In a previous blog, we went over some guidelines for sparring that I found posted on the wall at the last academy I visited. At the time, I didn’t have permission to post the entire list verbatim, but now I do and will post it up here. As mentioned in the previous blog, no matter […]
Continue readingLast week, I spent the majority of my time at Masters Worlds watching both my teammates and friends from out of state/country compete. It was abundantly clear that the level of competition, even at the Master’s level, is super high and there really are no easy matches. With that being said, after watching a friend […]
Continue readingAlmost every academy I’ve trained or dropped in at had clearly posted academy etiquette and/or team guidelines where it is literally hard to miss. Often times, new students are introduced to these guidelines when they first join the academy as part of their orientation and tour. Not only is this to set the “ground rules” […]
Continue readingWe are going to get metaphysical; stick with me. At the end of this fiasco this will make sense to your sweet BJJ brains. First thing first, don’t be freaked out…but, I’m a philosophical theologian. The BJJ mat leads me to some wild insights that let me understand our existence in new ways. Let’s begin. […]
Continue readingThere is no way around the dreaded plateau and other feelings of self-doubt, competition anxiety, frustration, and perceptions of not making progress/improving. Jiu-Jitsu is hard. It is also not something that you can learn overnight. It takes years and years and years to master… and even those who were awarded the coveted black belt STILL […]
Continue readingNo matter what belt rank we are, we go through the feelings of not wanting to roll with particular people because they go too crazy, too hard, or just don’t have control over their body, ego, and emotions during training. Sparring should be a learning experience, not to “win a fight.” With that being said, […]
Continue readingFirst, let me start off with: 1) I’m female brown belt, 2) I teach a women’s only BJJ class, and 3) I have a minor in Women’s studies and am all for female empowerment (especially on the mat). I have been teaching a women’s only class for over a year and a half in the […]
Continue readingRecovery is probably just as important for training as training itself. I tell my students all the time: “Injured athletes are worthless athletes.” If you are not taking care of yourself between training sessions, the likelihood of injury becomes greater. Inflammation and soreness are how many injuries begin. Short of say, an acute break or […]
Continue readingEarlier last month I posted a blog about my first time experience with float therapy for beating the Jiu-Jitsu burnout, not even really knowing the true benefits of it. They say that you need to give it a few tries to really understand what it’s about and it couldn’t be any truer. After my second […]
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