Most people will tell you this : if you let it, LA will make you quite a healthy person. You start eating better & going out in nature & to the gym. I exercise everyday and I don’t ever think about it. It’s part of my life. I run, I do yoga, Pilates. I love it, it’s not even an effort anymore (I can’t believe it myself) . But I’ve always missed something more. I like the idea of being a student – not just aim to feel and look better – but making the practice an art. . It’s quite impossible today to find a yoga class where you can build up on your knowledge year after year, you know what I mean? Yoga has become automated in order to be accessible to most, teachers kind of come and go – even more in hot yoga which I practice & LOVE nonetheless. . Anyway. I’ve always been attracted to martial arts – I had done Aikido a long time ago and loved everything from the philosophy to the sense of respect, perseverance and inner calm. I liked looking forward to a new belt. And also, I liked to feel like I could defend myself. . So I’d been looking for a club in LA for a while and honestly, they can feel a little intimidating. So when I met the wonderful @sophkupersmith 6 months ago and she told me that Jiu Jitsu had changed her life, I told her I wanted in. Thing is she lives in Newport. Took a while to make it happen – but yesterday I finally did. . I came early to watch a class, then had a private with the amazing @gustavofonseca_jj + @alexisfonseca_jj (there are a lot of champions there) where I learned to fall on my back & basically how to break someone’s shoulder. Important skills, no? All this of course in full Martial Art respectful, beautiful spirit. . I LOVED it. . Ok doesn’t hurt that the aesthetic of @artofjiujitsu is incredible and that Jj students come to the mat from every walks of life, making it a place where you get out of your social bubble. Which I need so much. . Okay, enough talking, I am going to put more photos in my stories. . And I now I am looking for a club in West LA if any of you know any. . Thank you @sophkupersmith for opening the doors and thank you @artofjiujitsu + the students for letting me take photos ?? thank you @timothylayaban !!! .
4 years ago by
