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Mentally, a judoka (a judo practitioner) has enhanced self-confidence, the courage to face their fears, and incredible mental fortitude. Many have stood in front of a daunting challenge and each step one takes will come with its own set of challenges that the individual must face to further progress their motivation and discipline. A great deal of time and effort is crucial to master this martial arts discipline and most people will ‘fail’ to do so, but when the student finally succeeds they will feel completely accomplished and euphoric.
The mental benefits that are associated with the practice of judo combat the harmful effects that correlate with anxiety. Those who suffer from an anxiety disorder are affected every day. It loves to haunt us on a daily basis playing “the boy who cried wolf” - telling us of a false danger that does not exist.
When we give a presentation to our colleagues, when we have to approach our boss, or even when we have to make a phone call, anxiety likes to make it seem like the world is going to end through narrating the worst possible outcome of each situation. This can be very damaging to our relationships, occupations, and our general health. It is reportedthat anxiety disorders are the most commonly diagnosed mental illness in America affecting 40 million US citizens.
Many take prescription drugs like Xanax (The 5th most prescribed drug in the US) to help them cope with their illness. Alcohol abuse is also common to those with anxiety issues. When people experience a panic attack they will turn to anything that will help them calm down. What’s more is that 10% - 20% of anxiety disorder patients reporthaving abused alcohol or other drugs. Those who attempt to fix their problems with drugs or alcohol can develop a dual diagnosis, which is also known as a co-occurring disorder. When one has fostered a co-occurring disorder, it can lead to a myriad of harmful side-effects such as extreme mood swings, excessive worrying or fear, and more.
There are a variety of different ways to combat this. Many are starting to use non 12 step rehab as a channel of recovery when they go in for treatment, as this shares many parallels with the ideals of Judo. When recovering with holistic treatment methods like these, the focus is on the person’s mind, body, and soul to find healthy alternatives in relieving stress.
Participating in any activity that physically works out the body releases endorphins in the brain which places the person who is exercising in an idyllic state of mind. It reduces the feelings of anxiety and depression and increases confidence. Judo Itself takes a holistic approach pertaining to the mind, body, and soul also known as the human trinity. This metaphor represents our personal balance in life; when a person has all three of these elements working together they are in harmony, and when one is failing they are in disharmony.
Spirituality (the mind) of Judo comes from learning from one’s mistakes. When one is able to discover their mistake, fix it, and not make that same mistake twice, they begin to develop inner harmony. A personal spirituality in Judo increases our self-appreciation and individuation.
It has been shown time and time again that practicing Judo, or other disciplines such as Tai Chi,has led to a reduction in both anxiety and depression. It is argued that the practice of martial arts acts as a consequence of enhanced self-regulation, which develops willpower and discipline. When a student is faced with arduous training, and they continue to follow through with the training regardless of how grueling it may be, this is how they make themselves disciplined.
The lifestyle that correlates with judo not only teaches each student discipline, athletics, and mindfulness, it also provides motivation to have a healthy diet and practice effective habits to develop an overall routine that ventures toward the perfection of one’s character. The constant practice of this sport emphasizes the benefits of exercise and the progression of creating a peaceful mind.
In each dojo, there is a family and each member is welcome. The culture that resides in Judo is supportive. Each member helps each other out to become a better version of oneself. Every opponent that you face will be different, and it will always be an uphill battle, but like a koi fish swimming upstream, the challenge will always be present and combat sports like Judo will help prepare your mind, body, and soul to take on each challenge as it comes along.
By David Bugg, contributor writer for BookMartialArts.com.Throughout David's time in academia, he has found a passion for writing about the human mind, addiction, mental health, martial arts and western culture. He practices judo in his spare time and plans to continue forward in his training to obtain a first-hand perspective of the benefits of practicing martial arts.
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Grappz gloves can universally assist in all activities that require finger utility –from grappling to bike racing. However, some activities call for more finger exertion than others. If you are an athlete in the following activities, there is no reason not to add a few pairs of Grappz into your arsenal!
