Page 48 - ISSUE 2

GRAPPLER Fall 2018

Relson Gracie BJJ

Koh Phangan is known to backpackers for its Full Built inside a structurally-sound abandoned
Moon Festival, an all-night beach party thrown during- development project, Silvio has partnered with Ivan to
you guessed it-a full moon. We found ourselves in the develop BJJ in the movement-inspired playground, that
heart of this community at the Slumber Party Hostel. The will soon rival any course on American Ninja Warrior.
main building is adorned with paint that reads, “Because Ivan lives in a bamboo hut attached to the six-meter wide,
you didn’t come here to sleep!” 16-meter long mats that are shaded by a roof of palm
fronds secured atop a bamboo frame. Peering through
Lucky for us, the moon was not full, and the place was the mountains and overlooking swaying palm trees that
empty. We split our four-bed dorm and threw our extra lead to the ocean, the mats are flanked to the right by
gear on the spare. After Koh Tao, Marshall headed back a large empty swimming pool decorated with graffiti.
to his Fight Club-inspired residence in Taipei to continue In the middle of the pool sits a pedestal, undoubtedly
the 10TH Planet continental infestation. The next day envisioned to host entertainers in its original conception,
was the only morning session planned for our trip, so we now host to Eric and his camera equipment.
called it an early night.
The surrounding pool deck is ornamented with a
With a pep in our step we rose, rented scooters and variety of improvised TRX-style bands, kettlebells, Brazilian countrymen face. As a single father, he decided This was inspiration enough for Eric to dive down,
set off to find the dojo. The Party Hostel was located on a inversion straps, and clothes drying in the sunlight planting roots in Koh Phangan was the best way to share grab a rock, and start running on the ocean floor. Rome
street Rome had affectionately dubbed “The Wild West” between classes. Silvio, followed closely by his daughter, his knowledge of BJJ and conduct a lifestyle agreeable and I seized the opportunity to catch up and we all took
for the dusty winds that engulfed the line of bars and entered the gate, gi in hand. with his nature. turns carrying the rock back and forth through the
restaurants. We were quickly clear of the dust and met by crystal clear water, weaving between reefs and boulders.
sunshine and shade as we cruised through the mountain “How are you brother!” he greeted us with a large smile. The vibe created by Ivan and Silvio flows into the Eventually, we brought the rock all the way back to shore.
breeze on our way to Momentum Mixed Movement holistic nature of movement; it is not predicated by It was a lot of fun.
Arts, home of Relson Gracie BJJ-Koh Phangan. As to be We couldn’t have been five minutes into our competition, although competition is a strong incentive
expected, Google Maps proved only useful in navigating acquaintance before Rome and I realized we were about to keep the tools sharp. Both agree that Martial Arts On our second day, Rome gave an impromptu class
to the far side of the island. From there we contacted to take a class directly from the source. Silvio grew up in have healing capabilities, joining the body and mind in in our adopted mountain dojo, teaching the Danimal
Ivan, the gym’s owner, and got vectored in to the Utopia Teresopolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where Jiu-Jitsu was a search for internal unification. Ultimately though, they rear-naked choke. Eric, Ivan, Frank and a couple curious
Resort, where the gym is located off of a side street. way of life. both enjoy just being able to play. We carried this playful backpackers drilled and rolled as Rome instructed and I
Pulling up on our scooters, we saw a three-meter-high mindset with us as we left breakfast and headed to the filmed.
bamboo gate, decorated with a banner: ‘MOMENTUM “Some people went for competition, I used my black beach. Not riding, but surfing our scooters through the
MIXED MOVEMENT ARTS’. belt to see the world with my own eyes. Learn English. mountains. Not walking, but bouncing down the path to Koh Phangan is home to a variety of festivals, gurus
Make $100 a week. Sleep in the dojo, walk to the shower. the ocean. and spirits. The development of Momentum Mixed
Through the gate, across a concrete slab, and down That’s enough man,” Silvio explained through a thick Movement Arts will now allow the island to play host
a set of stairs, tucked away in the mountains of Koh Brazilian accent. After class we had breakfast at World’s We swam out just past the reef when Rome brought to a full movement playground as well. With Ivan’s
Phangan, is a compound that poses rather suspicious End Cafe with Silvio, Ivan and Frank, a curly-haired up the training scene from the 90’s rock-ballad-turned- athleticism and body awareness, Frank’s focus and
similarities to the dilapidated buildings that the Foot white belt who has spent the past few years traveling surf-epic, In God’s Hands. In the movie, the surfers passion, Silvio’s instruction and experience, Relson
Clan hoodlums in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ran and setting up coffee shops as an experienced Melbourne practice holding their breath while running under water, Gracie BJJ-Koh Phangan has bright days ahead.
about parkour-style in the 90’s. barista. There, Silvio educated us on the inequality his carrying rocks as weights to hold them down.

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