I have to say working my way through my fifth decade on the planet, my wants and needs have definitely changed. I do much more mobility work now and dare I say, even enjoy it. Wriggling and moving the body into what should be easy positions is challenging and hopefully will benefit me in the long run.

When it comes to teaching, giving the students what they need can be difficult as in our minds we will always want to be the toughest, strongest, baddest MF. The reality is that even 70 year olds still feel young in their minds. As a coach or teacher it’s easy just to give people a workout and send them home tired and sweaty but I want to see improvement in movement, power, confidence, understanding and mental attitude. To me that is practice/study and not merely a workout.

Even though I am running a business and have to make a living from teaching now, I try and be honest with students. I get potential new students to try different sessions and see what works for them. I try and educate people that method A is not better or worse than method B, that its the principles and science that must be understood. That it’s a balance of what you enjoy and what is good for you.

So if you come to classes, give it a period of time to feel a difference in your mind and body. Change takes time and its a journey so subtle changes in the practice must be embraced if you are going to progress.


2 Comments

Jack H · 1 September 2023 at 11:48 am

Love the post Paul always a pleasure coming to class and working on myself!

Anthony · 2 September 2023 at 4:08 pm

“Change takes time and its a journey”…When I am at class I frequently think to myself I must be the worst practitioner of Ju-Jitsu in the whole history of the sport. Then when rolling, and I am against someone who I know is good at it. And I pull off a reversal or sweep out of nowhere and go from the bottom to on top. Its one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever have in life. As you feel I am actually progressing in this martial art and didn’t realize it

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