"Every Journey Starts with a Single Step"
Shortly before my 39th birthday, I took my first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class. I still remember receiving a call from the gym owner after filling out a form on the gym's website. Deciding after our brief conversation that I would take my "trial class" that night. It was the first small step in a journey that I feel I am still only just starting.
Everyone has their own individual reason(s) for beginning this journey. Common reasons are to improve physical health, and to learn a form of self defense that will be effective in a real-life violent event.
In my experience so far I have learned several things beyond the techniques of grappling.
1 - You can step out of your comfort zone. It will be OK.
There is a common saying that the most important belt promotion in BJJ is TO white. Put another way, getting off your couch and into the gym is the most significant step in the journey. I was excited to try something new when I first decided to give this a try. Once I was in the gym watching a bunch of strangers arrive I started to get nervous. When the class started I was even more nervous. I had never worn a gi, and I had no idea how to tie a belt. I had stepped outside my comfort zone and wasn't sure what the next 60-90 minutes were going to bring. Three years later, I still attend my gym 2-4 times a week.
Stepping out of my comfort zone didn't end with stepping onto the mats the first time. I still have that voice in my head trying to talk me out of rolling with the brown or black belt, or the jacked dude who is 20 years younger than me and never seems to get tired.
Every time I ignore that internal voice and force myself to step out of the comfort zone I survive. Beyond that I feel the small accomplishment of accepting the challenge and and gaining a learning experience.
2 - You will learn to get comfortable being (really) uncomfortable.
Jiu Jitsu is sometimes referred to as 'the gentle art'. Ironically it has also been referred to as 'murder yoga', and 'the art of folding clothes with someone still wearing them'. I'm not going to lie; it hurts during and after a training session. You are going to get smashed. You are going to get choked. Your joints are going to be moved in directions they were not designed to be moved. You are going to have a hard time breathing. There will be someone on top of you and you just want the discomfort to end. You will learn over time to get used to it. To fight through it. You will learn to embrace the suck.
3 - You will be forced to live in the moment.
We all have a lot on our plates like family obligations and heavy work schedules. We constantly feel like we are being pulled in multiple directions which can lead to being irritable, and this can put strains on our relationships. A perpetual cycle that can keep our stress levels up. Being on the mats helps you forget all of that (at least temporarily).
Your bad day at work, or the stupid argument you had with your spouse means nothing when someone who is bigger, stronger, and more talented than you is trying to strangle you unconscious. Even drilling can be unpleasant and you have no choice but to be present to address the discomfort.
4 - You will discover a new family.
It is important to find a BJJ gym that not only offers quality instruction, but has a good culture. I am lucky enough to have a gym with incredibly knowledgeable instructors and a great atmosphere. You will develop new relationships and come to embrace your new BJJ family.
I highly suggest you find some friends that want to choke you. I challenge you to give it a shot and not feel it has positively changed your life.
