Originally Posted by
Chris Herzog
For myself, I wouldn't change a thing. I have no regrets, just experiences, the path I've taken to better my understanding of human physiology & kinesiology is a result of of the training and injuries I've accrued over the years. Most due to football coaches whose only concern were winning, and under educated martial arts instructors ignorant to modern coaching and training methodologies.
However I educated myself on those things and continue to do so for my students and fighters. I don't want them to go through what I did, and now they don't have to.
So how can you help yourself? Buyer beware. Research your coach/instructor as you would a house or car before you buy it. Its your body and you want someone to guide you along this journey that has the same amount of respect for your health as you do.
*I came from a traditional martial arts background*, the truth is most are fucking horrible for your body. Why? Because most "instructors" only know their martial art, they are not students of the human body. They don't evolve as does our knowledge of the human body. Even with confronted with the evidence they continue to teach it the way they were taught regardless of the consequences to their students. I'm sure I'll hear, "well at my school we evolve and change things", maybe so, but that’s not the norm. Most Martial Arts instructors are not Doctors , physical therapists, etc. Hell most of the ones I've trained with were mechanics, cooks, shop teachers, etc., they just didn't have the knowledge or desire to educate themselves further, as a result the wear and tear adds up.
Some things that can help your longevity:
1) Listen to your body, if you have something that hurts, address it, rest and rehab it.
2) Become a student of your body and mind, its all part of the Jiu Jitsu journey, its not just technique and rolling!
3) Ask questions! If the answer you get doesn't satisfy your concerns, keeping asking until it does, or until you realize they don't know the answer.
4) Ask yourself this, Is your coach/instructor as concerned with your safety as much or more so than you are?
Thanks Chris good answer.
Me personally dont have to worry about being in good hands re my instructor as its Mick Broster and he is, imo, the best around.
Hopefully in the future I wont need the sort of rehab and injury prevention measures that you do now. Seems like I have been blessed with the instuctors I have trained under in my short time doing grappling and MMA. I suppose if your first instructor is good then you will be able to spot the not-so-good ones later on down the line; whereas if your unlucky and your first instructor is terrible then it can damage you greatly. We see this all the time at Elements, which is why we find workin with first timers a pleasure; they are a blank canvas especially the younger ones.
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