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Larry L. Lewis, Jr. Personal Section:
Larry's Martial Arts Journey



Physical Fitness


Mental Toughness


Spiritual Wellness


Things I Have
(And Haven't) Done



Larry's Martial Arts Journey


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The following links provide information on two distinctly different Martial Arts in which I am currently training. I’m a firm believer that Martial Arts can be most beneficial for persons from all walks of life.
 
For those of us who innately possess a fighting spirit, the Martial Arts can provide balance, and a constructive sense of direction and purpose for our energies. If someone is in need of building up his or her self-confidence, while improving his or her physical fitness, the Martial Arts can offer an energetic and invigorating avenue for developing a variety of skills and techniques.
 
I don’t believe that one can learn all that he or she needs to know from one specific Martial Art. An excellent Martial Arts instructor once told me: “100% of fights begin on the feet, and 95% of them end with both combatants on the ground." So the two Martial Arts showcased here will cover all aspects of hand to hand combat from the feet to the ground.
 
Click to Enlarge
Photo of the LTrain at his TKD Black Belt Testing using his right fist to smash through a stack of wood on bricks in order to get to the Black Belt that had been placed underneath the boards.
Photo of 6th Degree Master Rick Morad tying on the LTrain's Black Belt for the very first time.
Photo of the LTrain adjusting the fit of his new Black Belt.
Photo of the LTrain bowing to 6th Degree Master Rick Morad after receiving his TKD Black Belt.
Taekwondo is loosely translated as “The way of the hand and foot”. It is a Korean-based Martial Art that focuses a great deal on kicking and punching techniques which are practiced in a series of movements that are performed in specified patterns.
 
Emphasis is also placed on breaking objects such as boards with both the hands and the feet, and there is also a sparring element to this Art. If you are blind and wishing to partake in this activity, accept the reality that if you have a good instructor who doesn’t have a problem accepting your visual impairment, YOU WILL GET HIT. It’s unavoidable, and it’s the only way that you’re going to learn how to turn a defensive sparring situation into an offensive, proactive sparring session. To read more about Taekwondo and it’s history, please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tae_Kwon_Do.
 
I began my Taekwondo journey over 20 years ago while attending college in the Chicago-land area. Many thanks to the Ahn Family, particularly Sarah and Eun, who did not allow my blindness to detour their efforts in providing me with exemplary Taekwondo instruction.
 
I have since resumed my Taekwondo training at T&T Martial Arts.
 
If you live in the Cleveland, Ohio Area, and are interested in studying this Martial Art, or if you are already a Taekwondo student visiting the Cleveland, Ohio Area, give Master Ted a call and come down and join us for a lively workout!
 
Video thumbnail showing Larry Lewis working double leg takedowns with Instructor Darren of Team Royler Gracie / David Adiv
Click on the video thumbnail above to see Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in action and enjoy the LTrain getting taken down to the mat in the process!
I began my journey into Gracie Jiu-Jitsu early in 2006, and with each passing day, I am totally captivated by this Martial Art. To read more about Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and its history please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Gracie_Jiu_Jitsu#Origin.
 
This is an excellent Martial Art for those of us who are blind because combatants are in such close proximity to one another, and generally, there is a physical connection between the two participants whereby persons who are vision impaired are pretty much on an equal playing field with sighted participants.
 
While I have a few years of high school wrestling under my belt, nothing could have prepared me for my first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu lesson where my 145 pound instructor effortlessly tied my 210 pound frame into a million knots!
 
If you live in the Cleveland, Ohio Area and want to drop by to either watch or participate in a class, or if you currently practice Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and are visiting the Cleveland, Ohio Area, please visit www.evolutionjj.com to learn more about Royler Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in Cleveland, Ohio.
 
To visit the Team Royler US Headquarters, overseen by Mr. David Adiv, please visit www.roylergracie.com
 
If you’re ever in the Los Angeles Area, and want to train at the birthplace of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu within the United States, please visit www.gracieacademy.com.
 
If you would like to listen to and watch a “60 Minutes” special on Mixed Martial Arts, and witness Renzo Gracie putting a “beat down” on a formidable opponent, please visit www.dailymotion.com/video/xs69t_de100660mins.
 
Photo of a Video Clip of brothers Rickson and Royler Gracie demonstrating the effectiveness of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in various self defense situations. Click on the photo of the video still to the left to watch a Gracie Jiu Jitsu self-defense demonstration whereby brothers Rickson and Royler Gracie demonstrate the effectiveness of this amazing Martial Art.
 
For persons who are vision-impaired, this demonstration is not very audibly described, but showcases a variety of grappling techniques designed to both protect one from, and subdue a would-be assailant.
 
Blogger Logo Follow the LTrain's BlindJits Blog!
 
I’ve started a Blog chronicling my journey through Royler Gracie / David Adiv Jiu Jitsu over the past few years in an attempt to share my experiences and perspective as a totally blind participant attempting to progress in this amazing art.
 
Just click the blogger logo above, or the link provided below to read my blog postings. Once there, click the "Follow This Blog" link to keep up on these postings as they are made available.
 
I’ll try to post something of significance once or twice a week, so feel free to share this blog with anyone you believe might be interested!
 
LTrain's BlindJits Blog: http://gracie-blindjits.blogspot.com/

On Thursday, March 19, 2009, the LTrain trained with Eddie Bravo and ended up in Joe Rogan's rear naked choke! Check out the poor quality cell phone photos below!
 

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