10 Questions with Ryron Gracie

The CombativeCorner got to talk with @GracieBrother, Ryron the other day and answer our questions (and yours!)

If you don’t know Ryron by now (We won’t ask you where you’ve been), but please take a listen to this interview.  In it, Ryron answers such questions as:

• Is there a secret to being “un-submittable?”  [7:35]
• What is Ryron’s Top 5 Techniques?  [12:41]
• Starting Jiu-Jitsu Late in Life? [27:12]
• Who would You Fight? Bonus Q [31:42]

Also, let us know who you’d like us to interview in the future, and what questions you have for him or her.

For our Master List, go here.

Ryron and Rener can be reached via GracieAcademy.Com, on their YouTube Channel or on Twitter @GracieBrothers

For more from The CombativeCorner, click the links below.

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RELATED POSTS:

SECRET TO GRACIE JIU JITSU MASTERY

10 QUESTIONS WITH RENER GRACIE

JOURNEY TO BLUE BELT IN GJJ

 

 

Secret to Gracie Jiu Jitsu Mastery

Two very lucky members of the Combative Corner, Michael (Founder/Left) and Brandon (Contributing Author/Right) get their second workshop with two giants in the world of jiu-jitsu teaching, Ryron & Rener Gracie.

Here are a few of the highlights and insights that will benefit us all!

Michael Joyce

As many of you know from my last article regarding Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Brandon and I had the opportunity to take a workshop with Ryron in Virginia and due to a last-minute change, we received his brother Rener in our home state of North Carolina.  It was a special privilege for me as Rener was gracious enough to give us an in-depth interview (if you missed it… you can catch it here or on YouTube).  Personally, it was very special to meet Rener after speaking with him in January (for about an hour and a half) and now, to meet this master-teacher (and all-around-great-guy) face-to-face.  The workshop went splendidly as this future blue-belt (me) began to truly understand a fundamental aspect of GJJ… the hooks (and Superhooks)!  With a little spot-on coaching from Rener, I was (and still am) well on my way.

But what pulled the whole lesson together was something that I think all students should understand.  As we gathered around Rener and he began to field our questions, he posed this question to us,

“How does someone reach black belt status?”

Answers came from from each area of the room.  A common word that was said by one, and was surely thought of by the rest of us was the word “Practice.”  But Rener mentioned that there are many students that practice intensely (even with them at the Gracie Academy)… come to class regularly and it still takes quite a bit longer (than expected) to reach the next level.  So what really makes the difference?  The ANSWER?… [Keep reading]

Brandon Vaughn

The one thing I admired about Rener was how much encouragement he gave everyone at the seminar while they were working on the techniques he was showing us.  He didn’t just throw in a “good job” here or a “that’s it” there.  He seemed genuinely excited when he saw someone finally “get” the technique and in my opinion that is the sign of great teacher.  I was also impressed by how approachable Rener was for someone who is so well known.  I have met plenty martial artists who love to walk around like they’re “too good to be in your presence” and none of them were half as talented or did half as much to benefit the martial arts as Rener and the rest of the Gracie’s have.  I consider myself truly lucky to have attended not one but two Gracie Jiu-jitsu seminars this year. They are addictive!

The Answer:

(Paraphrasing)  “The difference between a white belt and a black belt is the amount of time it takes to ‘make the recovery’ – from acknowledging the result/defeat/submission, to understanding and internalizing the result.  Many immediately, after being submitted, want to “go again” and there are others that get incredibly frustrated with themselves (even beating up themselves on the drive home).  “Making the recovery” is, again, about:

Acknowledging – Understanding – Internalizing

Make it work for you!

Michael Joyce & Brandon Vaughn

 

Final Note:

On an additional note – Rener made this connection- that the difference between him and each of us, is only that he understands (obviously in a very deep way) the possibilities (i.e. technical or strategic options) sooner, and has, therefore, a much more sensitive (and thus effective) “threat detector” when grappling.  Learn to understand the game of jiu-jitsu… because (in the words of Rener Gracie) “You cannot master that which you do not understand.”

Interview with Rener Gracie (part 1) : HERE

Interview with Rener Gracie (part 2) : HERE

A New Passion : Gracie JiuJitsu

Fellow writer and martial artist Brad Vaughn and I recently returned from Norfolk, Virginia – where we were able to meet and train with Jiu-Jitsu extraordinaire and master-teacher, Ryron Gracie.

Needless-to-say, we learned a lot – but what I didn’t really count on was just how attached I would grow to this art – specifically, the way that Ryron presented it.

Being a “Taiji man” myself, I’m always eager to find strength through any means other than pure, physical force.  It became clear, after watching Ryron roll with several of the students that Gracie Jiu-jitsu is very much, a form of “Taijiquan for the ground.”

Many times throughout the lecture, Ryron would mention the word “Flow.”  Gracie Jujitsu is about efficiency and being able to both read your opponent and adapt to the changes, in a natural way.

In college, I was able to learn from a guy who knew Sambo, and after wrestling with him for several semesters, I felt very strong on the ground.  Little did I know that when I would start to grapple with someone with more “technical” skills (namely, someone well-versed in the basics of the Gracie system), I would find holes in my game.

With Ryron, there was a deep sense of “playful practice” – that your opponent is there – not to be necessarily, an “obstacle to overcome” (and possibly become discouraged by), but a partner eager to make you a better practitioner.  [Isn’t that what it’s all about?]

Many schools are filled with students (and I’ve scrapped with a few in my young life) who are bent on “besting” you in each and every encounter.

Ryron’s suggestion to us-

“Get tapped out 10 times every day.”  

It’s not just about staying humble, it’s about becoming sensitive to every situation and bringing something into your practice that causes you to learn – to better yourself.

Brandon Vaughn (his profile) is currently a blue belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and is helping to me (my profile) to reach a blue belt of my very own through the Gracie’s, Gracie University.  I only wish there was more time in a day!  Because I would fill it with many hours of exultant practice.

Michael Joyce & Brandon Vaughn