Missing Judo Class… mending slowly
Okay, so I feel like the world’s biggest whiner, but this has been a really miserable experience. I hurt all of the time. The good news is that my rib is no longer snap in and out of place. They have been stable or about two weeks. The bad news is that it hurts sooo bad. There is no way I can go back to Judo yet… I am lucky to tie my shoes. I really miss it though.
He’s my thought for the day on Judo though. This should resonate with any of you who used to wrestle… When I wrestled I developed an innate sense… a sense of balance. Not all of the tie mind you, but when I was on the mat, wrapped up with someone, I could sense which direction was the weakness in their balance. I could just close my eyes and feel it.
Wrestling never really gave me that some feel on the feet though. On the feet it was all about explosiveness, and shooting in deep. Judo brings to the feet what wrestling gave on the ground… That feel for balance. Just knowing which way a person’s weakness lay.
That, and the additional benefit of getting to choke the hell out of someone 
Steve,
We really miss you and Ty in class. Judo is not just a sport or martial art. Judo is the “WAY”. Technique is technique, Speed is speed, Strength is strength. But Judo is an entire different way of attaining things and a way of life. To excel and maintain your physical well being you have to learn to give “WAY”. Accept adversity and turn it into something positive. Just like breaking some ones kuzushi at the right time and have them crash into the mat. You need to relax when training. Put yourself in those bad situations like being pinned, choked and arm locked and find the “WAY” out! Just like being in quick sand the harder you fight the faster you go down. Relax and leave your pride at the door and excel. Find within your ability ,not beyond the “WAY” to defeat every different opponent. What are your Judo goals? If it is to throw everyone with an Osoto Gari then do 500 Osoto Gari Uchi Komi per class. Steve don’t force the moves find the “WAY”. Find your “WAY”
Sensei.
Mike, Thanks as always for chiming in!
You see how great he is guys, he’s like part Rafiki, part Confucius, and part WWF! How could you not come learn from this guys?!
I agree, and take to heart your comments Mike. Especially about checking my pride at the door. To often, when I am not really working the right way to feel with the flow, it’s because I am stiff or tense because I am more concerned about winning. I don’t want to get thrown, so I tend to be too protective, too stiff. But as you say, it’s okay to get thrown… feeling the kazushi, the WAY, is how you learn, even if it’s because you’re flying. Those bad positions can teach you a ton.
I hope to be back soon… but the fact that I still say a dozen profanities each time a sneeze tells me it might be a while