce Gracie teaching is older BJJ and is not as evolved as Machado Jiu-jitsu... No offense to Royce as he is responsible for popularizing BJJ here in the USA but I'm calling it as I see it. Some of the guard passes he is teaching are not effective today against experienced grapplers and most of the white to blue belt techniques are much more basic than the Machado requirements.
So what are the differences between Judo and BJJ? Well the intent and purpose is different for starters... In Judo you want to finish the guy as soon as possible. In BJJ it is expected that you are fighting a larger, stronger, and younger opponent, so you want to wear them down on the ground until they become tired and give up an arm, neck, leg, or whatever... You allow them to exhaust themselves on the mat trying to escape your guard, mount, side control, or whatever position you have. Judo has evolved quite a bit in the last 30-40 years and BJJ has advanced mat work and grappling tremendously in the last 80 or so years.
Judo is all about speed, power, and execution. BJJ is all about control, setups, angles, and execution. There are more similarities then there are differences but I think that most BJJ schools will have far superior mat work and most Judo schools will have far superior throws... I think all BJJ schools should incorperate Judo to improve their takedowns and I think all Judo schools should incorperate BJJ to improve their mat work.
Here at Epic we are working on bringing you the whole enchilada... Superior throws combined with superior mat work, supplemented by excellent striking. All this is topped off by project based leadership training, Verbal Judo, Diabetes education, and top notch instruction.
Peace
Chris Holmes-Master Teacher
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Our videos...
Hey guys,
Why am I posting all the videos and not just the good ones? Well I think it is important for you, the student to actually see what you need work on... This is often much more effective than just having me yell at you... It also shows visitors to our blog that we are human, we make mistakes, we have work to do...Stances and kicks anyone??? Look at yourself and your classmates fix what needs to be fixed...
Peace
Chris Holmes-Master Teacher
Why am I posting all the videos and not just the good ones? Well I think it is important for you, the student to actually see what you need work on... This is often much more effective than just having me yell at you... It also shows visitors to our blog that we are human, we make mistakes, we have work to do...Stances and kicks anyone??? Look at yourself and your classmates fix what needs to be fixed...
Peace
Chris Holmes-Master Teacher
Monday, October 12, 2009
Being a great student/person.
How can you become a great student or even a great person? Well it's not going to be easy, like anything worthwhile it will take work and practice. Here are some suggestions that can guide you:
1. Train 3-5 days a week, no excuses... Train smart when you are injured.
2. Eat for health, control your diet. Don't let food dominate your life.
3. Read good books that challenge and inspire you. Most of you guys should be reading the Art of Learning...
4. Mental and Spiritual Training... I'm not here to tell you who or what to worship. I have taught Christians(from Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopalians, Pentecostals, Charismatics, to Catholics) Buddhists, Hindus, Mormons, Agnostics, Atheists, and even a Muslim. The one group that was extremely bitter and disillusioned were the Atheists. They were so anti-christian that they refused to attend tournaments and graduations held in Church gymnasiums... Most atheists I have come into contact with were the same exact way, very bitter, very angry, and militantly anti -christian, oddly enough they did not seem to have the same anger towards non christian religions... If I am currently teaching any happy Atheists then please let me know and I will stand corrected...I also encourage you to examine other religions once you are mature in your own faith...This will allow you to have a better understanding of other people's view points. But if you start picking and choosing before you understand your own faith then it tends to lead to confusion! This is true of your martial arts training as well... If you pick and choose without knowing the background, fundamentals and philosophy of your martial art then you can become confused... A quick example... I teach you guys BJJ and some Judo but they operate under two different dynamics, the goal in Judo is to finish as soon as possible. Thus the points are given for awesome throws... In BJJ the goal is beat your opponent with as little effort and injury to yourself as possible, this is why BJJ players take the match to the ground so they can wear their opponents out and then finish with a submission... Both have tremendous value but the focus is on different aspects. I am well versed enough in both arts to teach you without confusing you about the different philosophies...
