Lesson From a Master

Training with Rickson Gracie

By ken primola

Lesson from a Master After my first year of law school I had my sights set on something dramatically different than most other first year law students. While others were focused on gaining legal experience through state jobs or corporate firms, my ambition was to train with Master Rickson Gracie, the most revered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) practitioner of my generation. Rickson is the Bruce Lee of the BJJ world. Although highly sought after, Rickson rarely did seminars for the public. On the rare occasions he did appear, you could neither take notes nor film his work. Rickson was highly publicized but a rather private figure. Another obstacle to realizing my dream of training with Rickson was distance. During this time period he lived in California, while I lived in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, almost three thousand miles away from his studio. On the last day of school I packed my bags with workout gear, and a few other odds and ends. I got into my car, and began driving. It took me 3 long days to drive across the country. It was pouring rain the night I arrived in Los Angeles. Naturally I took a room at the nearest motel to Rickson Gracie's school. To my dismay, the next morning I found out that Rickson was not in town and would not be for a while. I was not told by the secretary what that while meant. It broke my heart but being an optimistic young

guy, I knew other opportunities to get better at BJJ were available in California. Southern California was likely the most saturated area for BJJ in the US at the time. The next day I headed toward San Diego. Thankfully I had a friend there who was able to put me up for the night. I soon found lodging at a local hostel. The hostel I stayed at was in an area called Pacific Beach. It was 15 dollars a night to stay at the hostel. It consisted of about 8 foreigners in a room. Most of the time people stayed there for a short duration. Privacy was virtually unheard of. I was okay with this because I was the youngest of seven children, privacy was a luxury I seldom had. I found a BJJ school to train at about 20 miles away from the hostel. The school I attended was owned by a man named Fabio Santos. Fabio was a very nice and old school kind of jiu-jitsu guy. He came from the Gracie lineage, having very strong roots going back to the arts inception. We got along really well and I used to get history lessons from Fabio all the time. I trained there almost everyday for about two months. The only problem was that I had to drive about 45 minutes to an hour to attend Fabios school due to traffic. As the summer was ending I knew I wanted to stay in San Diego a bit longer, so I convinced the Dean of my law school on

the east coast to allow me to do a transfer program out in San Diego for a little over one year. In the meantime, I found a closer school down the street from the hostel, it was run by Rodrigo Medeiros. I trained at Rodrigos during the daytime and was also training at Fabios in the evenings for a short time longer. I was not aware of the whole idea of one school loyalty in jiu-jitsu, so I thought nothing of it. Rodrigos school was much closer. Fabios prices were also a bit steeper so I made the choice to stay at Rodrigos. Rodrigos school was also much smaller so I got a lot more attention. Although I was very happy at Rodrigos, I was still curious about meeting Rickson on the mat. This was a dream I was not giving up on, it was simply delayed. Rickson was not only a legend among average practitioners like myself at the time, Rickson was a legend among the top BJJ stars. Everyone wanted a chance to train or learn from him. I knew this and was willing to make the journey. Looking back, today it would be much more difficult, if not impossible. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the main stage of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), has catapulted BJJ to another level, and therefore Rickson's legend with it. Today Rickson only teaches seminars at rare times to the general public and has since moved back to Brazil.

As my time in San Diego was coming to an end I still wanted to do what I had once set out to. So, I took a Saturday out of my weekend and drove up to Los Angeles to see if Rickson Gracie was available. When I arrived, I stepped into the doors of his training center on Wilshire Boulevard. I instantly saw Rickson as I peered through the glass window that separated the entrance area from the mat. As I watched the master at work I was star-struck, which was something I had rarely if ever been prior to this moment. I immediately called my best friend from jiu-jitsu to tell him the news. He was not there so I left him a message and said Guess who is standing in front of me? I remember standing, gazing intensely with my bag around my shoulder and my head tilted back. It was surreal, I was very much present in the moment, experiencing learning, learning from him and about him on many levels. I could have sat down but my curiousness overcame my need for comfort. Rickson was leading his students in a session of solo body movement drills. Rickson had a routine that resembled jiu-jitsu movements. To my knowledge much of it looked like the famous Alvaro Romano's Ginastica Natural. Ginastica Natural is a combination of body movements geared toward BJJ, almost yoga-esque but for combat athletes. Not many people

