Idea (borrowing from my first art): maybe once a month, convert a Sunday open mat to a strictly technical class. What we did was the following: say you had 10 show, we would go through various sword cuts, rotating through the group, each member counting off 20 swings…by the time you’ve gone through the basic cuts, eg. shomen, yokomen, kesagiri, kiriage, etc., you’ve gone through a couple hundred swings. The effect was to smoke your arms, torso, shoulders, thighs, etc. That’s when you start technique…no muscle left to muscle your way through…in bjj, smoke the class with calisthenics, then technique…you’ll see people relax for sure… lol. (And yeah, structured breathing while moving through each independent move introduces a meditative state that I would argue promotes relaxation.)

@James Driskill absolutely true!

Good morning everyone. This is today's quote (Jan 30th) from The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday & Stephen Hanselman; I thought it appropriate today after last night's roll...from Epictetus: "If you wish to improve, be content to appear clueless or stupid in extraneous matters - don't wish to seem knowledgeable. And if some regard you as important, distrust yourself." My simple take - look to technique; your physical strength is illusory.

Prof.! What did you have for dinner last night??? And why is the bat greased? I might take on the dog based on your reply...

@Andy DeJesus This community site is great but I agree with you; actual "mat time" with Prof. Driskill is worth the time and drive!

Turning the corner on 53 y/o. Started training 4 years ago; blue belt now. Extensive time in another art. Former LEO and focused on self-defense (but who doesn't like a sport-oriented roll every once in a while). Like another member said in an earlier post: fascinated with the efficiency and effectiveness of the Invisible...