Lucky Gi Cali Edition BJJ Gi Review
Let me start by saying this is the most comfortable GI I’ve ever put on!
Let me start by saying this is the most comfortable GI I’ve ever put on!
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It came in a very nice GI bag. When I took the GI out of the bag I was immediately impressed with it’s look. It is a very stylish Gi and I couldn’t wait to put it on. The minute I put it on I knew it was on a different level. It was instantly evident that a lot of time and effort was put into the designing of this GI. It has a new softened micro blend weave and the top has a brushed inside liner. The cut is just right and the craftsmanship is at a very high level. I have trained in it a couple of times so far and really love the feel of this GI.
Some of the features of the Lucy Gi Cali edition include:
- 550 Gram Brushed Micro Pearl Weave Blended Top - Heavy Weight UVA Foam Collar - 12oz Bull Denim Pants - 12oz Oval Knee Pads |
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- Pre Shrunk High Quality Cotton
- Embroider & Woven Tag Logos - Inside Brushed Lining - 2 Draw Strings (Nylon Cord and Cotton Cloth) - Travel Gi Bag |
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The Cali edition is made of 100% preshrunk cotton and comes with a Lucky Gi 1 year warranty. Lucky GIs are known for their high quality designs and incredible customer service. This GI is no exception.
Who the GI is for and not for:
This is a Premium Gi and does come with a sizable price tag so if you’re looking for a cheap discount GI this isn’t the GI for you. But if you’re looking for a stylish, well made, higher standard, premium GI that’s top of the line, then you should definitely check the Lucky GI Cali edition out! Whether you’re a serious competitor, a hobbyist, or somewhere in the middle, and want to train in the best GI available, look no further. Click here to purchase for more information.
Who the GI is for and not for:
This is a Premium Gi and does come with a sizable price tag so if you’re looking for a cheap discount GI this isn’t the GI for you. But if you’re looking for a stylish, well made, higher standard, premium GI that’s top of the line, then you should definitely check the Lucky GI Cali edition out! Whether you’re a serious competitor, a hobbyist, or somewhere in the middle, and want to train in the best GI available, look no further. Click here to purchase for more information.
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From the Ground Up: The Jiu-Jitsu Survival Guide for Beginning Students
Professor Keith Owen is a 3rd Degree Black Belt under Master Pedro Sauer. He has over twenty six years of Jiu Jitsu experience and brings a wealth of deep knowledge and insight into this book.
From the Ground UP starts off with a great analogy of jujitsu in life… Staying in the moment keeping calm etc. Professor Owen puts jujitsu into three distinct categories: self-defense, (Gracie), competition (BJJ) and mixed martial arts (no Gi). In the intro professor Owen says he will elaborate on each one of the styles (differences, similarities, and crossover of each etc) and he certainly does this in the book. The book is not for people trying to be a world champion, with limited time and opportunity to train six days a week. It is for the 99% of us who want to be the very best I can and jujitsu will still having a life.
Section One is about the mental aspects of Jiu Jitsu. Professor Owen starts with the mental aspects because in his words “you must get this right first.” In this section he discusses the subject of Fear and Anxiety in Training and stresses that “the fact that you walked into the school and started taking lessons in the first place is a huge indicator of your bravery. It is an immense achievement to take that leap and come to class for the very first time.” I agree with this and anyone who has ever taken those first steps into a new academy knows that feeling. Also in this section he covers claustrophobia, when panic sets in, the importance of a positive attitude and positive self talk. He suggests keeping a “child like attitude” regarding training, as the “adult mind” tends to be judgmental when what is really needed is to surrender to the process. Professor then discusses the need for and the importance of goal setting to the process of progressing in BJJ. He gives some great insights and tips in this area, as well as making sure your partner or significant other is on board and supportive in your JJ goals and aspirations. Next he discusses potential roadblocks that you need to be aware of, such as finances, time constraints, and fleeting motivation.He finishes this section off with a few words on the ego and why it’s important to “leave your ego at the door.” This section does a great job setting the stage for one’s JJ journey and what to expect as well as things to be aware of that could knock you off track if you’re not focused.
