BJJ Open Mat and Cross Training: How more freedom opens up your Jiu-jitsu

Do you love a good Open Mat session? Ever dropped in at another club for a casual roll? Recently JT went to 2 very different Academies and got amongst it at their open mat sessions. It was by all accounts rekindling of JT's love of the game. But it also raised different questions around the social aspect of BJJ and why meeting a complete stranger and trying to strangle them is good for both parties. If your gym's policies do not allow cross training it is worth asking some questions- Maybe you can be the wind of change that helps expand the learning and contributes to your gym's culture.