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50p

Pinned Pressure Points

8 March 2019
Omar W, Rogers ‘19
Have you ever wanted to roll around with another person, sweaty and gasping for breath as you think of your next move, the tension of a wrong move conceding any advantage you may have built? Would you like to be able to get out of a submission and hold your opponent down as quickly as a cheetah?   Luckily for you, there’s a Brentwood sport for that. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) at the South Island Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy across the highway in Mill Bay is the first martial art offered for Brentwood students, and for good reasons it will be sticking around for a long time. The physical strength, mental strength, and body development you experience in a regular routine of BJJ are unmatched. Fascinating, it is. From the moment a newcomer walks in, they're welcomed into a friendly environment, diverse with people of different builds and skill levels. What makes this so exhilarating is how forgiving and friendly the BJJ community is, making one want to go back and learn more. One member of the Brentwood community has been participating in BJJ for many years now and has built a massive appreciation for what the sport has done for him. Mr. Kleinschmidt, approaching the blue belt level, felt that the best part for him was “watching how people get past the physical contact. At first, you’re scared letting people touch your neck, but after a while, you put your chin up and you let them get it. You trust each other so much.” Apart from weight loss, self defense, and building energy, BJJ is a great way to relieve stress, make new friends, and help with critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It makes you become a better rounded person - not physically rounded - and the benefits keep on going. Nicholas C, Rogers ‘19 fell for BJJ due to his love of martial arts. He had been a Muay Thai kick boxer before attending Brentwood. He feels as if he “gravitated to it due to my love of challenging athletic endeavours. It's a constant battle where you have to pace yourself because you have to be solely focused on what you're doing at that moment. Technique, strength and stamina.” I encourage readers of this article to give BJJ a shot. Don’t be afraid of being in close quarters with people or of being judged on your lack of skill. Read about it, watch videos, or then experience it for yourself. Whether you’re very familiar with martial arts or brand new to the concept, the experience is very positive, humbling and worth your time. Omar W, Rogers ‘19

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