Arch and Relax

Back in the mid 1990's I was assigned as a Military Freefall Instructor at the John F Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School. It was the one time in my life I can truly say I was an expert at something. But it didn't start out that way.

My first task upon assignment was to pass the Instructor Candidate Course. I had been on a Special Forces Military Freefall team for a few years and had about 100 Static Line and 50 Freefall jumps. Most of those were combat equipment night jumps. Because that is how you train. Unfortunately to be an instructor you had to learn how to fly your body like you owned it and not just fall through space.

I struggled. I would exit the aircraft and tumble or once I got in a stable freefall position I would start buffeting and turning so bad I was teetering on being out of control. This went on for a few jumps. Finally one of the Candidate Instructors pulled me aside and said " Dude, you need to just arch and relax. Quit being so stiff." On the very next jump after I got belly to earth, I started buffeting. I remembered his words and I just imagined my arms and legs being long pieces of limp spaghetti and just let them flow in the wind. The buffeting stopped immediately and the problem never reoccurred.

Sometimes we try too hard. As I have gotten older I have become way more accepting of other's shenanigans and less tolerant of the stress caused by conflict. I try  not to worry about things I cannot effect or that do not really effect me. I try to follow Stoic philosophy in that regard. The guy with a degree in Political Science, now no longer pays attention to politics. It became too divisive and I was getting upset about things I couldn't change. Arguing about Elephants and Donkeys on Facebook is not how I want to spend my time.

A little over two years ago I took up training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Getting smashed by a guy 20 years younger while redlining your cardiovascular system is a great way to remain humble. Being humble is a great way to go through life. I am still working on it. I am still working on being a better me. One percent better the philosophy of Japanese Kaizen has become my goal. Small improvements everyday.

All you need to do is Arch and Relax

Xande Ribiero BJJ Seminar

As a lot of you know I have been studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for the last 20 months or so. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a martial art and combat sport system that focuses on grappling and ground fighting. I try to attend practice at least 2 times a week, sometimes I get more sometimes less. Yesterday I was fortunate to attend a 3 hour seminar taught by one of the founders of our school. Xande Ribiero is a multi time World Champion in both the Gi and No Gi disciplines. I learned a lot and had a great workout.

Thanks Iowa City Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Here is a note I posted to the student group at the BJJ Academy I train at

Tonight marked the start of my second year training at ICBJJ. Doesn't seem like it has been that long. I started training for purely selfish reasons. I had a hole in my self defense plan. I have always been a gun guy, I whole heartedly think every one should know how to manage basic trauma but I hadn't done any close contact training for years. Contrary to popular belief Green Berets don't get taught special ninja shit. You learn basic hand to hand techniques and move on. Anyway I digress. I tried Krav Maga for a year but even though they claim to be realistic when I tried the techniques against a motivated attacker they were not effective. ICBJJ was recommended to me through a circle of common friends. My first few months were a blur as nothing seemed to sink in. I still struggle chaining moves together and often find myself in the middle of a roll trying to remember that one move we learned that would be perfect for this situation and failing. But in the last year I have met some great, open, friendly and committed people. ICBJJ is truly a place you can safely fail with no judgement. It is only through putting yourself in uncomfortable positions that you harden your will and cultivate mindset. I just want to thank you all for kicking my butt. Smash,pass,mount choke it's that simple