Section Two is all about the Physical aspects of Jiu Jitsu, and begins by talking about the new student and how many people feel the need to “go all out” during their initial introduction to Jiu Jitsu. It discusses various related topics in this section such as making peace with the notion of not relying on your physical attributes, and not expecting to be “a natural” without putting in
the time and work. Professor Owen then gets into the “Core of Jiu Jitsu” including Mindset, fundamental ground Endurance, fundamental movement, defense (punch defense & submission defense), escapes, position & immobilization of your opponent, grips and holds, sweeps, and submissions, and takedowns & throws. He suggests focusing on survival at first and progressing from there as your skill increases. He then discusses injuries in Jiu Jitsu, including the most common injuries, how to avoid them, what to do if you get them etc. He also covers topics such as strength in Jiu Jitsu, weight lifting, cardio and endurance, breathing, healthy diet, and where these fit into Jiu Jitsu. Next up is the importance of grips in Jiu Jitsu, and professor Owens does a great job discussing why this is so important in BJJ. Professor finishes this section with his view on how often one should train and avoiding burnout. This section really gives the reader a lot of valuable information about the physical aspect of Jiu Jitsu and is very useful.
Section Three is about The Techniques in Jiu Jitsu. It starts out discussing the GI and then goes back into the 3 kinds of Jiu Jitsu: Self Defense, competition, and MMA. It revisits this information to discuss it in relation to the energy output and expenditure of each of these. The book then gets into the similarities and differences of wrestling and Jiu Jitsu, Judo and Jiu Jitsu, and the beauty of no gi Jiu Jitsu. At this point professor owens covers some common thoughts/philosophies in Jiu Jitsu, such as the importance of the basics, always assuming your opponent will be bigger and stronger than you, keeping it playful, the art of being calm, and the greatness of losing (why losing is beneficial and not being obsessed with winning all the time). He then covers additional important concepts such as framing, using your hips & legs, importance of repetition, practicing on both sides, and free rolling. Professor Owen then discusses various analogies including yin & yang, the magazine analogy, angles in Jiu Jitsu, the dead body analogy, the hamburger analogy, etc. I find analogies very helpful and believe readers will benefit greatly from these as I did. The book covers additional information in this section but these are some of the highlights. This section does a great job providing much useful information and food for thought that one can instantly apply to their Jiu Jitsu.
The fourth section is about the political aspects of Jiu Jitsu and starts off by discussing how long it takes to get a black belt. It then covers various things such as stripes, the gauntlet, care of your GI/uniform, gym bag, rash guard, wearing a cup, being the new guy.girl in class, the pecking order, respect in the academy, white belts not teaching white belts, dating someone in the school, etc. This section does a great job covering all the simple etiquette type things the new student needs to know to be a great addition to an academy.
From the Ground Up is a great book. It is mainly intended for the beginning student but anyone reading it will find useful information they can apply to their Jiu Jitsu game and journey. It does a wonderful job providing a solid foundation of information for students starting out in Jiu Jitsu, and will enable them to feel much more knowledgeable and confident in their Jiu Jitsu life and journey. I recommend it as a resource to greatly increase the learning and development of Jiu Jitsu student. It is currently available in Kindle format, and can be ordered at https://www.amazon.com/Ground-Up-Jiu-Jitsu-Survival-Beginning-ebook/dp/B07G8NGHJ8. Or contact. Professor Keith Owen for more information on obtaining this valuable book.
Professor Keith Owen is a 3rd Degree Black Belt under Master Pedro Sauer. He has over twenty six years of Jiu Jitsu experience and brings a wealth of deep knowledge and insight into this book.
From the Ground UP starts off with a great analogy of jujitsu in life… Staying in the moment keeping calm etc. Professor Owen puts jujitsu into three distinct categories: self-defense, (Gracie), competition (BJJ) and mixed martial arts (no Gi). In the intro professor Owen says he will elaborate on each one of the styles (differences, similarities, and crossover of each etc) and he certainly does this in the book. The book is not for people trying to be a world champion, with limited time and opportunity to train six days a week. It is for the 99% of us who want to be the very best I can and jujitsu will still having a life.
Section One is about the mental aspects of Jiu Jitsu. Professor Owen starts with the mental aspects because in his words “you must get this right first.” In this section he discusses the subject of Fear and Anxiety in Training and stresses that “the fact that you walked into the school and started taking lessons in the first place is a huge indicator of your bravery. It is an immense achievement to take that leap and come to class for the very first time.” I agree with this and anyone who has ever taken those first steps into a new academy knows that feeling. Also in this section he covers claustrophobia, when panic sets in, the importance of a positive attitude and positive self talk. He suggests keeping a “child like attitude” regarding training, as the “adult mind” tends to be judgmental when what is really needed is to surrender to the process. Professor then discusses the need for and the importance of goal setting to the process of progressing in BJJ. He gives some great insights and tips in this area, as well as making sure your partner or significant other is on board and supportive in your JJ goals and aspirations. Next he discusses potential roadblocks that you need to be aware of, such as finances, time constraints, and fleeting motivation.He finishes this section off with a few words on the ego and why it’s important to “leave your ego at the door.” This section does a great job setting the stage for one’s JJ journey and what to expect as well as things to be aware of that could knock you off track if you’re not focused.