5. Live your next belt test now.... Whether you are testing for gold belt or 3rd degree black belt train, live, and work like you are giving your best test every day. If you are truly living then you can experience more in a day or a month than some people experience in years or even their whole life....
6. Develop training partners that can push you to the next level... Don't seek out people that are worse than you, seek out people that are better than you...Take your performance up to their level.
7. Learn how to manage your time... Get a day planner, learn to use it, if you are still a kid then this will be worth more than you can ever imagine when you are grown.
8. Keep a training journal or log... You can do this in your day planner, in a note book, or on our website. This allows you to track your progress...
9. If you need help... ASK!!! I can't help you if you don't ask....
10. Find a great instructor.... Hey you guys have this covered you're reading this aren't you! But if you ever move away then you need to find a different great instructor....
1. Train 3-5 days a week, no excuses... Train smart when you are injured.
2. Eat for health, control your diet. Don't let food dominate your life.
3. Read good books that challenge and inspire you. Most of you guys should be reading the Art of Learning...
4. Mental and Spiritual Training... I'm not here to tell you who or what to worship. I have taught Christians(from Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopalians, Pentecostals, Charismatics, to Catholics) Buddhists, Hindus, Mormons, Agnostics, Atheists, and even a Muslim. The one group that was extremely bitter and disillusioned were the Atheists. They were so anti-christian that they refused to attend tournaments and graduations held in Church gymnasiums... Most atheists I have come into contact with were the same exact way, very bitter, very angry, and militantly anti -christian, oddly enough they did not seem to have the same anger towards non christian religions... If I am currently teaching any happy Atheists then please let me know and I will stand corrected...I also encourage you to examine other religions once you are mature in your own faith...This will allow you to have a better understanding of other people's view points. But if you start picking and choosing before you understand your own faith then it tends to lead to confusion! This is true of your martial arts training as well... If you pick and choose without knowing the background, fundamentals and philosophy of your martial art then you can become confused... A quick example... I teach you guys BJJ and some Judo but they operate under two different dynamics, the goal in Judo is to finish as soon as possible. Thus the points are given for awesome throws... In BJJ the goal is beat your opponent with as little effort and injury to yourself as possible, this is why BJJ players take the match to the ground so they can wear their opponents out and then finish with a submission... Both have tremendous value but the focus is on different aspects. I am well versed enough in both arts to teach you without confusing you about the different philosophies...
5. Live your next belt test now.... Whether you are testing for gold belt or 3rd degree black belt train, live, and work like you are giving your best test every day. If you are truly living then you can experience more in a day or a month than some people experience in years or even their whole life....
6. Develop training partners that can push you to the next level... Don't seek out people that are worse than you, seek out people that are better than you...Take your performance up to their level.
7. Learn how to manage your time... Get a day planner, learn to use it, if you are still a kid then this will be worth more than you can ever imagine when you are grown.
8. Keep a training journal or log... You can do this in your day planner, in a note book, or on our website. This allows you to track your progress...
9. If you need help... ASK!!! I can't help you if you don't ask....
10. Find a great instructor.... Hey you guys have this covered you're reading this aren't you! But if you ever move away then you need to find a different great instructor....
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Epic's Belt Promotion Ceremony
We just had a small belt promotion ceremony. Most of our students did not have enough classes to test so there were only a few promoted. The ones that were promoted did an excellent job and here are some of the highlights:
Mikhail has a respectable vertical and yes he's jumping over my back not off of it....
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Josh is about to slam Mikhail with Osotogari.
Tom kills his board with a palm strike...
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Caleb Calhoun swept Henry...Now if I could just get these guys to mop the mats...
Hayes is sweeping Noah...
Caleb and Henry are doing joint locks...
Mary is the picture of concentration as she is caught in motion doing her hyung/kata.
Kristina destroys her board with a spinning back kick...
Micah proves that he can deify gravity with his flying side kick...
Mikhail has a respectable vertical and yes he's jumping over my back not off of it....
.JPG)
Josh is about to slam Mikhail with Osotogari.
Tom kills his board with a palm strike...
