Sensi McDojo today at @flexclubs

While living in Kuwait, I’ve been fortunate enough to try out a few different gyms, some for fitness and some for Martial Arts.

Most of the Martial Arts academies I’ve been to have had friendly instructors, with students trying to meet friends, get in shape, possibly even learn a self defense technique or two.

…Today I signed a 5 week membership at a gym in Shaab Al-Bahri Kuwait called Flex Fitness Executive. The membership was 69KD which is roughly 230$…so the place isn’t necessarily ”Cheap”–The gym however is conveniently located close to the facility that my girlfriend is training at daily, and in addition to the weight rooms, has a nice sauna, and offered several ”group” training sessions…Being new to Kuwait, I figured training in a few of these sessions would be an easy way to try and meet some new friends.

Looking at the schedule, I saw they had a ”Jiu Jitsu” class, which I figured was going to be more of a ”Japanese” style than Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  Those unfamiliar with the two different styles of ”JuJitsu”, the form of Japanese JuJitsu is more similar to police handcuffing techniques than ”MMA”.  Seeing as how I was primarily wanting to train in the class to meet some new friends, I didn’t really mind the idea of training in a style of ”Jujitsu” that was not specifically applicable to my career interests of ‘”MMA” or “Submission Wrestling”.

Since this was my first day of signing up, and I was unfamiliar with the amount of traffic I would encounter…I unfortunately arrived 12 minutes late according to my watch. (15 on his)

–The students (2 people training) were still jogging around the mats for their warmup, when I respectfully waited on the side of the mat for the instructor “Basset” to acknowledge me.  Walking to the corner of the room where I was, he shouts to me…”This is Ju Jitsu”, with the same swagger you see Renato Laranja use before he storms the mat and chokes Eddie Bravo unconscious.

I replied with an easy answer “Thanx mate!, I was late because of the traffic, however if you’re okay with it I would like to attend your class even though I’m a bit tardy”  (honestly, if he would have had more than 2 students, I probably wouldn’t have asked)

His reply was sharp “You ever train Zhooo Zitzoo?!”

Yeah, I’ve been training in Jiu Jitsu awhile, I’m a black belt but haven’t really been training much since comping to Kuwait.

Of course, having heard I was a black belt, his next question was straight and to the point “Is that Japanese or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu”–>basically asking me if I knew how to grapple once it turned into a real fight…

I explained it was Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and quickly noticed the Brazilian flag on the shoulder of his Gi.

‘This is Japanese TRADITIONAL JuJitsu” was Basset’s reply.

“Cool, I’m just kinda looking to make some new friends, mind if I join”—as he quickly asks if I have a ”Kimono”

–Now anyone who knows me…knows I don’t necessarily walk around with a Gi, as a matter of fact, if you see me in a Gi it usually means someone is getting a promotion, or there is a seminar about to start…lol, However in my defense, I asked the lady running the front desk if I needed to bring a Gi to atted JuJitsu.  She said ”No, I don’t think so”–>however it was later revealed she didn’t know that a “Gi” was essentially the same thing as a “Kimono”.

Without the Kimono, the instructor told me I would have to watch from the sidelines.  (Unfortunately the cool BJJ Gi’s being worn by the students weren’t for sale at the Flex Club)

Watching from the sidelines I was interested in seeing what ”Bassett” the Traditional JuJitsu Black Belt was going to show.  The techniques were something else…lol.  I actually pulled the camera out and snagged a bit of video, although I admit I wish I would have filmed more.

After bullying the students with wrist locks, he then asked them to put on ”MMA” gloves.  I use the word ”Bullying”, because that was exactly what he did.  He would literally grab their wrists and twist it to make them ”Tapout”, only to continue until they were on both knees begging for him to release pressure, at which point he would add an ”illegal (for MMA)” strike, like a footstomp to the head, or an elbow to the spine as a “demonstration” of what he ”Could do” from that position.

One of the guys was a complete beginner, and the instructor continuously rolled his eyes, sighed deep exhales, and belittled the student to the point he was afraid to ask any questions.  At one point they were practicing kicks, and the new guy was timid while attempting to kick his partner.  The instructor then asked the newbie to kick him, and after several ”less than accurate kicks”, out of frustration the instructor ”Teep kicked” the newbie in the stomach, explaining “Thats how you kick to the target”

I can not even begin to tell you all the examples of bullying that I witnessed from the instructor…

Eventually the instructor decided it was time to show his ”Advance” moves, and I couldn’t help but to pull the camera out one more time.  He had the students practice a front roll, transition into a teep kick, before capitalizing the entire combination with a scissor kick takedown (he didn’t seem worried with them getting top position, or any leg locks however)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSH0FrCXt2Q

Once the class was finished, I helped them clear up the mats, before kindly asking to have my photo taken with “Basset” the Traditional Ju Jitsu instructor.  I couldn’t pass up my opportunity to take a pic with one of the worst martial arts instructors I have ever seen.

Thursday is their ”MMA” class, which is also taught by Bassett and doesn’t require a Kimono.

Should I attend the class?

Would any of  you be interested in video of my training?!