I first wrote about training in other dojos and the reward that they can bring. Today was another night of that. I participated in a practice session for the first time with the CEO and co-founder of the Blind Judo Foundation, Sensei Cahill’s dojo. There are quite a few more black and brown belts than what I generally get to practice with. I have to say its such a huge benefit in terms of measuring personal progress. The different body types, techniques and skill level force you to change your everyday game. I had a kid probably near half my age sweeping me like a pile of leaves. To realize I have such a huge hole in my game will help me progress.

Whether the purpose of your training is a sport like MMA or to study a single art such as Shaolin Kung-Fu, Shōtōkan-ryū, or Muay Thai, you must mix it up. You simply neuter your own game by not doing so. MMA fighters are known to travel to different “camps” (i.e. “Gracie Camp”) to close gaps in their game.

The greatest masters would always travel the world teaching and learning constantly. Just think how a person would excel, traveling the world testing their skill. Everyone has to start somewhere, right? If you’re reading this, you’ll know how to use the phone book. If you want some Web 2.0 tips on how to meet, teach and learn amongst fellow pupils, try the websites I listed below. The two are great tools to get people with the same interest to congregate in a variety of environments. Just to be clear, I am in no way sponsored by any but simply provide information on what I have used and work.

Yahoo’s Upcoming

Meetup

In a future post I will go into detail how using these sites can benefit your martial arts dojo.