.JPG)
Caleb Calhoun swept Henry...Now if I could just get these guys to mop the mats...
Hayes is sweeping Noah...
Caleb and Henry are doing joint locks...
Mary is the picture of concentration as she is caught in motion doing her hyung/kata.
Kristina destroys her board with a spinning back kick...
Micah proves that he can deify gravity with his flying side kick...
Hayes executes a picture perfect side kick to break his board.
Matthew shows great form during his break...
Mr. Josh is doing a fine job holding the boards as well...
Remmington, Vik, and others are doing their form/kata but they are captured in motion so you can't see their awesome stances.
Noah is demonstrating punch defense on Matthew to the left and then is doing a scissor take down on David below.
Matthew shows great form during his break...
Mr. Josh is doing a fine job holding the boards as well...
Remmington, Vik, and others are doing their form/kata but they are captured in motion so you can't see their awesome stances.
This was a good test but in December it will be bigger, better, and more challenging so get busy on your stuff guys! Thanks to Mr. Josh for allowing his fingers to get smashed and to Ms. Christine for helping you guys get so awesome...
Peace
Chris Holmes-Master Teacher
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
The Purpose of Training...
Why do you train? What is your purpose, your intent when you step on the mat? How do you apply your training to your life? Do you apply your training to your life? I would guess that all of us have different answers for why we train, what motivates us, our purpose, and what our intent should be.
Let me offer some suggestions...Train so that you understand your self as completely as humanly possible, know what makes you tick and why... Understand your limitations then do something about them... Don't settle for the mediocre... Why would you want to accept being average? Push yourself to excel, to grow, to expand... Look at things from a new perspective, your way is not the only way...(As your instructor, my way is the right way... Just kidding) See things from someone else's point of view...
One of my mentors Master Tom Callos tells me, and probably 300 other people weekly: that the last thing this world needs, is another punch thrown in anger, another grenade or missile launched...There is more to the quote but Coach Tom is like a hurricane of ideas, you have to try to catch whatever you can. The point is that we need to measure our actions, control our reactions, and understand what motivates us to the point where we are able to leave our emotions, our prejudices, our lack of understanding out of the picture and respond as a empathetic human.
Unfortunately some people refuse to be appeased, you cannot always walk or run away, and they leave you no hope for a peaceful solution... You see this cycle repeating time and time again through out history, I am a historian by training as well... This cycle will not be broken in our life time and probably will exist as long as we exist on this planet... Is is hopeless? I don't think so... but we need to educate ourselves, be diligent, patient, and aware... Train our students and our children for peace but teach them self protection so that they will be enabled to do whatever needs to be done. We need to chose our battles wisely and minimize the effects on the innocent that happen to be nearby... Be aware, be prepared, be patient, be concious of those that are not actively involved... (When you are sparring you don't roundhouse kick the ref.... At least you better not if I'm the ref!)
I train for battle, so I can live in peace. I push my body, so my body can continue to push me. I train my mind, so I control it and keep it from controlling me. I train my spirit, so my training won't be just a physical act that occupies my time, it becomes a dance, a merging of the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of me... I train to be...
Why do you train?
Peace
Chris Holmes-Master Teacher
Let me offer some suggestions...Train so that you understand your self as completely as humanly possible, know what makes you tick and why... Understand your limitations then do something about them... Don't settle for the mediocre... Why would you want to accept being average? Push yourself to excel, to grow, to expand... Look at things from a new perspective, your way is not the only way...(As your instructor, my way is the right way... Just kidding) See things from someone else's point of view...
One of my mentors Master Tom Callos tells me, and probably 300 other people weekly: that the last thing this world needs, is another punch thrown in anger, another grenade or missile launched...There is more to the quote but Coach Tom is like a hurricane of ideas, you have to try to catch whatever you can. The point is that we need to measure our actions, control our reactions, and understand what motivates us to the point where we are able to leave our emotions, our prejudices, our lack of understanding out of the picture and respond as a empathetic human.
