BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU AT KOGEN DOJO

The martial arts have always been more than a physical practice for self defense or sport for me. They are a spiritual, philosophical, and moral path. It is not that the martial arts are particularly special in this way. There are many paths that are as, or more, well suited for personal development as the martial arts. Ultimately, one gets out of a practice what he or she puts into it. This is simply the path I have chosen, or that was chosen for me. 

I began practicing martial arts as a way to resolve the conflict that exists inside me, with the hope that this would also help me resolve conflict with others. What I found was this and much more. 

Martial arts have given me not only a physical and mental operating system for problem solving and conflict resolution, but also a community, a sense of purpose and belonging, and a means of expressing myself creatively. 

Additionally, the martial arts have reignited my passion for learning and for the arts in general, something I somehow lost on the way to adulthood. Finally, through martial arts I have discovered that I love teaching, sharing the knowledge and skills that have been shared with me, and using my experience to help others discover their personal power and confidence. 

All of this to say, the martial arts have given me a lot. It is a debt I can never repay. I have had amazing teachers, training partners, and mentors. I can only hope to be the same for others, something I try to do through Kogen Dojo in Severna Park and Annapolis, MD where I teach and train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I hope to see you on the mats someday. 

Robert Van Valkenburgh

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