Sunday, 23 November 2014

You don't run, you don't fight.

You don't run,you don't fight.
I've heard this saying while ago in the gym and personally I have took it deep into my heart.
The further you get with your fighting experience the more it takes.
Every little ability can make huge difference on that final decision on the referees score cards.
I believe that the real fight begins after third bell,when you both tested each other,you possibly know your strengths and weaknesses.
Now it shows who has got more strength and who has worked harder in preparation for it.
Who has done that extra push at the end of the series,who has kicked the pads with better effort,who has punched the bag without giving up right on the sped and power right to the end of the round.
It shows who has honestly woke up bit early in every morning to do some running while everyone else turning on the other side in their beds.
Of course, running everyday is not enough.
It is all about how you run?!
I have been running a lot since I was sixteen.At the age of eighteen I have completed my first marathon.
Jogging long distance was never my problem.I would put some weights on my ankles and wrists to make it harder.But the real challenge has begun when i started working on speed by doing some fast continues runs,intervals,sprints.
Today on Sunday 23rd of November me and few other GMMA Academy members we took a part in 10k charity run at South London (Wimbledon area).
We have raised some money for children in need and donated it to "Good life foundation".
At this same time we have tested ourselves against some good runners.
I do totally agree with Great British boxer Carl Froch,who said that; fighters are semi-professional runners.
It is another way to stronger your legs muscles and bones,as well as toughen up your will power and not giving up attitude.
photo Krystian Ozog
Instructor/Trainer/Fighter, GMMA Academy
      


Monday, 17 November 2014

Yoga for fighters.

For a long time I've been planning to try some yoga classes.
Recently I've been looking for some new ways of improving my flexibility and some new stretching techniques. 
As one of my PT student couldn't make it today,I have started planning my own afternoon training.
Checking the schedule of the classes in one of the gyms I train at.
I have found position called Budokon yoga.

Description of the classes says:
"Budokon combines yoga, martial arts, meditation and animal movements".
I thought:"this is perfect"!
Always wanted to try yoga.
I have made my research about different types of yoga and thought that this is one of most interesting and accurate type in terms of what I am looking for. 
Also reading description reminded me video of animal movements presentation, made by one of American fitness network that I have watched and got impressed by,while ago.
It looked very crafty and acrobatic.
I always thought it would be great to be able perform like that.
Class was mixed, man and women.
There was relaxing music plying quietly in the background.
Instructor, would tell the instructions with very calm voice.
Most of the practitioners would already know some of the moves and would flow along.
I did my best to follow, relax and stretch as much as I could.
All the poses were changed in slow pace so it was quite easy to adjust.
I found Budokon yoga great way to improve not only flexibility but also balance, coordination, concentration and flow of the movement.
Class has finished with short lie down on the matt and traditional Indian greeting; "Namaste" in lotus position.
After all I have took 20 minutes of sauna relaxing and thinking about Budokon experience.
It was great class and I have made good choice by going there.
I am sure I am going to come back.

photo Krystian Ozog
Instructor/Trainer/Fighter, GMMA Academy
      

Thursday, 13 November 2014

Footwork training.

I see a lot of ambitious, hard working people in the gyms,which are not satisfied with their workouts unless they've lost at least 3kg over the session and they barely can move their limbs at the end.
Honestly,I am probably one of them myself.
But being a good fighter takes much more than just being able to work hard and sweat in the gym.
We need to give our training some more sense and work on other aspects rather than only,power,speed and resistance.