Unfortunately some people refuse to be appeased, you cannot always walk or run away, and they leave you no hope for a peaceful solution... You see this cycle repeating time and time again through out history, I am a historian by training as well... This cycle will not be broken in our life time and probably will exist as long as we exist on this planet... Is is hopeless? I don't think so... but we need to educate ourselves, be diligent, patient, and aware... Train our students and our children for peace but teach them self protection so that they will be enabled to do whatever needs to be done. We need to chose our battles wisely and minimize the effects on the innocent that happen to be nearby... Be aware, be prepared, be patient, be concious of those that are not actively involved... (When you are sparring you don't roundhouse kick the ref.... At least you better not if I'm the ref!)
I train for battle, so I can live in peace. I push my body, so my body can continue to push me. I train my mind, so I control it and keep it from controlling me. I train my spirit, so my training won't be just a physical act that occupies my time, it becomes a dance, a merging of the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of me... I train to be...
Why do you train?
Peace
Chris Holmes-Master Teacher
Monday, September 28, 2009
Being Lucky....
We had several new guys on the mat tonight, including one mma guy who described himself as being close to black belt level in jiu jitsu....When asked where he trained and with whom, he replied here and there and with a bunch of guys... I then offered to grapple with him to see where he was at.... He was fast and strong for his size and he was going all out trying to get me but he had very little ground game... I reversed him numerous times and tapped him with a RNC and a Darce Choke. If he had been less sweaty and I had been feeling better it would have been even more one sided... Then at the end he told me that I was lucky that he had worked all day and was somewhat tired.
I laughed... Knowing that I have a bruised tailbone, shoulder impingement, and have been sick all weekend. I was gassed by the end of our two matches but not to the same extent as he was. Seeing where someone is and submitting them when they get wild is part of a teaching and learning curve for many of us in BJJ. He is not to blame for his ego as he has never learned or been taught any better... He does have a lot of potential and if he can learn to lay the ego aside, I will teach him to the best of my abilities...
I did explain that it takes time to progress in BJJ, I have been a personal student of Carlos Machado for well over three years and I am still a blue belt... Guys it's never about the destination, it's about the journey. Some of you didn't have enough classes to test, well that just means that you will have a better test next time. But so and so is getting ahead of me... Really? Does one belt rank really mean that they are that much better than you or are you getting hung up on the belts themselves? It's not the belts, it's the knowledge, the sweat, the tears, the blood you shed on your journey.
I then reflected on the mma guy's statement about me being lucky... He doesn't know how right he is... I'm lucky that I had to wait an extra months to test for my first black belt, I rocked the test! I'm lucky that I ended my relationship with one of my instructors, I now save a lot of money and I am not stressed out about trying to teach what he wants me to teach. I'm lucky that I met Carlos at the Supershow over 3 years ago...I'm lucky that I have friends like him and Vincent and others to push me. I'm lucky that Ms Christine started training with me 7 or 8 yrs ago. I'm lucky that I can call and talk to people like Tom Callos on a weekly basis. I'm lucky in that I have gotten to train with some of the best, Royce Gracie, Relson Gracie, all 5 of the Machado brothers, Mike Swain, GM Song, Master Steve Seo, and many others. I'm lucky that I get to get up every morning and work at something I love and share it with others.
Stop getting hung up on the belts, focus on yourself and don't worry about your classmates. Your time will come, your star will shine, if you practice, practice, and practice some more.
Peace
Chris Holmes-Master Teacher
I laughed... Knowing that I have a bruised tailbone, shoulder impingement, and have been sick all weekend. I was gassed by the end of our two matches but not to the same extent as he was. Seeing where someone is and submitting them when they get wild is part of a teaching and learning curve for many of us in BJJ. He is not to blame for his ego as he has never learned or been taught any better... He does have a lot of potential and if he can learn to lay the ego aside, I will teach him to the best of my abilities...
