Welcome Jaden and Iden to Caio Terra Academy Madison! Beginning Jiu-Jitsu can seem like a monumental task – and sometimes quite intimidating! At CTA Madison, we strive to create an open and beginner-friendly atmosphere that celebrates those who are taking their first steps in a journey that will hopefully last an entire lifetime!
Jaden
Off the mats, Jaden is an incredible artist, and on the mats she is already picking up the fundamental techniques quickly and doing a great job teaching them to other new students. I love seeing students willing and enthusiastic to help others, and it’s a bonus when they’re actually good at it! We look forward to see how she applies her artists eye to a new art!
Iden
Iden, frankly, is a monster. I imagine he would fit in well amongst the Viking raiding parties that devastated Europe in the 8th century. He has a strong wrestling background and an incredibly open mind. He’s shown himself eager to adapt and expand in this new grappling ruleset.
Different Goals/Same Goals
Jiu-Jitsu is such an amazing art because it brings together so many different people who are all looking to learn something new. Every student brings something different to the mats. Each individual has unique goals, purposes, and perspectives. Our reasons for training may vary, but we come together on the mats and share a similar purpose: to grow as individuals and martial artists through the art of Jiu-Jitsu. Sometimes we look around us and see a world divided by race, class, gender, and politics. It can be incredibly refreshing to step on the mats after a long day and really feel a togetherness with our teammates and training partners. On the mats, we find ourselves training and cooperating with people who may be radically different from ourselves. That is a powerful thing, and a reminder that even in divided times we can find common ground and cooperate towards a shared purpose.
Beginner’s Mind
The beginner in Jiu-Jitsu, the white belt, is the most important person on the mats of any academy. They are the ones that are often providing new and fresh perspectives. It is the new student, eager to learn, that provide older and more senior students the opportunity to refine their own technique through teaching and sharing Jiu-Jitsu with them. On many occasions, a new student will pose an interesting question or comment about a particular technique that I have never thought of before. Similarly, I have heard several world-class black belts say that they have learned very important things from students of a far lesser rank, including brand new beginners. This is because, in the words of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s mind there are few.” The more we train the more we become conditioned to accept the “reality” of certain positions and techniques, and the less we are able to think outside of the box. This can really prevent us from seeing new possibilities and innovations in technique! We should never think of ourselves as above reproach, or “too good” to learn from a beginner.
Amazing Days
With that, I’d like to wish Jaden and Iden the best in their Jiu-Jitsu journey. I really look forward to seeing them grow as Jiu-Jitsu practitioners and as people. I also hope everybody has a great week training! Every day on the mats is a great day! Oss!