Once again, the blue spinning marble that we live on has made a successful revolution around the giant thermonuclear reactor that is our sun. Another year gone, another ahead – and usually the juncture of the two serves as a reminder for us to take stock of what transpired during the last 12 months and what we have planned for the year ahead; chance to re-invent – a chance to improve our situation. If we hope to improve our situation without knowing what it is we want to change – then it all just falls to random chance. If you want to have some say in over which direction your life moves – you’ll need a plan. The simplest of plans is to adjust our compass so that we eradicate the things about our lives that we don’t like and build on those parts that we do like. This is a simple lesson that I have learned on the mat … to improve your BJJ Game, the easiest approach is to develop a more deliberate focus on the techniques you want to use – while at the same time, working on eradicating the one or two main weaknesses of your game. We can use the same simple strategy for improving our day to day lives; just pick one or two things that we want to get done in the new year – and think deliberately about how we are going to achieve those things. At the same time, it’s worth thinking about eradicating one or two behaviours that don’t sit in accordance with the realization of those goals. In other words - import a couple of good habits – and export a couple of bad ones. Of course, we don’t have to wait until New Years Day to make these changes – every single day is an opportunity to re-invent ourselves, our behaviour’s, our thinking and the way we live in the world; but if not now – at the beginning of a new year – then when? Here I am, sitting out on a verandah, overlooking the jungle in Ubud, Bali. The sun is coming up and a new day is underway. I’ll be back home soon, after taking this week away with my family to rejuvenate before 2010 kicks off! Last year was a very busy one for me, so I am guessing this one will be too. In 2009, I visited 10 countries throughout the year – taught 100 seminars – and got a lot of other things done. And 2010 is shaping up to be just as busy – but for right now, I am enjoying the quiet of the mountain air as I wait for the little gangs of monkeys to scamper past my room on their way to forage amongst the little offerings to the gods, that the locals put out each morning. Another day – another year … another infinite set of possibilities … Warmest wishes JBW
Following my last post on human movement, I’ve been looking deeper into this issue and I think much of what I’ve found will inform my exploits in 2010 (more on that another time). I’ve just finished reading Frank Forencich’s book “Exuberant Animal” and wanted to hear more from Frank and also offer readers of this blog some of his insights, so Frank kindly agreed to a short interview. Here it is - enjoy.
Al: Tell me a bit about your background, in particular your Martial Arts training.
Frank: I trained intensively in kenpo karate and then aikido for a total of about 14 years. The transition between the arts was very difficult for me, but extremely educational. I had to completely re-wire my body and my movements. I was also fascinated that so many teachers would lay claim to knowing the single “right way” to move. What was correct in one dojo was ridiculed in another, just down the street. This led me to a deeper inquiry and a search for common principles. In turn, I became intrigued with the study of human origins and was inspired to travel to Africa. I wanted to know about the universals of human movement, not just particular styles. I still do some martial art movement, mostly in the context of Exuberant Animal, play-based classes.
Al: In relation to your “Exuberant Animal” philosophy, how do you perceive the martial arts should be approached/trained?
Frank: Like many, I’m a fan of Bruce Lee’s philosophy of Jeet Kune Do, or “the style of no-style.” Obviously, when you’re in combat, there’ s no way to predict how an opponent will move or behave. Therefore, it’s just crazy to train in a single method. I’ve seen people develop extremely deep neurological ruts that would be a tremendous liability in a dynamic situation. The key, as athletic coaches are starting to realize, is to be “adaptable, not adapted.” This calls for a diversity of training, a diversity of challenges and movements, always looking for general qualities of power, speed, flow, agility and grace. And in this sense, martial can share a lot with the world of dance.
Al: You’ve spent time with some hunter/gatherer tribes – did you see any martial traditions there?
Frank: I did not. Primal peoples were extremely dependent on tribal cohesion for survival. Cooperation in the hunt was essential; this was the social priority. Population density was low, so battle between tribes was probably infrequent. Consequently, there wasn’t a great need for martial training. We see some evidence of combat weapons (spears and shields), but compared with the modern era, these were probably used more for bluff than for actual killing. This, by the way, is what we see in chimpanzee behavior: males frequently engage in threat and dominance displays, but actual violence is not as common. Jane Goodall observed “warfare” between chimp tribes at Gombe, but we can’t forget the bonobo, the highly-sexualized, peace-making hippie primates of Central Africa. We have both of these tendencies in our lineage.
Al: Are you familiar with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu- what are your impressions?
I’ve only trained a little bit in this art. I found it to be enjoyable and incredibly effective. It strikes me as high-quality physical education, although I also see a fair bit of macho chest thumping in the competitive ranks.
Al: I’ve just read your book “Exuberant Animal” and what I loved about it was the warning that we risk losing what makes us human – our interactions with each other, the environment, our own bodies, but also that you offer thoughts and solutions on a way back.
Frank: We’re at a really interesting and exciting time in the history of the body. Our physical relationship with the modern world just isn’t working and it’s time for trainers, coaches and physical educators to step up and lead the way to a new physical culture. We have to do more than just be good athletes who study high performance. We need to be speaking out and changing the culture, the schools and the workplace. In addition to training individuals and classes, we need to be writing and speaking, taking our insights to a wider audience. The forces of physical apathy are immensely powerful and well-funded. We need to offer a compelling counter-argument to the status quo.
Al: I’ve got five year old twins and I love to watch how they play, move, even play-fight (parentally controlled of course!). It’s so fluid and natural! I mourn the loss of that. What can I do to ensure my kids retain at least some of that and try to recover some of it for myself, even in the face of the onslaught of the “Human Zoo”?