I did explain that it takes time to progress in BJJ, I have been a personal student of Carlos Machado for well over three years and I am still a blue belt... Guys it's never about the destination, it's about the journey. Some of you didn't have enough classes to test, well that just means that you will have a better test next time. But so and so is getting ahead of me... Really? Does one belt rank really mean that they are that much better than you or are you getting hung up on the belts themselves? It's not the belts, it's the knowledge, the sweat, the tears, the blood you shed on your journey.
I then reflected on the mma guy's statement about me being lucky... He doesn't know how right he is... I'm lucky that I had to wait an extra months to test for my first black belt, I rocked the test! I'm lucky that I ended my relationship with one of my instructors, I now save a lot of money and I am not stressed out about trying to teach what he wants me to teach. I'm lucky that I met Carlos at the Supershow over 3 years ago...I'm lucky that I have friends like him and Vincent and others to push me. I'm lucky that Ms Christine started training with me 7 or 8 yrs ago. I'm lucky that I can call and talk to people like Tom Callos on a weekly basis. I'm lucky in that I have gotten to train with some of the best, Royce Gracie, Relson Gracie, all 5 of the Machado brothers, Mike Swain, GM Song, Master Steve Seo, and many others. I'm lucky that I get to get up every morning and work at something I love and share it with others.
Stop getting hung up on the belts, focus on yourself and don't worry about your classmates. Your time will come, your star will shine, if you practice, practice, and practice some more.
Peace
Chris Holmes-Master Teacher
Friday, September 25, 2009
Balance, Life, and Martial Arts.
Balance, Life, and Martial Arts.... Sometimes life seems like a long walk across a tightrope. Trying to get where you need to go without falling or getting hurt along the way. There always seems to be a ton of distrations that keep us from reaching our goals...We have to learn to balance and juggle all of our resposibilities, our time, and our attention.
What does this have to do with martial arts? Martial arts teaches you focus, self discipline, respect, service, and all of the other qualities that you want to develop...We all can manage our time more effectively...If you want to be successful in life, in love, in martial arts you need to practice. Practice is the key to being good at everything, your life should be your dojo.... You should live as a martial artist. When you feel good about what you're doing, when you are healthy, when you are wasting less time in front of the televison, then you are gonna waste less time.
You will be a happier, healthier, and less stressed if you take your martial arts training seriously. You will be a better person, student, parent, and or child...
Peace
Chris Holmes-Master Teacher
What does this have to do with martial arts? Martial arts teaches you focus, self discipline, respect, service, and all of the other qualities that you want to develop...We all can manage our time more effectively...If you want to be successful in life, in love, in martial arts you need to practice. Practice is the key to being good at everything, your life should be your dojo.... You should live as a martial artist. When you feel good about what you're doing, when you are healthy, when you are wasting less time in front of the televison, then you are gonna waste less time.
You will be a happier, healthier, and less stressed if you take your martial arts training seriously. You will be a better person, student, parent, and or child...
Peace
Chris Holmes-Master Teacher
Monday, September 21, 2009
Carlos Machado Seminar
Master Carlos Machado taught a seminar on Sat Sept. 19th here in McComb, MS. If you missed it you missed out... It is always a humbling experience getting to train with a legend and he is head and shoulders above 99% of the other BJJ blackbelts out there. We will be working new strategies and concepts that he introduced over the next several weeks...
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Boiling Water, Frogs, and Life.
Boiling water, frogs, and life... What on earth could this have to do with my martial arts training? Let me start by reminding you of the story or telling it to you for the first time. The thing is if you put a frog in boiling water it will immediately jump out because of the heat, the pain, and his body's life defense mechanisms will kick in and get him to safety, but if you put the frog in warm water and gradually increase the heat then he will not realize he's being cooked until it is too late. When we really know how much pain, hurt, injury, and stress things cause us then we naturally tend to avoid them... But life doesn't always hit us with the knockout punch immediately.... Some things just creep up on us.
Ok, so how does this help you? Well that first cigarette doesn't kill you but if you could see the the damage it does and the expense it creates then you would never light up the first one. That first beer may not do you that much harm but ten years and 20lbs later it becomes much more difficult to put it down. Sitting on the sofa watching television and eating junk doesn't hurt you the first time but the cycle of self destruction that this and these other habits create is tremendous. Not only do the people who are in these cycles get hurt but they hurt their loved ones as well and often their children are sucked into the same cycle... So you have created a culture where people are destined to self destruct by repeating the examples that have been set for them.
