Pine Log

Issue date: 3/5/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Ryan Perry [Click to enlarge]

In high school, a girl broke Mike Rigsby's thumb in judo practice. He was in the process of throwing her when he realized she was going to land off the mat. Before her body made a loud thump on the floor, he caught her. Unfortunately his thumb got caught in her uniform, and it was squished between her and the floor. His thumb was bandaged to the point he couldn't perform his daily routines.

Despite the inconvenience, he never held a grudge, especially since his wife didn't intend to hurt him.

"I couldn't hold beakers real well in chemistry class," Rigsby said as he rubbed his finger along his thumb.

Rigsby, 56, has taught judo at SFA for almost four years. A Beaumont native, Rigsby has a first-degree black belt and has been in judo for about 40 years. Though he graduated from SFA with an MBA in management in December, he still wants to continue coaching.

Rigsby said judo is a practice for the mind to stay in a state of readiness, which can only be achieved through staying calm. In order to defend oneself, the body must be relaxed to perform the necessary moves. By practicing judo, students can apply these tension-releasing methods to daily stressful situations, he said.

"Someone awkward or shy can come in contact with other people and build a different attitude, have more confidence and learn to relax," Rigsby said.

By teaching the mind how to react to high-tension situations, the body also reacts more efficiently to stress. Rigsby said he was harassed by two guys in high school who never bothered him again afterward. One guy grabbed him from behind, while the other one ran toward him. He stayed relaxed, turned and tossed the approaching guy with two fingers onto the ground. The one who was holding him automatically released him for fear he would receive some air mileage like his friend, he said.

Rigsby also said, through the years, judo helps him maintain a state of concentration through relaxation of the muscles. He said he it's almost like everything "in the background disappears." If students continue practicing these techniques, they could reach this state.

Continued...

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