MIND

Postponement of competitions, gym closures, and social distancing has changed the way of life for athletes around the world and created a feeling of uncertainty for those who live and breathe the jiu-jitsu lifestyle. A physical workout can help pass the time and stay in shape during quarantine, but Jiu-Jitsu...

After decades dedicated to high-performance BJJ, the black-belt, Bruno Bastos has announced his retirement from competing in the adult division. An ADCC veteran and IBJJF champion, the head of Lead BJJ is wrapping up his competitive career at the age of 40. Bastos’s journey in the sport started when...

In the world of sport psychology, few performance-enhancing techniques have been as thoroughly studied as visualization. The idea is that, by simply running mental images in our minds, we are able to sharpen our game in real life. “Imagery” is the term used for visualization that involves other senses...

To many who are uninitiated to the art of jiu-jitsu, it is common that once you tell them that you are a practitioner in the art the first thing they may spring into is the stereotypical karate stance or some sort of extravagant pose straight out of “Kung Fu...

“Freedom ain’t free”. A short, simple statement that serves to put on display the idea of irony. Now, the path to freedom will have a different look for many people. There is a key ingredient of sacrifice. This can be a sacrifice of time, which can keep you away...

One of the first phrases you’ll hear when you start training jiu-jitsu is “position before submission”. This principle, which is a helpful rule of thumb, introduces the importance of controlling your opponent before attempting to submit them. However, I believe that there is an even more important phrase, which...

Tucked away in a strip mall beneath the Arizona sun is the Universal Kioto Fitness and Mixed Martial Arts Center. Here, active-duty military, veterans, and first responders often train six days a week in the Kioto System of Jiu-Jitsu. This dedicated group of warriors are taking part in the...

A famous Taoist parable goes something along these lines: One day a farmer’s horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. “Such bad luck,” they said sympathetically. “Who’s to say what’s good and who’s to say what’s bad?” the farmer replied. The next morning the...

Age:38 Height: 6’2 Starting Weight: 330 Current Weight: 215 Hometown: Sacramento Home Gym: WAZA BJJ Instructor: Derek DiManno Rank: Blue Belt How did you discover jiu-jitsu? I was introduced to jiu-jitsu through my supervisor GK, every time I would see him he would tell me “the hardest thing to...