Articles by John Parke on ArticleSnatch.com

Essential Tips for Beginners in Jiu Jitsu

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Essential Tips for Beginners During my journey into grappling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, I have come across several principles and pieces of advice which have greatly accelerated my progress. I often find myself wondering just how much further ahead I would be today if I had known of them at the start of my training. It is for this reason that I try to ensure that the beginners I teach and my private clients are aware of them at the start of their grappling careers. The tips below are the ones I feel are most significant for the beginner. Prepare your body for training No matter what anybody tells you, you need a certain basal level of strength and fitness to get the most out of jiu-jitsu. You do not play sports to get fit - you get fit to play sports. The fitter you are, the more relaxed you will be during the sparring segment of your classes and therefore the more your mind will be able to absorb. A good level of cardiovascular fitness will speed up your recovery between sparring matches and between training sessions themselves. **End Summary** Topics: Brazilian jiu-jitsu]]> Brazilian Jujitsu]]> Gracie jiu-jitsu]]> jiu-jitsu]]> jujitsu]]> jujutsu]]> judo]]> submission]]> wrestling]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> For more information, please go to our site: http://www.LloydIrvin.com - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Maryland (BJJ) and Muay Thai Boxing Maryland, Virginia and DCâs own Lloyd Irvin is a Brazilan Jiu-Jitsu, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (GJJ) and Grappling Hall of Fame Inductee. He is now offering Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Maryland and a FREE 30 Day Trial of his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Maryland (BJJ), Thai Kick Boxing , Maryland Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts program.

Intro to Brazilian Jiu-jitsu

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Most individuals' first experiences with martial arts were watching Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris on the big screen mystifying us with flashy punches and kicks and many times taking out multiple assailants at the same time. While its hard for anyone to doubt the entertainment value of these films, they did start to build a false belief in what an effective martial art can realistically achieve. Kung fu, Karate and Taekwondo clubs were filled from coast to coast and the general consensus was that these arts offered the most effective self defense. As this was going on in America, Brazil was holding open competitions that pitted different styles against each other in order to truly find which single martial art was the most effective. Brazilian Jiu-jitsu reigned supreme for decades, winning competition after competition. The rest of the world didn't take notice of this art until the early 1990s when a descendant of the creator of BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-jitsu) won a no holds barred tournament in America known as the UFC. Many people were blown away with how easily a small man could defeat a larger, stronger man. **End Summary** Topics: Brazilian jiu-jitsu]]> Brazilian Jujitsu]]> Gracie jiu-jitsu]]> jiu-jitsu]]> jujitsu]]> jujutsu]]> judo]]> submission]]> wrestling]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> For more information, please go to our site: http://www.LloydIrvin.com - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Maryland (BJJ) and Muay Thai Boxing Maryland, Virginia and DCâs own Lloyd Irvin is a Brazilan Jiu-Jitsu, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (GJJ) and Grappling Hall of Fame Inductee. He is now offering Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Maryland and a FREE 30 Day Trial of his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Maryland (BJJ), Thai Kick Boxing , Maryland Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts program.

Benefits of Martial Arts Training For Kids

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Admit it. When the going gets tough at home, we’ve all plopped the kids in front of the television and breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, we can get started on dinner, maybe check email or sort that massive pile of laundry. But when your five-year old yells at you “Mom, Kids Rule!” or your ten-year old horrifies you with language that would make a sailor blush, you realize there must be something amiss with what these “family programs” really teach our kids. And sadly, its happening all over the media today, from sports to cartoons, and our children are learning things that we, as parents, vowed we would never teach them. Old fashioned values like respect and self-discipline, seems to have been forgotten, replaced by the dreaded “bling bling” pop culture of today. Just the thought of your angelic three-year old morphing into a designer-clad, smart-mouthed, money-worshipping, me-obsessed, lay-about is enough to make any parent consider that threatening military school brochure, but there is a solution out there to consider. **End Summary** Topics: Brazilian jiu-jitsu]]> Brazilian Jujitsu]]> Gracie jiu-jitsu]]> jiu-jitsu]]> jujitsu]]> jujutsu]]> judo]]> submission]]> wrestling]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> For more information, please go to our site: http://www.LloydIrvin.com - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Maryland (BJJ) and Muay Thai Boxing Maryland, Virginia and DCâs own Lloyd Irvin is a Brazilan Jiu-Jitsu, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (GJJ) and Grappling Hall of Fame Inductee. He is now offering Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Maryland and a FREE 30 Day Trial of his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Maryland (BJJ), Thai Kick Boxing , Maryland Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts program.