practiced it in their studios at the time. It was very interesting to watch how fluid Rickson was while doing it. I then saw him teach BJJ techniques to his class. I saw Rickson's interaction with all of his students and remained transfixed as I watched. I was surprised at his level of energy and thoughtfulness for his students. I had thought with his status that he would have been above going into the trenches and individually helping each student. I was wrong. Rickson was a very caring master, he would help each student until he saw they performed the movement right. Seeing this from my idol impacted me immediately. I thought to myself, this is the way to teach and this is the way to learn. You need to touch, to place your hands on the student, to guide them with your body and mind. After those watchful moments, I went over to the secretary at the front desk and said Hi, my name is Ken Primola, I am affiliated with Rickson's Association and would like to train today. I was not sure my affiliate card worked. I had attended a seminar many months back in Philadelphia with an associate of Rickson to ensure I would somehow be included in his affiliation if it ever came down to the politics of it. In practice I was not affiliated but in theory I was, at least I thought I was. In actuality, at that time I didnt know what truly being affiliated with Rickson meant. His

association seemed a bit more regimented and tighter than many I had known. Regardless of my expectations, she was of little help finding my name in the computer system. Still wanting to train but not being recognized as an affiliate I said Is there anything I can do to train here, today, now. She said I would need to pay $20 and wait until after class. I could spar during what was called an open mat training session. This is basically where you spar for ten minute intervals with a different student each time and are not taught. So I waited and watched the final moments of class anxiously. The wait and watching for me was still such a gift. As open mat began I strolled unnoticed to the locker room and got changed. Rickson was busy sparring and did not see me enter. I came out onto the mat and Rickson stared me up and down intensely as if to say who the fuck are you? I hurriedly came over to him, smiled, and shook his hand. He did not smile at me, he was stoic. I quickly said I am here for open mat. He paused, then said where do you train? I nervously responded I train with Rodrigo Medeiros. He said who? So I kind of stood next to him speechless, sensing what he was doing. I had seen a picture of Rickson and Rodrigo together at one point and knew they knew of one another. I also knew one of Rodrigo's students had beaten Rickson's son Kron when they were very young children. Basically, Rickson was posturing like he did not

know Rodrigo for whatever reason he had. Then, almost immediately, I said I also trained under your brother Rorion's Philadelphia association at one time. I knew Rickson could not deny his own kin. Rickson then said Why do you train at so many places, you need to find one school. He looked rather put off, I was sensing I was not welcome. But he allowed me to stay despite his irritation. So, the open BJJ sparring began. Rickson put me with one of his blue belts and I was doing well against him. I was also a blue belt at the time. Blue belt was considered a Novice level in BJJ. Rickson was standing within five feet of us, looking at me, looking at each movement I was making. I was dominating his student and he was intensely staring at me the whole time. Rickson put me to spar with another one of his students and I was doing very well against him too. Rickson then put me with a Brazilian guy named Charlie ( if I recall) and although I was doing well against him, he was very good. But my background of many years of wrestling was allowing me to keep up with him. He put me in a submission hold known as a triangle choke, and I broke out of it. A triangle choke is where your opponent has their legs wrapped around your head and arms, essentially stopping the blood-flow to the brain. Rickson was standing there watching and when we

came back to a neutral point Rickson was telling him what to do in Portuguese. Rickson was not happy with his pupil. Rickson, seeing how no one was clearly dominating me decided it would be his turn to spar with me. Rickson came over to my area and got on his knees, I was on mine. I looked at him with no emotion, pretending it did not matter who he was. As we shook hands he looked at me cheerlessly and said Let's test your skills. After we shook hands I lifted my butt up off of my heels and began to engage in an upper body strategy, looking for an arm-drag opportunity. I used this tactic on everyone better than me and it usually worked. An armdrag is where I pull the person's arm across their body, attempting to get behind them. As I went to drag his arm he simultaneously sat back. I'm not sure if this was his intention or by accident, but I was sure of my intention before we started and it did not work out as I planned. When I tried to come back up to a neutral position I realized I was stuck in a triangle choke. I quickly sat back and stepped my leg over his body in order to escape, as I had done with his student earlier. He obviously was paying attention to me grappling with Charlie. He sat back and put me in a straight ankle-lock. He leaned back and squeezed. This is when your ligaments in your ankle get stressed out to the point where they may even tear or you even have bones

