EUGENIZATION.

I decided to resume my training in Brazilian JiuJitsu after an informal roll with a few enthusiastic co-workers of mine.

Heading down to the academy, I couldn’t help but notice that the classes had been re-arranged since I’d last been there: the students (white belts) are now put through a semi-rigorous conditioning period prior to techniques being taught. I asked Magno why Renzo decided to make these changes and he informed me that they were “modifying the old way to make it better.” You see, apparently in Brazil, BJJ is taught informally: the instructor goes over to the students, shows them a technique, they drill it for a few, then another, then another, and then everyone free-spars (randori) until class is over (This, incidentally, was how classses were taught at Renzo’s during my time there). Magno told me they had students that couldn’t perform 10 pushups in the beginner classes trying to learn guard passes and armbars - it was almost absurd. This way, he continued, is much better because the students get a warm-up, and the instructors can insure that all the students possess a minimum amount of conditioning. Sounded reasonable, even if I didn’t agree with their conditioning methods.

Which brings us to the point of this post: Conditioning is the most important “technique” in martial arts, regardless of the one you study. Yes, it is true that many of the arts were developed with the underdog in mind, so that the weaker and smaller could defend themselves against the larger and stronger - but, the original intent of martial arts (if you believe the legends and historical accounts) was that they were a method of conditioning!

Some back story for those not in the know:

Depending on the account, martial arts are supposed to have originated at the Shaolin Temple. The Buddhist monks of the Shaolin Temple, as a consequence of their deeply spiritual life, had a punishing schedule of prayer, recitation, more prayer, more recitation, and more prayer - as long as 18 hours a day of sutras. Their diet was asetic - one small meal consisting of some tofu, some rice, a few vegetables. Needless to say, they were not flourishing on this regimen.

Bodhidharma is supposed to have come swooping in from India, arriving at the Shaolin Temple for a random visit. Horrified at the condition of the monks, he created for them a system of exercises that could double as self-defense (since they were located on the border of enemy territory). He also made them eat. Voila - the birth of martial arts (and sports nutrition - just kidding about that part). Just so a few monks had the strength to say their prayers.

(Of course, the Greeks would argue with you about that account being the genesis of martial arts, but theirs doesn’t work for my post so let’s ignore pankration for a minute.)

It’s so easy to get caught up in learning techniques that we forget that at the root of martial arts is prayer. No, wait, I mean physicality. The arts are meant to teach one to kick ass, yes, but they are meant to build you as a human being as well - physically, as well as spiritually.

And c’mon, let’s face it - if you can’t perform 10 pushups, you ain’t armbarring nobody.