I get up and quarter past obscenely early and wait patiently for Ed to come and pick me up in the Gracie Battle Bus. One thing I learned about Ed today is that he doesn't sleep , he picked me up straight from work then continues through the next 2 days on an hours sleep.

Off we set to pick up Royler who is flying in from the states and due to land @ 07:50.

We get to the airport and have a hearty breakfast then check the arrivals board which shows a 2 hour delay. So after killing a couple of hours the a patient wait he finally arrives, jaded but in good spirits.

We set off back to hotel which took an age due to the traffic and after stopping for some traditional English fare we drop him off at the hotel to take a well earned nap before the seminar is due to start.

So it's off to the seminar picking up a slightly, only less slightly disorientated Royler and heading off to the RGDA head quarters in Bethnal Green. We get there to find Seymour, his wife Cat and daughter Aimee setting up (Aimee wasn't setting up she was just watching and drooling) what was an extremely professional photo shoot under the auspices of their company, SeyCat Designs. Then it was onto interviews for the martial arts press and television interviews, how Royler did this on 2 hours sleep I will never know as there were many questions with responses required with a different tone of voice, facial expression etc, etc. It was nice to hear him say how pleased he was with the way RGDA is developing in the UK, how he thought Ed is one of the best BJJ instructors in the UK and the perfect man to take RGDA foward in the UK and Europe.

Follow this link for SeyCat Design picture gallery:

http://www.pbase.com/seymour/roylerseminar

Now onto the part that everyone was waiting for the seminar !!! People begain turning up from 18:00 and by 19:00 I would not be exaggerating to say the place was heaving with people. After a brief warm up Royler stepped on the mat and straight into technique.

I am trying to remember the technique as best I can but it's difficult as I have never seen so much technique fitted into a 3 hour slot but I'll have a go.

Step in lock the foot with your lead leg then pick the leg up , this worked up to two steps in then a trip
Stepping in sideways into a reap
Baina and sprawl
From clinch step back and spin into a guillotine
Guillotine
Half guillotine then hip bump to full guillotine
Half guillotine submission where you palm your bicep sprawl down , tighten elbows in for submission
Same again but you sit into half guard for submission
A horrible quadriceps crush to pass the guard
From guard , grab the pants or belt stand and spin your opponent to there front to allow you to take the back
Collar choke from guard , hip bump to make space , then to scissors sweep , back to choke , then to sweep to the point where you opponent was so confused he just taps!

As you can see, a lot of techniques there and I know I've missed a few, in fact the techniques were coming out so fast toward the end my head started to spin at the same rate my body was.

Royler then did a 40 minute question and answer session with question ranging from Royce's fight with Matt Hughes and to question whether Royler could take Bruce Lee out if a fight.

Royler then wrapped it up, many photos were taken and many belt, books and kimonos were signed.

It was then off for a spice free dinner then to bed for a knackered but extremely tired me, Royler went back to his hotel, Ed went to work!

Royler then took a flight to Geneva the day then onto Barcelona. He was very much looking forward to getting back to Brazil as he had been on the road at this point for 2 months.

On the whole an awesome day with much thanks to Royler for coming and sharing his knowledge. He's a cool guy and he's very humble .

Massive thanks to Ed & and his management team. I certainly didn't realise the amount of effort that went into arranging this for us. Hats off to you Ed & team and I am sure I speak not only for me but the rest of the team saying how grateful we are for putting this together for us.

Also thanks to Seymour & Cat for the photography, you guys should do it professionally.

And finally, watch out for pictures and interviews in the martial arts press.

RGDA UK Students

Whole Royler Gracie Seminar Group