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Defend Yourself
224 members • Free
7 contributions to Defend Yourself
Oct 25 •
7th live 10/25/25 First half
Ok you guys gotta help me remember to record because I keep forgetting. If you attended this live please comment something you learned so others can benefit.
3 likes • Oct 25
After reading about the emphasis James placed on Breathing and Weight Distribution as foundational components of development in Jiu-Jitsu, I started watching an instructional series by Henry Akins on weight distribution. I inquired about the potential to utilize weight distribution offensively from the top, as well as the importance of breathing techniques to survive when on the bottom and on the receiving end of such pressure. James commented on the capacity to exhaust an opponent by making them carry your weight, as well as making it difficult to breathe when alignment is changed. From a defensive perspective, he emphasized the importance of developing breathing capacity that allows a person to continue breathing even when there is pressure inhibiting common breathing methods.
Oct 12 •
I need some likes 😂
So I need some likes to unlock the breathwork video. I'm not trying to game the system. If you like this post I will find and like some of your posts in return. Thanks
6 likes • Oct 17
Hey, Andy! Glad to have connected with you. I hope to visit you some time at A2 to train. I just need one more "like" to bump up to Level 2 so that I can access the breathwork course. Can you help a brother out? 😁
6 likes • Oct 17
Thanks, Andy!
0 likes • Oct 16
Matt Thornton would like this thread!
Oct 10 •
Balance
I’m always thinking about balance. I also like things that come in 3s. Like OCD (3 letters) 😜 This is ARC. It’s an acronym that helps me remember what to focus on everyday when it comes to kaizen. Awareness • Resilience • Connection Each of these has 3 components that I try to hone daily. Awareness, for me, is remembering that I must stay in tune with my own self through INTEROCEPTION. I must know myself and be aware of everything going on within me. I must stay tuned to others and my surroundings through my PERCEPTION and I mustn’t allow myself to be bamboozled by my own expectations. And I must stay in touch with the ONENESS, or God, or whatever you want to call it so that I don’t get stuck in the illusion of separateness. When I practice well here, I cannot be caught off guard or become disturbed. I can focus on my blessings and feel a deep gratitude. Resilience, for me, is paying attention to my health and my temple. I must make sure to get adequate REST so my body can recover and not become weak or ill. My body also needs NUTRITION and hydration to repair and replenish itself. And I need to face CHALLENGE, like a workout, in order to adapt and grow stronger. Planned suffering builds strength and resilience as long as we are fueling correctly and recovering well. Have patience on the path of healing and reaching for full potential. Connection, for me, is knowing that there is no higher calling than SERVICE to others. When we serve, we vibrate at high frequency. I connect to and honor myself when I follow my dreams and my PASSION. This pursuit fills my heart and recharges my battery. NATURE is where I can draw energy from outside and charge myself up further. We are solar panels. Spending time in nature and away from technology is healing on a measurable level. Feeling loving-kindness to myself, others, and nature is key. The Dalai Lama said, “what surprises me most about humanity is that we sacrifice our health to make money, then sacrifice money to recuperate our health. Then we are so anxious about the future that we forget the present, with the result that we live as if we will never die, and then die having never really lived.”
1 like • Oct 16
@James Driskill Lots of wisdom, here James! I will just comment on what you said about service to others. I think that overflows from the comments you made earlier about gratefulness. You are certainly providing a great service to all of us by hosting this platform. I appreciate that. I think one practical way we can all implement this principle is to "pay it forward" by being grateful for the opportunities and privileges we enjoy (like participating on this platform) and put forth effort to assist our training partners and helping them improve. Of course there are countless ways we can serve other people, but I think this is one we can practice every time we get on the mat.
Oct 2 •
2nd course is available
The second course is now available in the classroom section. It is an intro to breathwork. You must be level two in order to access this course. You may gain levels by interacting with the group (posts, comments, likes). Also, check out the first course in this group. It is a 15 minute guided meditation led by the great Alan Watts. Everyone should sit in meditation for 15 minutes a day. Unless your are too busy. In that case you should sit for an hour. 😜
1 like • Oct 16
In a recent intro to breathwork course called "Airway to Heaven", Miles Lukas mentions the use of a Digital Spirometer to measure how much air you can move in and out of your lungs. He discusses measuring total lung capacity, how quickly you can exhale, and how strong your breath is. He advocates taking measurements over time to track progress. A variety of these devices are available on Amazon, some for about $30. This may be a beneficial tool for breathwork development.
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@john-lang-7382
63-year old blue belt training at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Indianapolis.
Active 3d ago
Joined Sep 12, 2025
Indianapolis
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