Last night was my first class in almost a year training in the Gi. As it turned out, it was also a surprise promotion. Last night. After two and a half years of training and many obstacles. I got my blue belt!
Gemina MMA recently changed one of the No-Gi classes back to Gi and it turns out it’s one of the days I normally go to class. I actually almost didn’t go to class yesterday as I wasn’t really feeling it. Usually in those situations I don’t have fun training, but pretty much dragged myself to class. I was a bit worried about going back to Gi after so long but the class was heaps of fun. We drilled takedowns for the whole class then went into rolling. As it turned out I’d really forgotten what it’s like rolling in the Gi. On one hand, having so many options for grips and control is awesome and on the other, getting suffocating by your own gi and feeling your knuckles get worn off sucks.
At the end of class the instructor Jo told us all that there was going to be a few more promotions. I was promoted first and was so shocked that I took a half step out of the line and kind of faltered and Jo had to call me again to snap me out of it and come forward. It was a very strange feeling I experienced while watching Jo tie that belt around my waist. I was struck by how much it meant to me, as well as how little it mattered at the same time. It’s not like after being promoted you become a world beater overnight and this belt is mostly recognition of time spent and an understanding of the basics. On a personal level, it’s almost a physical manifestation of a milestone for me. This blue belt, to me, is a reminder of how much time and effort I’ve out into training over the last few years. It’s a reminder that in my first few months of training, I was unsure if I could physically keep up. I was so worried that my back would cause too many issues and that I’d have to stop training. I’d lying if I said I don’t experience any issues with my back, but I’ve f a pretty good hold on it at this stage.
One of the first things I thought when I got the belt was that I’m not ready. I’ve heard that lots of students feel this way when promoted and I have to remind myself that my coaches believe I’m a blue belt, therefore I am. It’s also given me an urge to go and learn many more techniques and to find the holes in my game and do my best to patch them. Now that I’ve received recognition I feel as though the logical next step is to fill the gaps in my knowledge and technique. With this in mind I’m going to spend the foreseeable future working to round out my game and to ensure I have a few options from anywhere I end up. I feel like that’s a good a plan as any.
I’d like to take a moment to express some gratitude to all of you who have helped me this far. Thanks to the family at The Arena for pushing me through my initial fears and for helping me figure out many things about myself. Thanks to the training partners like Mark, Darren, Tony, Darryl and Coops. Your training a d instruction gave me the skill and confidence to feel comfortable starting at a new gym. They also instilled in me a work ethic I’d not had before and made me aware of the importance and benefit of pushing when you think you can’t anymore. Thanks to Gemina MMA for fine tuning every little thing about my game and for helping me get more comfortable with rolling. A extra special thanks to Josh and Floyd for training with me in and out of the gym and for making me to class when I don’t want to. Their support has gotten me through times where I may have quit training otherwise.
Until next time, stay safe ad keep training!
/Anthoney.
Gemina MMA recently changed one of the No-Gi classes back to Gi and it turns out it’s one of the days I normally go to class. I actually almost didn’t go to class yesterday as I wasn’t really feeling it. Usually in those situations I don’t have fun training, but pretty much dragged myself to class. I was a bit worried about going back to Gi after so long but the class was heaps of fun. We drilled takedowns for the whole class then went into rolling. As it turned out I’d really forgotten what it’s like rolling in the Gi. On one hand, having so many options for grips and control is awesome and on the other, getting suffocating by your own gi and feeling your knuckles get worn off sucks.
At the end of class the instructor Jo told us all that there was going to be a few more promotions. I was promoted first and was so shocked that I took a half step out of the line and kind of faltered and Jo had to call me again to snap me out of it and come forward. It was a very strange feeling I experienced while watching Jo tie that belt around my waist. I was struck by how much it meant to me, as well as how little it mattered at the same time. It’s not like after being promoted you become a world beater overnight and this belt is mostly recognition of time spent and an understanding of the basics. On a personal level, it’s almost a physical manifestation of a milestone for me. This blue belt, to me, is a reminder of how much time and effort I’ve out into training over the last few years. It’s a reminder that in my first few months of training, I was unsure if I could physically keep up. I was so worried that my back would cause too many issues and that I’d have to stop training. I’d lying if I said I don’t experience any issues with my back, but I’ve f a pretty good hold on it at this stage.
One of the first things I thought when I got the belt was that I’m not ready. I’ve heard that lots of students feel this way when promoted and I have to remind myself that my coaches believe I’m a blue belt, therefore I am. It’s also given me an urge to go and learn many more techniques and to find the holes in my game and do my best to patch them. Now that I’ve received recognition I feel as though the logical next step is to fill the gaps in my knowledge and technique. With this in mind I’m going to spend the foreseeable future working to round out my game and to ensure I have a few options from anywhere I end up. I feel like that’s a good a plan as any.
I’d like to take a moment to express some gratitude to all of you who have helped me this far. Thanks to the family at The Arena for pushing me through my initial fears and for helping me figure out many things about myself. Thanks to the training partners like Mark, Darren, Tony, Darryl and Coops. Your training a d instruction gave me the skill and confidence to feel comfortable starting at a new gym. They also instilled in me a work ethic I’d not had before and made me aware of the importance and benefit of pushing when you think you can’t anymore. Thanks to Gemina MMA for fine tuning every little thing about my game and for helping me get more comfortable with rolling. A extra special thanks to Josh and Floyd for training with me in and out of the gym and for making me to class when I don’t want to. Their support has gotten me through times where I may have quit training otherwise.
Until next time, stay safe ad keep training!
/Anthoney.