Every training session gives you a valuable opportunity to live up to your highest expectations - even if it’s only for a few hours. It’s really a one-of-a-kind chance. Within the walls of the jiu jitsu academies there’s a widespread sense of cooperation and camaraderie that you don’t often find out in the world.

As soon as you arrive at the academy, you’ll be able to dispense with everything that holds you back and exhausts you in life. Just leave it all behind - financial woes, job worries, troubling political events in the world.

This is a time to let the best attributes of your personality show.

The respect you have for your teammates shines through in your appearance. Your gi is clean. You have well-manicured nails. When you set foot on the mats, you bow. You heartily welcome all of your friends, both new and old. These are people you might have never met if not for jiu jitsu. Think about it: When was the last time you approached a total stranger and shook his or her hand? What we share as jiu jitsu players transcends language, cultures and classes.

During your training you will often be reminded of the judo concept of “mutual benefit.” Your reason for being here is to learn, and to be available to help your teammates learn too. Training is not a competition. It’s a co-operative effort among friends. In this way, as your teammates improve, they will assist you and encourage you to improve. You can think of this type of training as a community activity.

It’s essential that you concentrate wholeheartedly on your training. It’s easy to float through everyday life without paying attention to what’s happening to us or around us. We let our thoughts drift. Our bodies are on autopilot. But on the mats, you should be fully engaged. This is known as “being in the moment” in yoga - when the physical and mental states are centered on the same action. If your thoughts are on TV shows you want to watch or video games you want to play, or problems in the family or political issues, you won’t be able to give your best effort to your training.

When you’re sparring, you must put your heart into what you’re doing so that your teammates will truly benefit. Rolling in class isn’t a competition, but it isn’t time to slack off, either. You must be as good as you know how to be. That said, you don’t need to try to be the most outstanding student in the class or think you have to rise to world-renowned status. It means giving your best effort and being the best training partner you can be.

Even more than a sport, jiu jitsu can be regarded as an activity that will help you discover your deepest, truest self. No, you may never become a world champion in the sport. Nevertheless, you need to work at your highest level - always. This is a valuable lesson that can be translated from the mats into the world outside the academy.

Draculino holds a 4th degree black belt in jiu jitsu, has been a world champion several times, and trains people who have become champions in BJJ, MMA, and grappling. If you are interested in reading more about him, visit his BJJ training site or visit the jiu jitsu forum.