The last two months have been very taxing for me. There's been a shift in the intensity of my job, I've had huge issues with my bank and there's been lots of disruptive repairs at the house I'm renting. All of this would normally have an effect on training but there's been another factor to stop me training. Changes to The Arena MMA's grading system.
Previously there would be gradings every 3 months. If you had taken enough classes in between and were confident on your skills as per the syllabus, you could attempt to grade. Gradings would have you show the required techniques and occasionally roll. If you were successful you would gain a stripe. After 4 stripes you're eligible to grade for a new belt. The Arena is a direct Robert Drysdale affiliate and has recently switched over to an internationally accredited and recognised grading system. This brings a certain level of recognition to the Arena, acting almost as a qualification to prove that their Gradings are on par with the rest of the Drysdale schools. It also brings a change in the form of costs for the attempts at grading.
When I found out that as students we had to pay for gradings I was disappointed and worried. I personally struggle financially and have considered stopping Jiu Jitsu multiple times in order to save money, so the idea of more fees dampened my enthusiasm greatly. Paying for gradings also doesn't sit well to me conceptually. In my mind, you pay your fees each week and train as hard as you can, in the time that you can get to the gym. After sufficient time training and after you show your improved abilities, you are then recognised and rewarded with a stripe or belt. I think it unfair to expect students to pay for the attempt to gain a stripe or to be promoted to another belt. That all being said, this is my personal opinion and I understand the reasons behind these fees.
I found myself going to class less and less and in the last 3 weeks I think I've been to 1-2 classes. I realised very quickly that this lack of motivation was due to the changes at the gym. With this in mind I got in contact with the coaches/admin from the gym and they tried their best to find some work arounds or alternatives. Unfortunately, none of them were quite right for me and eventually it became clear that I had two choices: pay for gradings, or leave The Arena. As of today, I'll no longer be training at The Arena MMA. I leave the gym with no feelings of anger or regret, only sadness at all of the great people I'm leaving behind.
These (almost) last two years have been very eye opening for me. Those of you who have been reading this blog since I started will know that I started BJJ because I wanted to prove to myself that I could do something difficult after my surgery. Doing this wouldn't have been possible without the great people at The Arena MMA. All of the terrific coaches helped me find ways to do things I'd not be able to do otherwise. Darren has been a terrific role model and mentor, who always has some words of wisdom when I'm in need and Mark, has been the perfect training partner. Always aware and ensuring he's watching out for my health, while also pushing me to greater levels, physically and mentally. My good friend Josh is always there to help me out, or to train after hours if I can’t get to the gym. Everybody at the gym is polite and wonderful to train with. I've learned many things about my body and my mind and I believe that I'm a better person for having faced the adversity that Martial Arts and Brazilian Ju Jitsu specifically brings. I've become stronger, faster and infinitely more confident in myself in the time that I've been training.
I will continue to train and this week I will be trialling some classes at Gemina MMA nearby. I've heard some great things about the Legion 13 gyms and their coaches and I'm interested to see what it's all about. I've never switched gyms before, and I'm as nervous as I am interested. The confrontational, grinding style of BJJ creates an almost family like bond between the people you train with. These people more or less dismantle your body while doing their best to take care of you. It’s going to be interesting to see how difficult it is (if at all) to transition into a new family, but I know for sure that the people at The Arena MMA will continue to be family, and I'll miss them for sure.
I'll try my best to post again this week to let you know how I go at Gemina. Until then friends, stay safe.
/Anthoney!
Previously there would be gradings every 3 months. If you had taken enough classes in between and were confident on your skills as per the syllabus, you could attempt to grade. Gradings would have you show the required techniques and occasionally roll. If you were successful you would gain a stripe. After 4 stripes you're eligible to grade for a new belt. The Arena is a direct Robert Drysdale affiliate and has recently switched over to an internationally accredited and recognised grading system. This brings a certain level of recognition to the Arena, acting almost as a qualification to prove that their Gradings are on par with the rest of the Drysdale schools. It also brings a change in the form of costs for the attempts at grading.
When I found out that as students we had to pay for gradings I was disappointed and worried. I personally struggle financially and have considered stopping Jiu Jitsu multiple times in order to save money, so the idea of more fees dampened my enthusiasm greatly. Paying for gradings also doesn't sit well to me conceptually. In my mind, you pay your fees each week and train as hard as you can, in the time that you can get to the gym. After sufficient time training and after you show your improved abilities, you are then recognised and rewarded with a stripe or belt. I think it unfair to expect students to pay for the attempt to gain a stripe or to be promoted to another belt. That all being said, this is my personal opinion and I understand the reasons behind these fees.
I found myself going to class less and less and in the last 3 weeks I think I've been to 1-2 classes. I realised very quickly that this lack of motivation was due to the changes at the gym. With this in mind I got in contact with the coaches/admin from the gym and they tried their best to find some work arounds or alternatives. Unfortunately, none of them were quite right for me and eventually it became clear that I had two choices: pay for gradings, or leave The Arena. As of today, I'll no longer be training at The Arena MMA. I leave the gym with no feelings of anger or regret, only sadness at all of the great people I'm leaving behind.
These (almost) last two years have been very eye opening for me. Those of you who have been reading this blog since I started will know that I started BJJ because I wanted to prove to myself that I could do something difficult after my surgery. Doing this wouldn't have been possible without the great people at The Arena MMA. All of the terrific coaches helped me find ways to do things I'd not be able to do otherwise. Darren has been a terrific role model and mentor, who always has some words of wisdom when I'm in need and Mark, has been the perfect training partner. Always aware and ensuring he's watching out for my health, while also pushing me to greater levels, physically and mentally. My good friend Josh is always there to help me out, or to train after hours if I can’t get to the gym. Everybody at the gym is polite and wonderful to train with. I've learned many things about my body and my mind and I believe that I'm a better person for having faced the adversity that Martial Arts and Brazilian Ju Jitsu specifically brings. I've become stronger, faster and infinitely more confident in myself in the time that I've been training.
I will continue to train and this week I will be trialling some classes at Gemina MMA nearby. I've heard some great things about the Legion 13 gyms and their coaches and I'm interested to see what it's all about. I've never switched gyms before, and I'm as nervous as I am interested. The confrontational, grinding style of BJJ creates an almost family like bond between the people you train with. These people more or less dismantle your body while doing their best to take care of you. It’s going to be interesting to see how difficult it is (if at all) to transition into a new family, but I know for sure that the people at The Arena MMA will continue to be family, and I'll miss them for sure.
I'll try my best to post again this week to let you know how I go at Gemina. Until then friends, stay safe.
/Anthoney!