Head movement,reaction,body slips,blocking,moving up and down,footwork.
These are essentials that should be a part of each fighters training.
Especially when you feel fatigue or your body gives you signs that it needs some rest from speed,power and resistance training.
Instead of beating yourself over not doing enough,use that time to work on one of most important part of fighting skills-footwork.
Your strong and fast punches,powerful kicks and great combinations will mean nothing if you do not adjust your distance and timing. Good footwork;moving in and out,changing the angles,right twists,up and down movements on your legs will give all hard work right meaning.Cutting the way of your opponents escape or making him miss can change so much in the fight.
I believe every martial arts instructor will agree that correct stands and footwork is a foundation of all other skills.
While ago I have heard an older lady,(working in the cafe)inviting young man for his order collection by saying: "move your legs,your body will follow" :-).
It made my day.I have never heard that before but it comes back to me every now and then.

photo Krystian Ozog
Instructor/Trainer/Fighter, GMMA Academy
      


Wednesday, 5 November 2014

Sports and psychology Academy

Working with people, educating and helping them to develop their skills, is a great job.
As in any other profession it needs good, clean intentions, passion and experience.
I believe you can only become a master of something if you really believe in it, enjoy it and if it brings improvement to your own life.
As one of my mentors said to me few years back;"you got to help yourself,to be able help others".
I have always looked at sports as a great improvement tool in my life but sharing my knowledge with people, takes it up to another level.
It brings two of my main passions together. 
Sports,martial arts and fighting craft along with great studies of psychology.
There is many more aspects that goes with it.
But being GMMA Academy instructor,fighter and student is just like studying at PE and Psychology academy,two in one.
It keeps me focused all the time. Seeing hard work of others, makes me wanna improve more, to be able to,bring our students and colleagues skills to the maximum.
But telling everyone to do this same kind of exercises or having this same diet is not gonna work.
My job is to listen to our students,observe their improvement and find the way to gradually bring the best out of them.
After each training it takes me while to summarise and over think whole lesson.
It always bring some questions and ideas.
Which I try to back up by studies,research and discussion with others experience people which are surrounding me. Mainly my Coaches.

photo Krystian Ozog
Instructor/Trainer/Fighter, GMMA Academy
       

Monday, 3 November 2014

Your success is your owm choice.

Whatever you do in your life you got always two choices.
You can find yourself excuses or find the right way and push on through.
Off course we are all just a human and we like a bit off comfort in our lives.
But I strongly believe that real comfort and peace of mind can only come to you when you know that you worked hard and now is time to have that rest and enjoy yourself.
As a fighter I know that there is no worst feeling than on the day of fight having that doubt in your head if you have done enough.Maybe I could have push it a bit more in the preparation.
So it is your own choice if you wanna be confident with yourself or always find some reason why not to do this extra work.
I have learnt to catch every opportunity and I am trying to react straight away in every aspect of my life.
I believe this is the best way.
I have learnt to say yes to every possible training or experience that I believe could benefit to me.
I am usually planning my training for a week on the day I got rest and I feel strong.
That's when very bright ideas comes to my head.
When I am tired in a process I do push myself and there is no backing off option.
The only thing that can change is to add up more.



Wednesday, 29 October 2014

Growing together.


At GMMA Academy we do believe in team work.
We do believe that we can only improve, once everything around us improving too.
When I see our students getting better, stronger, wiser in fighting and martial arts.
I am very excited, because I know that I am a part of that development.
At this same time I do realise that we are stepping up another level together.
For me; instructor and training partner it means that I need to put some extra work, to help them even more, get better and better.
Everyone is different. Everyone has got different abilities, strengths and weaknesses everyone needs to be treated individually. It is ok when you do lesson 1 to 1 and all you got to do is concentrate on one person.
When you work with group off people,different age and experience,this is where the real challange is.
We are proffesionals with passion,we treat our students the way we wanna be treated.
We care about everybody coming to us and asking for help.
We wanna get the best out off everyone. And the circle closes as our students growing with us and growing within eachothers help.
Helping others will definitely increase your skills, you will get mirror image of your mistakes and it will automatically stimulate your brain to resolve the problem. 
Teaching others is simply sharing with others what you got.
It makes you happy and bring more values to your life.

 

photo Krystian Ozog
Instructor/Trainer/Fighter, GMMA Academy