Section Two is all about the Physical aspects of Jiu Jitsu, and begins by talking about the new student and how many people feel the need to “go all out” during their initial introduction to Jiu Jitsu. It discusses various related topics in this section such as making peace with the notion of not relying on your physical attributes, and not expecting to be “a natural” without putting in
the time and work. Professor Owen then gets into the “Core of Jiu Jitsu” including Mindset, fundamental ground Endurance, fundamental movement, defense (punch defense & submission defense), escapes, position & immobilization of your opponent, grips and holds, sweeps, and submissions, and takedowns & throws. He suggests focusing on survival at first and progressing from there as your skill increases. He then discusses injuries in Jiu Jitsu, including the most common injuries, how to avoid them, what to do if you get them etc. He also covers topics such as strength in Jiu Jitsu, weight lifting, cardio and endurance, breathing, healthy diet, and where these fit into Jiu Jitsu. Next up is the importance of grips in Jiu Jitsu, and professor Owens does a great job discussing why this is so important in BJJ. Professor finishes this section with his view on how often one should train and avoiding burnout. This section really gives the reader a lot of valuable information about the physical aspect of Jiu Jitsu and is very useful.
Section Three is about The Techniques in Jiu Jitsu. It starts out discussing the GI and then goes back into the 3 kinds of Jiu Jitsu: Self Defense, competition, and MMA. It revisits this information to discuss it in relation to the energy output and expenditure of each of these. The book then gets into the similarities and differences of wrestling and Jiu Jitsu, Judo and Jiu Jitsu, and the beauty of no gi Jiu Jitsu. At this point professor owens covers some common thoughts/philosophies in Jiu Jitsu, such as the importance of the basics, always assuming your opponent will be bigger and stronger than you, keeping it playful, the art of being calm, and the greatness of losing (why losing is beneficial and not being obsessed with winning all the time). He then covers additional important concepts such as framing, using your hips & legs, importance of repetition, practicing on both sides, and free rolling. Professor Owen then discusses various analogies including yin & yang, the magazine analogy, angles in Jiu Jitsu, the dead body analogy, the hamburger analogy, etc. I find analogies very helpful and believe readers will benefit greatly from these as I did. The book covers additional information in this section but these are some of the highlights. This section does a great job providing much useful information and food for thought that one can instantly apply to their Jiu Jitsu.
The fourth section is about the political aspects of Jiu Jitsu and starts off by discussing how long it takes to get a black belt. It then covers various things such as stripes, the gauntlet, care of your GI/uniform, gym bag, rash guard, wearing a cup, being the new guy.girl in class, the pecking order, respect in the academy, white belts not teaching white belts, dating someone in the school, etc. This section does a great job covering all the simple etiquette type things the new student needs to know to be a great addition to an academy.
From the Ground Up is a great book. It is mainly intended for the beginning student but anyone reading it will find useful information they can apply to their Jiu Jitsu game and journey. It does a wonderful job providing a solid foundation of information for students starting out in Jiu Jitsu, and will enable them to feel much more knowledgeable and confident in their Jiu Jitsu life and journey. I recommend it as a resource to greatly increase the learning and development of Jiu Jitsu student. It is currently available in Kindle format, and can be ordered at https://www.amazon.com/Ground-Up-Jiu-Jitsu-Survival-Beginning-ebook/dp/B07G8NGHJ8. Or contact. Professor Keith Owen for more information on obtaining this valuable book.
Professor Roy Marsh-Escaping The Pin Seminar
I recently had the pleasure of watching Professor Roy Marsh’s “Escape The Pin” instructional video. Roy is a Royce Gracie Black Belt with decades of experience under his belt. His knowledge and keen insight are clearly evident in this video.
The video description reads “One of the hardest things to do in any ground fighting art is to escape from underneath someone. In this video of one of his recent seminars, Professor Roy Marsh shows important concepts and details to improve your ability to escape being pinned.”
