Thank you to our guests this evening

First things first. I'd like to thank Josh, Craig and Dave for joining our class this evening. I felt like it went well. Although we really only focused on a basic armbar, it's amazing how much you can really go over. If someone were to ask them, "So, what did you learn tonight?" with a simple answer of, "Oh, we just covered a basic armbar." The uninitiated person would probably say, "Wow, how boring. You spent two hours on an armbar? What, did you do like five hundred reps?"

When in actuality that's not how it went down at all. We started off with some basic armbar drills from the guard, focusing on just the movements of our body, and then practiced it. After a bit of fine tuning, we went over some similar drills from the mount. We did some more fine tuning and brushed up on our body mechanics. All this before we even got to the actual mechanics of the armbar.

We learned there was a distinct difference between how to do an armbar and how to get an armbar. We practiced how to do an armbar, then got a little more detailed on some of the finer points, then practiced a little more. We tweaked it again and practiced it again. Each time, getting a little better understanding of all the elements involved.

We eased our way into how to get an armbar from the guard, and then practiced it. The remainder of the class went like this. An introduction and demonstration of the technique, followed by practical application, followed by fine tuning, and then more practice. Every moment getting closer to our goal of a better understanding of the technique, its application and the execution.

We introduced some resistance training towards the end, and then rounded out the session with a short discussion.

In true Sho-Rei-Shobu-Kan fashion, we wrapped up the class with a classic open mat session. We were having such a great time, we ended up staying an extra half hour just to roll. Towards the end, Phil was laying out on the mat, looking totally exhausted. He looks up at someone and says, "You want to roll?" You know you're addicted to Jiu-Jitsu when you're totally spent and out of breath. With the little energy you have left, you manage to speak, and the only thing you can say is, "You want to roll?"

I hope everyone had a good time. I know I did.