substitute for a good martial arts school

[rhi]

Hey guys,

I miss my Jiu Jitsu practice quite a bit. When I was in University I used to train at a school in Ottawa called Therien Jiu Jitsu, now it is called 100% martial arts. The Sensei's there were truly phenomenal but since moving home to North Bay I have not been able to find a Jiu jitsu school to continue my training. Nor have I been able to find teachers that meet the same level of quality that I was used to, or a martial arts form that I enjoy half as much.

In light of having no school to train at, does anyone have any ideas about some possible substitutes? I realize that there is no real substitute for proper instruction, and actually getting to throw someone around, but until I move to a larger city or a new instructor comes along I refuse to accept inferior teaching.

Thanks for your help
Adam

[RWilson]

Hi Adam:

I trained at John Therien’s about 35 years ago before I moved away as well.

Solo training is hard; I had to do it in the past.

Do you have the DVD Grappler’s Tool Box Reborn?

Lots of great material to train the body for ground work and it is all solo.

http://www.rmaxinternational.com/mambo/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=225&category_id=dbbcfb01074761b3fbed149114647a0f&option=com_phpshop&Itemid=1

Other than that seek out some like-minded buddies is about all I have to offer.


Rick

[rhi]

Truly a fabulous school! I was spoiled.

Thanks for the insight

V

[Coach Jones]

Adam,

This can be a really difficult road to travel. When you're used to a certain calibre of instruction, it's tough to get behind the idea of going somewhere that may not be "as good" as what you're used to. A couple things though:

1. Almost always, it's possible to make gains when training with others, even if the place or teachers are not "as good" as what you're used to. As long as there are people there who can challenge you. I don't mean beat you like a rented mule - but push your skills. There is no substitute for warm-bodies.

2. Something that i've noticed in my own training is something I call the trash/treasure principle. We've all heard the saying that one man's trash is another man's treasure, right?

Well, i've found that the same thing applies in martial arts. What one teacher holds in high regard may very well be, to another teacher, a common place thing. When things become the norm, teachers are more likely to share them than others. Even a less than high quality teacher may have been taught a principle or two that could add to your game. It may even be something you wouldn't have learned from another, better quality teacher. Something to think about.

3. You can always supplament your training with videos and through the seminar format. Without ongoing training, with warm bodies, you can only take this so far. If you find a place that you can stomach until you find something better - do it. You have nothing to lose. If you learn or improve at just one thing while you're there, it's better than atrophying or staying the same, right?

It all depends on what you want to get out of your training. If you want results, sometimes you have to take what you can get. Don't get caught up in not training at a seemingly less quality school just because the one you're coming from is better. Take what you can out of it and leave the rest. It'll be worth it.

[Ryan Murdock]

I'd like to echo what Coach Jones has written here. It's very sound advice. Sometimes you simply have to make the best of it, especially when the choice is not training at all.



3. You can always supplament your training with videos and through the seminar format. Without ongoing training, with warm bodies, you can only take this so far.

Have a look at the RMAX Training Group Manual (http://www.profcs.com/app/?Clk=2096775). I wrote it for people in just such situations. It is designed to help you get the most out of video, manual, and seminar info when all you have at your disposal is a training partner or two.

[rhi]

Very true, I guess I can't be picky. I wish I could find some like minded friends that would want to train and learn as much as I do, but it's not everybody who enjoys this type of stuff as much as myself.

thanks guys, take care
V

[chaospw]

Thanks to both coach jones & murdock for your responses here. i've been struggling with the idea of quitting my hsing-i class because it's run so loosely & informally, and too much information is shown too soon to people who aren't ready for it (& these reasons are part of a much longer list) that my frustration level was getting too high to adjust so that i could convince myself to hang around & train so i could get some benefit out of it.

the instructor does have some useful knowledge to impart & i think, because of what i've read here from professionals who know what they're talking about, that i'll give him another chance while seeking out better, more organized instruction thru a distance-learning set-up or thru seminars.

many thanks,

Patrick

[Ryan Murdock]

Patrick,

Check out the manual. It contains a very practical breakdown of the CST three dimensional performance pyramid. It'll give you some solid ideas on how you can get the most out of those classes, as well as sessions with your training partners. I'm certain that it would help you.

Good luck, and please keep us posted.

[chaospw]

thanks coach - it's on my list of rmax stuff to get. i'm also an old (so to speak) bujinkan guy coming back into the fold & am using your 2 dvds for that as well. Please hurry up with Volume 3 (consider this plea a friendly, digital boshi-ken to the post-production short ribs).

i look forward to meeting & training with you (& all of the rmax staff & extended family) one of these days. i found out about the flowfighting seminar in tennessee to late to change plans but i'm hoping to get to the next one (whenever it may be).

Patrick

[Ryan Murdock]

thanks coach - it's on my list of rmax stuff to get. i'm also an old (so to speak) bujinkan guy coming back into the fold & am using your 2 dvds for that as well. Please hurry up with Volume 3 (consider this plea a friendly, digital boshi-ken to the post-production short ribs).

Patrick,

Glad to hear that you're making use of the DVD's. My short ribs have received your prodding. Sorry for the delays on the project. My travel schedule has been to blame. It's been tough to schedule the shoots with all this time away. I'm just back from Egypt and prepping to go to Ireland.



i look forward to meeting & training with you (& all of the rmax staff & extended family) one of these days.

What part of the world are you in? FlowFighting clinics are often scheduled after hours at CST events.

[chaospw]

yeah, i'm sure your job keeps you very busy. i'm in no way, shape or form (yet, though working on it), ready for volume 3 but i look forward to its release.

i'm in the atlanta/SE part of the US. i corresponded very briefly with coach wilson last year & will hopefully get to memphis this year at some point for some private instruction - he's very close.

thanks again,

Patrick

[bripley]

Patrick - who are you studying XY with?

[chaospw]

bill - you can contact me off-line chaospw@yahoo.com

thanks