Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - Training with Injury If you have trained consistently in any Grappling art like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu then undoubtedly you have faced an injury or two. I myself am very familiar with this having faced numerous injuries including a 1 centimeter herniated disc (not from jiu jitsu, but it very much affects my training). As grapplers we should always work to improve ourselves on the mat. But how can we train when we're injured? Many Brazilian Jiu JItsu practitioners fight through the pain until the injury becomes so bad that full recovery is almost impossible. Others rest but don't rehab the injury, only to return to the mat and get re-injured. Both of these methods will only help to set you back. Take my advise. If you are injured, train, but not on the mat. Take notes. Write down your strengths and weaknesses. Come and observe class. If you can do cardio, get in the best cardio shape possible. If you can train for strength, power, flexibility or more, then make improvements in those areas. Exercise in a way that doesn't hurt you and, of course, rehab the heck out of your injury. The worst feeling is coming off of an injury and then getting hurt again. Also, when you get too stressed out, get away from the mat for a while. Don't think about Martial Arts. Your mind needs to take a break once in a while too. When you are feeling better, ease your way back on the mat and only train with people you trust. Train slowly! Take this opportunity to slow things down a bit and improve your technique. I have personally had some of my most technical breakthroughs in class when I was recovering from injury. I knew I had to train slowly and was limited to certain movements. Here I was able to develop a part of my game that I may have otherwise avoided. Much like someone who has lost or was born without the use of one part of their body will develop greater in another (Jean Jacques Machado), you too will improve your grappling by training like this. So if you do face injury, don't get too depressed. You have to get well or you will only get worse. And, this could be a great opportunity for you to dissect your game and come back to the mat stronger than before. Be safe, train hard and above all, train smart. Good training.
Team Tooke Mixed Martial Arts
|
