Okay, so a while back, I stumbled upon this guy, Craig Jones, who’s apparently a big deal in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world. I didn’t know much about it, but I was looking for some ways to improve my fitness routine and figured, why not give it a shot? I started by looking for some good resources and came across a bunch of his videos online. They seemed pretty legit, so I picked a few that looked beginner-friendly.
Getting Started
First thing I did was watch a couple of videos to get a feel for the basics. He talks about how important it is to warm up properly, so I started paying more attention to that. Then I tried to follow his video to do some simple stretches he showed in the videos. Man, I haven’t stretched like that in ages! It felt pretty good, though, like I was really loosening up muscles I didn’t even know I had.
Breath Work
One thing that really caught my attention was the breathing exercises. I’ve always been a pretty shallow breather, especially when I’m stressed. Craig Jones emphasizes how important it is to control your breath, not just for Jiu-Jitsu, but for everyday life. He showed some basic techniques, like breathing deeply into your belly and exhaling slowly. I started practicing these whenever I felt anxious or overwhelmed, and honestly, it made a noticeable difference. I felt calmer and more centered.
Learning Some Moves
After getting the hang of the warm-ups and breathing, I decided to try a few of the basic moves he demonstrates. I started with some simple grappling techniques, like how to maintain a good base and how to control your opponent’s posture. It was definitely challenging at first. I remember I keep watching the move again and again, pausing the video, trying it out, then watching it again. I must have looked ridiculous flailing around in my living room, but hey, I was learning!
Strength Training
I also incorporated some of the strength training exercises he recommends. I don’t have any fancy equipment, so I stuck to bodyweight stuff, like push-ups, squats, and planks. I followed the tips in the videos about how important is to keep practicing. I started slowly, just doing a few reps of each exercise, and gradually increased the intensity as I got stronger. It was tough, but I could feel myself getting stronger and more resilient over time.
Putting It All Together
The real fun began when I tried to put all these things together. I’d start with the breath work to get focused, then do the warm-up stretches, followed by some strength training, and finally practice a few of the Jiu-Jitsu moves. It felt like a really complete workout, engaging both my body and my mind. I found that by concentrating and practicing, I can make it. I can see my improvement every day!
Final Thoughts
This whole Craig Jones experience has been pretty eye-opening for me. I went in just looking for a new way to exercise, but I ended up learning a lot more than that. It’s not just about the physical stuff, though that’s definitely been beneficial. It’s also about the mental discipline, the focus, and the self-awareness that comes with it. I’m still a beginner, but I’m definitely going to keep practicing and see where this journey takes me. And I would highly recommend people who are finding a way to improve their health try to learn from Craig Jones’s videos!