This video certainly does this as promised, and does it with flying colors.
First off, I like that it’s filmed from one of Roy’s seminars. It gives the viewer a sense of “being there” and being part of the experience much more than if it had been a studio version of the experience.
The video starts out with some solid details to keep in mind regarding fundamental positions, like shrimping (IE foot placement and body angle for best structural integrity and function). It then moves into very specific movements and details, such as not letting the person on top of you have their head and hips on opposite sides of you because it makes them much heavier, and where exactly your hands (and arms) need to be placed for the most leverage and usefulness (IE when to open your elbow). The instruction is very clear and specific.
The video also provides great details on dealing with the old schoolyard headlock, providing information that makes this defense/escape much easier to do without being smashed back onto your back while trying to escape. I have been training headlock defenses for many years but picked up very valuable details that will make my defenses much more proficient and efficient. This part alone makes the DVD/video worth the price.
Roy discusses the “Headache-stomachache” principle which is very important to know and remember. I say know and remember because I learned this principle many years ago but had forgotten about it and have certainly not been using it as consistently as I should have been.
He also shares details and insights about working from the knee shield half guard position-details that create more stability and better use of base making it much harder for someone to pancake or smash you.
I especially liked the information related to getting up in base and how this movement plays a huge part in escapes (far beyond using it to get from sitting to standing in the classical sense).
Throughout the video Roy keeps it light hearted, with humorous comments thrown in to keep things laid back and fun.
The video also covers dealing with being pancaked or smashed in sidecontrol/cross body position, and again I picked up numerous details and insights that I will be adding to my knowledge bank and arsenal. Things like when not to use a frame, staying punch protected, “gluing the guy to you”, and using your whole body to efficiently illicit/create the other person’s movement-providing the opportunity for your escape, etc.
I really enjoyed this video and would highly recommend it to any Jiu Jitsu practitioner who is looking to add very useful details and increase their proficiency and skills in this important position/situation of escaping from the bottom.
Professor Marsh also has a video program on the subject of the Guillotine, entitled The Guillotine Code, and I hope to review it in the future as well. For more information on either of these video programs go to https://graciemuenster.com/store/. Make sure you check out his youtube channel, RoyMarsh Jiu Jitsu, as well at https://www.youtube.com/user/roymarshjiujitsu
I recently had the pleasure of watching Professor Roy Marsh’s “Escape The Pin” instructional video. Roy is a Royce Gracie Black Belt with decades of experience under his belt. His knowledge and keen insight are clearly evident in this video.
The video description reads “One of the hardest things to do in any ground fighting art is to escape from underneath someone. In this video of one of his recent seminars, Professor Roy Marsh shows important concepts and details to improve your ability to escape being pinned.”
This video certainly does this as promised, and does it with flying colors.
First off, I like that it’s filmed from one of Roy’s seminars. It gives the viewer a sense of “being there” and being part of the experience much more than if it had been a studio version of the experience.
The video starts out with some solid details to keep in mind regarding fundamental positions, like shrimping (IE foot placement and body angle for best structural integrity and function). It then moves into very specific movements and details, such as not letting the person on top of you have their head and hips on opposite sides of you because it makes them much heavier, and where exactly your hands (and arms) need to be placed for the most leverage and usefulness (IE when to open your elbow). The instruction is very clear and specific.
The video also provides great details on dealing with the old schoolyard headlock, providing information that makes this defense/escape much easier to do without being smashed back onto your back while trying to escape. I have been training headlock defenses for many years but picked up very valuable details that will make my defenses much more proficient and efficient. This part alone makes the DVD/video worth the price.
Roy discusses the “Headache-stomachache” principle which is very important to know and remember. I say know and remember because I learned this principle many years ago but had forgotten about it and have certainly not been using it as consistently as I should have been.
He also shares details and insights about working from the knee shield half guard position-details that create more stability and better use of base making it much harder for someone to pancake or smash you.
I especially liked the information related to getting up in base and how this movement plays a huge part in escapes (far beyond using it to get from sitting to standing in the classical sense).
Throughout the video Roy keeps it light hearted, with humorous comments thrown in to keep things laid back and fun.
The video also covers dealing with being pancaked or smashed in sidecontrol/cross body position, and again I picked up numerous details and insights that I will be adding to my knowledge bank and arsenal. Things like when not to use a frame, staying punch protected, “gluing the guy to you”, and using your whole body to efficiently illicit/create the other person’s movement-providing the opportunity for your escape, etc.
