Writing is a passion of mine, occasionally I have to apply this to something other than dick and fart jokes so I have an English essay due and my topic is the term Jiu Jitsu and what it means to you? Share your knowledge, your philosophies and your training experiences because if I don't ace this paper I am probably fucked either way :) I appreciate all your guys/gals time. If it isn't a complete bombshell I will repost it on here and let the community rip it apart later.
Dude, you should ask Maximillian Uriarte for help!
Or on a more serious note, here's the link to Jay Mohr's rant on olympic wrestling. Sums up a lot of the way I feel about jits. Maybe it will rattle a few brain cells.
http://undercardsuperstar.com/2013/0...t-transcribed/
you can probably get some paragraphs talking about the origin and meaning of the word before yo get into interpretive "what it means to me" crap,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jujutsu
jui jitsu effectively means the same as jujutsu even though to us they refer to distinctly different arts, you probably already know this.
Yeah I know the history pretty well, The essay will cover that as well, but the point of this essay is "Why I am writing it?" I can sit around all day and talk about what Jiu Jitsu means to me, it could be a powerful, moving topic but at the end of the day will the person reading (e.g. my professor) it understand what Jiu Jitsu is and why it is such a influential, powerful art form and lifestyle to promote. How many times have you seen someone try to explain what Jiu Jitsu to only have someone say an ignorant remark, like "They just look like they are hugging," or "Man, that's fucking gay." Usually that person gets invited to roll, and subsequently choked out and they learn through experience. I can not exactly choke out my Professor but by using other peoples examples and personal experiences it enhances my argument and shows that I am not the only who finds Jiu Jitsu so life changing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Aaron Gustaveson
good luck. maybe try tappin him out.
Her, tapping her out. This thread was a bust. Oh well, the essay is coming out ok.Quote:
Originally Posted by Aaron Gustaveson
My experience thus far, which is only 4 months, goes like this:
When I signed up for this I was expecting to increase my fitness level, flexibility, and ability to defend myself if need be. I feel like I am well on my way to achieving these goals, but that's not what's hooked me. Honestly- I can get the first two out of distance running which comes much easier. I have years of experience restraining psychotics to take care of the third. What got me to buy into all of this is the impact it has had on my students, my daughter, and my confidence/ self-consiousness.
I work with high school kids with "emotional disabilities." While a few of them are organically mentally ill, most are a product of their environment. Someone, usually and adult who was supposed to love them, did some messed up shit instead.
An Aside: I can add that Jiu Jitsu is therapy several times a week for me. I have seen and read things I don't tell anyone about because I wish I didn't know. Fighting for an hour or few takes the edge off of that pretty fast.
At first I didn't tell my students what I was up to, but they started worrying that I was the victim of domestic violence when I came in with new injuries every few days, so I eventually came clean. I was worried that they would want to try me if they knew I felt like I could fight. What happened in reality is that my girls, who are comprised of shy, withdrawn, submissive, cutters with eating disorders are fascinated with the idea of becoming strong- that as a woman it is possible to learn how to kick ass and take names and not let bad shit ever happen to them again. Most of my guys have only experienced women who don't leave when they should and are totally dependent on a guy to provide for them. They are proud of me. They describe me as "You know, Misses ______(teacher name- they will google me so I never put my name in posts.) that takes fighting classes. Don't mess with her!" I wish I didn't have to be considered a fighter to earn their respect- but it's a foot in the door with these guys. Maybe I can keep them from repeating the pattern- time will tell. I get to be a role model to my students which feels fantastic! Even better, I get to be a role model to my seven year old daughter.
Zoe is in the kid's class. She beams when she takes me down or can sink her choke just right and make me tap. Jiu Jitsu has increased her confidence. Like her mom she is dyslexic. She gets really frustrated with writing and spelling and she gets stuck comparing herself to other kids. When this brings her down I say, "Yeah she/he may be able to spell "teacher" but I'll bet they don't know Jiu Jitsu. Jiu Jitsu if really hard and you have to be smart to learn that!" It's an immediate cheer-up for her. Anything that can make that little girl feel good about herself is priceless to me. She is usually the only girl in her class too. I love that she doesn't even notice that fact.
I do notice that fact. I am fortunate that I had a boyfriend to stroll in with, but it is still intimidating. I have come to realize that the awkwardness that I feel is primarily in my head. I've had to do a lot of thinking about my identity in terms of gender equality.... I'm not sure that even makes sense so it goes like this: I would/will tell you that men and women are equal and should be treated equally. If I really think that's true- why am I scared to walk into a group of guys? Hmmmm.... not a reality I enjoyed looking at, but it needs addressing. It is not comfortable- but worthwhile personal growth never is.
So that's kind of it with me. I tutor HS English so if you need anyone to proof read for you let me know.
Good Luck!