Comments on: #103 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Women http://thefightworkspodcast.com/2008/02/10/103-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-and-women/ Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Grappling News and Podcast Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:16:15 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: suze http://thefightworkspodcast.com/2008/02/10/103-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-and-women/comment-page-1/#comment-1885 suze Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:59:56 +0000 http://thefightworkspodcast.com/2008/02/10/103-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-and-women/#comment-1885 I just started my first class and I loved it. But my downside is that the knee that I had surgery on acted up and so now I feel like I have to quit before I even begin!!! Any advice? I just started my first class and I loved it. But my downside is that the knee that I had surgery on acted up and so now I feel like I have to quit before I even begin!!! Any advice?

]]> By: Veronica Hagerman http://thefightworkspodcast.com/2008/02/10/103-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-and-women/comment-page-1/#comment-819 Veronica Hagerman Sat, 03 Oct 2009 14:17:40 +0000 http://thefightworkspodcast.com/2008/02/10/103-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-and-women/#comment-819 I Have been training BJJ for about 14 months now. I was introduced to it by my husband when we first started dating but it took me about 2 years to finally start training. it was very intimidating to even want to do it because there was only one girl and she seemed preatty tough, I have never practice any sports or been in a fight in my whole life so i felt i didn't have the condition or confidence to do it. but i had been on a very abusive relationship so there was a little something in me that was giving me the courage to try it out. i didn't want no man to lay a hand on me again so Finally my husband convinced me to do it. First class i was able to train with him wich was great cause he introduced to everybody in the class. I totally loved the experience. i learned the rear naked choke that day and it made me feel so powerful to be able to do it that i couldn't wait for the next class. Ever since that day my life has change dramatically. I am confidetnt, fit, i feel strong and my relationship with my husband has improve so much because now i also do what he loves to do and it has become our passion. I am now a four stipe white belt and still get beat up all the time because all the guys at the academy are bigger and stronger but i don't let that discourage me. i am determined to become a black belt someday no matter how long it takes, how many bones i brake and how many competitions i lose. i belive i can do it. I Have been training BJJ for about 14 months now. I was introduced to it by my husband when we first started dating but it took me about 2 years to finally start training. it was very intimidating to even want to do it because there was only one girl and she seemed preatty tough, I have never practice any sports or been in a fight in my whole life so i felt i didn’t have the condition or confidence to do it. but i had been on a very abusive relationship so there was a little something in me that was giving me the courage to try it out. i didn’t want no man to lay a hand on me again so Finally my husband convinced me to do it. First class i was able to train with him wich was great cause he introduced to everybody in the class. I totally loved the experience. i learned the rear naked choke that day and it made me feel so powerful to be able to do it that i couldn’t wait for the next class. Ever since that day my life has change dramatically. I am confidetnt, fit, i feel strong and my relationship with my husband has improve so much because now i also do what he loves to do and it has become our passion.

I am now a four stipe white belt and still get beat up all the time because all the guys at the academy are bigger and stronger but i don’t let that discourage me. i am determined to become a black belt someday no matter how long it takes, how many bones i brake and how many competitions i lose. i belive i can do it.

]]> By: Jessica http://thefightworkspodcast.com/2008/02/10/103-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-and-women/comment-page-1/#comment-818 Jessica Fri, 25 Sep 2009 20:51:05 +0000 http://thefightworkspodcast.com/2008/02/10/103-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-and-women/#comment-818 This is great to see other women discussing BJJ! I am also addicted and cannot imagine my life without it. I started at 30 yrs old and have been training for 2.5 years. The guys in my gym were always nice and respectful but distant until two months into it when I started coming to more classes and attending tournaments. Now I'm family and wouldn't have it any other way! There have been some guys reluctant to spar hard but no guy wants to be tapped by a girl! And at 6' and not light ;-) I'm bigger than a majority of guys in the class so it doesn't take them long to get competative. I suppose the funny thing is I'M worried when I spar another woman! Even smaller guys worry me...but that's the great thing about this passion...you fight and train with every body type to improve and become your best! This is great to see other women discussing BJJ! I am also addicted and cannot imagine my life without it. I started at 30 yrs old and have been training for 2.5 years. The guys in my gym were always nice and respectful but distant until two months into it when I started coming to more classes and attending tournaments. Now I’m family and wouldn’t have it any other way! There have been some guys reluctant to spar hard but no guy wants to be tapped by a girl! And at 6′ and not light ;-) I’m bigger than a majority of guys in the class so it doesn’t take them long to get competative. I suppose the funny thing is I’M worried when I spar another woman! Even smaller guys worry me…but that’s the great thing about this passion…you fight and train with every body type to improve and become your best!

