Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, Guest Writers, Self-Development and Leadership, Training Tips

Guest Writer: 5 Things Jiu Jitsu Has Taught Me About Learning

Guest writer Ashely Mann and her husband Josiah demonstrate a Jiu Jitsu technique.

I have been in the business of adult learning for nearly 15 years. I’m always interested to see how our experiences, whether they are related to martial arts, our professional life, or our relationships, help us learn. In this guest post Ashley Mann shares five things practicing Jiu Jitsu has taught her about the nature of learning. My personal favorite from her list: “Comparison is the thief of joy.”

If you would like to contribute a post to Little Black Belt, please review the guest writer guidelines here.

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Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, Guest Writers

Guest Writer: The Power of BJJ Training for Kids; a Journey with Griphouse Academy, Glasgow

My amazing guest writers have shared the importance of martial arts training for kids and the benefits of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training in general. This article, courtesy of Griphouse Academy Glasgow head coach Nathaniel, brings together the best of both worlds. Learn more about the great things Coach Nathaniel and team are doing for young students at www.griphouseacademy.co.uk

If you would like to submit a martial arts-related article to this blog, please review the guidelines here.

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Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, Guest Writers, Injury and Recovery, Training Tips

Guest Writer: Post Fight Recovery for Muay Thai

Adam Green from muaythaiinsider.co.uk is back with tips on post fight recovery. While this article focuses on Muay Thai fighters, these are great tips for any martial arts practitioner. As we get into training and competition season, make sure you are healthy, well, and having fun!

If you would like to contribute a martial arts-related post to Little Black Belt, see guest writer guidelines here.

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Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, Mental Health

Yes, Your Martial Art Can Just Be a Hobby

istockphoto.com

Recently my partner sent me a video by YouTube comedian Ryan George. In the video, a man who likes to doodle cute little birds for fun in his spare time is bullied and pressured by a #hustleandgrind bro into creating a side hustle-to-full-time business with products, employees, and a full on corporate structure. By the end of the video, both men are older and ready to retire. The hustle bro comments that the artist can now go paddle boarding with son in his free time, which was what the artist enjoyed doing before he started his bird drawing business. The artist is angry and frustrated at time lost. It harkens back to the parable of the fisherman and the businessman. The fisherman, like the man sketching birds, was content with his life. The businessman couldn’t understand why the fisherman wouldn’t follow his promptings to expand his production.

Sometimes a hobby can just be a hobby.

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Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, Guest Writers

Guest Post: The Transformative Power of Jiu Jitsu

Black Diamond BJJ Reno: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Martial Arts Classes
Image from blackdiamondbjj.com

Looking for something new? Check out Jiu Jitsu! The team at Ground Standard shares the many benefits of training in this martial art. For more information about Ground Standard, see the end of this post. If you would like to be a guest writer for Little Black Belt, check out the guidelines here.

Martial arts have long been heralded as realms of discipline and introspection, and within this vast arena, Jiu Jitsu gleams as a beacon of self-betterment and holistic growth. Beyond the superficial perception of combat techniques and physical prowess, Jiu Jitsu unfurls a tapestry of life lessons, mental fortitude, and deep-seated community values. For those standing at the precipice, contemplating whether to delve into this world, let’s uncover the multifaceted treasures that the journey of Jiu Jitsu has to offer.

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Melanie Gibson Guest Writers, Training Tips

Guest Writer: The Role of Martial Arts in Modern Day Fitness

Article by Darie Raclau | karatemartialart.net Founder

Martial arts have been around for centuries, and while they were originally developed as a way to defend oneself or engage in combat, they have evolved over time to become a popular form of exercise and a means of improving physical fitness. In modern day society, martial arts can play a significant role in maintaining and improving physical health and overall well-being.
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Melanie Gibson Guest Writers, Training Tips

Guest Writer: First Strike – Introducing Exercise into Your Routine

Image by Pexels

One of the many things the 2020 pandemic disrupted was our ability to exercise–gyms shut down, we were stuck at home, people faced financial hardships, and people dealt with anxiety and depression that inhibited their ability to keep up a regular exercise routine.

Here at Little Black Belt, we believe fitness should be a priority and, with the right methods, exercise can empower other areas of life. Using martial arts, yoga, and other physical activities, you can introduce fun workouts into your and your family’s routine.

Guest writer Emma Grace Brown, who wrote a post in 2020 about creating a martial arts studio at home, returns with suggestions on making exercise a fun and regular part of your routine.

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Melanie Gibson Mental Health, Self-Development and Leadership, Training Tips

Developing Mental Agility as a Martial Artist

An orange sticky note has been sitting on my desk for the past few weeks. It reads: “Agility is best learned through challenging experiences.”

This quote was said in passing by a vendor with whom my day job team has been working on a leadership program for up-and-coming executives.

I wrote it down to share with the people I was coaching, but I also wrote it down for myself.
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Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, My Guest Posts, Training Tips

My Guest Post: Being a Good Partner in Life and in Martial Arts

Being a martial artist can often feel like a solo endeavor, but for many of us, working with partners is crucial to our development. There are some parallels between being a good martial arts partner and being a good partner in life. In honor of Valentine’s Day (no matter your relationship status), let’s show some appreciation to the other martial arts students who make our learning productive and fun.

Check out my article at Martial Journal: Being a Good Partner in Life and in Martial Arts.

Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, Guest Writers

Guest Writer: Diary of a White Belt

Hello, Little Black Belt readers! Some people start martial arts training as children, and others begin their journey as adults. As someone who started martial arts training, stopped, and re-started in my thirties, I’m always interested to hear from people who come to martial arts a little later in life. This story is from Jen Struzziero. Jen shares how she began training in martial arts and how amazing it has been in her life. Jen’s experience beautifully demonstrates the life-changing power of martial arts.

If you would like to submit a martial arts-related article for Little Black Belt, please review the guest writer guidelines and send me an email.

Enjoy Jen’s story!

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