Come on Chris give me some good news! All this stuff is depressing me! Well folks the good news is that we are here to help. We can teach you new habits, a new life style, and do it in a caring and nuturing enviroment that kicks your butt in the nicest of ways. Gym memberships are good they don't offer the same kind of enviroment, I'm going to teach you self defense, work you out, and make you reevaluate what in heck you are doing with your life.
If you are already training with us then keep up the good work and really give me 100% every time you are on the mat. This will boost your progress to new levels, practice daily, you eat, sleep, drink, go to the bathroom, and hopefully brush your teeth and shower daily. Well practice is at least as important as any of these other things you do.... MAKE IT A DAILY HABIT! Twenty years from now you will still be thanking me, the fitness you will achieve, the discipline you will cultivate, and the focus you will learn will be so valuable that you won't have enough money to pay me what it is really worth.
Put down the Twinkies and get busy...
Peace
Chris Holmes-Master Teacher
Ok, so how does this help you? Well that first cigarette doesn't kill you but if you could see the the damage it does and the expense it creates then you would never light up the first one. That first beer may not do you that much harm but ten years and 20lbs later it becomes much more difficult to put it down. Sitting on the sofa watching television and eating junk doesn't hurt you the first time but the cycle of self destruction that this and these other habits create is tremendous. Not only do the people who are in these cycles get hurt but they hurt their loved ones as well and often their children are sucked into the same cycle... So you have created a culture where people are destined to self destruct by repeating the examples that have been set for them.
Come on Chris give me some good news! All this stuff is depressing me! Well folks the good news is that we are here to help. We can teach you new habits, a new life style, and do it in a caring and nuturing enviroment that kicks your butt in the nicest of ways. Gym memberships are good they don't offer the same kind of enviroment, I'm going to teach you self defense, work you out, and make you reevaluate what in heck you are doing with your life.
If you are already training with us then keep up the good work and really give me 100% every time you are on the mat. This will boost your progress to new levels, practice daily, you eat, sleep, drink, go to the bathroom, and hopefully brush your teeth and shower daily. Well practice is at least as important as any of these other things you do.... MAKE IT A DAILY HABIT! Twenty years from now you will still be thanking me, the fitness you will achieve, the discipline you will cultivate, and the focus you will learn will be so valuable that you won't have enough money to pay me what it is really worth.
Put down the Twinkies and get busy...
Peace
Chris Holmes-Master Teacher
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Martial Arts and "The Art of Learning"
I have been making my students read "The Art of Learning" by Josh Waitzkin. Josh Waitzkin is an 8 time National Chess Champion, Taiji Champion, and currently a Machado Jiu Jitsu student. Basically the book is an in depth examination of what it has taken him to master so many different subjects. Guess what people...Lots, and lots of practice, of course there is much more involved but until you master the fundamentals of whatever you are attempting to do you are handicapping your self from making forward progress.
I would guess that most of us us the restroom everyday, eat, drink, and sleep daily, and I certainly hope that all us are brushing our teeth and using deodorant daily. Martial arts practice should be just as important as any of these other activities. Every time you eat you need to remember that hey maybe I need to do my kicks, form, or some strikes to burn these calories. When you cleanse your body and your teeth remember that martial arts can cleanse the soul and the mind.
If I could take you my students or parents who are reading this forward in time, 10 years or even 20 years into the future. What would you or your child's future hold? Would they be well adapted, ready to deal with the challenges that life is always throwing at us? Would they have the kind of never say die attitude that drives them to get back up after they've been knocked down? Would they have the kind of leadership skills that would make them an asset to any company's workforce? Would they identify themselves as martial artists, the village protectors who are always seeking to make a difference in their world? I want you, your children, your grandchildren, and everyone you come in contact with to benefit from martial arts training. I do need your help, I need time to make this stick in their heads; I need commitment, they have to train and as parents it is your job to remind them...you have to pick your battles and this is one you cannot afford to lose; and I need enthusiasm, you students have to bring it when you step on the mat otherwise you are hurting your own progress as well as that of your classmates.
