BJJ vs. Skin Infections

With MRSA and the Staph in the news recently, I wanted to post prevention measures that everyone can take to keep their skin clear of infection.

Prevention:
1. Always train in a clean gi, Fungus and bacteria love to grow on dirty gis. Besides, how would you like it if your training partner wore a dirty gi? Remember the golden rule: Dirty Gis Spread Disease!

2. Make sure fingernails and toenails are clipped short before you train. Not only can you injure your training partner with long nails, scratched skin allows easy entry for fungus. Also, fungus loves to grow under long fingernails and toenails. We sell clippers at the academy for 2$, get your own and keep them in your bag.

3. Wash arms and face immediately following training. Don't wait until you get home; that may be too late to prevent infections on the surface of your skin from taking root. If you have far to go to get home, consider using the Academy shower.

4. Immediately shower when you return home after training. If you go to sleep without showering, millions of fungus may be sleeping with you. Try to explain that to your wife/girlfriend/kids/etc.

If you do become infected with MRSA or Staph, go to the doctor immediately. Do not wait. MRSA can be treated but it is a very fast moving bug. Read the post on MRSA for symptoms. Regular staph is really dangerous too. Don't wait, go.

If you become infected with Ringworm (see post for details), you can use natural alternatives such as tea tree oil or commercial meds like micatin, lotrimin.

Note: The information contained above is not meant as medical advice; but, rather, as suggestions you might want to explore on your own to protect your health. Any treatment you choose is ultimately your responsibility and the Academy, Academy Owner and Preparer of this informational post will not be liable for any adverse health effects encountered in connection with the above information.

History, Tradition, Respect - Part 1

I have been meaning to write this post for some time. It has been daunting though and I was not able to focus my thoughts until this weekend where my wife and I took a nice fall walk through Mt. Auburn Cemetery which I highly recommend. Such a beautiful spot and a really nice observation tower in the middle with views over all of the changing colors of the landscape this time of year.

One of the first things that new members ask me about before they join is the history of the academy. I tell them that we are in our thirteenth year, ten in Watertown and two in our new location in Newton. But this is just time, here are some of the details.

1995-1997
The academy was located first in an office building on Walnut St in Watertown adjacent to a gym that used to be there. Roberto founded it with inspiration from his cousin Renzo who was successful with jiu jitsu in New York. Mark Fishman and Peter Macero might be able to tell you about the place. I wasn't there at the time. I know that they used to roll on foam without the cover and go home covered in small pieces of it as it would come apart as they rolled. Roberto had some real monster sized guys at the time and he used to tell me how sore he was when he got home from class.

1997-1999
Eventually the gym moved downstairs into the first level. This is the incarnation of the academy that I walked into. Nice grey matted area similar to now with padded walls and another room that was used for privates, adjacent training etc. The bathrooms were so bad, but eventually Roberto fixed it all up and it became very professional with an office and front desk. During this time, Patric, John Frankl, Kenny, Keith, Kirk Florian, the Balmes, Fishman, Peter Macero, the Kali, Will Kabat-Zinn could be found training on the mat with Patric and Kenny leading many of the classes including tournament classes. All of the classes were all levels at the time since we didn't have the numbers to differentiate them into beginner and advanced. Open mat was a little bit like the wild west and guys would come in from all over the place trying their skills with no intention of becoming members. They would usually get the Florian welcome and be on their way.

2000-2005
Good old Herb who can still be seen in the odd day class with Al when he isn't biking through Uzbekistan or complaining about the deer in his yard on the news owned the building but eventually sold it. The new owners moved Roberto upstairs next to the strangest boxing club you will ever go to, removing the sign from the road and making us nearly impossible to find. I still remember coming back from Vermont to find someone on the phone giving turn by turn directions to the place and the person on the other end still not finding it. Even though the location stunk, it was another very professional array complete with two rooms and the addition of showers which were nice.

Roberto was still doing construction full time as well as trying to run the academy. Babu and Tony and Richie Dimino were responsible for keeping the academy afloat during much of this time and should be commended for keeping it alive. Myself, Medina, Jay, Fred, Pellegrino, Aaron, Phil, Al, Jim DeLuca, Babu, Ikaro and many Dans were on the mat though I moved to Vermont in 2001 and didn't return until 2006.

2005-Present
With the lease closing on the location in Watertown and the building not anxious to renew (we were a bit loud for our neighbors), Roberto found the place in Newton. I can still remember coming in from Vermont for a visit and watching that industrial space being transformed by Babu and Roberto. At first it was a workshop, plugs every fifteen feet, radiant heat on the walls and some decrepit bathrooms. Man our place used to be cold. I have watched Roberto go wall to wall with mats, improve the bathrooms, build bleachers, paint and re paint, fix and re fix, have classes seven days a week, plus much more. Many of our conversations today revolve around continual improvements for the place.

He is never satisfied and always looking for the next project. I wouldn't be surprised if another academy or two emerged in the next year. Keep your eyes open for one opening in an neighborhood near you.

To be continued...
(old timers please email me with thoughts, corrections, etc. so I can add them - owenc@rocketmail.com)

Academy Rules

I thought I would post the academy rules so everyone knows what the expectation is at the academy. These are in progress. If you have a suggestion, send me an email. Thanks, Chris

Rules of the Academy

1. Keep a respectful posture on the dojo.

2. Classes begin with students lining up in descending grade order.

3. Classes end with a handshake to the instructor and everyone.

4. For safety reasons, if you are late sit by the side of the mat and wait for the permission from the Professor.

5. For safety reasons, if you need to leave the mat or leave earlier you must ask permission from the Professor.

6. Shake hands with your partner before and after practice.

7. Talking should be kept to a minimum level and should relate to the class subject.

8. Absolutely no foul language inside the school.

9. Keep finger and toe nails short and filed (not sharp) for everyone’s safety.

10. No Solicitation of non-sponsored academy events including ticket sales

11. The Kimono must be washed after every practice. A dirty kimono is a sign of disrespect.

12. When tying the Kimono, face the wall.

13. The belt represents your progress. Keep it on.

14. All metal objects, jewelry, piercing, necklace or other such items should be removed.

15. No shoes, food or drink on the mat.

16. No Cell Phones in the dojo area.

17. Nobody should be shirtless on the mat or out of the locker room

18. No neck cranks, knee-bars, heel hooks, intentional slamming during takedowns or guard work

19. Work out within your physical limits

20. Have fun!

Remember we train together not against one another

Thank You