We had an awesome launch with our kickboxing class! Come check out this new program with Jarrett McBride. Kickboxing is essential for those looking to enter the Roch NY MMA arena. It’s also a fun way to get in super amazing shape.
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We had an awesome time at the Community Roll this month! For those who aren't familiar, a community roll is when a bunch of different Jiu Jitsu schools get together and spar. It allows you to go with a whole bunch of different people and practice your skills with new partners. Overall, it's an amazing gathering of martial artists who have a mutual love and respect for the art. I can't wait to do it again! #rpma #rphxma #rocbjj We were super excited to be a part of Rage in the Cage 2, an amateur MMA event here in Rochester. Brennan Strimple helped to corner Jarrett McBride in his match and worked with him prior to the MMA fight. Overall I was impressed with what I saw. The fighters truly are athletes and it was obvious that they trained and worked hard in preparation. Even making weight is a difficult process for this kind of fight- not to mention all the striking and grappling training needed to perform your best. I was especially impressed with the women fighters. Their technique - especially the striking - was amazing to watch. I even thought the event itself was well run. Full Contact Promotions took care to showcase each fighter. Everyone got to have their walk of honor through the fog and lights as their name and credentials were announced. There were professional medical personnel on hand, though I didn't see any serious injuries. Jarrett McBride won his match! I was very happy to be a part of his training and to be able to see him fight. 
Chad Robichaux is a 3rd degree BJJ black belt, an MMA fighter, and a combat veteran. We are hosting a free training session with him that is open to all martial artists. Friday, Sept. 29th 7:00-9:00PM Come train with us and learn from one of the best! We've had a number of promotions happen in our adult Brazilian Jiu Jitsu program this summer! Brennan Strimple was promoted to purple belt, Chris Smith was promoted to 4th stripe Blue Belt, and Leigh Strimple was promoted to Blue Belt. Many of our newer students also earned their first or second stripes on their white belts.  Do you need to be in shape before you start to train? This seems to be an issue with ex-martial artists. By that, I mean people who trained at one point, but then for one reason or another had to quit. But before coming back, they feel that they need to get in shape first. I guess the idea is to come back at the same level they had left.
I usually picture Dragon Ball Z style training at this point and smile a little. I suppose you can get in shape by running, beating up a heavy bag, and sweating it out in a sauna. Or you could just start training in class again. Don't let ego or pride get in the way of entering the dojo/gym. If you took six months, a year, or even longer off, there is no way you're coming back the same level you were at your prime. The same is true with any sport. But the best way to get back in shape and to start dusting off the cobwebs of your knowledge base is to start training in classes. You don't have anything to prove. You don't need to submit your partners, execute a technique perfectly, or run someone off the mat with your head kicks. Accept that people who were once at the same level as you or lower are probably better or out ranking you now. Accept that you may have to sit out and catch your breath at times. Accept that you may not remember how to do that technique you were once super good at. However, you have just done the difficult part. You took that first step, and now all it takes is time. Believe me, your skills and fitness will come back. I'm talking from experience. I had to take off while pregnant with Asher. Once I was finally back, I got a shoulder injury and was out again. Overall, I couldn't train normally for close to a year. But I can confidently say that my fitness and skills are finally back and getting better with every training session. My advice for ex-martial artists looking to get back to training is to come to class! Put the ego aside and just start training again. In honor of Valentines Day, I'm going to rant about a topic plaguing the martial arts community: LOVE.
Maybe some of you are lucky and have a supportive partner. Some of you are not lucky. I know many of you need to fight, argue, and negotiate in order to train. I've also known many martial artists who quit because their partner wouldn't let them continue training. Despite being a martial artist myself... I get it! Classes almost always take place during the evening, which is prime date/dinner/after work time. Unlike other sports that have a season, martial arts are ongoing. For those of you training in BJJ, I can only imagine how explaining THAT must go down. Plus the martial arts are far more time consuming than an average trip to the gym. Start throwing in seminars, tournaments, extra training sessions, and even the most easy-going of partners might start getting jealous for your time. So how do we maintain healthy relationships while still being able to train? My first suggestion is to get your partner involved. Now this can be easier said then done. I'll have another post on just that. But there are many ways to help your partner feel involved besides getting them training with you. Invite her or him to come watch. Tell them how happy it would make you to have them there. That's a good start, and who knows? They may actually want to try it themselves. Try merging a date into training. Invite your significant other to watch or try the class, then take them out for dinner, a movie, coffee, etc. Perhaps offer to leave early if you need to. Look at ways to coordinate with your partner. This might look like scheduling your classes on the same nights he/she has an activity. Then you can always plan to meet before or after. Communicate with your partner. Sometimes there might be something minor and stupid that makes your partner not want you to train. I remember one person who was a pacifist and had issues with her partner participating in something so violent. Issues like this can be cleared up with some communication and education on the martial arts. I'm not a relationship expert or a psychologist. But in my own humble opinion, I don't think someone who truly cares about you would pressure you to quit something you love. That being said, it might take some compromise to work out your training time and relationship time. I'm very lucky to have found someone who shares my passion for martial arts, but even Brennan and I have had disagreements on training. Happy Valentines day! <3 Having moments of dread is something I'm getting used to, being a new business and dojo co-owner. It doesn't matter if it's an exploding toilet or a surprise class full of brand new students: Sudden moments of fear seem to pop up on a semi-regular basis. One of those moments happened to me Sunday evening after watching an episode of Star Trek.