Parents and students if you really knew the true value of what martial arts has to offer you would never miss another class... I realize life gets in the way, that there are other things going on, that ball season requires so much time. The is nothing wrong with these other activities, I played high school ball for 3 yrs...But in all the times I have been in bad situation I never said to my self, "hey I'm a baseball player I can deal with this..." Maybe if someone had tried to mug me on the way back from batting practice with my Louisville slugger still in my hand....But no... every time I have had my world turned upside down I have been able to pull something from my martial arts training to help me through. Guys Mississippi leads the Nation in Obesity, our test scores are among the worst in the Nation, and we are near the to in Diabetes and Heart Disease. By the way have you noticed the sides of the roads we drive on every day? We also have some of the trashiest highways, interstates, and public roads in the Nation. What does all this have to do with martial arts training you ask?
Well my friends, I can give you real tangible skills to help you deal with an attacker if that ever occurs... But I have to tell you, your lack of exercise, the things you are putting in you mouth, and the television are far more likely to kill you than an act of random violence. I can do something to help you here....To the best of my knowledge we are the first and only school in MS to be implementing diabetes education, we will be teaching verbal judo to our students, we are the only school around requiring community service, working the concept of bringing marital arts out of the dojo and into the world, and last but certainly not least we have the best martial arts program around (I might just be a little biased here..).
So to wrap up this "Epic" post... What does all this stuff have to do with "The Art of Learning"? Learning requires effort, constant practice, commitment to excellence, and the right mindset. If you will let me teach you have to have success in these areas it will turn you into the kind of leaders that we need today. It will help you manage your life, your weight, deal with your personal relationships in a more positive manner, and it will give you a tool box of knowledge and skills that will help you be successful in life.
Peace,
Chris Holmes-Master Teacher
I would guess that most of us us the restroom everyday, eat, drink, and sleep daily, and I certainly hope that all us are brushing our teeth and using deodorant daily. Martial arts practice should be just as important as any of these other activities. Every time you eat you need to remember that hey maybe I need to do my kicks, form, or some strikes to burn these calories. When you cleanse your body and your teeth remember that martial arts can cleanse the soul and the mind.
If I could take you my students or parents who are reading this forward in time, 10 years or even 20 years into the future. What would you or your child's future hold? Would they be well adapted, ready to deal with the challenges that life is always throwing at us? Would they have the kind of never say die attitude that drives them to get back up after they've been knocked down? Would they have the kind of leadership skills that would make them an asset to any company's workforce? Would they identify themselves as martial artists, the village protectors who are always seeking to make a difference in their world? I want you, your children, your grandchildren, and everyone you come in contact with to benefit from martial arts training. I do need your help, I need time to make this stick in their heads; I need commitment, they have to train and as parents it is your job to remind them...you have to pick your battles and this is one you cannot afford to lose; and I need enthusiasm, you students have to bring it when you step on the mat otherwise you are hurting your own progress as well as that of your classmates.
Parents and students if you really knew the true value of what martial arts has to offer you would never miss another class... I realize life gets in the way, that there are other things going on, that ball season requires so much time. The is nothing wrong with these other activities, I played high school ball for 3 yrs...But in all the times I have been in bad situation I never said to my self, "hey I'm a baseball player I can deal with this..." Maybe if someone had tried to mug me on the way back from batting practice with my Louisville slugger still in my hand....But no... every time I have had my world turned upside down I have been able to pull something from my martial arts training to help me through. Guys Mississippi leads the Nation in Obesity, our test scores are among the worst in the Nation, and we are near the to in Diabetes and Heart Disease. By the way have you noticed the sides of the roads we drive on every day? We also have some of the trashiest highways, interstates, and public roads in the Nation. What does all this have to do with martial arts training you ask?
