The highlight of this week’s training I’d say was Thursday night jiu jitsu class.
Why? —> THE SPIRIT OF THE CLASS!
It was around 7:15 PM, after we had completed our warm up drills, and we were in a circle stretching, getting ready to start the technique portion of class. Suddenly, all the power at Tiger Muay Thai went out. It was pitch black. Here we are, sitting on the mats in this outdoor training camp, gazing at blackness all around, and wondering what to do. We waited a bit, our eyes slowing adjusting, hoping the lights would come on soon. Then we started discussing alternatives…
Instead of immediately cancelling class, as I imagine most places would, the students insisted on continuing class in the DARK! Two of the students moved their motorbikes right outside the mat area, to shine their headlights onto the mat, providing a little bit of light. It was still mostly pitch dark, except for the two beams which each illuminated a small patch of mat. Instead of struggling to demonstrate technique in the dark, Andrew figured we should roll. He also explained that a friend of his who is a skilled jiu jitsu practitioner actually blindfolds him on PURPOSE sometimes to train himself to be more intuitive with his tactile sense. I thought this was a brilliant idea.
So rolled we did. In the dark. In the silence. Sweating, fighting for positions, with less of a reliance on sight to guide us. Not only was I intrigued by this exercise, but I was deeply struck by the enthusiasm and determination of the students that insisted on continuing class, even without any power or light!
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Another fun thing was the BBQ Beatdown on Saturday. “Season’s Beatings”!! 😉 I was disappointed that there wasn’t a match up for me, so I didn’t get to fight, but that’s the breaks. I was excited to see my peeps fighting. Everyone went in there and gave it their best.
Today was recovery, and then Monday through Thursday will be training, then I’ll be going to Phi Phi Friday through Sunday for New Years. I’ll be sad to miss training, but will be even sadder if I stick around Tiger for New Years and won’t be with my peeps!
With love, warmth, positivity, and SMILES*
DEC