Some weeks there’s a rotation in my work schedule where I get off at 7pm, which allows me to attend classes at my dojo I normally would not be able to attend. This week of hitting as many classes as I can becomes a mental and spiritual experience for me. I am putting my body and mind through constant strain. This forces me to change my thinking and movements in jiujitsu under pressure. One Friday night, gi class, I was sparring with a fellow blue belt, Coach Isaiah. He was my third match on the mat. This was my 7th class of the week and by the time I rolled with him, I was exhausted. He got high mount and when I tried to push his knees down to move him down, he did this thrashing with his forearms, collecting my arms, thrashing my face with his gi. This brought me back to the anxiety of suffocation and vulnerability I experienced as a kid during times of physical abuse. This was an opportunity to push past difficulty and survive through it. I it. I experienced the roughness necessary to push past the trauma and now use it. Because I am a Christian and search the Bible for answers, I found myself in Isaiah looking for examples of necessary roughness.
Isaiah 41:15, it says, "Behold, I make of you a threshing sledge, new, sharp, and having teeth; you shall thresh the mountains and crush them, and you shall make the hills like chaff." This imagery of a threshing sledge, which was a heavy instrument used for separating grain from the husks, suggests necessary roughness and strength in overcoming obstacles.
In the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and Judo, there's an often overlooked element that's crucial for growth and development: necessary roughness. Just like the biblical metaphor of a threshing sledge in Isaiah 41:15, sometimes we need a bit of roughness to separate ourselves from our limitations and push through barriers.
Embracing the Grind
In both BJJ and Judo, progress is not always smooth. It's in the grit, the grind, and the moments of struggle where we find our true potential. Just like the mountains in Isaiah's verse, our opponents can seem insurmountable at times. But it's through necessary roughness that we learn to overcome them.
Building Resilience
Necessary roughness builds resilience. When we face tough opponents or challenging situations on the mat, it's an opportunity to toughen up mentally and physically. Each roll or randori session is a chance to embrace discomfort and come out stronger on the other side.
Breaking Through Limitations
Like the threshing sledge, necessary roughness helps us break through our own limitations. It's about pushing past comfort zones, exploring new techniques, and adapting to different styles. By embracing roughness in training, we expand our skill set and become more versatile practitioners.
Learning from Adversity
In BJJ and Judo, setbacks are inevitable. But it's how we respond to them that defines our growth. Necessary roughness teaches us to persevere in the face of adversity, to learn from our losses, and to come back even stronger. It's through these rough patches that we refine our techniques and deepen our understanding of the art.
Cultivating Humility
Despite our best efforts, we will always encounter someone stronger, faster, or more skilled. Necessary roughness humbles us, reminding us that there's always room for improvement. It encourages us to approach every training session with an open mind and a willingness to learn from others.
Conclusion
In the journey of BJJ and Judo, necessary roughness is not just a physical attribute but a mindset—an attitude of resilience, determination, and growth. By embracing the challenges, pushing through the rough patches, and learning from adversity, we become stronger, more skilled, and more humble practitioners. So, the next time you step on the mat, remember the wisdom of Isaiah's verse and embrace the necessary roughness—it's the path to true growth in your martial arts journey.
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