broken. I did not want to tap. Tapping is when you tap your opponent or on the mat, signaling a submission. I never tap to straight ankle-locks simply because of pride and because they usually do not hurt that much. I had broken the ligaments over the years, so I hardly feel it anymore and am desensitized. But Rickson's ankle-lock was so precise I started hearing crackling noises on the top of my ankle. I was sure he heard them also. I wanted to hold out as long as possible against Rickson. One part of me wanted to show him how tough I was and another was hoping I could slip out of it. I quickly realized that wasnt going to happen, so I unwillingly tapped. I felt if I had waited a moment longer it would have simply fractured. He got up, looked me in the eyes and tapped the mats three times and said you have to tap. I felt he may have been thinking to himself that I was stupid for holding out, not tough. We squared back up on our knees from a neutral position. I held my head low, looking down, awaiting our next hand-shake to signal to begin again. We went a few more times. I remember he had passed my guard (my legs in front of him) pretty easily and not many black belts were able to do this without at least some struggle. He proceeded to tap me maybe a few more times and then he just got up and walked away, leaving me there with time still remaining. I felt rather stupid as others were still training and I was

just sitting there. I don't know if this was his intent, but I just sat there and thought to myself how awkward it felt. After time ran out Rickson put me with one of his better students named Noah. Noah was beating me pretty good and after some time was catching me in submission holds. Then when I went against Charlie a second time and it was much easier for him. Now he was submitting me. It was like after Rickson beat me others were able to. I don't know what you call this phenomena, but it was the reality for me. I stopped rolling after Charlie so I could watch others. Noah was going against a bigger blue belt at the time. The blue belt was beating Noah in many positions and was a lot bigger and stronger than he was. They rolled for a good while and when it was over Rickson was commenting at Noah from across the room. Rickson's comments were personal, they had nothing to do with any one specific technique or position. He was talking about how Noah reacted and about his mental state while rolling. Rickson was breaking Noah's game down from a personality standpoint. Noah was listening intently and respectfully. This impressed me and left an impact on my vision of the art. So many times in my life I had been told what to do, but rarely have I been told or commented to about what my intentions were through the eyes of another. I felt this took a lot of time and caring energy. Rickson had

obviously cultivated a real relationship with his student. This was different than many other jiu-jitsu schools I had attended. Many times a teacher will just speak on the technical aspect of their student or simply speak at the student. Rickson spoke to you, as the person. Moments after, I watched Rickson spar against that same big, strong blue belt, today that guy is one of his well-known black belts. Rickson proceeded to effortlessly impose his will. Rickson looked very smooth, slow and methodical, like he was gliding. He ended his sparring session with a very creative submission technique that I still use to this day. After the training session had ended I sat around the side of the mat with my back against the wall by myself. Others talked amongst one another. I was just sitting there, absorbing it all in. I asked Rickson if he could show me a certain position regarding how he was passing the guard. He looked a little weary but he then obliged by giving me his ear and looking at me as if to say okay. I did not have a specific question in my head. I just had an idea in my mind hoping for an epiphany-like answer. I asked about how he passes the guard. I know asking specific questions allows the teacher to understand my level of knowledge and my appreciation for recognizing my game as it was happening. However, instead of getting one specific answer I wanted a larger principle or theory if you will.

After he showed me the technical answer with some theory he sat back and began speaking to me. He spoke to me and at me in the same breath. He looked down and began making hand gestures and then looked into my eyes confidently and said I don't give my jiu-jitsu to anybody. These people here, they are my brothers, I trust them with what I teach them, they are part of my family. I nodded as if to say continue, go on. He then said You train with one guy one day and another the next. You need to find one place. Rickson looked into my eyes and then stared straight ahead. He extended his hand at nothing, paused, and said I believe I could help you reach your true potential. The whole time Rickson was talking to me I was cool and calm on the outside, but inside I was beside myself with excitement. I actually had to concentrate on what he was saying, extra, because my nerves were so awry. As Rickson was talking I was literally thinking to myself, at this moment in time Rickson is talking to me out of anyone else in the whole world. And so many others would like to be sitting right here as I am. To me, even though the level of notoriety was obviously different, it felt like if I loved basketball I got to play one on one with Michael Jordan and then sit with him afterwards. That is the best way I can describe it.