I suddenly found myself wondering if the only way to be successful as a business owner was to compromise and become a McDojo. One of those schools that hand out black belts like candy, that breed overconfidence and sloppy technique, one of those schools that gives Karate a bad name. I started picturing classes that resembled a Saturday afternoon at Chuck E Cheese. What if that was the only way we could make it? Things have a way of working themselves out. We had our first kids BJJ testing and decided to test our kids the same way adults were tested. The students had to get out of a difficult position. Pass or fail, they would either succeed and break free of the hold or they would give up and fail. I was nervous about it. This was a difficult test and parents would be watching. However, the students were phenomenal. They worked incredibly hard and refused to give up, even when class technically ended. Brennan and I were incredibly proud. It was then I realized that I didn't need to worry about becoming a McDojo. While some students may want to be placated with advanced belts without the time or work, I believe most do not. Parents and students alike are not dumb. They know quality. Deep down they know if a rank was truly earned or just handed out. While it may seem difficult at times, most students want the work that comes before an accomplishment. They recognize when a rank is truly earned and when they are being patronized. I struggle sometimes trying to find ways to make the hundred thousandth time a student has done Seisan Kata interesting and engaging. But students like the journey. They enjoy putting in the work and then seeing the end result. There will be some students who just want the belt. They will train for a few months and inevitably leave and find a dojo that will provide them with a pat on the head and a belt around their waist. There will also be students like our kids who recently tested in BJJ. We don't need to compromise our standards, in fact we refuse to do so and it isn't even necessary. Recently I've been reading a book called "In the Dojo" by Dave Lowry. The book offers an in depth look into the etiquette, rituals, and history of the Japanese Dojo. Lowry's observations combined with some conversations I've had from students who had once trained in MMA gyms got me thinking.
I've heard many martial artists proclaim themselves to have "traditional" dojos and used this to justify borderline abusive behavior. Some example include making kids do knuckle push-ups on hardwood floors, refusing water to students in a sweltering dojo, and striking students with the intent of causing physical damage. Does abuse make a dojo traditional? Especially since similar conditions can be found in MMA gyms. Some people think the kind of martial arts offered decree if a school is traditional or not. However, arts such as Muay Thai still have a rich tradition and history despite being found in many MMA gyms. Lowry suggests that it is a subtle attitude and philosophy within the dojo that makes a dojo traditional or modern. I like this notion. A traditional dojo is based off Japanese military history. One element I partially like is the emphasis on training up everyone to their fullest potential. If we look at how a military unit trains, the army is only as strong as their weakest person. Therefore, attention is equally divided amongst the beginner, novice, and advanced students. Modern and/or sport based dojos have different goals. Unlike traditional dojos, a gym needs just a few very talented individuals to compete and do well in tournaments. A consequence of this is that students who do not already have a strong skillset or natural ability may get neglected. The attention of the instructors is not necessarily equal. We've tried to develop a dynamic martial arts academy. While we have arts commonly found in MMA gyms, we are undoubtedly a traditional dojo. You can train here and fight MMA or get your accredited rank in Isshin Ryu Karate. You can be a naturally gifted athlete or need reminding on your left and right. Everyone here has our respect and attention. #BJJ #Rochestermartialarts #RochesterMMA #Rochesterkarate #Rochesterdojo #Rochestermuaythai #RochesterBJJ We feel that fitness and the martial arts go very well together. So we are very excited to launch the Rochester Phoenix Martial Arts fitness program, starting in December! We are going to be offering three fitness programs. Zumba Zumba is a fun and energetic workout! We are offering a free class this Saturday, December 6th at 9:00 AM for anyone to come try. This class is running at the same time as our kids karate class, so parents feel free to bring your kids as well! Check out the Zumba page for more information, or call / text us if you have any questions! Grappling Bootcamp This is a fitness class designed for grapplers, however, anyone will benefit from the workout. Work the core muscle groups needed to have a solid ground game. This will also help improve your endurance, so you can end your rolling strong. Grappling Bootcamp will be on Tuesdays 8:00 - 8:30 PM - Right after BJJ!! Striking Bootcamp Anyone who has ever gone more than a few rounds doing stand up sparring knows how tiring it can be. Striking Bootcamp works on developing the cardio and muscles needed for sparring. While this is designed for martial artists, again, it will benefit anyone. Striking Bootcamp will be on Saturdays 12:30 - 1:00. Members are encouraged to attend these classes at no extra cost. If you are only looking for Zumba, we will have a separate membership for it. Call and / or text us for information: 585-354-8946  |
Black belts onlineWhen Sensei Leigh and Sensei Brennan aren't training, we're keeping you updated on the happenings here at Rochester Phoenix Martial Arts! Categories
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