Aiming for the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Six colored belts are used to signify grades in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The belts, in ascending order of grades are: white, blue, purple, brown, black and red. An athlete has to be at least 16 years old to be awarded blue belt. Some academies divide the grading system further into four stages signified by different belt colors — white, yellow, orange and green. Though red is the highest rank in belts, only the Gracie family members, the pioneers in the field of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, are known to have advanced to this level. Most, if not all, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes aspire to be black belt holders. An athlete has to be at least 18 years old to qualify for black belt. And this is not enough; the athlete has to work hard to get there. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes are promoted on the basis of their practical knowledge, which is observed during sparring and competitions. An athlete aiming for black belt has to practice as an athlete and also as a trainer. The level of perfection required rises with the grades. This makes getting a promotion tougher as the grades rise. **End Summary** Topics: Brazilian jiu-jitsu]]> Brazilian Jujitsu]]> Gracie jiu-jitsu]]> jiu-jitsu]]> jujitsu]]> jujutsu]]> judo]]> submission]]> wrestling]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> For more information, please go to our site: http://www.LloydIrvin.com - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Maryland (BJJ) and Muay Thai Boxing Maryland, Virginia and DCâs own Lloyd Irvin is a Brazilan Jiu-Jitsu, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (GJJ) and Grappling Hall of Fame Inductee. He is now offering Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Maryland and a FREE 30 Day Trial of his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Maryland (BJJ), Thai Kick Boxing , Maryland Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts program.

Anger Management and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The root of anger lies in feelings like frustration, fear, failure, stress, rejection etc., which most people face on a daily basis. It can be through peer pressure or unhealthy competition. Eventually anger takes a toll on them — emotionally and physically. Anger is known to increase the chances of high blood pressure and heart attack. It also affects a person’s capability to think logically and take right decision. In some cases this can sever relationships. Proper anger management can help a person use his feelings to solve a problem rather than wasting time and filling oneself with negativity. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, though an art of self defense, can help a practitioner in anger management too. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu discourages an athlete from attacking an unaware or unprepared person. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes are strictly discouraged from using techniques that aim at injuring the opponent. Athletes are responsible for the safety of their opponent. While applying any of the submission techniques, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes must apply the pressure slowly. They must stop the moment they feel that any further pressure can injure the athlete. **End Summary** Topics: Brazilian jiu-jitsu]]> Brazilian Jujitsu]]> Gracie jiu-jitsu]]> jiu-jitsu]]> jujitsu]]> jujutsu]]> judo]]> submission]]> wrestling]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> For more information, please go to our site: http://www.LloydIrvin.com - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Maryland (BJJ) and Muay Thai Boxing Maryland, Virginia and DCâs own Lloyd Irvin is a Brazilan Jiu-Jitsu, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (GJJ) and Grappling Hall of Fame Inductee. He is now offering Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Maryland and a FREE 30 Day Trial of his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Maryland (BJJ), Thai Kick Boxing , Maryland Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts program.

Benefits of Jiu-Jitsu for women

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art that induces a sense of endurance in women with its self-defense techniques. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu helps women avoid dangerous situations and empowers them with simple escape techniques. It is designed to help a woman save herself from her attacker, whether she is on her feet or on the ground. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu involves submission and ground fighting techniques. It focuses on gaining a dominant position over your opponent with the help of techniques such as chokeholds, joint-locks, compression lock, etc. Most martial arts need the practitioners to be physically strong to face a heavy-weight opponent. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu needs more of body mechanisms rather than strength, speed and weight of the person practicing it. They can therefore be used effectively by anyone of any age, size, strength or level of physical fitness. A common way for men to win a fight over women is to knock her down to the ground and control the whole situation. The ground fighting techniques of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu focuses on acting against your opponent with your back on ground plus taking the advantage of the right situations and poses of the opponent. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu strengthens women physically and psychologically. **End Summary** Topics: Brazilian jiu-jitsu]]> Brazilian Jujitsu]]> Gracie jiu-jitsu]]> jiu-jitsu]]> jujitsu]]> jujutsu]]> judo]]> submission]]> wrestling]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> For more information, please go to our site: http://www.LloydIrvin.com - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Maryland (BJJ) and Muay Thai Boxing Maryland, Virginia and DCâs own Lloyd Irvin is a Brazilan Jiu-Jitsu, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (GJJ) and Grappling Hall of Fame Inductee. He is now offering Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Maryland and a FREE 30 Day Trial of his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Maryland (BJJ), Thai Kick Boxing , Maryland Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts program.

Diet Fads That Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athletes Must Avoid

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Diet fads promise a short-cut to success. They sound like a simple plan that you follow and gain the fitness level you wanted. This is the reason why most people fall for them. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes are under a constant pressure to perform well and maintain their weight and fitness. This makes them more susceptible to these fads. However, these diets don’t deliver what they promise always. And in the longer run, they often do more harm than good. Most Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes are under the perception that a protein intensive diet is right for them as it helps them build muscle mass. However, the fact is that an athlete should get only 12 to 15 per cent of his calorie intake from protein. If protein is consumed in excess, it can cause calcium excretion and lead to weak bones. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes also tend to avoid carbohydrates. Many do not realize that this could lead to Ketosis and cause organ failure in the longer run. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes also tend to resort to starvation diets. They skip meals to lose weight. Some athletes also try to have cycles of fasting and binge eating. **End Summary** Topics: Brazilian jiu-jitsu]]> Brazilian Jujitsu]]> Gracie jiu-jitsu]]> jiu-jitsu]]> jujitsu]]> jujutsu]]> judo]]> submission]]> wrestling]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> For more information, please go to our site: http://www.LloydIrvin.com - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Maryland (BJJ) and Muay Thai Boxing Maryland, Virginia and DCâs own Lloyd Irvin is a Brazilan Jiu-Jitsu, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (GJJ) and Grappling Hall of Fame Inductee. He is now offering Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Maryland and a FREE 30 Day Trial of his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Maryland (BJJ), Thai Kick Boxing , Maryland Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts program.

