How grappling helped me forge meaningful bonds in training, work, and life.
What if I told you that rolling on the mats may change the way you interact with others in all aspects of life? This is exactly what Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu accomplished for me.
How Jiu-Jitsu Became My Unexpected Gateway to Connection!
Building connections might be a valuable thing for many people. We are a community-driven species, so being around great people makes us fulfilled and useful.
“Eventually, everything connects — people, ideas, objects. The quality of the connections is the key to quality per se.” — Charles Eames
I began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu by chance years ago. I became hooked quickly, though. The training environment was and continues to be enjoyable, with practitioners bound together by the same “train hard to grow and dominate.”
This amazing martial art helped me improve my life in many ways, including building new connections effortlessly. There’s something special about walking on the jiu-jitsu mats; you’ll meet individuals from various walks of life, including engineers, students, parents, and dreamers.
Beyond learning several fighting submission techniques and escaping, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu helped me understand myself and gave me the skills to connect with people.
I remember that day;
After a tough round of sparring, the gym was buzzing with energy. Ryan, a white belt, hesitated before approaching me. Then, with a shaky voice, he asked, “Can you help me understand: how did you pass my guard so quickly?” I explained the mistakes he made, and Ryan and I are friends.
Ryan’s discomfort reminded me of my doubts as a beginner jiu-jitsu practitioner. It wasn’t just about getting through a complex guard game; it was also about developing trust and opening doors to collaborative learning with various training partners.
This is just one situation; there are a plethora of scenarios where jiu-jitsu practitioners learn to communicate and develop long-term relationships.
Why Jiu-Jitsu Can Help You Build More Relationships.
1. Active Listening
In Jiu-Jitsu, every action your opponent makes conveys a narrative. You learn to listen with your ears and your whole body. I began using this approach in my discussions.
Instead of waiting for my moment to talk, I started listening to others. I observed their concerns, congratulated them on their accomplishments, and recognized their challenges.
2. Respect
Jiu-Jitsu teaches you to appreciate everyone’s path, regardless of ability level.
Whether I’m speaking with a newbie struggling with their first guard pass or instructing a student to handle a difficult exercise, I approach each encounter with understanding and respect.
3. Patience
Building relationships requires patience, just as exiting a difficult mount position does.
Like in jiu-jitsu, where I cook submissions with a cold temper, I learned not to rush relationships and instead allow them to develop naturally.
Jiu-Jitsu puts progress, trust, and understanding between people above power and control. I now build bridges everywhere I go because of what I learned on the mats.
Through jiu-jitsu training, I met people from all over the world. It taught me how to be strong, kind, and caring. Over time, the gym became like a second home to me, and the people who worked out there became like family.
You can embrace these valuable lessons even if you choose not to practice Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Begin by attentively listening in your next conversation, showing respect to coworkers or friends, and being patient in your interactions.
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