One of Rickon's black belts then came over, interrupted us, and began talking about something unrelated. I remained quiet as they began talking. Their conversation went into a different direction and I kind of made my way toward the locker room as everyone was getting dressed. These were our last words. In looking back on my experience, I am happy and feel fortunate I placed myself in a position to train with Rickson Gracie. I often wonder what my life would be like if the circumstances were different, if I had stayed in Los Angeles to train under Rickson, had I taken him up on his offer. I am happy with my choice to stay loyal to my professor at the time. In fact, after having the good fortune to visit Rickson, I appreciated Rodrigo even more. Unfortunately I had to relocate back to the East Coast. I still have a lot of love for Rodrigo and his lessons. In retrospect, I think training at various places helped me grow and depending on one person to make me better would not have been the best path for me at the time. I needed to understand this for myself. Over time I came to realize the strength of serving a master, and the strength of the deep relationship that can elevate the jiu-jitsu beyond technique. I still train at various places and explore, but I am loyal to those I trust. Today, during most times, that loyal relationship is to learning and not just to people.

Was Rickson all I made him out to be, what everyone has made him out to be which lead me to this moment? My best answer is simply, I don't know. I could not at that moment ascertain his skill level because he was far beyond my own. Today I am a 4-year black belt and 14-year veteran in BJJ and I am still not sure if I could make that judgment now. Ten years later I think about that day, but on a much deeper level than simply technical proficiency. Frankly, what happened physically during sparring doesn't mean that much to me now as it did then. I think it is often a natural human instinct to measure greatness by comparison. Yet the influence I took from the experience was more than a comparison of his skill to mine. Ricksons greatness went much deeper. In order for me to look back and better understand this moment with Rickson, I first have to look through what is happening right in front of me. Today techniques have come a long way, easily spread with the rise of the internet and other media outlets. It's dissemination is worldwide and has brought our community closer. The jiu-jitsu revolution and evolution is happening at a rapid pace. Certainly the advent of the internet has become a huge benefit in providing techniques, interviews, and given us extremely valuable information we may not have otherwise learned about, even acting as a supplement for many practitioners. Many primary relationships have

been formed and flourished where distance and circumstance would have prevented it altogether. However, as someone who went to law school and majored in communication studies during my undergraduate years, I would be hardpressed not to also see the other side. While for many technology has been a benefit, for others the medium may have lost some of the message, even becoming the message, wholly replacing the messenger, taking away the human element of our art known as the relationship. What to make of community? Is the community truly closer or is it merely an allusion? Are we in fact more isolated when we study on our own, in front a computer screen rather than in person? Is a community allowed to liberally take notes better than the community Rickson encourages, the one demanding us to be present and take notice? I do not know the answers. I try to take the positive from every interaction I have. I only know that when I think about Rickson Gracie today, I think about how he treated those he knew and trusted. Surely Rickson could make videos and other media and become a sensation overnight to strangers. But this is not the way of Rickson. Rickson chooses to keep his jiu-jitsu personal and pass it on to those in front of him. Whether this is the best way or not, I cannot judge. I

can only watch and learn. In retrospect, what I bore witness to then was simply a pretext to what I learned today. As a great teacher of mine once spoke Perhaps all important teaching is pretextual - we think we are being taught one thing but in fact we are given a glimpse of the larger truths which cannot be conveyed directly, which cannot be heard, but only over heard if we are indeed fortunate and deserving. Humbly, I shall end this story with what I over-heard; I learned about brotherhood, trust, and caring, the covenants of humanness which truly preserve our art. Special Thanks I would like to thank the Gracies for having the courage and will to help bring jiu-jitsu to the United States and introduce me to their art. I would also like to thank Roy Rutter for the privilege to study under him and learn the gentle art the way it was meant to be taught, the Gracie Way, from generation to generation, father to son, brother to brother, soul to soul. The gavel has now been passed. For further information on Kens work see Amazon book suppliers. For instructional information see: www.worldchampiontakedownblueprint.com www.superbeginnerbjj.com www.facebooktrafficrenegade.com