]]> By: Rissa http://thefightworkspodcast.com/2008/02/10/103-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-and-women/comment-page-1/#comment-817 Rissa Thu, 30 Apr 2009 19:12:36 +0000 http://thefightworkspodcast.com/2008/02/10/103-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-and-women/#comment-817 I have always been the only female in the jujitsu classes I take. (In the American South, there are still some pretty intense gender-role expectations) Generally, I find that having a sense of humor about the whole gender thing from teh beginning relieves any tension between the guys and me. I do, however, tend to tap them if they "go easy" on me and let their moves go too soon, or forget to maintain their guard. Getting tapped a few times brings them around pretty quickly to the idea that beign female doesn't make me a "soft" roller. One guy, though, insisted on treating me like a paper doll. Finally, i just told him that a rapist jumping otu of some bushes wouldn't be gentle with me - I needed him to pretend to be that attacker now, so I would be prepared for the real thing. Making him feel as though he was doing ME a favor by being tougher helped him get over the whole "we don't hit girls" thing. I have always been the only female in the jujitsu classes I take. (In the American South, there are still some pretty intense gender-role expectations)
Generally, I find that having a sense of humor about the whole gender thing from teh beginning relieves any tension between the guys and me.
I do, however, tend to tap them if they “go easy” on me and let their moves go too soon, or forget to maintain their guard. Getting tapped a few times brings them around pretty quickly to the idea that beign female doesn’t make me a “soft” roller.
One guy, though, insisted on treating me like a paper doll. Finally, i just told him that a rapist jumping otu of some bushes wouldn’t be gentle with me – I needed him to pretend to be that attacker now, so I would be prepared for the real thing. Making him feel as though he was doing ME a favor by being tougher helped him get over the whole “we don’t hit girls” thing.

]]> By: Jessica http://thefightworkspodcast.com/2008/02/10/103-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-and-women/comment-page-1/#comment-816 Jessica Sun, 22 Mar 2009 02:01:14 +0000 http://thefightworkspodcast.com/2008/02/10/103-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-and-women/#comment-816 I have only been training in BJJ for a month or two now. Although there is a women's college team in the city that I live in, I opted instead to train with my husband, even though that means being the only woman on the team. I was fortunate in that I felt immediately accepted by these guys. My husband and I discussed me joining ahead of time though, and he was able to talk to some of the men that he trains frequently with to kind of feel out their comfort with me. The main feedback he got was that they felt as though he would be uncomfortable with them rolling with me, he was able to assure them that it was definitely not the case. I've only met a few of their wives/girlfriends, and so far my experience with them has been positive as well. I've been trying to get a few of them to join too :) The down side is that I'm small, 5'3'' and 130 lbs. This means that even the small guys outweigh me by 20lbs or so. On the up side, this makes me more technical, since I don't have a chance of muscling out of things. A frequent grappling partner of mine is actually a 10th grader at the local high school because hes about the same size. Overall, I've had a very positive experience with BJJ and I've been trying really hard to get other women interested. I really feel like its the best martial art for women....and it's awesome exercise too. I don't even mind the bruises. :) I have only been training in BJJ for a month or two now. Although there is a women’s college team in the city that I live in, I opted instead to train with my husband, even though that means being the only woman on the team. I was fortunate in that I felt immediately accepted by these guys. My husband and I discussed me joining ahead of time though, and he was able to talk to some of the men that he trains frequently with to kind of feel out their comfort with me. The main feedback he got was that they felt as though he would be uncomfortable with them rolling with me, he was able to assure them that it was definitely not the case. I’ve only met a few of their wives/girlfriends, and so far my experience with them has been positive as well. I’ve been trying to get a few of them to join too :)
The down side is that I’m small, 5′3” and 130 lbs. This means that even the small guys outweigh me by 20lbs or so. On the up side, this makes me more technical, since I don’t have a chance of muscling out of things. A frequent grappling partner of mine is actually a 10th grader at the local high school because hes about the same size.
Overall, I’ve had a very positive experience with BJJ and I’ve been trying really hard to get other women interested. I really feel like its the best martial art for women….and it’s awesome exercise too.
I don’t even mind the bruises. :)

]]> By: Nick http://thefightworkspodcast.com/2008/02/10/103-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-and-women/comment-page-1/#comment-815 Nick Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:45:42 +0000 http://thefightworkspodcast.com/2008/02/10/103-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-and-women/#comment-815 I have been training about a year and I was at first very cautious when rolling with women. I'm lighter then most of the guys at my school so women often pair off with me for a more fair match. I knew some would have a problem if I "took it easy" on them, my issue was more of me being paranoid about not making them feel as if I was coping a feel. I quickly got over that since the girls in my gym aren't shy about grabing all over you to get their position! Now I love to roll with women because it allows me to relax more and be very patient and technical. I know I'm stronger so I focus on perfecting the technique and not trying to bull my way through moves. I just don't have it in me to crush their head like I do when I roll with fellow guys, and I hope this doesn't bother them. I have been training about a year and I was at first very cautious when rolling with women. I’m lighter then most of the guys at my school so women often pair off with me for a more fair match. I knew some would have a problem if I “took it easy” on them, my issue was more of me being paranoid about not making them feel as if I was coping a feel. I quickly got over that since the girls in my gym aren’t shy about grabing all over you to get their position! Now I love to roll with women because it allows me to relax more and be very patient and technical. I know I’m stronger so I focus on perfecting the technique and not trying to bull my way through moves. I just don’t have it in me to crush their head like I do when I roll with fellow guys, and I hope this doesn’t bother them.

