The ability to connect to a training partner or an opponent in Martial Arts is much more than a physical objective. Different Budos find their specific words and concepts of what it means to be connected and the value it has for successfully applying techniques or assisting in the learning process with a teacher and student. In Gracie Jiu-Jitsu or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Master Rickson Gracie, 8th dan coral red/black belt, has his unique designation and theory of connection. This writer has written about Master Rickson Gracie’s theories in the book, A Story Of Invisible Power: A Path Towards Jiu Jitsu Principles & Execution, 2016. In addition, he has written in a former blog about connection: Rickson Gracie Seminar- Florida 2017:
One crucial learning lesson that happened before the seminar as I drove with my wife to Florida’s east coast to see Rickson was funny. We saw a truck pulling another car with two chains. I looked over at the two chains as the truck pulled the car a few feet and then came to a stop in the traffic. I said, “Look today the students will learn about connection at the seminar!” My wife did not know what I was talking about. Come to think of it anytime I tell a Jiu Jitsu instructor or student about Rickson’s theory of connection; they don’t know what I am talking about either. I told her to look at the chains and watch precisely when the car gets pulled. The chains were loose and hung low, hitting the street when she looked over. There was enough tension to pull the car when the chains got tight. All the movement with the truck did not matter when the chains were dragging on the ground with no tension. This is related to wasted movement in Jiu Jitsu. We can not feel the tension in those chains, but we can see it is working. This is an excellent example of Rickson’s invisible theory of connection and helps make up elements of invisible Jiu Jitsu (Rickson Gracie Seminar- Florida 2017 – TONYPACENSKI.COM, 2017).
Next, in the Budo of Aikido, students practice Ai in the art of Aikido, the study of Ai in a guiding principle. According to Newens (2019), Ai to the Aikidoka is connection, and when he or she brings Ai and Ki or Aiki together in this moment is a harmonizing experience (The AI of Aikido, 2019). Ai is a form of blending that is not only physical but an emotional and mental concept that ideally creates calmness, control, and unity with the training partner or opponent.
As mentioned, different Budos have different words for connection, and in both Gracie Jiu Jitsu and Aikido, the context of connection is during a grappling situation. Therefore, the moment of connection and connection points occur once a student grabs the opponent. Budos with more proficiency in striking art and weaponry arts do not have this similarity where connection begins. In Kendo, there is En, Japanese meaning a bond, link, relation, or connection. This writing believes in Kendo; the connection can, like other Budo, begin a certain points, yet ideally, the connection begins the initial bow.
Kendo as taught in Japan has many protocols, customs, and courtesies. How a Kendoka puts on and removes the uniform and equipment has a specific sequence. The gloves, for example, first pull on with the left hand and the right, then remove the right hand rather than the left hand. This process in a mental discipline. The routine becomes a series of protocols and a method of connecting to the practice of Kendo. Once the student is ready to practice a match with a training partner both will be standing from distance and bow to eachother. This moment is ideally the first opprotunity to make a connection (En).
Next, the student will take three steps forward (En) from the Taito position and draw the shinai out (En), sit to the sonkyo positon (En), and finally stand to the chudan position (En) with the training partner having both shinais crossed and touching (En). Hopefully, at this point in the writing, the reader can see En does not have to begin with both shinais touching (issoku itto no maai). From the original bow (rei) and the point of observation (metsuke) when you fix your eye contact into the opponent’s eye like a distant mountain, the mind with almost trick you into seeing the sillhouette of the whole body, and with the calming of your breath, you will move, act and execution more effectively.
The importance of connection in martial arts and how different Budos have their own concepts of being connected are to be discovered meaningfully between instructors and students and individually as a Budoka acquires more knowledge. In Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Master Rickson Gracie has his unique theory of connection, while in Aikido, students practice Ai, a form of blending that creates calmness, control, and unity with the training partner. In Kendo, En is the bond or connection that starts with the initial bow and continues throughout the match, and it comes from a mutual understanding and respect for the art of Kendo and the training partner. Overall, the connection in martial arts is physical but also mental and emotional. The writer often likes to ask where pressure begins during training, and with this, the new question is where connection begins for you.
All Japan Kendo Channel Youtube.
The AI of aikido. (n.d.). AIKIDO INSTITUTE DAVIS. https://aikidodavis.com/blog/the-ai-of-aikido
Rickson Gracie Seminar- Florida 2017 – TONYPACENSKI.COM. (n.d.). https://www.tonypacenski.com/rickson-gracie-seminar-florida-2017/
NEW INSTRUCTIONAL RELEASED!!!
We are excited to announce this first instructional for Luta Livre in a continuing series for Opening, Middle, and End Game Theory. By studying the material in volume one, you will be able to differentiate yourself from others through a much better understanding of one of the most challenging positions in all of the grappling, half guard passing!
Hello Friends and Luta Livre Enthusiasts,
My name is “little” Tony Pacenski, and I am a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt (FAIXA PRETA), Luta Livre Black Belt, and Judo Black Belt. Having spent over 25 years studying Brazilian and Japanese Martial Arts, and I can tell you that I have many tricks to share with you. I have had one objective since developing my instructional DVDs and Digital content: to teach specific topics of Grappling that everyone, regardless of ability, could understand and apply. This new Opening, Middle, and End Game Theory for Luta Livre has done just this. My instructionals have reached students internationally in Brazil, Peru, Japan, Canada, Australia, United States, Norway, Netherlands, Sweden, France, Italy, Germany, England, Eastern European Counties, and South Africa! Due to international requests from friends and enthusiasts like you, I have started this Luta Livre project. It is time to learn new approaches to your grappling game, and we made it easy for you at TONYPACENSKI.COM and SOULFIGHT.NET. Thanks for visiting, and enjoy the instructional content set at a fantastic price!
See you on the mat,
Prof. “little” Tony Pacenski
Doctor of Education (EdD) Student
This Instructional Provides You:
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THE OPENING, MIDDLE, AND END GAME THEORY- VOL.1 HALF GUARD PASSING
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