Summary

The author describes their first experience attending a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) class, specifically a women's class, detailing the initial fears, the learning process, and the personal growth achieved through the challenge.

Abstract

The author, who had never participated in any martial arts class before, attended their first BJJ class after being encouraged by their partner, an amateur MMA fighter. Initially hesitant due to the prospect of rolling with much larger male practitioners, the author was motivated to join when a women's class was introduced, thanks to another woman at the gym. Despite arriving late and facing anxiety, the author learned techniques such as "The Kimura" and "The Scissor Sweep," and found the experience empowering, especially with the support of the other women in the class. The author reflects on overcoming fear, the importance of self-defense, and the commitment to personal growth, encouraging readers to challenge themselves similarly.

Opinions

The author had reservations about joining a BJJ class due to the physicality involved with larger male practitioners but was inspired by another woman's initiative to start a women's class.
The author acknowledges the struggle with ADHD, arriving late to the class, but emphasizes the importance of showing up and participating.
Despite initial discomfort and anxiety about physical closeness with another woman during training, the author persevered and found the experience to be anxiety-reducing and beneficial for self-defense preparedness.
The author was impressed by the skill and gentleness of their training partner, who was much taller, and appreciated the guidance received during the class.
The author draws inspiration from Eleanor Roosevelt's quote about doing something that scares you every

I Tried My First BJJ Class Today

What I Learned From Taking Another Step or “Roll” Forward

The image above is how I felt when 1 pm came around and the class was over.

I have never taken any kind of martial arts class. My partner is an amateur MMA fighter and attends BJJ classes 6 out of 7 days a week. I support him in everything he does, and he had been begging me to show up for the new woman's class for a while.

He actually had been begging me to just join in with the men's class, for two years, as there was no woman's class.

I talked to one of the young women who rolled around with the men, one day at the Gym Christmas Party.

I told her, “I can't fathom rolling around with sweaty guys, that are more than 100 lbs heavier than me. How are you doing this? I would consider coming if there was a women’s only class, but there isn't one.”

She responded “I have been wanting to start a women’s class for a while, I am going to talk to Mark and see if I can get one going. Would you come then?”

So that is where we are at. She had the class for 3 weeks before I decided today was the day to show up.

I got there 8 minutes late. The ADHD struggle is real. I didn't stretch, but instead instantly went to sit on the mat. I had advised the woman leading the group, that if I was to show up, I wanted to be rolling with the smallest lady, I didn't feel comfortable rolling around with a larger person, as I am so tiny.

I had no right to say that, I guess, as when I showed up, only the tallest woman was available to roll with. The Universe was playing a sick joke on me.

Yet, luckily, she was more experienced than I was, so she was gentle and easily explained and demonstrated what moves I was supposed to be doing.

Wrapping my legs around another woman's waist, and shimming up and around her body, was much more than just an average experience for me. Holy anxiety/panic could have set in, but I resisted.

I was doing something way outside of my comfort zone.

But, due to the commitment that I made to myself regarding stepping outside of my comfort zone, and embracing my true inner sense of SELF, I had to keep pushing myself forward.

My favorite quote that I found the day that I decided to start my blog comes to mind daily:

“Do one thing every day that scares you” — Eleanor Roosevelt

The idea of this experience scared me, but I always saw that one woman, rolling with all of the men, and she was only a little bigger than me.

She was inspiring to me. If she could show up every day for men’s class, then why couldn't I at least roll with the women’s class?

I also used this as an experience to be an example to my son, and show him that even though I was afraid to try it, I took the leap anyway!

We learned how to do the “The Kimura” which works by isolating the elbow and shoulder joints through the use of a figure-four grip.

We also learned how to do The Scissor Sweep. According to JiuJitzu-News.com — A successful BJJ scissor sweep demands that you manage the jiu-jitsu opponent’s posture and weight properly. So, to do so you should use your left hand to grip the opponent’s right sleeve. And, your right hand to grip the opponent’s right collar (this if you attack the opponent’s right side, and vice versa if the other side). Moreover, from this point, you can break the opponent’s posture and maneuver his weight.

Now, remember how I mentioned the larger girl I was rolling with?

Yes, this was a challenging move for me, and I kept landing on my knee when I rolled over into the dominant position. Maneuvering her weight was quite the task for me, as I am tiny, and have never had to maneuver another person's weight.

Instead of being hard on myself, I just kept thinking how if I was on the street and had to protect myself, most likely it would be from a man, who would weigh the same as the woman I was rolling with. Keeping that in mind, I did not quit, even though it was painful at times.

I knew I was preparing myself, and if you start with the heavier or harder task, it can only get easier from there.

It also was funny, because that was my fear, and the Universe coordinated to tell me to get over that really, really quickly.

So, in closing, have any of my readers tried any martial arts? What was your experience like if the first time you tried it, was as an inexperienced adult?

I hope this reaches other women who have been thinking of trying a martial art, but have been nervous or had fears to overcome in order to get started.

All the women in the class were really inspiring and encouraging. I have kept my word to myself and continue to pursue things that I fear, every day. Anxiety is slowly but surely leaving my mind state.

I encourage you to do the same, and keep me updated on how your journey chasing after your fears has been going for you as well!

To learn a little more about me, feel free to check out my About Me Story below:

About Me — Gabby Gabs

I have been writing extensively since I was about 5 years old, and I still have that first journal and the many that…

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