Frank: Rough and tumble play is essential to child and human development and we need to keep it alive. Above all, we need to get outdoors as much as possible and avoid the lure of computers, TV and video games. The real leader in this regard is The Barefoot Sensei. See the website for his story and his inspirational lifestyle. Take off your shoes and feel the earth as much as possible. Keep sensation alive in natural settings: walk more, touch the land. Also, devote more time to authentic communication with other people. Avoid email. Real-time, face-to-face communication is the core of tribal cohesion and in turn, social health.
Al: I’ve noticed a trend recently for lots of “back to basics” exercise regimes – Kettle bells, hitting things with sledgehammers, clubs, but they all still seem to me to have the gloss of a “brand” – a trend. What are your thoughts on this?
Frank: Yes, well, everyone has to make a living and this is a bit of a conundrum. When you get right down to it, all you really need for basic conditioning is terrain, gravity, momentum and human bodies. Add in some rocks and sticks and you’ve got a pretty complete outdoor gym. If people want to promote this as a “style,” I’m not too concerned. Just don’t try to lure me into a big-box gym packed with machines!
Al: I feel that you and people like Erwan Le Corre have a lot to offer to society at large at a time when the human race seems hell-bent on doing everything that is counter-intuitive to the species, but it feels like a “quiet revolution”. Is this how you see it?
Frank: Yes. But perhaps it’s time to stop being so quiet about it! I keep looking around for more passionate voices in defense of health and the human body, but I’m not hearing much. Where are the militant PE teachers? Where are the militant coaches and trainers? The militant doctors, nurses and therapists? We need to speak out and speak up.
Al: What are your plans for Exuberant Animal?
Frank: 2010 will be a big year for us as we refine our identity as a “Health leadership organization.” We have some extremely talented people on our team. They have diverse physical training backgrounds, but all are inspirational health leaders in their own right. We will soon have a certification process in place and a lot of events coming up. And of course, I’ll be speaking up and speaking out whenever I get the chance. My new book “Change Your Body, Change the World” is due out later this year.
Al: Frank, thanks for taking the time to chat. I hope to catch you at a UK seminar sometime and wish you all the best for 2010!
Frank: Yes, hope to meet you in the flesh.
Many thanks to Frank!
Frank is holding a seminar in London in April, hosted by Wild Fitness in April
I think that bodymechanics is a skill you need to work on just like you need to work on technique, strength and cardio. It is something you can do on your own and for me personally, it has really benefitted my game a lot.
I have a pretty large repertoire of bodymechanics drills in my game at the moment, and I am showing my most common in this video. I have not really learned them from anywhere specific, but picked them up a few at a time along the way from seminars, training with different people, ginastica natural videos, capoeira training and also made a few up myself. I hope you can use some of the drills yourself, I would recommend anyone to do them or something similar as a part of their grappling training.
I’ve wanted to do this video for a very long time, since it is something that people ask me about quite often. Finally I got it done, and I really hope you like it, cause I had sand EVERYWHERE when I was finished LOL
On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman concludes our series of interviews conducted at the 2009 FILA Grappling World Championships by speaking with Marcus “Conan” Silveira, Kelly Anundson, and Richie Guerriero of American Top Team.
Marcus “Conan” Silveira is a pioneer in mixed martial arts, and was the first Extreme Fighting heavyweight champion. He also played a key role in founding American Top Team.
Kelly Anundson, who competes in wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts, won two gold medals at the Grappling World Championships in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He won the men’s 120 kg/264.5 lbs. no-gi championship, and then the men’s open division in no-gi grappling.
Richie Guerriero is the general manager at American Top Team.
We spoke with all three at the American Top Team headquarters in Coconut Creek, Florida, Monday, December 14.
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My quads are on fire like they haven’t been in years.My biggest gripe about my body right now (other than the collapsible shoulders) is my relatively underdeveloped quads. While this isn’t as much a problem as I used to think it was when it came to th…
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Ryan Hall is in Crystal Lake, IL this week to help MMA superstar Jeff “The Big Frog” Curran as he prepares to take on dangerous Japanese fighter, Tomohiko Hori, in XFO 34.
Coming off of a first round TKO of Dustin Neace at Strikeforce only 2 weeks ago, Jeff is looking to notch another victory and [...]
FORT BENNING, Ga. — The U.S. Army Combatives School has adopted a new teaching plan.
The Army is revamping the curriculum to take lessons learned from Iraq and Afghanistan and build more effective close-quarters fighters, said Matt Larsen, the school’s director. The goal is to push advanced techniques down to the small-unit level, including basic training.
Read [...]
Update from Spain: A wild turn of events ends with Ryan Hall taking the bronze medal at the Abu Dhabi Submission Wrestling World Championship!
Read on for more information…
Barcelona, Spain
9/27/09
After winning the ADCC West Coast qualifier in Carson, CA earlier this year, Ryan was invited to compete in the most prestigious no-gi grappling tournament in the [...]
As many of you are aware, 50/50 guard has come under fire recently from many in the Jiu-Jitsu community, in large part for its use in the Pan and Mundial tournaments as an attempted strategy to dethrone 4-time consecutive featherweight champion Rubens “Cobrinha” Charles. It has been hotly discussed and has [...]
World Martial Arts once again delivers the goods with the most highly anticipated DVD series in years, the 50/50 guard with Ryan Hall! This new guard position is so effective and dangerous to its unsuspecting opponent’s, that many competitions are now considering banning it all together!
Ryan Hall, one of the most active and successful Jiu-Jitsu [...]