1.) Any Type of Grappling
Brazilian Jiujitsu, Wrestling, Judo, Sambo, and more! The concept of Grappz originated from grapplers who sought a solution to the numerous finger injuries they suffered. Grapplers are fighters after all and are generally too stubborn to let finger injuries keep them away from the mats for too long. Well, if we can’t change you, we might as well take steps into making sure your fingers don’t end up like your ears.
Wearing a pair of Grappz is also a lot less time consuming and messy than taping your fingers but best of all is you retain the full mobility of your fingers. Just slip ‘em right on and throw them in the laundry alongside the Gi and rash guards right afterwards.
2.) Football and Rugby
It is said that only those who have played football or rugby can truly appreciate its graceful combination of speed and power. Nonetheless, high impact collisions result in high chance of injury.
Did you know that 48% of football injuries involve fingers? Rugby injuries are most commonly finger as well. Slipping on a pair of Grappz will give you added protection as well better control throwing those long-touch down passes.
3.) Basketball
Few other sports place such a diverse skill set to be relied upon by the coordination, the quickness, and the dexterity of the human hands. Unfortunately, the high usage of the hand in so many ways leads to wear and tear on the hands/fingers in so many ways.
You wouldn’t tape your fingers in a basketball game unless you injured them and you probably wouldn’t wear Grappz in basketball preventively either (unless you were some sort of famous pianist) BUT if you did injure your finger and still wanted to play ball, Grappz is the way better option than taping. Grappz allows a basketball player to access superior control and mobility over the ball compared to buddy taping, which is an essential component to skillsets such as dribbling, handling, and passing. The protection afforded by Grappz stabilizes jammed fingers and provides security when blocking, rebounding, and stealing.
4.) Volleyball
The explosiveness and the high-paced rhythm of a volleyball game are kept up for over an hour. A true test of endurance, the course of a volleyball game exposes the fingers to the constant stress of impact. While studies show that Volleyball ranks low for injuries amongst major sports, the overuse of hands in dealing with constant sub-trauma impact can still very likely lead to injuries such as fractures and ligament damage.
Just like the other ball sports mentioned above, volleyball players of all levels can enjoy added security and enhanced control in handling the ball.
5.) Acro-Yoga and Acrobatics Gymnastics
Acrobatics gymnastics has been around for ages across many cultures and remains one of the most difficult activities to train for. Acrobatics work from a young age to put on dazzling shows of artistry and athleticism.
Acro-Yoga, is a new creation by elite acrobatic Jason Nemer in 2013. Acro-Yoga combines the athletic power of acrobatics, the spiritual wisdom of yoga, and the kindness of Thai Massage. Its focus is less on performance and ability but more so on building human connection through the power of non-competitive and non-sexual touch.
Both Acrobatics and Acro-Yoga employ a two-finger ‘Spock’ grip that fits perfectly with Grappz gloves. Having a good grip is so essential to Acrobatics that Jason Nemer states that sometimes he spends up to an hour playing with his partner to find the perfect grip. Acro-Yogis, grab a pair of Grappz and protect those hands!
]]>Grappz are a state of the art hand wrap designed to protect athletes whose activities are prone to finger injury. In today’s world, an athlete who receives a finger injury not only suffers time off but is also affected in all areas of life such using a computer for work or school and other day-to-day activities.
1.
Injury: Finger Fracture
Affects: Bone
Description: Broken finger bone. The four front digits have three bones called the phalanges: proximal (closest) phalanx, middle phalanx, and distal (furthest) phalanx. In a fracture, the phalanx itself breaks. Fractures most likely also come with other injuries including tendon and ligament damage.
Causes: Crushing impact. Jammed fingers: direct impact to finger tip
Aftermath: Tape fractured finger to adjacent finger to provide stability (Grappz automatically conjoins the fingers). Then get to a doctor for realignment and further treatment.
2.
Injury: Dislocation
Affects: Joint
Description: A dislocation occurs when a bone is pushed out of alignment from its joints. Directional impact to the bone pushes the finger in a direction where it is not meant to bend.
