BJJ Norcal

We all train for our own reasons.  Some for the love of it, some the camraderie, some the self-defense - whatever your varied reasons, we can all agree that staying healthy is paramount.  The importance of our health has been brought to the fore with all the news about MRSA and flesh eating disease.  Very, very scary stuff.  Personally, I never, ever want to get anything like that.  I can promise you that if it did happen, I'd have my bjj card revoked for life from my family.   As much as I love bjj, life is too short.

So what do I do?  I take care of myself and my training partners.  Here is how:

1. Eat Right - I follow a pretty strict diet most of the time that limits processed sugars.  It is a known fact that sugar lowers immune response.  This is my first line of defense most of the time.  Hey, I gotta have my ice cream!

2. Shower - I shower after every class.  No exceptions. 

3. Do Laundry - I wash my gi after every class.  I also wear a clean, fresh gi to every class.  I never, ever wear a used, wet gi.  If you don't have more than one gi, buy one.  It's a small investment if you are serious about the sport.  Plus look at all the cool new patches you can buy!

4. Treat Open Cuts and Scrapes - If I see open scrapes or cuts, as often happens training, I treat them immediately after my shower with an antibacterial gel.  I like StaphAseptic.  It smells good and I only use a little bit on open cuts and scrapes, so a little tube of the MRSA kiling gel goes a long way.  I have had the small size for about a year with no end in sight.

5. Wear Headgear - Ok, this one is a break from the microbiological fears, but I had to put it on here.  I really like my ears.  To take care of my only set, I use the Cliff Keen F5.  Never slips off - just awesome.

6. Wash the Mats - If you own a school make sure you wash the mats daily.  If you are a student, ask if your school is doing it.  If they are running a school, charging students, they should be all over this.  If for some weird reason they refuse, offer to help out with the cleaning.  No sense getting sick over something easy.

7. Roll with Control - I have seen lots of people get way, way too aggressive resulting in injuries.  Typically they hurt themselves against better players.  If they roll with lower belts, they hurt the other guy.  It is a bad vibe for a school, bad for retention, and slows learning.  Take it a little easier on the mat and you'll be protecting everyone.

See you on the mat!

Paul