Lesson with Jiří Procházca

[Tony Dismukes]

Posting this because I think that some of our TMA guys who normally don’t care about MMA might appreciate some of Jiří’s perspective.

 

[Flying Crane]

I can relate to what he said about the need for the ability to train alone. That has been my message for decades. Don’t just go to class, turn off the brain and follow the leader to get a “good workout” without actually learning anything or developing real skills. Breathe hard, get in shape (maybe) but learn nothing.

I’ve always said, take what you are taught, go work on it by yourself, get corrections in class, but keep working outside of class. Own it, find inspiration within yourself to train, find joy in the training itself, for its own sake, not because of some goal. At the end of the day, you gotta stand on your own two feet. Working on your own is often where you really begin to make it your own. Develop your independence within your own training, don’t just copy your teacher.

 

[isshinryuronin]

I can relate to what he said about the need for the ability to train alone. That has been my message for decades. Don’t just go to class, turn off the brain and follow the leader to get a “good workout” without actually learning anything or developing real skills. Breathe hard, get in shape (maybe) but learn nothing.

I’ve always said, take what you are taught, go work on it by yourself, get corrections in class, but keep working outside of class. Own it, find inspiration within yourself to train, find joy in the training itself, for its own sake, not because of some goal. At the end of the day, you gotta stand on your own two feet. Working on your own is often where you really begin to make it your own. Develop your independence within your own training, don’t just copy your teacher.

Class can only teach so much (and this can be a lot!). Mostly the gross external physical mechanics. Usually in class one is trying to get this part done and to keep up with the instructor's count, "ichi, ni, san, shi, ichi ni san shi..." and in some schools, wrenching out blood curdling kiais. Your focus is on all these external things, but this is enough for the first couple of years or so.

There is little opportunity in class to look inward and explore and feel your body which the more advanced student needs to do to improve from the inside out. I've found that all the subtle and internal things that improve you are discovered when you're on your own at your own pace, relaxed and in tune, not with the instructor or class, but with yourself.

 

[Buka]

It was even more fun watching that a second time.

 

[marvin8]

Jiří Procházka, a TMAist with a black belt in Kyokushin karate, trains in the Slovak mountains.

MulliganBrothers
Mar 29, 2025

Jiří Procházka UFC Documentary - The Road to Glory