Causes: Direct impact, collision, falling while outstretched
Aftermath: Once you have dislocated a joint you are more susceptible to more dislocations, it is advisable to work with a physical therapist or a doctor to do strength and stability exercises
3.
Injury: Sprain/Hyperextension
Affects: Ligament
Description: Sprains are the stretching and tearing of a ligament –tough bands of tissue that connects two bones together in joints. Sprains or hypertensions are a painful joint alignment injury that is similar but less severe than a dislocation. They are both caused when a joint is extended out of its normal alignment. Hyperextended fingers do not dislocate fully but can cause strain in ligaments and tendons.
Causes: Falling while outstretched, jammed fingers (directional impact at the tip), directional impact pushing finger against the joint
Aftermath: Rest and apply ice. Prevent movement during healing by applying buddy taping technique. Slip on a pair of Grappz for added stability and protection
4.
Injury: Strain
Affects: Tendon
Description: Sprains are the stretching and tearing of a ligament. Fingers have no muscles; tendons extend from knuckles to tip, allowing for movement. Comes with acute pain.
Causes: Twisting, pulling, too much force placed on finger
Aftermath: R.I.C.E
5.
Injury: Mallet Finger
Affects: Tendon
Description: The inability to extend or straighten end joint of finger without assistance or a lot of pain. Fingers have no muscles; tendons extend from knuckles to tip, allowing for movement. In Mallet finger, the extensor tendon (tendon running along the back of the finger) is torn away from the tip of the finger
Causes: Stubbing or striking the finger-tip (jamming) causing it to bend backwards.
Aftermath: You must wear a splint and keep the finger straight at all times! Failure to do so can result in improper healing and the patient will be left with a drooping finger
6.
Injury: Jersey Finger
Affects: Tendon
Description: Inability to flex finger. Damaged tendon at the base of finger
Causes: Gripping and holding another athlete or another athlete’s clothing
Aftermath: Use ice, rest, and consult specialist for further treatment or surgery
7.
Injury: Boutonnierre Deformity
Affects: Knuckle joints, tendons
Description: Finger resembles an ocean wave. The first knuckle protrudes, the second knuckle flexes inwards, and last knuckle protrudes. Pain occurs in middle knuckle and deformity is often distinctively visible. [See: Keenan Cornelius fingers]
Causes: Impact to the top of the finger (jams), gripping another athlete or another athlete’s clothing, consecutive sprains
Aftermath: Wearing a splint, surgery
8.
Injury:Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) sprain
Affects: Ligaments
Description: Sprain effecting ligaments in knuckle closest to hand bones. Painful and can come with dislocation. Usually to the thumb
Causes: Trauma to the joint.
Aftermath: R.I.C.E treatment, rest, sometimes surgery if dislocation is involved.
]]>Today, Ronda thanks her mother’s discipline for the success she enjoys as the most iconic star in Women’s MMA and as a Judo medalist in the 2008 Olympics.
This controversial training had an objective purpose: to keep Ronda’s Olympic dream alive in case she had injury that was possible and reasonable to fight through. Toe injuries occur frequently in competitive Judo and, Rousey’s mother knew from her own experience that winning an Olympic medal is a small window of opportunity.
When we hear stories such as these, we may be inspired, shocked, and upset at the same time. There are many people who choose to dismiss these methods as backwards. Some ambitious trainers and athletes are driven to emulate the same work ethic. Unfortunately, harsh working styles are often picked up without actually increasing performance effectiveness.
It is a common pitfall to associate brutality and self-deprecation with hard work. An incomplete logic follows: the harsher your training, the harder you work, therefore, the more successful you will likely be. Until only recently, self-care in athletics was seen as a luxury or weakness rather than an essential component for growth.
People who defend this sentiment often bring up the countries that train their athletes brutally and enjoy success at the Olympics. The instructors of the national Chinese diving team reportedly tried to encourage their western guest coaches to strike their female diving champion in order to “get the best out of her”.
Mircea Badulescu - who taught a recreational class at UC Santa Barbara had trained 19 Olympic and World Champions in his previous life. Mircea would tell stories of how many programs in his native country trained young girls with methods that closely resembled torture.
