BJJ lesson 1 - Bruised Ego

Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art, combat sport and self defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting.  

I'll just run through a list of things imperative to training in my opinion.  Emphasis on the "MY"

1: Wear a rash guard and some tight sports leggings that cover your knees.  Under Armour is decent or wear a GI.

2: Make sure all your nails are cut down as to not slash anyone. Toes and fingers.

3: No earrings or jewelry unless you fancy a trip to casualty.  Rippage.

5: Smell fresh please, i'll be getting into some very tight and close positions with you.  

6: Keep an open mind.  We all suck at times and you will have your ego bruised. 

7: Buy radox or bath stuff for muscle pain. you will need it. (promise)

8: Keep your choppers safe with a mouth guard.

9: Looking pretty at the gym goes out the window ladies, prepare to get pure sweaty and ragged all over the show.  

10: It will get sweaty in sparing however slippy wrists and legs make it easier to escape.  It's a bonus .

11- Check out this video.  Go on!

So my first lesson i can still remember so clearly.  My oldest brother Josh had taken me to get my kit that morning.  He wasn't really that excited about it to be fair but i'd made such a scene at breakfast that he was ordered to take me before i gave my dad a coronary.  His thoughts were  "why is she buying all this kit when she'll shit herself after the first lesson" typical.  I know this as he told me on the way. Too much honesty in my family.

With a face on him that could have turned milk sour he took me to the shop where i was kitted out with Boxing and MMA gloves, mouth guard, hand wraps, new kit bag, shin guards for muay thai and a variety of clothing.  I'll let you into a little secret. I knew all about muay thai, wrestling and boxing but BJJ was a new one on me.   I'd not really done a lot of research on it and i didn't bother. I wish i had like!

That same night i walked into the gym with my brothers Josh and Jamie who train there and they told me to go and sit on the bench and wait for class.  Felt like such a child and then they left me and went off to box.  It was always fine when i'd been to pick them up or watch at the gym but today i had to get on those mats and i was as scared as shit.   I was the only girl and i knew some of the lads already as they were mates of josh and jamie's but that didn't make me feel any better, they were nice to me (in a fashion) asking what the hell i was doing there and pointed out that step aerobics wasn't done here! hilarious! I think they felt a bit disturbed having me there too.  Elle training in our gym? can we still swear? Lad, i can't hit your sister! The fuck?  Get over yourselves. 

There was about 6 lads in the BJJ class with me. The instructor didn't make a big deal about me being new and just told me to do what he said. (i can do that)   Okay, so first lesson, instructor shows the moves and we copy with a partner.  

"Everyone grab a partner"  No one want's to....  Elle and Peter - the instructor just saved me. awesome, yet a little uncomfortable.

"Right Elle the technique is the Closed guard." This is when the legs are wrapped around the waist of the opponent with the feet locked.  "Elle lay down on the mat and wrap your legs around peters waist very tight, cross you feet around him....like really lock them." hang on .. wait a sec.... am i supposed to say hello first to this peter lad or what? Never spoken to him or anything and now i'm laying on my back with my legs wrapped around him.   I didn't say this i just did what the instructor said and didn't look at peter in the eyes. awkward!.

Next up i ended in Side Control. I had to focus on staying tight and allowing no space while controlling the position first then going for a submission, or, in Peters case transitioning me to another position and making me tap.  Sort it out! i'm new! Mr aggressive.

Class went superb though, i had a full hour of BJJ and walked away pretty made up with myself.  I'd done it.  I then sat in a radox bath for the next two days, unable to move my arms and counted my bruises. Some things really don't change.  Apart from now Peter gets a decent fight.

What i learned: The movements and techniques in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu are challenging because you not only  have to move your own weight around on the ground but also the weight of another person. 

So enjoy rolling and leave your ego at the door as i guarantee it will get bruised.

Elle x

Actually wait a second i forgot to add Number 12 to my list of BJJ basics.

12: When you get home scrub your body to death in the shower with antibacterial soap to get every germ off.  I mean it, you can pick up all sorts of infections, not off the lads! but off the mats.