Awesome Jiu Jitsu
I love watching Otavio Sousa. He's a 2-time Black Belt World Champion and considered one of the great modern day jiu jitsu competitors. Lots of people know him for his difficult "situp guard" and the high pace that he imposes on all of his opponents.
But, in the finals of the Atlanta BJJ Pro, we get to see one of the other skills in his repertoire--and indeed, something that is essential to the gentle art: BASE (or one's base of support). Here's what my good friend (and one of my first jiu jitsu instructors), Josh Vogel, has to say about base:
Base refers to your base of support. A base of support is made up of whatever points of support you have with an object. If you are standing, your two feet are your points of support and your base of support would be the straight line drawn between your two feet. If you place one hand on the ground (and shift some weight onto it) you have three points of support on the ground and your base becomes a triangle shape. That's your base and that's what people are talking about.
This is a really exciting match. Sousa squares off against Jaime Canuto (GF Team), a former surfer who is also a decorated competitor. Canuto throws a bunch of different attacks at Sousa from the bottom position (guard) and tries to off-balance and sweep Sousa, who parries these attacks, recenters his body, and...maintains his base.
Eventually, Sousa starts to pass Canuto's guard and creates a small opening to secure the submission. It's beautiful to watch. I watched the entire match twice and marveled at Sousa's ability to pounce on Canuto's arm, which was momentarily left open in this scramble. Sousa's base, in other words, keeps him from getting swept and allows him to gain the advantage and submit his opponent.
Base as a Foundation & Source of Resiliency
As it turns out, base is one of the first things people learn when they walk into a jiu jitsu academy. As a newcomer, you must learn how to stand properly in base. This idea is harder than it sounds, but once you master it, you become harder to take you down, which is a gigantic part of jiu jitsu's self-defense lineage.
The concept of base also has tremendous application in a self-help context. We might even think of "base" as the foundation that keeps us from falling apart during periods of adversity.
Our lives are filled with personal and professional adversity. To be alive is to face unpleasant experiences. Maybe you have a pressing deadline; or, you are dealing with an illness or injury; or, you're worried about something hanging over you at work. Whatever the case may be, your ability to weather these storms and the many other curveballs in life is shaped by the people, routines, and thoughts that fill your everyday life. These are, for all intents and purposes, your base.
Adversity is difficult because it upsets our routines. But, as tough as it can be, adversity doesn't have to derail you. I've found that I deal with adversity better when I double down on my base; I keep my routines consistent, focus on my core beliefs, and make sure to surround myself with a strong support network of family and friends. This is a theme echoed in the world of positive psychology, too.
And if none of this helps you, try thinking about the big picture. Shift your perspective. Think about how past adversity has molded your character, or opened up unanticipated opportunities. Walt Disney once said, "All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me...You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you."
I hope you have a strong base to draw upon. If not, develop one and practice relying upon it during moments that threaten to throw you off-kilter. In other words, be like Otavio! Have an unshakeable base in the face of adversity.
I love watching Otavio Sousa. He's a 2-time Black Belt World Champion and considered one of the great modern day jiu jitsu competitors. Lots of people know him for his difficult "situp guard" and the high pace that he imposes on all of his opponents.
 |
| Otavio's solid base has crushed many guards |
But, in the finals of the Atlanta BJJ Pro, we get to see one of the other skills in his repertoire--and indeed, something that is essential to the gentle art: BASE (or one's base of support). Here's what my good friend (and one of my first jiu jitsu instructors), Josh Vogel, has to say about base:
Base refers to your base of support. A base of support is made up of whatever points of support you have with an object. If you are standing, your two feet are your points of support and your base of support would be the straight line drawn between your two feet. If you place one hand on the ground (and shift some weight onto it) you have three points of support on the ground and your base becomes a triangle shape. That's your base and that's what people are talking about.
This is a really exciting match. Sousa squares off against Jaime Canuto (GF Team), a former surfer who is also a decorated competitor. Canuto throws a bunch of different attacks at Sousa from the bottom position (guard) and tries to off-balance and sweep Sousa, who parries these attacks, recenters his body, and...maintains his base.
Eventually, Sousa starts to pass Canuto's guard and creates a small opening to secure the submission. It's beautiful to watch. I watched the entire match twice and marveled at Sousa's ability to pounce on Canuto's arm, which was momentarily left open in this scramble. Sousa's base, in other words, keeps him from getting swept and allows him to gain the advantage and submit his opponent.
Base as a Foundation & Source of Resiliency
As it turns out, base is one of the first things people learn when they walk into a jiu jitsu academy. As a newcomer, you must learn how to stand properly in base. This idea is harder than it sounds, but once you master it, you become harder to take you down, which is a gigantic part of jiu jitsu's self-defense lineage.
 |
| Beginners learn standing in base |
Our lives are filled with personal and professional adversity. To be alive is to face unpleasant experiences. Maybe you have a pressing deadline; or, you are dealing with an illness or injury; or, you're worried about something hanging over you at work. Whatever the case may be, your ability to weather these storms and the many other curveballs in life is shaped by the people, routines, and thoughts that fill your everyday life. These are, for all intents and purposes, your base.
 |
| Instead of worrying, rely on your base |
And if none of this helps you, try thinking about the big picture. Shift your perspective. Think about how past adversity has molded your character, or opened up unanticipated opportunities. Walt Disney once said, "All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me...You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you."
I hope you have a strong base to draw upon. If not, develop one and practice relying upon it during moments that threaten to throw you off-kilter. In other words, be like Otavio! Have an unshakeable base in the face of adversity.
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