The Dojo

My name is Robyn, and I've been training in the martial arts for 13 years. I hold a 3rd-degree black belt in karate and have more recently begun training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (gi and no-gi), Muay Thai, and boxing. Here, you will find videos, writings, and images that I hope will inspire other martial artists to hone their skills and develop both physically and artistically. Please feel free to message me any questions or comments, or to submit anything that may be of interest to the martial arts community.

[emerald-archer87-deactivated201]

[redeaglerevived]

Nearly everyone who takes up a martial art asks this question at one point or another, “how can I make my punch more powerful?” I’ve been asking that question for most of my life! Thankfully, after studying a variety of methods from Boxing, Muay Thai, Karate, Jun Fan and Wing Chun, and just the...

[rebellious-buddhist]

[tipperbjj-deactivated20150610]

In with Stuart again last night and I was back to feeling myself again. As most classes go, we were shown three techniques again and I was back to feeling good on them all. We’re doing a lot of mount escapes it seems this week so last night we were shown a pull to guard from mounted, a sweep…

[judogame]

[fighter-robyn]

Whoa.

[trianglejake-deactivated2014091]

Igor Yakimov - Guard Pull and Arm Bar

[les-bottes-en-cuir]

Nice quick way to end a fight before it begins.

[womensbjj]

[fighter-robyn]

This cannot be overstated! Such simple advice, and yet we still tend to lose sight of it.

[tipperbjj-deactivated20150610]

With Leyton flying the nest of our fundamentals class it’s becoming more apparent that when we line up in grade and experience order that I’m nearer the top than the bottom now. Last night there was only Mark with more stripes than me so I was placed three in the line up behind him and Alex. It...

[fighter-robyn]

Nice, clear instructional on mount escapes. I'll probably be needing this myself, seeing as it's been months since I've trained or rolled.

[fighter-robyn]

Update

Hey all--

First of all, I apologize for the radio silence. I've been away at school, and haven't had the time or money to keep training. It's definitely been on my mind a lot lately, though, so I figure that if I can't keep up with training in a studio, at least I can still blog about martial arts and do what I can on my own/at school. Also, I'll be back home for the rest of December/most of January, so I'll probably be doing some training while I'm in town. Hopefully, you'll be seeing a lot more of me in the coming weeks.

Oss--

-Robyn

[kellymagovern]

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gi chokes.

[theanticool]

The world needs more Jiu Jitsu gifs. A lot more.

[samsaranmusing-deactivated20140]

Tai Chi, is a moving form of yoga and meditation combined. Tai Chi, originally a combat martial art, has evolved into a slow deliberate set of “forms” which consist of a sequence of movements. Many of these movements are originally derived from the natural movements of animals and birds. 

Most practitioners focus in Tai Chi is that of a meditative exercise for the body similar to Yoga but more fluid and active. Tai Chi and Yoga go together beautifully. Some practitioners, particularly in China, focus more on the combat aspects of Tai Chi.  However in the West the subtle, quiet combat style of Tai Chi is not seen as often as other more active and dramatic forms of the combat arts.

Another aim of Tai Chi is to foster a calm and tranquil mind, focused on the precise execution of these exercises. Learning to do them correctly provides a practical avenue for learning about such things as balance, alignment, fine-scale motor control, rhythm of movement, the genesis of movement from the body’s vital center, and so on.

Tai Chi has its roots in  the Taoist world view where harmony is the primary goal.  The practitioner of Tai Chi focuses on the uninterrupted flow of energy though his body and, in combat Tai Chi, through his opponent’s body.  The Tai Chi master in combat often moves very little.  He never meets force with force.  He always uses the flow of the opponent’s force against him by very subtly redirecting it.  

In Chinese philosophy there is the concept of Chi or “force”.  It is closely identified with the nervous system.  Tai Chi is intended to focus this power and bring it into harmony.  It can be thought of an active form of mediation.  It is tremendously relaxing and the combination of smooth body movements and meditation make it perfect for reducing stress and calming the mind and body.

Some Tai Chi Videos for Beginners

[doitforyourowngood-deactivated2]

MARTIAL ARTS BLOGS BEWARE!

IF YOU POST/TRAIN MARTIAL ARTS, PLEASE REBLOG THIS SO I CAN FOLLOW YOU! :D

I train japanese ju-jitsu & I’d really like to follow some blogs who have similiar interests as me.

From aikido, judo, kung fu to karate, savate, tae kwon do. Just please reblog so I know who to follow! :D

[gunsandbuttonups-blog1]

I can’t like this enough.

Jiu-Jistu IN the pool.

[seiryoku-zenyo-deactivated20181]

Is this real life??? I wanna roll on a little floating island in a pool too!!!!

[pediatric-surgeon]

[martialartstudent-blog]

Sparring Tip #2: Be unpredictable

Be an unpredictable fighter by varying your strategy during the fight and doing different tactics to implement your strategy. Don’t do what you always do if you are up against an opponent you have previously fought; they’ll probably remember your “style” of fighting. The best fighters don’t have a “style” of fighting, they are unpredictable and in this manner their opponent will never truly know what to expect from them. Variety is key.

[theanticool]

Technique of the Month - Triangle Shoulder Walk

Rener Gracie, head instructor of the World Famous Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Torrance, CA, teaches you how to defend against an opponent stacking or folding you when you triangle them.