“Is this what it takes?” “Are people in the west too soft?” Many people ask every time the Olympics roll by and these stories circulate on social media. Never mind that the country that overwhelmingly wins the MOST Olympic medals makes those practices completely illegal.
Excessive training methods are often incompetent training methods. They are often used by those who don’t know any better. More importantly, they lead to psychological and physical injury. Any training regimen that disregards long-term physical, mental, or spiritual health is destructive training. One should never glorify destructive training practices as toughness.
Destructive training does not have to be absurdly torturous routines. It can be as simple as an overzealous father shouting at his child for losing a game, having a bad locker room culture, or not taking measures to prevent common injuries.
The value of self-care should be at the top of the list for any serious athlete or coach. We at Grappz wish to raise awareness and provide for this value. We understand that our customers are athletes or fitness people who love their activities passionately –otherwise you would not be visiting our site. Therefore, it is our purpose to lend you an extra pair of hands to keep you safe, help you perform better, and to let you do what you love as long as you can.
]]>Kurt highlights Grappz abilities on the grandest stage with millions of eyes on him. He looked amazing, showing the world what Grappz can do with a beautiful barrage of German Suplexes on Triple H. Kurt relentlessly holds his C-Clamp grip around Triple H, while rag-dolling him with a 'vice grip' as dictated by the WWE commentator all while wearing Grappz. A perfect display of what Grappz is about and why it's now a part of Kurt's WWE Uniform.
Very proud of Kurt Angle and Ronda Rousey, thought this match was one of the best on the card, check it out for yourself here!
]]>Style: Brazilian Jiujitsu
Accomplishments: 9th Degree BJJ Redbelt. Undefeated in MMA, No Holds Barred, and BJJ Competitions
About: Regarded by many as the greatest BJJ practitioner of all time, Rickson Gracie –son of BJJ creator Helio Gracie- became star in the MMA community after the release of his documentary Choke.
]]>Style: Brazilian Jiujitsu
Accomplishments: 9th Degree BJJ Redbelt. Undefeated in MMA, No Holds Barred, and BJJ Competitions
About: Regarded by many as the greatest BJJ practitioner of all time, Rickson Gracie –son of BJJ creator Helio Gracie- became star in the MMA community after the release of his documentary Choke. Rickson lives a humble life dedicated to cultivating the BJJ community. An urban legend has it that Rickson Gracie has 400 victories and zero losses if the challenges he had behind doors were counted.
Name: Helio Gracie
Style: Brazilian Jiujitsu (Founder)
Accomplishments: Creator of BJJ, #1 Ranked Vale Tudo Fighter of His Time
About: Helio’s father was a landowner in Brazil who hired a Japanese Jiujitsu instructor to teach his sons. Everyone except Helio, he was too frail and sickly to study martial arts. He watched and observed on the sidelines as his brothers practiced and became teachers themselves. One day, his brother Carlos was late to his own class and Helio volunteered to teach. When Carlos arrived, the student stated that he would now learn from Helio. Helio would go on to issue no hold barred challenges across Brazil, beating almost everyone he came across using his newly developed system: Brazilian Jiujitsu
Name: Marcelo Garcia
Style: Brazilian Jiujitsu
Accomplishments: Five world championship titles in Brazilian jiu-jitsu as a black belt in the middle-weight category. He has many submission grappling titles, including the prestigious ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship. At ADCC, Marcelo has won the 66–76 kg division four times.
About: (born January 17, 1983) A Brazilian grappler and competitor widely considered to be one of the best grapplers and arguably the best pound for pound submission grappler in the world. Garcia is a black belt in BJJ under Fabio Gurgel of Team Alliance. Garcia opened up and runs successful BJJ academies in NYC and in Florida.
Name: Dan Gable
Style: Wrestling
Accomplishments: 1972 Olympic Gold Medalist, Most Successful NCAA Wrestling Coach
About: One of the greatest American wrestler of all time. Dan Gable’s fervor in wrestling began with tragedy. After his sister was murdered when he was nine years old, Dan Gable sank into his training. He would go on to win an Olympic gold medal, lose only one match in his collegiate career, and win 15 NCAA titles as a coach. The wrestling Gable grip is named after him.
