Tonight was a useful lesson…While working submissions and escapes from North South is important, I think a bigger achievement was learning/emphasizing how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is really cheap therapy.  When you’re sparring/rolling, it doesn’t matter what put you in a bad mood before class or what’s going to “waiting for you at the door” when you leave class.  No, what matters is that 3-5 minutes of rolling.  As simple as that may sound, it’s a beautiful thing to be able to clear your mind and truly focus on only one immediate thing in your life that you enjoy doing.  There’s no way to avoid putting everything aside to focus on the physical chess match in front, on your back, on top and sometimes, all around you.  I’ve been through breakups, stress from work, financial issues, family issues, etc., etc., etc., and other than talking to God, BJJ has been the only thing to calm my nerves and make me whole again, until the next time I get on the mats.

A special thanks to Joe and Andrea tonight for making me laugh!

The two that crack me up in the most serious of moments