Yoga For Jiu Jitsu

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Article by: Dustin Brown

My love for yoga all started in September 2011 when my wife Nova completed a hot yoga challenge. Everyday for 40 days she went to at least one session of hot yoga. The whole time she was going she would tell me over and over how it would be perfect for me and would be good for my Jiu Jitsu. After lots of persuading, finally in October I went with her for the first time. I loved how it made me feel! I took part in my own personal challenge to go to yoga at least 6 times a week as prep for my next BJJ comp.

The results speak for themselves! I have never felt so much looser and in tune with my body.Yoga has enabled me to train harder at Jiu Jitsu and my flexibility had doubled! Everyday I look forward to class as I know I will walk out feeling better than when I went in. Relaxed, oxygenated, loose and ready to train BJJ all day !!

Over the last 18months I have made it to yoga almost everyday and it has been extremely beneficial to my whole life! Here are a few ways that Yoga has helped my Jiu Jitsu grow!

Body Awareness – A lot of the poses in yoga, chalenge you to move your body in foreign ways and bend ways you thought were not possible. As you learn to do the poses your awareness of moving your body in space, grows.

Emotional control – There are poses in yoga that bring up many emotional feelings, be it sadness, anger, fear, or frustration. Many of the same feelings you can feel while sparing under pressure. Facing these feelings daily and becoming relaxed when they arise relates directly to how you deal with these problems in life and on the mat!

Breath – ‘Master your breath and you will master your life’ – Rickson. The breathing exercises in Yoga are hugely beneficial to your whole body, mind and life. By controlling your breath you can relax in the most stressful of situations. I find that I use the breathing rhythms from yoga in every Jiu jitsu session! It alows me to push harder and relax when getting squashed by my coach!

Relaxation – Although always a challenge, Yoga will make you fell more relaxed, balanced and content then you ever have in your own body. A few minutes of quite mediation after a challenging Yoga session will leave you feeling light, balanced and amazing.

Flexibility- Flexibility is one of the biggest reasons Yoga and Jiu Jitsu go hand in hand. Stronger ligaments, joints and larger range of motion all are massive atributes for Jiu Jitsu. Many of the basic poses relieve tension and stress from places overworked by Jiu Jitsu.

I also have noticed my ankles and legs are much stronger and flexible (read: leglock repelent) and my forearms are not as sore and tense from all the Jiu Jitsu grip work.

There are many other benefits to Yoga, my five examples listed above are just a scratch in the surface. With a little research I am sure you can find a few Yoga studios in your area with a style to suit your needs.

Try a class and find out how Yoga can unlock potential you did not know you have had!! Your Jiu Jitsu and body will thank you for it!

Aloha Osssss,

Cia Paulista Australia now offers two classe a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays 7-8am @ 26 King st Melbourne CBD.

Also many thanks to my Sponsor and the place that made me discover and fall in love with learning yoga, Hot Box Yoga http://www.hotboxyoga.com.au you can find me there most mornings at 9:30am

https://www.yogaforbrazilianjiujitsu.com

Article by: Dustin Brown

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