Back on the Mats! High Fives!

I’m back on the jiu-jitsu mats after being away for my first week of seminary classes. I was welcomed back with high fives and fist bumps. This is not a special occasion or out of the ordinary but just normal practice at the beginning and throughout every class. Even though we’re about to learn and practice cross-collar chokes and arm bars on each other, we begin our practice with this friendly greeting. Sometimes we greet each other in silence and other times we might say “what’s up, hey, or hello,” but it is always followed with a high five and fist pump. We not only do this as we gather for the class but also before and after each time we “roll” (i.e. grapple) with each other.

This small gesture has a powerful impact on us. Despite the fact you are basically about to “fight," it is a sign of respect and also connects you with your training partner and the art of jiu-jitsu. When you finish your training with your partner, it is a sign of mutual respect and gratitude. It also helps you calm yourself and manage the stress you might be experiencing whether from the training or outside stressors in your life, or both.

Another ritual we have in our class is the clap in unison after the technique demonstration by our coach. This is done before we return to train with our partner. Our coach will usually break down the technique they want to teach for the day in segments. Each portion developing off of what has been already shown. When each segment is finished, the coach will tell us to continue to train with our partner and say, “On the count of three. One, two,” and on “three” we all clap in unison. This has immediate effect of connecting the entire class/team together and snaps us back into focus for our training.

These gestures are a reminder that healthy rituals, such as “the passing of peace” in worship or other rituals our personal lives, can be a grounding and connecting experience.

Thank you for visiting this site and God Bless!