We had the opportunity to host a special class with my friend Paul Moran at El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu Jitsu yesterday.

His class was unique in that he used the concepts of mindfulness to breakdown the practice of jiujitsu. The class began with an introduction to meditation, a 5 minute meditation with a focus on breath. I was quite surprised how in just 5 minutes the overall atmosphere of the room changed. There was a different sense of connectedness that existed among the participants as a result of the quite meditation.

Paul explains that while many people come to train and warm up physically, they fail to warm up mentally. People assume their physical presence is enough, yet when they mentally check in and warm up their mind, things change.

In the class that followed, Paul used those concepts of meditation and posture to explain the importance of posture in jiujitsu from the guard, side control, and mount.

Through the training of basic positions, Paul emphasized the repetitive concept of alignment, connectedness, and awareness. The class was an explanation of the many subconscious adaptations people learn through years of training. Paul introduced them for all to practice and be mindful of in their movement.