So, just the other day some of my students and I attended a workshop/seminar, that I’d like to talk about for a bit.

As is the usual, the instructor welcomed all guests at the beginning of class, including the attending Black Belts from other academies.

It was in this welcome speech that he talked about the value of cross-training; how it is an essential tool for the development of modern Jiu-Jitsu and the growth of the Jiu-Jitsu community. I couldn’t have said it better myself!

Since I know a few of the guys that train at this school, and we’re located relatively close to one another, I decided to take the guys up on the Professor’s indirect offer and asked when we could come by the train, what the mat fee was, etc.

I probably don’t have to tell you how surprised I was, when I was remorsefully told that the guy who just welcomed us and spoke about the value of cross training, doesn’t actually allow cross training at his gym, or condone it from his students…

As it turns out, his idea of cross-training consists of other Black Belts coming in to help him train in preparation for tournaments. Yeah, I see the value there too, but why deny your students the same freedom of experience?

Was there a lack of genuineness to his words?

Was this just some kind of misunderstanding?

Whatever it was, it rubbed me the wrong way and sparked me to write this.

Cross-training in any sport, martial art or other mental/physical discipline is just as he said, an extremely valuable tool. I might even go so far as to say that it’s essential for developing practitioners to train with students from other schools, in order to truly develop their abilities and find their own style.

It is my humble opinion, that restricting students to one teaching style and an “in-house” set of skills is simply the best way to develop a number of clones, all attempting to mimic their instructor.

True Jiu-Jitsu, as any martial arts form, should be an expression of the self, hence the reason why I named my school ‘Soul Jiu-Jitsu’. You should find your way, not follow mine.

Using your imagination, consider all skills or techniques to be languages, words or vocabulary; picture training at other schools and with other people, in other styles, as expanding your vocabulary. From this perspective you can see, that cross-training is a clearly effective way to find the best tools for self-expression..

The better the vocabulary, the stronger and clearer the message, after all!

Instructor Tip:

Find your voice in the midst of all those around you, and grow your circle of friends/training partners in the local community.
~Darec

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