Fight Like a Girl: My Experience with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Have you ever found yourself surprised by your own interests? That was exactly the case for me when I started training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ). While my husband had been training on and off for ten years, I wasn't particularly interested in learning the sport myself - despite my competitive nature. However, everything changed when we moved back to our hometown during the pandemic and my husband began training at a martial arts school here.
My first BJJ Class
He mentioned another couple who trained together, and for the first time, I found myself curious about trying it for myself. I had some reservations, but decided to give it a shot during the free classes offered in January 2023. To my surprise, I quickly fell in love with BJJ. In this blog post, I want to share my experience as someone who is only four months into BJJ training and why it's worth trying for anyone, regardless of their level of experience or background.
BJJ aka the gentle art
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a martial art that focuses on grappling and ground fighting. One of the main things that separate BJJ from other combat sports is that there is no striking, or hitting, your opponent. Jiu-Jitsu is about manipulating the body in ways that it shouldn’t be in order to force the other person to tap out, or give up before any physical harm is done. As a result, this would give the impression of jiu-jitsu being a more gentle sport. It also places a strong emphasis on respect, humility, and sportsmanship, creating a welcoming and supportive community of practitioners.
BJJ for the mind
BJJ is more than just a physical sport - it's also a mental one. The strategic and tactical elements of BJJ are often compared to the game of chess. In fact, some people refer to BJJ as "human chess" because it requires careful planning, foresight, and adaptability. This mental aspect of the sport can be challenging and rewarding, and can help improve focus, problem-solving skills, and emotional control.
First impressions of BJJ training
BJJ has been an incredibly fulfilling activity for me. Not only have I noticed physical improvements like increased strength and flexibility, but I've also seen positive changes in my mental health and overall well-being. The mindfulness and discipline required in BJJ have helped me manage stress and anxiety, and the supportive community has provided me with a sense of belonging and purpose. In short, BJJ is much more than just a sport - it's a way of life.
Training with men and women
As a woman training jiu-jitsu, I know firsthand the benefits of training with other women. It can be a supportive and empowering experience, especially for beginners who may feel overwhelmed by the close contact and intensity of the sport. However, it's important not to neglect the technical and mental development needed to overcome bigger and stronger opponents. That's why I often find myself training with men, despite my initial hesitations and concerns. When you roll with a man, you can't rely on brute strenght, you need the technique, you need to develop more versatile and adaptable BJJ style for overcoming different body types, styles, strenght and skillsets.
Rolling with another woman can be a nice experience, but it's important to understand that it's equally important to challenge yourself by training with men and bigger people too. So, whether you're a woman or a man, I encourage you to try training with someone who has a different body type and skillset than your own. You may be surprised by how much you can learn and grow as a BJJ practitioner.
BJJ as self-defense
BJJ offers much more than just a physical challenge. Speaking from personal experience, BJJ offers a distinct advantage in self-defense situations. As a high school student, I was abused by a man in broad daylight in an elevator. Thankfully, the worst didn't happen, but to this day, I remain fearful of walking home alone. However, since I began practicing BJJ, this concern has begun to diminish. Naturally, as a woman, I will always have some fear, but things are different now. During training, I not only learn how to defend and attack but also what a person can do to me and which threats are serious and which are not. When you know what attacks may come your way, you know what to expect and how to react - and that's just one more thing I love about BJJ.
My first serious sparring (with a boy)
During one of my BJJ training sessions, a boy was preparing for a competition and we were all sparring with him. Without knowing why (maybe my competitive nature), I decided to be the first to roll with him. He was full of energy and determination, being 15 kg heavier and mentally preparing for the competition. He gave it his all, pushing himself to 200%, and it was a tough fight. For the first time, I understood what it would feel like if I were ever attacked. Despite being only four months into training, I had the skillset to survive and didn't tap out. From a competition perspective, we were equal on points, but that wasn't the point of the experience.
Eye-opening experience
The important thing was that if I hadn't trained in BJJ, I wouldn't have known what to do in a real situation. Even though we were in a safe training environment, the tension was palpable as we both gave everything we had to win. He fought for points in the competition, and I fought for survival and to show myself how much I had learned. This experience reinforced to me the value of sports and the importance of women trying BJJ. It could potentially save their lives in the future.
Why women shouldn't be afraid to try BJJ
I know this is a serious topic, but I feel it's important to share my thoughts on it. As a woman, I know what it feels like to be vulnerable and afraid. I also know that many women, like myself, don't walk with headphones while they're alone and keep their keys in their hands, prepared to defend themselves. It's sad that we have to live in a world where this is necessary, but it's the reality we face. BJJ offers women an opportunity to learn important skills and to gain confidence in their ability to protect themselves. It's not just about physical skills; it's also about mental strength and being able to stay calm in a difficult situation. And that's something that every woman should have.
Conclusion
It's been four months since I started BJJ, and now I not only train at the gym but also at home with my husband. We even have a little space with mats where we can practice techniques whenever we want. I am grateful for this experience and how it has changed my life and way of thinking. It's still hard to believe that I train jiu-jitsu, but I am proud of how far I have come.
Thank you for reading my story, and I hope it inspires others to try something new and challenging. Oss!
In future blog posts I will dive deeper into the differences between training with a GI and without one, how I handled my first injuries and much more.