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Monday, October 25, 2010

Enson Inoue and The Samurai Spirit

Yamato-damashii (大和魂?, or "Japanese spirit", "Japanese soul", "Yamato spirit", and "The soul of Old Japan".) is a historically and culturally loaded word in the Japanese language. The phrase was apparently coined in the Heian period to describe the indigenous Japanese 'spirit'. During the Edo period writers and Samurai used it to gloss the Bushido concept of valor, honor, discipline, and respect. The term was later given to Enson Inoue by the media and press and became what is now known as the"Samurai spirit". He lives it.

For those of you who don’t follow Mixed Martial Arts, Enson Inoue is an American born Japanese jiu jitsu blackbelt and former Shooto Japan Champ known for never tapping and never quitting in the ring. During his career he’s never turned down a fight taking on top notch killers like Igor Vovchanchyn, Frank Shamrock, Mark Kerr, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Randy Couture.

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The purpose of my visit with Enson was not to inquire about his training routine nor was I there to ask him what he eats for breakfast everyday (although I’m quite curious to know how he stays so big and strong). I wanted to meet Enson to talk with him about him. It’s “Yamato Damashii” or the “Samurai spirit” that intrigues me and I think a lot of people would appreciate a guy like Enson who has always been true to himself and the people around him.

Enson was at his gym lastnight to meet some fighters who, according to them, had ‘lost their spirit’. They asked Enson to help them ‘get their spirit back’ before their upcoming competition. Enson was happy to help them with that.

He said, “99% of the time people quit, not because their body breaks. They quit because their mind quits on their body. In order for these guys to get their spirit back, I’m going to break them. Once they see that they can live through the pain and the fear…they will get their spirit back.”

I sat and watched as they were indeed physically and mentally worn down, beaten and finally broken. I’m sure glad it wasn’t me who had a lost spirit! The two fighters managed to walk out of the gym on their own and alive. They were very thankful that Enson took the time to help them understand a little bit about “Yamato Damashii”. Although they might be sore today, I’m certain that they’re in high spirits knowing that they survived through the pain and fear and that they weren’t broken after all. -Tune-in-Tokyo.com



Thursday, October 21, 2010

Dan Inosanto and Ajarn Chai Sirisute Muay Thai basics

Here is a great video series hosted and narrated by Dan Inosanto and good friend and Muay Thai Master "Chai" or Ajarn Chai Sirisute.

Developed in Thailand the devastating art of Muay Thai – Thai Boxing is gaining popularity and recognition in the US thanks to the dedication and perseverance of Ajarn Surachai “Chai” Sirisute, President and founder of the Thai Boxing Association of the USA. Thai Boxing utilizes the practitioner’s natural weapons, knees, elbows, kicks and punches. Care is taken to teach students proper form and body mechanics to eliminate injuries while training and gain maximum effectiveness.






Wednesday, October 20, 2010

The Art of Perseverance- Machado Jiujitsu



















Every person's problems are different, so I can only say "analyze your opportunities and conditions and study your natural abilities." Form plans for improvement and then put them into operation. Now don't just say, "I am going to do so and so," but carry your plan into execution. Don't make an indefinite plan, but a definite one, and then don't give up until your object has been accomplished. Put these suggestions into practice

with true earnestness, and you will soon note astonishing results, and your whole life will be completely changed. An excellent motto for one of pure motives is: Through my will power I dare do what I want to. You will find this affirmation has a very strengthening effect.

The Spirit of Perseverance The spirit of "sticktoitiveness" is the one that wins. Many go just so far and then give up, whereas, if they had persevered a little longer, they would have won out. Many have much initiative, but instead of concentrating it into one channel, they diffuse it through several, thereby dissipating it to such an extent that its effect is lost.

Develop more determination, which is only the Will To Do, and when you start out to do something stick to it until you get results. Of course, before starting anything you must look ahead and see what the "finish leads to." You must select a road that will lead to "somewhere," rather than "nowhere." The journey must be productive of some kind of substantial results. The trouble with so many young men is that they launch enterprises without any end in sight. It is not so much the start as the finish of a journey that counts. Each little move should bring you nearer the goal which you planned to reach before the enterprise began.

Lack of Perseverance is nothing but the lack of the Will To Do. It takes the same energy to say, "I will continue," as to say, "I give up." Just the moment you say the latter you shut off your dynamo, and your determination is gone. Every time you allow your determination to be broken you weaken it. Don't forget this. Just the instant you notice your determination beginning to weaken, concentrate on it and by sheer Will Power make it continue on the "job."

Never try to make a decision when you are not in a calm state of mind. If in a "quick temper," you are likely to say things you afterwards regret. In anger, you follow impulse rather than reason. No one can expect to achieve success if he makes decisions when not in full control of his mental forces.