Name: Kurt Angle
Style: Wrestling
Accomplishments: 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist, 1995 World Champion
About: Before he was a WWE star, Kurt Angle was an American Olympian who won an Olympic gold medal in the world’s toughest CONTACT sport with “a broken friken neck”! He is also one of the four wrestlers to win the Grand Slam –Olympic Gold Medalist, World Champion, NCAA Champion, and Junior Nationals. Kurt is now an actor, WWE hall of famer, GM of Monday night RAW in the WWE and a proud sponsor of Grappz.
]]>The martial arts world is notorious for being rife with wisdom about discipline and character. Brazilian Jiujitsu is no exception. However, Brazilian Jiujitsu’s practicality allows for the cultivation of certain wisdoms that is not often found in other martial arts or in other sports.
Brazilian Jiujitsu is basically like Yoga except involuntary. You put into positions that are highly uncomfortable during training and you have to accept it in order to fight back effectively. More importantly, progression in Brazilian Jiujitsu can be very grueling at times. There will be many challenges that may be very uncomfortable including:
In any area of life, growth exists at the end of your comfort zone. In Brazilian Jiujitsu, you are reminded of that every single day when you have a heavy sweaty opponent smashed on top of your chest. You learn to deal with it. Off the mat, it is powerful. You really notice your friends that don’t have BJJ training have smaller comfort zones than you and are more hesitant to explore outside of it.
All martial arts talk about ego mastery. However, we believe that controlling one’s ego is not something to be achieved but something to be worked on every single day of your life. In Brazilian Jiujitsu, you don’t have a choice but to keep your ego in check. You think you are too good to tap out to that smaller girl who has you in a shoulder lock? Well, you are taking a trip to the emergency room and a few months of injury time. Yet, even with this knowledge, sometimes we feel the ego rise and we must take steps to quell it. We don’t pretend that our egos do not exist but rather we work on it.
Because of this, many BJJ gyms are very laid back environments. The community aspect of elite BJJ gyms is truly a social engineering marvel. People from various backgrounds –rich and poor, blue collar and white collar- all train and socialize with each other in a very down to earth manner; powerful bonds form. We did not achieve this by holding hands in friendship circles and singing around campfires. We got there by beating each other up until we are all comfortable with other, thereby eliminating any reason to be insecure or judgmental in regards to one another.
Some say that Brazilian Jiujitsu is like wrestling while playing chess and doing yoga at the same time. It is a complicated intricate art that requires both immense burst of explosive energy and the gentleness of subtle techniques. Too rigid and you get swept. Too loose and you get blasted by. Brazilian Jiujitsu players must always be negotiating the balance between relaxation and action.
This balance translates into life because rarely is there only way variable to the path of success. In life, we must balance working hard with getting enough rest. We must decide whether some effort is worth fighting harder for or letting go. We must negotiate between hard and soft communication methods in our social interactions.
The thing about Jiujitsu is that it works. You have confidence that your art works in a real fight because it has been proven time and time again through the scientific method that is cage fighting. When you train something you know that works, you don’t have any patience for stuff that does not work.
Whenever you are presented a new product, or a business opportunity, or a work out routine, your first question is usually “does it work?” Brazilian Jiujitsu players, by facing the raw reality of submission grappling every single day, have developed a bigger sense of BS-detector for all aspects of life.
Unlike football or karate, BJJ instructors generally cannot have a my-way-or-the-high-way approach to teaching. They cannot because competitive Brazilian Jiujitsu is a new sport with endless variables. There is no katas or plays to memorize because every fight is different.
Competitive BJJ resembles the high-tech industry because new techniques are invented every single year. Proven fundamentals often have to be adjusted every other year because of all the new innovations. BJJ athletes must take initiative to adapting to the sport, discovering what works for them, and evolving their own game. This is a very important skill set to have in life because many aspects of life are in constant motion. The demands of the job market and dating norms change frequently. Taking initiative to evolve is an essential skill to stay ahead in life.
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