Well my friends, I can give you real tangible skills to help you deal with an attacker if that ever occurs... But I have to tell you, your lack of exercise, the things you are putting in you mouth, and the television are far more likely to kill you than an act of random violence. I can do something to help you here....To the best of my knowledge we are the first and only school in MS to be implementing diabetes education, we will be teaching verbal judo to our students, we are the only school around requiring community service, working the concept of bringing marital arts out of the dojo and into the world, and last but certainly not least we have the best martial arts program around (I might just be a little biased here..).
So to wrap up this "Epic" post... What does all this stuff have to do with "The Art of Learning"? Learning requires effort, constant practice, commitment to excellence, and the right mindset. If you will let me teach you have to have success in these areas it will turn you into the kind of leaders that we need today. It will help you manage your life, your weight, deal with your personal relationships in a more positive manner, and it will give you a tool box of knowledge and skills that will help you be successful in life.
Peace,
Chris Holmes-Master Teacher
Monday, June 22, 2009
New School and Tournament....
We are finally in our new school... It has been a long time coming and there is still work to be done but we are in a new location of our very own... We brought a small contingent to the Louisiana State Championships a few weeks ago... We did ok considering that there was very little preperation on our part due work at the new school. We will be having tournament practice on thursdays now to help us get our cardio to the next level.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Carlos Machado Seminar
Carlos Machado will be teaching 2 2 hr sessions at our school on March 7th. The sessions are open to the public for participation but spectators are not allowed. Call 601 250-0550 for more details. If you ever had any questions about jiu-jitsu or if you want to meet one of the best in the world here is your chance.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Judo vs Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
There seems to be an on going argument about the relationship between and the differences in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Judo. Unfortunately it seems to be between people who only have experience in one or the other and in some instances neither... Having trained in both arts with some world class practitioners I do speak with a small bit of experience if not authority. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu would not exist if Judo had not been brought to Brazil. I do not believe Judokas would be finding a new interest in newaza if Brazilian Jiu Jitsu had not shown the effectiveness of grappling in a one to one situation.
Instead of spending time worrying about which one invented what and how they are alike and how they are different I would encourage everyone spend some time on the mat training... Cerebral exercises are good but for a martial artist to fully develop there needs to be significant physical exertion and practice which will improve your self analysis and reflections. If you really want to examine the differences between Jiu Jitsu and Judo then you need to come to the Carlos Machado Seminar on March 7th at Epic Martial Arts.
Instead of spending time worrying about which one invented what and how they are alike and how they are different I would encourage everyone spend some time on the mat training... Cerebral exercises are good but for a martial artist to fully develop there needs to be significant physical exertion and practice which will improve your self analysis and reflections. If you really want to examine the differences between Jiu Jitsu and Judo then you need to come to the Carlos Machado Seminar on March 7th at Epic Martial Arts.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Machado 5 Brothers Camp in Nov.
I got back from the camp last tuesday but I'm just now catching up enough to post some comments about it.... First off, guys if you are over 14 save your money!!!!! These guys are on a whole different level. I got to grapple with Roger and Jean Jacques. They are way too smooth. I got a triangle set up on Roger because he was being too nice to me and I was thinking hey I'm gonna tap out Roger Machado. He escape and stopped being so nice, he tapped me with a collar choke from side control. I swept Jean Jacques and got to knee on stomach and I was thinking how cool it was that I got a dominate position on Jean Jacques, he spun like a helicopter and I ended up in an arm bar. I have new material for months in addition to the regular rank stuff. All the brothers are awesome but I truly believe I lucked out when I decided to go with Carlos... He and Roger seemed to be the most concerned with their students. I'm not saying the other brothers aren't just Carlos and Roger are even more concerned than they are with their students. My back did ok during the camp and it seems to be almost well. I will resume judo training on Wed. with Vincent. I still have to get my cardio up and do something to get my shoulders more flexible. Keep working hard guys and work on your journals. Get your acts of kindness in and keep looking for ways to help out other people. Let me know what I can do to help you. Later Chris
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