The Mental Demand seems an unreal power because it is intangible; but it is the mightiest power in the world. It is a power that is free for you to use. No one can use it for you. The Mental Demand is not a visionary one. It is a potent force, which you can use freely without cost. When you are in doubt it will counsel you. It will guide you when you are uncertain. When you are in fear it will give you courage. It is the motive power which supplies the energies necessary to the achievement of the purpose. You have a large storehouse of possibilities. The Mental Demand makes possibilities realities. It supplies everything necessary for the accomplishment, It selects the tools and instructs how to use them. It makes you understand the situation. Every time you make a Mental Demand you strengthen the brain centers by drawing to you external forces.

If you want a great deal you must demand a great deal. Once you make your demand, anticipate its fulfillment.



Monday, October 18, 2010

Machado Black Belt Travis Lutter



Travis S. Lutter, born May 12, 1973 in Chamberlain, SD, is a BJJ and American Mixed Martial Arts fighter. Travis currently resides in Fort Worth, TX, where he owns and manages two successful Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academies.

Travis’s early goals and aspirations were to be in the FBI. He attended Northern State University in South Dakota looking to pursue a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice. While in college, Travis wrestled. However, after watching Royce Gracie compete in the early UFC Travis was determined to learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He eventually moved to Fort Worth, TX and focused on his training with Carlos Machado, where he would receive his Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Travis went on to compete in the most prestigious submission grappling competition in the world winning the national qualifier to ADCC twice. Travis also won the Ultimate Submission Showdown World Championship a submission grappling tournament started by Rorion Gracie(The founder of the UFC). Travis also has, placed as a Blue belt and Purple Belt in the Pan-Ams, The Worlds, and winning numerous other events.

Travis Lutter (9-5 MMA, 2-4 UFC), a Brazilian jiujitsu specialist trained by Carlos Machado, fought in a variety of promotions (including the UFC) before entering and winning "The Ultimate Fighter" season 4, where he submitted Patrick Cote in the finale. Silva would now be a three-round, non-title bout. In UFC 67, Travis went on to square off against UFC middleweight champion, Anderson Silva. He easily took Silva down in the first round transitioning into the “mount” position and reigning down blows. In the second round, Travis took down the champ once again. However, he was caught in a triangle choke and was forced to submit after a series of questionable elbow strikes to the head. Travis continues to move forward, learning from his losses, and preparing to come out on the other side a better fighter.



Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Hugh Fitzgerald "RIO" and Machado jiujitsu








































































Actor, Writer, and Producer extraordinaire Hugh Fitzgerald also known as "Rio" was generous to take time out of his production schedule to discuss his jiujitsu addiction.

With some fantastic film and television credits such as CBS' series "The Unit" and working alongside writer/director David Mamet as well as the film "Red Belt", Rio still makes time to train Jiujitsu. He was recently presented with his purple belt by Rigan Machado.

When did you start your training:

I have always dabbled in the Martial Arts from a very early age. Beginning with Uechi-ryu and Tae kwon Do. Five years ago I was introduced to Renato Magno on the set of David Mamet's film Spartan. I took a few classes at another academy and while I found the training good, that particular academy wasn't for me. It wasn't until I met John Machado and Renato on the set of David's Jiu Jitsu film Red Belt that I finally decided to drop by Street Sports Academy in Santa Monica. Once I walked in, I never left.

How did you meet the Machados?:

At a very early stage of my Jiu Jitsu training, I attended a Machado Brother Jiu Jitsu camp in South Carolina. I was so thoroughly impressed with the teaching and history of the Machado family. I feel very privileged to have learned from Masters Like John and Rigan Machado. Their level and core knowledge of the art is without words. They are truly gifted.
I look at my training as a unique journey through this Martial Art. To quote Jean-Jacques Machado, He said: " I am just a white belt with a lot of time". God willing, I hope to continue this training until they have to peel me off of the mats.

What advice what you give to people who are interested in training:
Personally, what I carry with me throughout the day due to my life and adventure in Jiujitsu is this; "You must conquer yourself before you can conquer your opponent". I am constantly humbled in this sport and I truly hope that never changes.

Any closing thoughts:

If you do not live in Los Angeles but have the opportunity to visit, make sure you go see John Machado or his brother Rigan Machado. You won't be disappointed.

www.BJJMachado.com
www.JohnMachado.net





Sunday, October 10, 2010

The Power of the Mental Demand



















The Mental Demand is the potent force in achievement. The attitude of the mind affects the expression of the face, determines action, changes our physical condition and regulates our lives.

