Martial Arts and the Society

Every time I hear someone talking about how bad the world has been becoming or even when I see something extremely mess up happening now at days, I tell myself: "Things in this planet would be way better if many more people got involved with martial arts..."

Obviously I`m not just saying that because I love and teach Jiu-Jitsu but along of my life, I realize not just based on my own experiences but  also from others that the individual involved with combative arts and under a supervision of good teacher in the early age, grows up:

 - more focused

 - more respectful

 - more disciplined 

 - more tolerant

 - more skillful overall

 - more confident and prepared to face life

 - more detail oriented

Bottom line: the child, teenager, man or woman (despite the age) involved with any type of martial arts was, has been, is and or will be a better citizen... I will talk about each topic described above in the next couple articles but for now, just want to leave my input regarding the title...I have a lot of theories, most of them based on studies, others on life experience that any martial arts, practiced seriously has a very positive impact on people`s life. Countries like Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Philippines for example have the development of their progress mostly based on the principals of the Martial Arts. Get the history of them from all the ages and will be simple to understand why their society has been developing so fast and in harmony....

Why is the Japanese citizen in general so focused, respectful and patient? Think about it: How many disasters has Japan been through? What happened usually when they reconstruct the whole entire country? What`s the influence of martial arts in the process? Observe how disciplined they are....This is part of their culture, their believes, their education, their roots...............The Martial Arts is a huge part of it. Studying the history of Samurai for example, helps us to realize everything I`ve been discussing here. I can also use the same example for the South Koreans and the strong influence of the martial arts into that country. Being born and raised in Brazil, along with everything Jiu-Jitsu has given to me, I can say the Gracie Family influenced very positively my country. A quick example is in the economy...How come???? I bet you are asking yourself. Because of the efficiency of the art, the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu has become famous all over the country,continent and world, giving lots of people (like me) a great way to make a living of....think about: how many BJJ academies exist all over the world? How many professional competitors live of BJJ? How many professional MMA fighters who came from BJJ are around? Think about: Why was the UFC created? Why I came to the USA? Why FightPrime was created? Easy to answer right?????? :)

To be continued.....

TH.BLASO

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The Best Martial Art in the World. Really?

 few days ago, reading an article on Facebook that was ranking the "best" martial arts for police officers, made me think about the subject. On the same text, the writer graded the Filipino martial arts as the number one (???)....Well, I personally don`t agree with the rank and was wondering about the true criteria used to find such conclusion but in the other hand, anyone has the right to express their opinion. Here is the thing: First off, there are a lot of facts that makes a specific martial art`s technique to work (regardless what it is) and it has to do primarily with the individual who is applying it and the situation. I usually say that anything can work as long as the person behind the move has full control, confidence and understanding of the risks...Each single martial arts has its strength and weakness, obviously...I could through this blog try to convince the readers that BJJ is the best one but instead I will advocate towards the combination of two or more styles.
 To me, being able to combine the (1) submission, the  (2) throw (or take down) and the (3) strike (if necessary) is what I call the PRIME of arts. I numbered the elements in a order that I personally consider ideal but it is only my perspective and can be switched around depending on the practitioner`s philosophy and background. It` s very simple why I believe in learning more than one combative style.

1 - by practicing various and different types of techniques, you will know which ones you should rely on and when use any of them

2 - As much as you trust on the art you study, knowledge is always great! There is nothing bad about learning more and different martial arts...You never know when you will need other tools.

3 - Making adjustments based on the condition of the situation might be necessary, this`s why also it is important adapting other elements (if or when necessary)

 It is extremely silly on my point of view ranking martial arts, along the history was proved, like I mentioned previously, the difference is the man or woman who makes this or that martial art better or worse. I also realize that it is clear that there are some styles that overall might appear to be more complete than others...in my humble opinion: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Gracie), Judo, Muay Thai, Aikido, Sambo and Krav Maga are the ones I`ve been able to compare to others like: Karate (Kyokushin), Kempo, Kung Fu, Taekwondo, Filipino, Capoeira (for a lot of people, seeing as a dance), Sumo, Savate, Kick Boxing, Boxe, Ninjutsu and Hapikido for example and conclude that the diversity of options for submissions, throws and strikes are slightly vaster and more effective.But again, those are just my inputs about the subject...Debates, Discussion and Points of view are always great in order to promote the refine and evolution of each art and specially the people who practices them...Have an open mind, don`t limit yourself on only one tool when actually you can get more and understand that you`ll be more complete by covering all Martial aspects...............now, go train!

TH.BLASO

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The Night Runners...

