Heat stroke – thats what summer class is all about at the Kobukai Dojo.  Its hot. Sweat is pouring off your head – as you body purifies itself.  We wear heavy black traditional Japanes Jujitsu Gi’s.  30 people crowd the class – all working as hard as they can – which is what I expect.  I love it.  And you do too.  What?  Love it?  What are you talking about?

This is what you expected – this is what your heart of hearts was hoping for when you joined a serious traditional Jujitsu class.  You wanted to KNOW you could defend yourself.  You wanted to challenge your body and your mind.  You secretly imagine yourself as a modern or ancient warrior, or survivalist, or competitor.  In your mind – you hoped Jujitsu was going to be ridiculously hard  – and then sorta wished it wasnt.

I know this – because I traveled the same path many years ago.  The first dojo I attended was heated with a Kerosun in the winter, and “cooled” with fans in the hot summer.  It was harder than I was able to keep up with at the beginning.  I was always sore. I lost pounds of useless fat and became wirey and strong.  My sempai kicked my ass every class.  But I knew it was REAL!  This was the real deal – not forms and padded nunchaku and air conditioning, and comforting, uplifiting, Sensei and Sempai.  This was a warrior group.  People who were tough – mentally and physically.  And I loved it.  And I hated it.

We all make an individual journey through the REAL martial arts.  It is a tough journey.  Tougher than you think you are – but not tougher than you actually are.  It is my job – on a daily basis to keep assessing that – moment by moment.  When do you need to study?  When do you need to just train repetition?  When do you need to get your ass kicked?  When do you need to sweat yourself until you almost collapse?

Dont think this is flying by the seat of our pants – this is a plan.  A plan for our warrior group and a plan for each individual – and even a plan for myself. 

Summer class is about the discomfort of heat, the increased limberness, the losing weight, the looking like a ripe banana with strange bruises while in your bathing suit – and about looking at those who have to sit in front of an air conditioner with a glass of ice water just to survive the day – and knowing you are NOT them!

Each day I see students show up, train hard, sweat their asses off (literally), and go home exhausted – and I thank all the Kami for the opportunity I have been given to help provide that experience – because in todays soft society, it is NEEDED.

Keep training, keep a tight diet, cross train outside of class – become that thing you always wanted to be!