Jul20

The reflex development that was

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The reflex development that was

I wrote this at least two months ago, but, for whatever reason, never posted it. Better late than never?

After regular Friday Jiu-Jitsu is an hour-long Reflex Development (RD) class. One Friday, after the first class ended, I sat on the bench, holding my socks. Should I put them on and leave? I surveyed the assembled students: a couple Master Cycle people, one who intimidated me a little, and two Combatives (my class) students whom I wasn’t fond of working with for one reason or another through no real fault of their own.

Surfer Dude began instructions, paused, looked at me, and said, “Are you staying for RD, Betsy?”

“I’m not sure yet,” I said.

Instructor spoke up. “Yes, you are,” he said firmly. “I’m not letting you leave here without doing RD.”

Well, okay, then. I was glad to have the decision made for me. Then one of my chicas showed up, so I was happy and comfortable working with her.

(It wasn’t this chica, but…) Mrs. Instructor, who posts pics on socials, commented that I’m smiling in nearly all of them. How can I not be?

It wasn’t long, however, before we were wisely pulled apart to each pair with a Master Cycle student. I was assigned to… Thoughtful One! I was definitely okay with this. Just like old times.

He gave me a couple of good pointers, which I appreciated. One move I had been doing as A, then B, then C.

“Try doing them all at once,” he told me. So I did, in one swift motion.

“Niiiiiice, Betsy,” SD said.

“That was Thoughtful One,” I said. “He told me to do that,” as though I was tattling to a teacher.

Also, not gonna lie. If I had been on the outside watching what I had done, I’ll bet it looked as cool as it felt.

Now because of course I had to do something wrong…

I realized I was supposed to be in mount to do a certain move, so I threw my leg over Thoughtful One.

“Freeze. Go back,” came Instructor’s voice as he walked up to us.

Crud. Those are the last words I want to hear.

“Bring your knees in. Walk your hand up.”

“Oooh, right.” I next did knee on belly and slapped my foot over to get in mount properly.

“I don’t ever ever ever want to see you get in mount like that again.”

Gulp.

I actually have a photo of what I just wrote about! Here’s Instructor watching as I’m in mount with Thoughtful One. And still smiling despite that major blunder.

Nevertheless, after class, Instructor said we all looked great. “You’re my little Jiu-Jitsu babies all growing up. I’m so proud.”

How cute is that?

I had gathered my stuff and was heading toward the door when Instructor gave me a personal shout-out saying I’d truly done well.

“I’m sorry about that mount thing,” I said.

“That’s alright,” he waved it off.

A Master Cycle student said, “Aren’t you glad you stayed now?”

“Yes,” I smiled. Then I had to take my hand off the door handle because Instructor wasn’t done.

“You’re right there, Betsy. You just need to sharpen your skills with more RD. Maybe you can take private lessons with me or SD, so you can drill RD over and over rather than having to wait a week between each RD class.”

Wow wow wow wow wow.

What is it with me this time around? Did I just need 15 months off for all that prior knowledge to percolate before returning, in force?

One thing I’ve noticed for sure, is my attitude has changed. Last time, I was competing with another student to finish and test on first. It was the dumbest motivator. (That guy is long gone.) The joy of class was sucked out of me. I felt bored. I wanted to move on asap and start learning new things.

But now? I’m happy to take my time. I want to drill through these moves until I’m confident I know every last detail without having to think about it.

Somewhere on social media my Jiu-Jitsu place posted: Chase the knowledge not the belt.

This time around, I’m doing it right.

I figured it was probably time I created an image for this. It’s a work in progress.

Previous answer: Easter Island belongs to Chile.

New question:

Marlon Brando and David Niven’s Bedtime Story was remade as this 1988 Steve Martin and Michael Caine movie.

P.S. I love this movie. I didn’t know there was an original.

P.P.S. In case anyone is wondering, an update on my “Stay or Leave” post: my feet are doing much better, and, though I still wear my ankle brace everywhere except in the shower and bed, that Zippo fire has been downgraded to a Bic lighter. I’ll take it.

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62 responses »

    • I had spoken too soon about the Hoka shoes. They really do help. I had asked an old lady at Costco about hers. She said she had had two feet surgeries but with those shoes, no pain. That’s what convinced me.

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  11. I’m glad you’ve reignited your love of JJ with a different attitude toward it! Cobra Kai is back on with a new season (or maybe just the first part of a new season – I hate this new trend of splitting seasons into parts). Do you watch?

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  12. I love it when other people decided what I should be doing. However, reflex development does seem like a good thing. Likely I need some kind of reflex development. I mean when someone says, “What are you drinking?” I always reply, “Gin and Tonic.” I should learn to mix that up a bit.

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  13. Hey Betsy, it looked as good as it felt. I could tell by the face on your instructor. As far as the mount.. just be glad you’re able to get your legs in that position. I just cringed at the thought of it and who knew I’d ever have expected it! Way to go! 💕👏👏👏💕

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  14. Sometimes, a little distance of time is all you need to find your groove again into things.

    RD class sounds so cool. I didn’t know such a class existed. And it’s funny how you were volunteered to stay.

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    • That distance made me a better student as well as helped me realize how bad I was being before. Apparently I needed a long time away to learn that. :/

      I’m so grateful Instructor put his foot down and made me stay. I have never seen him be so assertive. Kind of wild. And super cool that he cared.

      Thanks, Ab. 🙂

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  17. Sometimes some time away, even if sadly enforced, can help to adjust one’s approach to life, or anything else in life! Seems like you’re acing it – even the times when it goes slightly askew! Betsy, an enjoyable and inspirational post and glad you rescued it. I’ll keep that advice in mind – chase the knowledge, not the belt! Applicable in so many situations!😀❤️

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  18. Our son was a musical theater major at Baylor, and our favorite role of his – hands down – was Freddy from “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”. We even smuggled a video camera into the performance to catch some of the action. Anyone who took on that role would’ve brought down the house!

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  19. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels! I loved that movie, too. The ending, priceless. Haven’t seen it in years and now I want to.

    As for the question you asked: Did I just need 15 months off for all that prior knowledge to percolate before returning, in force?

    My answer: YES!

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