This week I’d like to hear from you all what you will be focusing on. Some principle? A technique you want to master? Staying calm under pressure? Let us know in the comments.

Avoiding cults in martial arts is tricky. Especially when you’re a beginner. And even more so if the potential cult leader is very accomplished. This can easily lead the kind of hero worship that goes to a professors head and they start to fall in love with their own legend. Just because someone is good at armbars and guard passes doesn’t mean they have great life advice or that they know anything about other subjects. Be careful who you give your trust and watch out for red flags from teachers. Respect is a two way street. This week, evaluate the people you are learning from and measure them by their generosity, compassion, understanding, and patience as well as their technical proficiency and love for teaching.

Welcome to Defend Yourself. Im glad you’re here. As Rickson Gracie's uke (assistant), I am lucky and grateful to be guided by the GOAT 🐐 on a daily basis. I encourage you to share your experience as well so that we all may learn from and support each other. Step 1: Please introduce yourself by commenting on this post. Share your rank, your martial arts experience, a photo if you like, and where you train. Step 2: Click here to enter the "Get Started Classroom."

Can you share a technique or concept that you have learned from Professor James that has made a huge impact in your jiu jitsu or your thinking about jiu jitsu? I have 3 that I will share but first I want to hear what others in the group have. Thank you

There are several basic techniques that many people say never work. I have really enjoyed learning details that dramatically improve the effectiveness of these techniques. Opening the legs from closed guard.(sport)