BJJ VS Boxing

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Boxing are both hugely popular combat sports. However, they differ in their approaches and techniques. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art that focuses on self defense. It aims at gaining control over a larger and stronger opponent with minimum effort and by using specific techniques. Boxing is a sport that involves movements to attack and defend at the same time. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has evolved from Jiu-Jitsu, which is known as the oldest martial art. It uses grappling and ground fighting techniques for combat. It uses joint locks, compression locks and chokeholds to make the opponent submit. It came into existence when Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese judoka, immigrated to Brazil in 1910’s. He propagated a martial art that used techniques of Jiu-Jitsu and Judo. Boxing is known to have evolved from fist fighting. Initially, it looked more like a combat without rules. It included kicking, punching, eye gouging, biting, hair-pulling, etc. Standardization of boxing rules started in 1838 with introduction of rings to fight. The rules regarding safety gear and match duration were defined in 1867. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu , being an art of self-defense, discourages all techniques aimed at injuring the opponent. **End Summary** Topics: Brazilian jiu-jitsu]]> Brazilian Jujitsu]]> Gracie jiu-jitsu]]> jiu-jitsu]]> jujitsu]]> jujutsu]]> judo]]> submission]]> wrestling]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> For more information, please go to our site: http://www.LloydIrvin.com - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Maryland (BJJ) and Muay Thai Boxing Maryland, Virginia and DCâs own Lloyd Irvin is a Brazilan Jiu-Jitsu, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (GJJ) and Grappling Hall of Fame Inductee. He is now offering Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Maryland and a FREE 30 Day Trial of his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Maryland (BJJ), Thai Kick Boxing , Maryland Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts program.

Diet for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu women athletes

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu uses grappling and ground fighting techniques to gain control over a stronger and larger opponent. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes make their opponent submit by applying simple yet effective techniques like joint locks, compression locks and chokeholds. This is what makes Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu a good self defense technique that can be of special help to women. They can master the art by following a regular practice and exercise schedule. However, they must also complement it with an enriching diet that will help them develop strength. Nutritional requirements for women are almost the same as those for men. They need a balance of all nutrients in their diet — from carbohydrates to vitamins, minerals, protein and calcium. Women Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes can get carbohydrates from wheat, cereal, rice, pasta etc. They can get vitamins, minerals and fiber from vegetables and fruits. Women Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes must also include dairy and meat products in their diet to get the calcium, zinc, proteins and minerals required for development of strong bones and muscles. They also need a small yet essential amount of fats, oils and sugar in their diet. **End Summary** Topics: Brazilian jiu-jitsu]]> Brazilian Jujitsu]]> Gracie jiu-jitsu]]> jiu-jitsu]]> jujitsu]]> jujutsu]]> judo]]> submission]]> wrestling]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> For more information, please go to our site: http://www.LloydIrvin.com - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Maryland (BJJ) and Muay Thai Boxing Maryland, Virginia and DCâs own Lloyd Irvin is a Brazilan Jiu-Jitsu, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (GJJ) and Grappling Hall of Fame Inductee. He is now offering Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Maryland and a FREE 30 Day Trial of his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Maryland (BJJ), Thai Kick Boxing , Maryland Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts program.

Diet for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu children athletes

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can be helpful for children in various ways. It helps them build a self defense mechanism, stay fit, and built confidence. However, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu requires the practitioner to have a sense on commitment. The practitioner needs to follow an exercise and practice routine and complement it with a balanced nutritional diet. And this is all the more important, if the practitioner is a child. Children have to get their nutritional requirements to ensure proper growth and also need to make up for the calories lost in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training. To start with, trainers or parents can determine the right calorie intake for the child. This will help in managing the child’s weight. The child’s diet should balance all nutritional elements — vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals like calcium and iron, etc. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athlete’s diet should contain a wide base of complex carbohydrates. Their source could be wheat, cereal, rice, etc. The child could take vitamins, minerals and fiber, which can be gained from vegetables and fruits. Parents or trainers can study the nutritional value of all fruits and vegetable and include them accordingly in the child’s diet. **End Summary** Topics: Brazilian jiu-jitsu]]> Brazilian Jujitsu]]> Gracie jiu-jitsu]]> jiu-jitsu]]> jujitsu]]> jujutsu]]> judo]]> submission]]> wrestling]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> For more information, please go to our site: http://www.LloydIrvin.com - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Maryland (BJJ) and Muay Thai Boxing Maryland, Virginia and DCâs own Lloyd Irvin is a Brazilan Jiu-Jitsu, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (GJJ) and Grappling Hall of Fame Inductee. He is now offering Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Maryland and a FREE 30 Day Trial of his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Maryland (BJJ), Thai Kick Boxing , Maryland Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts program.