I love what the Gracies do. Particularly what Rener and Ryron have created. They have really created very nice point of entry entry programs for Jiu Jitsu.
I was asked if I wanted to basically teach under their umbrella, and become certified under them. Once upon a time, I did. But now, I don't, for several reasons.
1. I basically lose complete autonomy on how I deliver their programs. They have it completely standardized that they want everyone to follow. That's just not me. I totally understand why they do that, they want people to have the same experience when they go to any CTC. I'm too much of a punk rock artist personality to do that. I break rules. I break patterns. I create my own things. I go off onto my own whims. I like throwing in other techniques that might not be in their curriculum, or even their style!
2. I've seen their certification process. They require everyone to wear gis. I am very much not gi oriented. I am very, very, very much no-gi. That is their requirement for teaching under them. It's somewhat ironic, because on their video curriculum, they are no-gi. But if you teach under them, gi is required.
3. I see who a good portion of their clients are that they attract, and it is not the demographic I really care to work with. If you think about it, how do people find out about the Gracies? Generally, through MMA and watching the UFC. Many times, people who watch that, and decide they want to try that out and actually do martial arts are bigger sized men. I'm a smaller sized guy, and I really want to appeal to other smaller sized people.
These reasons are pretty huge philosophical differences that keep me from linking up with them. Again, I love the techniques that they teach, and I also really appreciate the way they teach and explain how to do techniques.
Oh, there is one more thing.
4. I'm not a big fan of their intro process for new students. They challenge the new students to push them off, and have them fail. Then they challenge the student to hold them down, and then flip them over, to experience another fail. They use this as a selling tactic, and a way to establish credibility through dominance. I understand why they do this. I'm just not a big fan of it. I assume if someone is coming to me potentially to get instruction, that they have already accepted the role of me as a teacher and them the student. If I get any sort of inclination that they are not convinced that I have something to offer them, I've already filtered them out. So, those who have gone through the filters, and are coming to me for the first time, I get them started on the curriculum right away. No need to prove anything. You are here to learn, here is our curriculum, let's get started. No need for me to prove to you I'm the top dog.
So again, I have some pretty significant philosophical differences with their approach to running a martial arts organization. I'm not saying they are wrong - it obviously works for them. But it is not for me, and doesn't jive with the way I approach running a martial arts organization.
But I am so grateful for what they created and the service they provided to the martial arts world, and will continue to teach and practice their beginner programs.
I was asked if I wanted to basically teach under their umbrella, and become certified under them. Once upon a time, I did. But now, I don't, for several reasons.
1. I basically lose complete autonomy on how I deliver their programs. They have it completely standardized that they want everyone to follow. That's just not me. I totally understand why they do that, they want people to have the same experience when they go to any CTC. I'm too much of a punk rock artist personality to do that. I break rules. I break patterns. I create my own things. I go off onto my own whims. I like throwing in other techniques that might not be in their curriculum, or even their style!
2. I've seen their certification process. They require everyone to wear gis. I am very much not gi oriented. I am very, very, very much no-gi. That is their requirement for teaching under them. It's somewhat ironic, because on their video curriculum, they are no-gi. But if you teach under them, gi is required.
3. I see who a good portion of their clients are that they attract, and it is not the demographic I really care to work with. If you think about it, how do people find out about the Gracies? Generally, through MMA and watching the UFC. Many times, people who watch that, and decide they want to try that out and actually do martial arts are bigger sized men. I'm a smaller sized guy, and I really want to appeal to other smaller sized people.
These reasons are pretty huge philosophical differences that keep me from linking up with them. Again, I love the techniques that they teach, and I also really appreciate the way they teach and explain how to do techniques.
Oh, there is one more thing.
4. I'm not a big fan of their intro process for new students. They challenge the new students to push them off, and have them fail. Then they challenge the student to hold them down, and then flip them over, to experience another fail. They use this as a selling tactic, and a way to establish credibility through dominance. I understand why they do this. I'm just not a big fan of it. I assume if someone is coming to me potentially to get instruction, that they have already accepted the role of me as a teacher and them the student. If I get any sort of inclination that they are not convinced that I have something to offer them, I've already filtered them out. So, those who have gone through the filters, and are coming to me for the first time, I get them started on the curriculum right away. No need to prove anything. You are here to learn, here is our curriculum, let's get started. No need for me to prove to you I'm the top dog.
So again, I have some pretty significant philosophical differences with their approach to running a martial arts organization. I'm not saying they are wrong - it obviously works for them. But it is not for me, and doesn't jive with the way I approach running a martial arts organization.
But I am so grateful for what they created and the service they provided to the martial arts world, and will continue to teach and practice their beginner programs.
