L-R: Mike McPhail, Brian Clark, and Steven Utroska.
President Steven Utroska presided over today’s meeting. He thanked Mark Killingsworth for presiding last week in his absence.
Steven also gave today’s invocation and Wes Brooks led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mark Killingworth, Shane Germany, and Eric Rodgers served as our greeters today.
Mike McPhail thanked those who volunteered to help with today’s meeting. He noted that we have no visiting Rotarians and no visitors.
Mike McPhail then introduced today’s guest speaker, Brian Clark, a Jiu-Jitsu instructor in Sumrall.
Brian noted that he had an experience in early childhood that taught him three things about himself. The incident involved him picking up another friend as they were wrestling. He did the feat effortlessly and was completely surprised. That incident taught him that he had done something efficiently; that he had accomplished something and that he had competed well. The seeds were planted for him to become a Jiu-Jitsu instructor. He began Karate training in 1999 but had to give it up when he went to college. He resumed his training in 2005 and continues today. He opened his school in Sumrall in 2010 with the support of his wife, and has been successful.
Jiu-Jitsu originated in Japan and was known as “The Gentle Art.” The martial art made its way to America from Brazil in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Brian says it can be defined as "unarmed" close combat systems used to defeat or control an enemy who is similarly unarmed. Basic methods of attack include hitting or striking, thrusting or punching, kicking, throwing, pinning or immobilizing, strangling, and joint locking.
Brian teaches three levels. He teaches students first to not allow whatever the opponent wants to do. The second level is to take advantage of what the opponent is offering, such as hands, arms, etc. The third level is to take what you want from your opponent. He says the main benefit of Jiu-Jitsu is not self-defense but rather the social confidence that is learned in the art.
If you want to look for a school for yourself or your children, he says do your homework. Make sure the school you choose is teaching morals ethical conduct. For more information, you can call Brian at (601) 447-2670.
Steven thanked those who attended today and then adjourned the meeting with our motto, "Service Above Self."