tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496739942189672685.post7826679984044389924..comments2008-11-01T16:49:33.286-05:00Conanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03574148083679060117noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496739942189672685.post-19876692728619521132008-11-01T16:49:00.000-05:002008-11-01T16:49:00.000-05:00Hi Conan and Brent,<BR/><BR/>Thanks so much for the kind welcome! I read through your blog and was impressed with the quality of the posts and comments. It seems like an awesome group of people who love to train and improve, but without the ego and tough guy silliness.<BR/><BR/>I hope to meet you guys some day! If you are ever in L.A., please dont hesitate to email me at andrehanderson@hotmail.com<BR/><BR/>Thanks!Andreh Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18247558500928792196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496739942189672685.post-60575687078931967742008-11-01T00:30:00.000-05:002008-11-01T00:30:00.000-05:00Andreh,<BR/>Glad to see a Jiu-Jitsu fighter with your accomplishments posting on our blog! We much appreciate you taking time to visit us here. We're a dedicated group of Jiu-Jitsu fighters (usually 10-15 regular guys in a given class) that are passionate about the art. We train the technicalities along with spirited open rolling time that focuses on application. Conan is our teacher who shows us the techniques of applying Jiu-Jitsu (as you noticed in the article), yet also helps us to develop the right psychological perspective.<BR/>I am currently a new blue belt who is focused on learning the complexity of putting together combinations. <BR/>In essence, the need to employ such a psychology that you and Conan address are significant to my current goals and development. <BR/>Having just realized you have a blog, I read your "Secret to Dramatic Improvement" article. I love the fable you tell at the beginning of the article-an excellent way to prove the point of improvement: blood, sweat, and tears in order to progress.<BR/>If you're ever in Lincoln, NE or just passing through, please stop by and train with us and teach us some pointers. <BR/>Glad to have you visiting our blog!<BR/>Best,<BR/>Brent YergensenBrenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739774717988426010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496739942189672685.post-82407033469162194072008-10-31T14:28:00.000-05:002008-10-31T14:28:00.000-05:00Andreh, welcome and thank you for sharing your insight. I always knew their was a high likelihood that you would see this post, so wanted to be as clear as I could about what I said. With your elaboration on the subject, it's clear where you're coming from, and I agree with you wholeheartedly. I appreciate you taking the time to comment.<BR/><BR/>In the Budo Spirit, ConanConanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03574148083679060117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496739942189672685.post-91690941212582851372008-10-31T00:05:00.000-05:002008-10-31T00:05:00.000-05:00Hey! Great read!<BR/><BR/>I think that my choice of the word "relaxing" in the article was probably a poor one because it implies that I think a calm mind isnt appropriate for competition/fighting. <BR/><BR/>The problem I was addressing, in a post really, not an article (though it became one when Stephen kindly published it to his site as one), is that most of us were told to slow down in training, to "relax", and to tone down the aggression. The approach fits perfectly with the Gracie survival mindset of building a defensive game that takes advantage of the opponent who either leaves an opening, or gases because he doesnt share that ability to do "just enough."<BR/><BR/>However, that approach will doom you in tournaments and modern mma. Today's sport grappler/fighter needs to be working to improve his situation AT EVERY MOMENT OF THE FIGHT fortunately or unfortunately. The top competitors simply will not leave glaring openings like an untrained person would, nor can you rely on them gassing in 6-10 minutes.<BR/><BR/>As I said, great article! I both enjoyed it a lot, and realized that you "got" my point, but I wanted to take a second to elaborate.<BR/><BR/>Thanks!Andreh Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18247558500928792196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496739942189672685.post-58634717284059614952008-10-16T22:15:00.000-05:002008-10-16T22:15:00.000-05:00true, you're not a physiologist . . . but you are a philosopher!<BR/>before we know it, you're going to start integrating freud into your training talks (it would be very welcomed by your's truly, however).Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739774717988426010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496739942189672685.post-34362125169090797202008-10-14T00:19:00.000-05:002008-10-14T00:19:00.000-05:00Sometimes there's just no other way to explain things. Just be thankful I'm not a real physiologist. I just play one on the Internet.Conanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03574148083679060117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496739942189672685.post-31913968848678120462008-10-11T00:52:00.000-05:002008-10-11T00:52:00.000-05:00interesting. way too much biology for me though (i'm a humanist).<BR/>i think this point is captured in watching some of the best mma fighters. although injury has essentially ended his career, we can get a good example of this by watching Sakuraba fight. he is the embodiment of this. he always looks like he's in complete control, never breathing hard and never gassed. commentators often would say that he looked "bored" during his fights. Fedor tends to have the same kind of controlled breathing and control of the body.<BR/>i think i am one who practices the "relaxation leads to laziness" mentality. i get so focused on not getting exhausted that i sacrifice position.Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739774717988426010noreply@blogger.com