I will not here attempt to explain the silent force that achieves results. You want to develop your mental powers so you can effect the thing sought, and that is what I want to teach you. There is wonderful power and possibility in the concentrated Mental Demand. This, like all other forces, is controlled by laws. It can, like all other forces, be wonderfully increased by consecutive, systematized effort.

The Mental Demand must be directed by every power of the mind and every possible element should be used to make the demand materialize. You can so intently desire a thing that you can exclude all distracting thoughts. When you practice this singleness of concentration until you attain the end sought, you have developed a Will capable of accomplishing whatever you wish.

As long as you can only do the ordinary things you will be counted in the mass of mediocrity. But just as quick as you surpass others by even comparatively small measure, you are classed as one of life's successes. So, if you wish to emerge into prominence, you must accomplish something more than the ordinary man or woman. It is easy to do this if you will but concentrate on what you desire, and put forth your best effort. It is not the runner with the longest legs or the strongest muscles that wins the race, but the one that can put forth the greatest desire force. You can best understand this by thinking of an engine. The engine starts up slowly, the engineer gradually extending the throttle to the top notch. It is then keyed up to its maximum speed. The same is true of two runners. They start off together and gradually they increase their desire to go faster. The one that has the greatest intensity of desire will win. He may outdistance the other by only a fraction of an inch, yet he gets the laurels.

The men that are looked upon as the world's successes have not always been men of great physical power, nor at the start did they seem very well adapted to the conditions which encompassed them. In the beginning they were not considered men of superior genius, but they won their success by their resolution to achieve results in their undertakings by permitting no setback to dishearten them; no difficulties to daunt them. Nothing could turn them or influence them against their determination. They never lost sight of their goal. In all of us there is this silent force of wonderful power. If developed, it can overcome conditions that would seem insurmountable. It is constantly urging us on to greater achievement. The more we become acquainted with it the better strategists we become, the more courage we develop and the greater the desire within us for self-expression in activity along many lines.

No one will ever be a failure if he becomes conscious of this silent force within that controls his destiny. But without the consciousness of this inner force, you will not have a clear vision, and external conditions will not yield to the power of your mind. It is the mental resolve that makes achievement possible. Once this has been formed it should never be allowed to cease to press its claim until its object is attained. To make plans work out it will, at times, be necessary to use every power of your mind. Patience, perseverance and all the indomitable forces within one will have to be mustered and used with the greatest effectiveness.

Perseverance is the first element of success. In order to persevere you must be ceaseless in your application. It requires you to concentrate your thoughts upon your undertaking and bring every energy to bear upon keeping them focused upon it until you have accomplished your aim. To quit short of this is to weaken all future efforts.

Few realize the power of a Mental Demand. It is possible to make your demand so strong that you can impart what you have to say to another without speaking to him. Have you ever, after planning to discuss a certain matter with a friend, had the experience of having him broach the subject before you had a chance to speak of it? Have you ever, in a letter, made a suggestion to a friend that he carried out before your letter reached him? Have you ever wanted to speak to a person who, just then walked in or telephoned. I have had many such responses to thought and you and your friends have doubtless experienced them, too.

These two things are neither coincidences nor accidents, but are the results of mental demand launched by strong concentration.

The person that never wants anything gets little. To demand resolutely is the first step toward getting what you want.

The power of the Mental Demand seems absolute, the supply illimitable. The Mental Demand projects itself and causes to materialize the conditions and opportunities needed to accomplish the purpose. Do not think I over estimate the value of the Mental Demand. It brings the fuller life if used for only righteous purposes. Once the Mental Demand is made, however, never let it falter. If you do the current that connects you with your desire is broken. Take all the necessary time to build a firm foundation, so that there need not be even an element of doubt to creep in. Just the moment you entertain "doubt" you lose some of the demand force, and force once lost is hard to regain. So whenever you make a mental demand hold steadfastly to it until your need is supplied.

I want to repeat again that Power of Mental Demand is not a visionary one. It is concentrated power only, and can be used by you. It is not supernatural power, but requires a development of the brain centers. The outcome is sure when it is given with a strong resolute determination.

If you want a great deal you must demand a great deal. Once you make your demand, anticipate its fulfillment. It depends upon us. We are rewarded according to our efforts. The Power of Mental Demand can bring us what we want. We become what we determine to be. We control our own destiny.

Get the right mental attitude, then in accordance with your ability you can gain success.

And every man of AVERAGE ability, the ordinary man that you see about you, can be really successful, independent, free of worry, HIS OWN MASTER, if he can manage to do just two things.

First, remain forever dissatisfied with what he IS doing and with what he HAS accomplished.

Second, develop in his mind a belief that the word impossible was not intended or him. Build up in his mind the confidence that enables the mind to use its power.