A couple months ago, two of my students: Camille Lore and Kelly Moore invited me to help them with something very special. They wanted me to go out with them around the downtown Madison (WI) and delivery soup, clothes and some comfort to the local homeless population. I can say that initiative somehow changed me...If you live in a big city anywhere in the world you most likely have seen a homeless individual walking around or just laying down in a public bench or even on the ground. Have you ever done anything to help??? Usually the answer would be no...until that night, was mine too. Here is the thing: First time that I follow them around was the transition between winter and spring in Wisconsin and normally the temperature would go from -10 degrees Celsius to 15 if I`m not mistaking and you see people sleeping in freezing concrete ground with sometimes no blanket, nothing!!!!!! Some "lucky" ones got sleeping bags and other things that would help a little but overall, it is a unreal feeling...Several times I told Camille and Kelly that I`m not sure if I would be able to go through this situation, life, condition or whatever you prefer to call if I had to. I had some similar situation about three years ago but not even close...Going out week after week, I started to understand more about homeless and why this sad reality occurs. Obviously no one lives in the streets because enjoys it. A lot of these people (99.99%) had some severe life experience and traumas that hit them so bad that forced them to go this direction...Walking around downtown, as you feed people, you listen stories and learn about life! I got impressed with some of them due the level of intelligence and culture! Obviously in the other hand you experience the even worse part of this reality that involves alcohol, drugs and violence (by all kinds). I know what you want to ask now...Why those homeless people don`t get a job? It`s just convenience to be on the streets and having people feel sorry for you...Not really! Think about this: When you decide to look for a job and etc, you go on your computer (or maybe mom and dad`s one) download an application, call, set up an appointment and go.......Right? Right. Simple. Now think about a homeless doing the same thing? No computer (or at least much harder access to one), no phone (device and contact number), no transportation (assuming the job location can be anywhere in the city or even out of it) and plus....you want to look sharp for a job interview, right? Of course! You brush your teeth, use the floss, take a nice shower (if not a bath), wear a nice cologne or perfume, shoes, pants, t-shirt and etc, etc, etc...over all you want to cause a good impression on your possible future boss. My question is: Can a homeless individual do all the simple actions that were just described above? Let`s say they even could....how often? Think about this article very well because I realized through Camille, Kelly and all those unfortunate citizens that Life can harder than you think...life can change faster than you think, I finally understood that one of the greatest tools we have is the power to help others! without judgments or expecting something back. The Night Runners are a group of people that basically exist in order to ensure that people won`t no longer feel neglected by destiny or any type of Government support...I got one last question for whoever will be reading this article... Remember when I mention on the beginning when some homeless sleep in a freezing concrete? Ok, now would you be ble to imagine yourself trying to fall asleep by a building, outside in a -25 degrees Celsius weather with wind and only a blanket?

TH.BLASO

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Night-Run/208934502593862 (Night Run Facebook page)

Support this initiative! Helping others is one of the most powerful tools you can possibly imagine...

To Enforce the law!

Riding along with some of my students who are great police officers is amazing! I feel like every single time that I follow them around while they work, makes me think strongly that if I didn`t do what I do every day (with passion) for living I would definitely pursuit that career...Helping people with their needs and enforcing the law on those who tries to break it, to me seems priceless. The world we live now at days with things getting harder and harder, we citizens must feel protected and oriented to follow a life with sense of responsibility.
 By all means, I`m not that kind guy who tries to act like a cop when I`m around them, however I do have pride on being around officers and besides respecting their profession I do admire what those heroes do... The cops I know and interact daily, have honor and do what they do with passion and will for ensuring a good place for their communities. When you go for a ride along, you see clearly what takes to be a cop...It`s not simply having a squad car, a gun and going around giving people tickets, it`s way way way beyond that. I see often on social networks and etc people talking bad about officers, giving them names and judging them for some sort of actions and I tell you what? Not because, you had a bad experience with a cop means all them are like that one! Not because your relative, friend or neighbor have a bad experience with law enforcement means everything is like what they say! In every segment of our lives, there is good and bad. Obviously with the police it is not different but are you going to claim all officers act the same? Are they all bad or all good? I can proudly speak about those I know and advocate for.....I come from a country that unfortunately the police overall are not even close of the american one is. I come from a place where people associate law enforcement with corruption, violence and death! It`s sad but it`s the reality...Are all the officers in Brazil corrupted? Of course not...Are all the officers in Brazil violent? Of course not...The movie Elite Squad (Tropa de Elite) helped a lot to create the image of heroes in uniforms who give up their lives to save and protect ours! The BOPE (Batalhao de operacoes especiais - Battalion of Special Operations) was created as a last source of hope to combat the Violent and reckless drug cartels in Brazil and despite the fact that the movie is just fiction, does give the spectator a little bit of the reality of the problem in Brazil and how this elite squad face it...Anyhow, I`m just want to share a little bit about my thoughts and experience with law enforcement. I teach those honored and skilled men every day and without any questions, I`m happy they exist...Thank you:

TH.BLASO

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