JiuJitsu Zodiacs: Learning Self-Control from the Capricorn
As a free spirited Cancer, I have always admired, and at times, envied the Capricorn and other earth based elements. Life for me is often experienced like a roller coaster, rocketing up and dropping down in waves of excitement and dullness. It is a life filled with adventure, but can often be emotionally exhausting. Perhaps that's why I have such a strong admiration and fondness for Capricorns. Known for their consistency, timeliness and dependability, my Capricorn teammates and friends help to ground me, as well as teach me that life doesn't have to consist of jumping from one adventure to the next. Let's take a quick glance and then a deeper look at some of the characteristics of the Capricorns and what they look like in JiuJitsu.At a Glance
Favorite submission - Cross-Collar choke from closed guard/mount.
Likes - The familiar.
Dislikes - Tardiness.
Best known for - Old school pressure passing.
Strengths
Responsible, Self-Disciplined, reliable and dependable. Capricorns are naturals to the traits of a martial artist, and consequently, are often role models at their academy. During drilling time, while the water zodiacs are practicing berimbolos and the latest YouTube technique, you will find the Capricorn patiently drilling the technique until told to stop. They tend to strive for perfection in all areas of their lives and want to drill until they feel that they have truly mastered a technique. Because Capricorns are known for their consistency and dependability, don't be surprised to find that many key-holders and assistant kids coaches belong to this sign.
Weaknesses
The Capricorn, like the other earth types of the zodiac, loves what is familiar and known. The place a high value on tradition and the fundamentals, which is easy to see in their game. You will typically see them garbed in a clean, simple, white gi, shaking their heads at things like butt-scooting, playing footsies while trying a leg lock, and exotic rashguards. Because of their nature, it can be easy for a Capricorn to fall into a rut with their game, and can find it challenging to add new, different techniques to their tool box. If you belong to this sign, I'd highly recommend keeping a journal on training. Pay close attention to techniques learned and used to make sure that your game isn't becoming stagnant.
Capricorns as Teammates
If five people commit to an open mat and only one of them shows up, I'd bet money that one person is a Capricorn. Consistency is a cornerstone of growing a JiuJitsu program, as well as developing as a martial artist. Their rock solid dependability therefore make Capricorns outstanding students and teammates. If you need someone to do extra training with you, try to grab a Capricorn. They'll not only show up, but put the work in once they get there.
Capricorns tend to place a high level of expectations upon themselves and can place those same expectations upon themselves. They can come across as a bit harsh, or judgmental at times as a consequence. If you find your pride mildly bruised by a Capricorn, just know that they only put effort into the things that they believe in and being around them will only push you to get better.
Capricorn Style
Don't expect fancy from a Capricorn's game. In fact, they will probably cringe if they hear you use the term "Sport JiuJitsu." They love the fundamentals, things like pressure passing, closed guard attacks and sweeps are what their game is most likely comprised of. They often insist on doing self-defense styled training for its practicality and tradition.
Capricorns and Me
Capricorns are almost an exact description of everything that I am not, which perhaps is what makes the Capricorns and Cancers so compatible. As a Cancer belonging to the water elements, I tend to crave excitement, adventure, and that next new experience. While the Capricorn relishes consistently working the same routine, it has the opposite impact on me and can become mundane. This means that my enthusiasm for training can fluctuate, from an all-in, this is all I want to do with life, to a I probably should focus on other things in life and become more "balanced."
I have found that Capricorns therefore make a great pairing with my personality. They help to ground me and keep me on task during training, when my brain wants to jump to something else. My personal challenge has been to learn from them, instead of leaning upon them to provide consistency. I do feel as though I've made a lot of improvement in this area, but I know that I still have a long way to go and I look forward to the process. While the Capricorns continue to demonstrate what consistency looks like, I hope that I can provide a little dash of excitement and adventure in return.
Conclusion
I hope that y'all enjoyed reading this! I know it's quite different from what I typically put out, but I hope I was able to get you to laugh and shake your head with a smile as I attempted to mesh my readings on personalities with the studies of astrology. I will be ever so slowly doing one of these for each zodiac sign, mixed in among the more usual material.
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