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Strengthening Body and Mind |
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Written by Tom Gilmore
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 This past November, in an effort to diversify my workout regimen
and my life, I decided to check out Balance Studios—a Brazilian
(also known as Gracie) jiu-jitsu and Ashtanga yoga facility in
Philadelphia.
My knowledge of jiu-jitsu at the time was limited. I knew that it is an
excellent form of self defense and a grappling art, the main objective
of which is to submit your opponent using either chokes or joint locks.
But
I had absolutely no idea how much mental acuity would be required at
each lesson and while sparring.
“Some people refer to it as kinetic chess,” instructor Tim Hart told
me when I signed up for the basics course. As the months passed, I
understood why. Classes require one’s utmost attention and focus.
Climbing the fl ight of stairs and stepping into the gym is like
crossing a
boundary, leaving behind the worries and concerns of the outside world.
By the time I leave each night my head is clear.
“It’s the greatest stress reliever for me,” agrees Lansana Sylla, a client
relationship associate at Vanguard and beginner at Balance Studios. For
him, there’s nothing better than sparring to ease daily frustrations.
The sport is largely based on using an opponent’s leverage and
momentum against him. Jiu-jitsu techniques can be fierce or mild,
depending on the fighter. The techniques become so engrained in one’s
mind and body, some of the more experienced students lightheartedly
joke that when they hug their loved ones they can’t help but notice how
easy it would be to sweep them to the ground.
Gracie jiu-jitsu is widely recognized as the most effective fi ghting style
in the world, which anybody can learn, regardless of age, sex or size.
Diversity is key in training, said Phil Migliarese, who owns Balance
Studios with his brother Ricardo and is also head instructor. Migliarese
received his second degree black belt from Relson Gracie—part of the
family that revolutionized the sport in the early 20th century. He and his
brother draw on close to 40 years of combined teaching experience.
“I wanted to break down Gracie Jiu-jitsu into comprehensible pieces
so anyone could learn—beginners, intermediates and professionals,” he
said. His curriculum is an amalgam of styles he believes are necessary to
produce well-rounded fighters.
“As a woman, I learned how to defend myself and stay calm when a
heavier opponent is against me,” said Shavonne Guthrie, a 27–year-old
government worker who has been studying jiu-jitsu for five years.
“Since most guys are stronger, [I learned that] technique, timing and
movement were most important in my training.”
Migliarese remarks that as effective as Gracie jiu-jitsu may be,
disregarding other fighting styles entirely when training, “absolutely
does
not work.” His experience speaks volumes, and his program has produced
a number of professional fighters. Along with his jiu-jitsu
credentials, Migliarese also has a black belt in Judo and several years
experience with
Thai boxing. He studied yoga in India and is an active Yogi.
As an instructor and mentor, Migliarese is widely respected for being
open with his knowledge. Some teachers withhold information to
maintain an edge in competition, but Migliarese believes that by sharing
his techniques with others, it will in turn force him to improve his own
game. He is in the gym almost every day of the week, teaching group and
private lessons or training alongside his students.
“The student is the boss,” he said. “If someone does not understand
something, we will go out of our way to make sure that they get it.”
That is the type of atmosphere to expect at Balance Studios, and skills
learned there can easily be transmitted to daily life—Jiu-jitsu teaches
how
to overcome obstacles. Balance Studios is located at 108-114 Bonsall
St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103 and can be contacted at (215) 636-9661 or
visited
online at www.balancestudios.net.
Tom Gilmore lives in Philadelphia, where he has been known to enjoy
the occasional pint while gathering ideas for his next story.
One person has commented on this article. No.1 Raw Leiba
I RECENTLY RAN INTO BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU CHAMP RAW LEIBA WHO WON GYM MAGAZINES "FITTEST HUMAN" FOR 2007 (http://gymmagazine.blogspot.com/ )AND HE SAYS ALOT OF THE SAME THINGS YOUR ARTICLE TALKS ABOUT. MR LEIBA IS ALSO BRAZILIAN AND A FORMER GRACIE STUDENT.HE TOLD ME THAT GRACIE IS THE ABSOLUTELY MOST EFFECTIVE FORM OF JIU-JITSU.I LEARNED KARATE WHEN I WAS A KID,BUT JIU-JITSU IS WHERES ITS AT.INFACT I DON'T SEE TRADITIONAL KARATE SCHOOLS LIKE I USED TO GROWING UP. J! Reactions • General Site LicenseCopyright © 2006 S. A. DeCaro |
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