Well - what can I say
For those who missed the seminar last night, you missed something really special.
It was my first time meeting and training with John B Wills and it lived up to everything I was expecting.
The hour and a half just flew by.
The talk of raising the bar, assuming everyone you're likely to meet are at an international standard is a great way of raising your own game and searching for more.
This was something I applied to my own training when I worked the doors full time. Never to assume I'd only be fighting drunken losers, and upping my training more, everytime I took on more shifts.
This then lead us on to the "invisible BJJ" which was an excellent way of identifying these tiny and subtle techniques that make massive difference to the success or your technique. John had an excellent way of explaining this and also demonstrating it. Nothing short of exceptional and it's clear why he is, without question, one of the world leading martial artists. Just check out his website if you don't believe me.
http://www.bjj.com.au/main//?page_id=23One aspect of the evening that really hit a chord with me was when John explained that instructors often evolve technique over time, but continue to describe it with words that fitted the technique at the start of it's evolution. ie, how we describe a technique may not relate to how it is now applied.
His point was, as students, we need to watch rather than listen in order to learn the finer points of a technique as most instructors may not even know they are doing these tiny details themselves.
If we look at the converse of this, as instructors we need to show our students rather than tell them. That means we need to be doing what we preach.
As Geoff once said on a masterclass seminar, don't take advice from a fat lifestyle coach.
John certainly can do what he says and then some. It was an amazing demonstration of a man's lifetime study of a special art.
And as John said, we only touched on 5% of one small area of the art.
How cool is that!
I'd like to send a special thank you to Tony and Alan for allowing myself and Mick to come along and join in this event.
It was an awesome evening and I've taken masses away with me.
I'd also like to extend a big congratulations to everyone at the FFMA Academy on their BJJ Gradings - well done to all of you.
http://www.fightingfit.gb.com/If anyone is in the area, I highly recommend you contact Tony or Al and get down to their club for a session.
They are the most welcoming bunch of people, and the training is first class.
Tony constantly finding new and improved ways to raise the bar on his own training and that of his students.
Thanks to John for travelling half way around the world to teach us all
Take care
Al
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