I really enjoyed this video and would highly recommend it to any Jiu Jitsu practitioner who is looking to add very useful details and increase their proficiency and skills in this important position/situation of escaping from the bottom.
Professor Marsh also has a video program on the subject of the Guillotine, entitled The Guillotine Code, and I hope to review it in the future as well. For more information on either of these video programs go to https://graciemuenster.com/store/. Make sure you check out his youtube channel, RoyMarsh Jiu Jitsu, as well at https://www.youtube.com/user/roymarshjiujitsu
Tatami Cabin Size Wheeled Backpack/Luggage Bag
This is a great bag. Please click below for video review
This is a great bag. Please click below for video review
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Yoga 4 Fighters DVD
Yoga 4 Fighters (Y4F) is a yoga system for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) designed by third degree Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Phil Migliarese III. Phil is a third degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Relson Gracie, and an Ashtanga yoga instructor authorized by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (the founder of Ashtanga Yoga). He and his brother, Ricardo, are co-owners of Balance Studios, which is a 3x “Best of Philly” Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, and Yoga school in Philadelphia PA. He has over 20 years experience in BJJ, MMA, and Yoga, and has worked with champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) , Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) , professional athletes, celebrities and of course, every day practitioners. Phil has made appearances on ABC, Fox, CN8, NBC, CBS and ESPN, and has been highlighted in Grappling, Tapout, BlackBelt and MMA worldwide magazines. In Issue 4 of the 2007 edition of MMA Worldwide magazine, Phil was featured on the cover and in a two part article which describes his amazing journey in BJJ and Yoga. The Yoga For Fighters DVD is broken into several sections.In the introduction, Phil welcomes the viewer to the program and to explain the flow of the practice. The practice program includes variations on yoga flows like the Sun Salutation, standing poses, seated poses, and a cool down. He emphasizes the importance of breathing, which is every ounce as essential as proper technique. The poses in the yoga practice can be challenging but they will provide flexibility, balance, core strength, focused breathing and relaxation. Phil and Ricardo then go through a series of exercises that explain the application of the yoga poses to MMA. The DVD also includes links to resources including FreeJiuJitsu.com and many other yoga and MMA related sites. Those very new to yoga may find the DVD a bit challenging, but if they take it slow and stay with it, they will surely be able to master the material and settle in to a great yoga practice. Phil does a great job with this DVD and I highly recommend you check it out. For more information, click here to visit the Yoga4Fighters website
The Art of Learning: A Journey in the Pursuit of Excellence
By Josh Waitzkin
This is a great book. Josh Waitzkin was a child chess prodigy and superstar. He spent his entire childhood honing his craft and winning multiple national and international chess titles. He was the subject of the acclaimed movie “Searching for Bobby Fischer” (which was based on the book written by his father). At the age of 21 he transitioned into martial arts and later became the Tai Chi Chuan Push Hands World champion. He later became interested in and studied BJJ, earning his BJJ black belt under Marcelo Garcia (and co-owns the academy with Marcelo in NYC). The book was written before his BJJ career but the principles within it can certainly be applied to BJJ as well. Even if you don’t play chess, the book is very interesting, as Josh’s journey and what he learned along the way is compelling, entertaining, and extremely insightful. Here are some excerpts from the book:
“The key to pursuing excellence is to embrace an organic, long-term learning process, and not to live in a shell of static, safe mediocrity. Usually, growth comes at the expense of previous comfort or safety.”
“A key component of high-level learning is cultivating a resilient awareness that is the older, conscious embodiment of a child’s playful obliviousness.”
“The secret is that everything is always on the line. The more present we are at practice, the more present we will be in competition, in the boardroom, at the exam, the operating table, the big stage. If we have any hope of attaining excellence, let alone of showing what we’ve got under pressure, we have to be prepared by a lifestyle of reinforcement. Presence must be like breathing.”
“The human mind defines things in relation to one another—without light the notion of darkness would be unintelligible”
“The learning principle is to plunge into the detailed mystery of the micro in order to understand what makes the macro tick. Our obstacle is that we live in an attention-deficit culture. We are bombarded with more and more information on television, radio, cell phones, video games, the Internet. The constant supply of stimulus has the potential to turn us into addicts, always hungering for something new and prefabricated to keep us entertained. When nothing exciting is going on, we might get bored, distracted, separated from the moment. So we look for new entertainment, surf channels, flip through magazines. If caught in these rhythms, we are like tiny current-bound surface fish, floating along a two-dimensional world without any sense for the gorgeous abyss below. When these societal induced tendencies translate into the learning process, they have devastating effect.”
