Dennis Asche - Jiu-Jitsu Lifestyle

Although my focus for many years has been Jiu-Jitsu and MMA, there is still a deep desire to pick up where I left off with my training in Filipino Martial Arts. This Dog Brothers video really inspired me, reminding of how much I appreciate FMA. Take a look: DBMA Gathering 2009

After nearly two years out of Brazil Paddy and Donal Carmody are back in Rio. These two brothers travel the globe searching out the best training in BJJ there is and this year brought them to the academy of Gordo Jiu-Jitsu. Paddy and Donal are two of the most dedicated and matriculate Jiu-Jitsu practitioners I know. After training, they review, they watch instructionals and championships…Notes??? These guys have literally written a book thoroughly logging and detailing the techniques they have learned and practice. The Carmody brothers represent both Ireland and Jiu-Jitsu with confidence and pride. Aside from being dedicated to the Arte Suave they have a great sense of humor and are really good people. Glad to have you both back here!

Paddy & Donal at GJJ

Congratulations to long time friend Rudy Fischman in earning his Jiu-Jitsu black belt under professor Wander Braga. Rudy has dedicated much time in both training and teaching the art in Southern California. Aside from Jiu-Jitsu Rudini is an expert editor/director in Television and a friend who has always been there to count on since we first met. Glad to see you rewarded for the dedication in your life.

As a child involved in Karate and other martial arts I envisioned traveling to Japan, China, the Philippines, Thailand to study the arts from their sources. When the time and opportunities in life evolved, Jiu-Jitsu became my art, Brazil the country of origin (giving due credit to Japan for bringing it here to the Gracies) became my destination. Like in my imagination as a child I meet and train with the masters and great athletes in the art. Also similar to what I imagined as a child experiencing the culture has been an equally important part of this picture. There is much more to Brazil than what many visitors would think and once again the life style that surrounds Jiu-Jitsu plays a part in my involvement in this beautiful city. As a foreigner there are many customs that are (or where) not familiar to me and where necessary to learn in order to adapt to life here in and outside the academy. From the prospective of an outsider to the best of my abilities I bring the positive, most usable aspects of my life here to blend here. Structure in training as used in the US has been of great value in the academy. Being able to relax and flow with life is something Brazil is teaching me. The balance between positive aspects of the cultures and where to apply them is the part only learned through experience…So here I am, “now” living a dream and building an experience to share and use in developing the art of Jiu-Jitsu and in society. Something once taught to me as a teenager by Steve Yerger and Cliff Tayor was to “empty your cup in” order to learn something new with an unbiased open mind. To see the new idea with a desire to learn and understand it. This has been helpful in many situations with no acceptation here. Rorian Grace, thank you for holding the Gracie Open that really did change my life. John Machado, thank you for helping me to see Jiu-Jitsu as my art.

Two of the Vikings who where here in Rio training at GJJ, Eivind and Daniel took home gold at the  Norwegian Open Championships last weekend. Eivind in the 82.3kilo w/kimono and Daniel the 79 kilo No kimono. Congratulations!

Eivind and Daniel

Many questions have come to me in reguards to competetion in MMA and training in all aspects of the sport. To clear up a few of them here are some answers…

Currently my focus is on Jiu-Jitsu with the kimono. Training in this art (or range in MMA) is building my MMA base with ability to defend and finish in the better than ever. I can think of no better place in the world to hone my skills on the ground than Brasil, since moving here Jiu-Jitsu has become my lifestyle. As for competition in the sport of MMA, of course it is in the plans. No, I have not lost sight of training the other disciplines but in order to get the most out of Jiu-Jitsu there must be a commitment. When it is time to fight MMA my ground game will be better than ever and this in the big picture adds ability to all the ranges of fighting, in essence strengthening them all. All that aside I really enjoy training and teaching with the kimono!

This subject also brings up a good point that came up in a conversation with “Bebeo” Duarte of BTT, before interviewing him a couple of weeks ago. He put it like this, “If you are going to train Mixed Martial Arts you have to have the arts to mix”. Take a look at the top athletes in the sport and notice that they all have a specialty, some background in a martial art, weather it be Wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, Muay Thai, Karate, etc. I am putting in my time on the ground in relation to MMA because it is now my base and in the big picture because it is an investment that I really enjoy putting time and effort into.

Valeu!!

Here are a few photos taken Saturday while training with Ari at GJJ. Ari is a good guy with a healthy lifestyle… He is known for spending hours on the water catching waves before coming in to the academy and training.

Gordo, Ari and I Saturday Afternoon at GJJ (LB)

“Gordo” problem solves grips and guard passing.

Ari working to pass guard.

See you in the academy Ari!

Thanks to computer guru Jeff Anliker, the blog is up on my site!

After Monday, this week has been pouring down rain almost non-stop here in Rio. Flooded streets and crowded buses made getting around the city much more difficult these past days…Not the ideal conditions for commuting. This coming week is the last before the Brazilian National Jiu-Jitsu Championships the following weekend (one of two championship this month). There are still a few days left to prepare and I intend to make the most of them training through the weekend. One thing that has always remained the same throughout my competing is the feeling that there is more that can or should be accomplished in preparation. For me that thought creates the drive that wakes me up in the early morning to train after the late bus ride home or pushes me in that last round before leaving the mats.

“Mamazinho” and I after training. –>