]]> By: Sue http://thefightworkspodcast.com/2008/02/10/103-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-and-women/comment-page-1/#comment-814 Sue Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:09:22 +0000 http://thefightworkspodcast.com/2008/02/10/103-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-and-women/#comment-814 Hi Caleb, it's me again Sue! I did a class last night and it was more complex than other classes I've had and only this time i felt more of an idiot because the partner they put me with was new and not so keen to fight with a female and it really put me down by his negative attitude! I know if i put my head to it I'll be ok. I just wish more Females can be involved... and i can understand why... (I was practically thrown in the air and it was a big shock to my body! but very fun!). What do I do when i feel so incompetent? this class is to make me strong and confident???? thanks Caleb : ) Hi Caleb,
it’s me again Sue!
I did a class last night and it was more complex than other classes I’ve had and only this time i felt more of an idiot because the partner they put me with was new and not so keen to fight with a female and it really put me down by his negative attitude! I know if i put my head to it I’ll be ok. I just wish more Females can be involved… and i can understand why… (I was practically thrown in the air and it was a big shock to my body! but very fun!). What do I do when i feel so incompetent? this class is to make me strong and confident????
thanks Caleb : )

]]> By: Caleb http://thefightworkspodcast.com/2008/02/10/103-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-and-women/comment-page-1/#comment-813 Caleb Fri, 15 Aug 2008 02:14:03 +0000 http://thefightworkspodcast.com/2008/02/10/103-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-and-women/#comment-813 Hi Sue, I don't think you're alone in what you're thinking. Don't give up! It sounds like you're already hooked, which is the good part! Maybe some moral support from other women who train might help? Here are a few BJJ blogs from women whose experiences may be helpful: http://fraquellibjj.blogspot.com/ http://bjjvisionquest2006.blogspot.com/ http://www.gringabjj.com/ Hi Sue,

I don’t think you’re alone in what you’re thinking. Don’t give up! It sounds like you’re already hooked, which is the good part!

Maybe some moral support from other women who train might help? Here are a few BJJ blogs from women whose experiences may be helpful:

http://fraquellibjj.blogspot.com/
http://bjjvisionquest2006.blogspot.com/
http://www.gringabjj.com/

]]> By: Sue http://thefightworkspodcast.com/2008/02/10/103-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-and-women/comment-page-1/#comment-812 Sue Fri, 15 Aug 2008 02:04:15 +0000 http://thefightworkspodcast.com/2008/02/10/103-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-and-women/#comment-812 hi, i recently started my first few classes in jiu jitsu and at first i felt very nervous and intimitated by all the men in the class and the fact i'm the only girl there too. after doing my first few classes i felt so empowered even though i taped out a few times but i love the feeling afterwards and the fact im learning new techniques every week. I get excited also and want to talk about it when i come home but no one will understand or appreciate the sport, especially the fact i have to roll around with other guys... It gets frustrating at times because i know some of the guys get a bit uncomfortable because I'm a girl but I just want to feel good and try new things and so far i enjoy this sport more than going to the gym! I do find it hard sometime though to motivate myself only because im the only girl because i fear that im ruining others training lessons. do you think I'm silly for thinking this way? thanks heaps for reading hi, i recently started my first few classes in jiu jitsu and at first i felt very nervous and intimitated by all the men in the class and the fact i’m the only girl there too. after doing my first few classes i felt so empowered even though i taped out a few times but i love the feeling afterwards and the fact im learning new techniques every week. I get excited also and want to talk about it when i come home but no one will understand or appreciate the sport, especially the fact i have to roll around with other guys… It gets frustrating at times because i know some of the guys get a bit uncomfortable because I’m a girl but I just want to feel good and try new things and so far i enjoy this sport more than going to the gym! I do find it hard sometime though to motivate myself only because im the only girl because i fear that im ruining others training lessons. do you think I’m silly for thinking this way? thanks heaps for reading

]]> By: Bear’s Lair | Women and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - Where are they??? http://thefightworkspodcast.com/2008/02/10/103-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-and-women/comment-page-1/#comment-811 Bear’s Lair | Women and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - Where are they??? Sat, 19 Apr 2008 10:17:01 +0000 http://thefightworkspodcast.com/2008/02/10/103-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-and-women/#comment-811 [...] Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Women Podcast [...] [...] Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Women Podcast [...]

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