I highly recommend you check this book out. You can click the picture above or here to order it:
By Josh Waitzkin
This is a great book. Josh Waitzkin was a child chess prodigy and superstar. He spent his entire childhood honing his craft and winning multiple national and international chess titles. He was the subject of the acclaimed movie “Searching for Bobby Fischer” (which was based on the book written by his father). At the age of 21 he transitioned into martial arts and later became the Tai Chi Chuan Push Hands World champion. He later became interested in and studied BJJ, earning his BJJ black belt under Marcelo Garcia (and co-owns the academy with Marcelo in NYC). The book was written before his BJJ career but the principles within it can certainly be applied to BJJ as well. Even if you don’t play chess, the book is very interesting, as Josh’s journey and what he learned along the way is compelling, entertaining, and extremely insightful. Here are some excerpts from the book:
“The key to pursuing excellence is to embrace an organic, long-term learning process, and not to live in a shell of static, safe mediocrity. Usually, growth comes at the expense of previous comfort or safety.”
“A key component of high-level learning is cultivating a resilient awareness that is the older, conscious embodiment of a child’s playful obliviousness.”
“The secret is that everything is always on the line. The more present we are at practice, the more present we will be in competition, in the boardroom, at the exam, the operating table, the big stage. If we have any hope of attaining excellence, let alone of showing what we’ve got under pressure, we have to be prepared by a lifestyle of reinforcement. Presence must be like breathing.”
“The human mind defines things in relation to one another—without light the notion of darkness would be unintelligible”
“The learning principle is to plunge into the detailed mystery of the micro in order to understand what makes the macro tick. Our obstacle is that we live in an attention-deficit culture. We are bombarded with more and more information on television, radio, cell phones, video games, the Internet. The constant supply of stimulus has the potential to turn us into addicts, always hungering for something new and prefabricated to keep us entertained. When nothing exciting is going on, we might get bored, distracted, separated from the moment. So we look for new entertainment, surf channels, flip through magazines. If caught in these rhythms, we are like tiny current-bound surface fish, floating along a two-dimensional world without any sense for the gorgeous abyss below. When these societal induced tendencies translate into the learning process, they have devastating effect.”
I highly recommend you check this book out. You can click the picture above or here to order it:
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Rockin Green Laundry Soap and Cleaning Products I tried the Rockin Green laundry soap and really liked it. It smells great and did an awesome job cleaning my Gi. I love the fact that it is eco-friendly and is gentle on the skin. Most detergent and cleaners are filled with hard chemicals bit Rockin Green is not. Rockin’ Green products are are made with a biodegradable plant-based and petroleum-free surfactant. They are septic and grey-water safe. They are never tested on animals. I highly recommend the Rockin Green laundry detergent. For more information about the detergent as well as their other cleaning products visit them at www.RockinGreenSoap.com |
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Falcon Brand LTD is a company specializing in customized kimonos for individuals and schools. I received the White KS Model #2 kimono, which had been customized for me, and was blown away. My first thought was "wow this looks great!" The artwork and detail were very good (they used my logo that I sent them). My second thought was about how light the GI was. I've had some light GIs before but this one seems very light. It fits very well, not bulky or baggy, and the cut is very nice (slim). The craftsmanship is very high quality, and the kimono feels very solid and secure. You can chose black or blue stitching, as well as which Falcon logos you'd like on it (you don't have to have any on it but they have several great ones to choose from, which I feel, adds a great looking detail to it). The Gi is pearl weave- single weave construction made from 100% cotton. The top features rip-stop collar wrapping and is reinforced in all the right places. The pants feature double layered reinforcement from the knee to the ankle, and have an adjustable rope draw string (which I love). The product is pre-shrunk and is IBJJF Compliant.
