We often focus on the physical benefits of training: our personal progression, learning new techniques, improving endurance, etc. And while there are many physical benefits, we should also adhere to the mental benefits.
One of the greatest, and often overlooked benefits of training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is that it requires us to be in the moment. It may sound trite, but when we step onto the mats for an hour and a half we temporarily leave our other problems behind. We are necessarily focused on the technique(s) or our training partners directly in front of us.
In today's fast-paced digital society where we are bombarded 24/7 by a literal litany of information, and more recently some troubling news from around the world, it can be a great benefit to temporarily "Unplug". This is not to be confused with escapism. Rather, consider our time training as a mental reset; an opportunity to take a metaphorical breath to better prepare ourselves to be more mentally engaged in our day to day lives.
So next time you step on the mat, remember to evaluate the mental benefits of training.
See you on the mats!
Respectfully,
Professor George Sernack
