Before anyone outside the obvious places had heard of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, I practiced various styles of Kung Fu, starting in 1977. My first Kung Fu instructor started training in 1963. He was one of the rare breed that trained martial arts before Bruce Lee. Like the Dirty Dozen, who were training Jiu-Jitsu before UFC 1…
Category: Health
Injuries, Training Methods, and Eco-Warriors
On a Wednesday in early February 2024, I suffered a broken left arm in training. A crack to the ulna. We were playing a jiu-jitsu game where one partner was trying to pass the open guard, and the other trying to retain their guard. I was in a group of three. One of my partners…
The Limits of Strength and Athleticism
Just try opening this up without tearing the wrapper. Your bench press max has no power here. Look for similar situations requiring patience, sensitivity, and finesse in martial arts and life as well. Maximum results for minimum effort.
Life in a Cult – Crash. A Cautionary Tale
Not Jiu Jitsu. But perhaps relevant to some Jiu Jitsu academies, instructors, and students. Definitely about self defence. Crash is not the real name of the organisation. It isn’t far off the real name. The guy who introduced and initiated me into Crash was named Alick. (Not really). I did gymnastics for sport and as…
My interview on the Jungle Brothers podcast
I was invited by Joe Worthington of the Jungle Brothers gym to be a guest on their podcast. It was fun. We talked about my forty plus years training martial arts, and how I’ve been able to maintain my practice and my enthusiasm into my late sixties. https://junglebrothers.com/121-martial-arts-being-a-life-long-learner/ There were quite a few ideas I…
Health is a Martial Art
I’m seeing too many male friends and acquaintances dying suddenly and unexpectedly in their forties and fifties. A former workmate of mine had a massive heart attack earlier this week. At time of writing he was on life support, awaiting his final act of selflessness as an organ donor.He was only fifty years old. Way…
It seems to be working – Part I – Health
I went to my GP a few weeks back for my annual checkup. I’ve gone once a year since I turned fifty. I am now sixty-three. He asked me if I had any problems eating, sleeping, going to the toilet, etc. No. I take no prescribed medication. I am in good shape for my age,…
Jordan Peterson and the Self Authoring Program
Dr Jordan B. Peterson is a professor of psychology at the University of Toronto, Canada, and a practicing clinical psychologist. I first came across him on a Joe Rogan podcast. He is embroiled in a number of academic and political controversies in Canada, mainly to do with his strong opposition to a proposed Canadian law…
Stanley Tam Qigong Seminar 25 Feb 2017
The seminar was hosted by Joe Worthington of Jungle Brothers Movement. Qi can be thought of as bioelectrical / magnetic energy. Five Aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture Herbalism Moxibustion Bian Stones Qigong, Massage, etc. Only Qigong is a solo practice. Also known as Daoyin. External exercise – Jiu Jitsu, Martial Arts, Weight Training, etc….
Steve Maxwell – Integrated Breathing 11 Feb 2017
The seminar was held at Higher Jiu Jitsu, at Woolloomooloo PCYC in Sydney. The major problem most people have with breathing is that they tend to breathe using the top (clavicular) and middle (intercostal) chest muscles for the breath rather than breathing deep into the diaphragm. This comes about from sitting for extended durations and…