Jason, the owner, was a pleasure to work with. He has a great deal of experience, having worked for the late Eric Fehrmann, owner of World Wide Warrior Products (distributor for Atama in the US and Royce Gracie merchandise) as his head of operations for 10 years. He has a passion for making customized Kimonos and feels that it's his way of giving people an avenue to express themselves The negative: Only negative thing I see is that depending on your particular logo, you may not be able to get all of the colors on the GI. If your logo is small, and has multiple coloring, it may not be able to be fully customized and still look like your original quality (this is embroidery after all, and there are sometimes limitations on what can be done). So please make sure to speak to Jason in detail about your specific artwork, needs, etc. Overall, I am extremely pleased with my customized kimono from Falcon Brand LTD and would highly recommend the GI to anyone looking for a lightweight, durable customized GI. Great quality, great company, and great service. Check them out at www.Falconbrandltd.com |
Click on the Pic above to order the Submission Master Grappling Dummy
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Submission Master Grappling Dummy
I am a huge fan of the Submission Master dummy. I debated whether to purchase it for quite some time but when I finally did I couldn't believe I waited so long. There are many reasons to have a training dummy but the biggest reason is for high reps made easy! It's not always convenient to get to class or get together with a training partner. With the submission master, you are in control of your training schedule. At any given time you can do tons of reps of a new technique or combination, etc. The need for and the benefit of drilling has been stated time and time again by the most accomplished grapplers in the world. The SM allows me to drill as much i want, whenever one want, in the comfort of my own home. The dummy is made of heavy duty military grade cardoura (nylon) material, tightly fitted. Some things I like most about the product are: 1) It can maintain a sitting up position so closed guard training can be done (armbars, omaplatas ,triangles, etc.) 2). Keeps it's legs up in defensive guard position so so guard passing can be drilled very well. 3)Maintains turtle position so back attacks can be practiced. 4) Knees are positioned up, allowing for stacking to be done. Arms are automatically returned back into position so you don't have to manually move them back after every rep. This saves a ton of time. 5). Size/weight Ratio: The SM is about the height equivalent of a 6 foot man and weighs approximately 70 pounds (but feels even heavier). I really like this because it makes it makes it more realistic than if it was very light and very easy to move around. You can train mount, side mount, north/south, knee on belly back mount, leg locks, chokes, and armlocks. Of course live training with a partner is is ideal, and I,m not saying this product should take the place of that type training. But as a supplemental tool to develop one's game to a high level through high reps (anchoring the moves into the muscle memory), this product is awesome! |
 
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from Amazon |
The Gift of Fear and Other Survival Signals that Protect Us From Violence This is one of the most informative and interesting books I've ever read. I believe it should be mandatory reading for everyone.It goes way beyond "situational awareness" that most of us have learned and provides an indepth study of how violence escalates, and how to key in on and recognize the process. From the book..... True fear is a gift. Unwarranted fear is a curse. Learn how to tell the difference. A date won't take "no" for an answer. The new nanny gives a mother an uneasy feeling. A stranger in a deserted parking lot offers unsolicited help. The threat of violence surrounds us every day. But we can protect ourselves, by learning to trust—and act on—our gut instincts. In this empowering book, Gavin de Becker, the man Oprah Winfrey calls the nation's leading expert on violent behavior, shows you how to spot even subtle signs of danger—before it's too late. Shattering the myth that most violent acts are unpredictable, de Becker, whose clients include top Hollywood stars and government agencies, offers specific ways to protect yourself and those you love, including...how to act when approached by a stranger...when you should fear someone close to you...what to do if you are being stalked...how to uncover the source of anonymous threats or phone calls...the biggest mistake you can make with a threatening person...and more. Learn to spot the danger signals others miss. It might just save your life. |
 
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The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Globetrotter: The true story about a frantic, 140 day long, around-the-world trip to train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu by Christian Graugart.
"I didn't care about what would happen. He might win the match, but he could never beat me. I was living my dream, traveling the world with complete freedom. Nothing could put me down. The play button was pressed again. My opponent took my back and I tapped to a bow and arrow choke. I laughed and shook his hand, as I stood back up. I was out of the competition. Everything was perfect. Life couldn't be better." After a training partner commits suicide, Christian Graugart feels obliged to do something with his life. Starting his own gym, dedicating almost all his time to the art of BJJ, alters everything, including the way he sees himself. The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Globetrotter is not only a story about traveling and training in martial arts. It's about all the things that can happen to you if you choose to truly stay alive until you actually die. I really enjoyed reading this book. It spoke to the adventurous spirit inside and allowed me to live vicariously through Christian as he traveled the world doing jiu jitsu, meeting new people and living a life of no responsibilities- a fantasy I'm sure many of of share, as we're going through our great but constrained lives. i highly recommend this book to anyone who loves jiu jitsu and who would enjoy following the journey of a free spirited jiu jitsu brother. |