I've always thought the "fighting" sports and martial arts were very interesting. The fitness required, the aglility, the reading of the other person, the mental focus/toughness required under pressure all seemed facinating to me.
It seemed like something i'd like to try except (and this is a BIG except and a total deal-breaker) the 'getting hit in the head' part. I don't mind getting bruises and beat up - I just don't want my brain sloshed around continuously. But I guess that's the whole point of fighting - is to take the other person down, eh? So I thought it would be something I would admire from afar.
Then last weekend, Dave and I watched a show about Royce Gracie and how he used jiu-jitsu to defeat much larger opponents with finesse, intellence, patience, technique and skill and NOT brute force and NOT by hitting them in the head. Damn - don't you know that sucked me in bigtime...so you know where this going.
I started reading about jiu-jitsu and in training and competitions of straight jiu-jitsu you don't focus on hitting people in the head. You focus on getting their bodies in position in order for them to 'submit'.
Yes - I signed up. My first class was last night and i LOVED it. It is *very* technical. It was described as a 'isometric chess match' and after experiencing some of the moves that is an apt description.
so...move over speedskating...this off-season i'll be doing jiu-jitsu as cross training.
A big annoyance to me was my hair. I did the typical one long braid down my back but that didn't work out so well - with all the tumbling, grappling and tussling - my hair was constantly getting matted up and coming loose.
After a little experimenting - I think I have a good jiu-jitsu hair do. I know it looks goofy but hopefully it's functional. We'll see - my next class is Tuesday. :)
step 1 - regular hair do
(not that it's that much of a "do" ;) )
step 2 - 2 pony tails high up on my head
(so when I'm rolling around on my back i won't roll on these)
step 3 - braid into pig tails
step 4 - wrap braids into a bun and secure w/bobby pins
(modified "princess leia" do)
(not that it's that much of a "do" ;) )
step 2 - 2 pony tails high up on my head
(so when I'm rolling around on my back i won't roll on these)
step 3 - braid into pig tails
step 4 - wrap braids into a bun and secure w/bobby pins
(modified "princess leia" do)
Heh - cool! Excellent hair style gallery, especially coupled with the no-nonsense expression. ;)
ReplyDeleteThe braids thing on its own could be a good option too, as that's what this black belt does.
Hi! Do the bobby pins stab you or others when sparring? Wonderful to learn you've taken up BJJ, welcome! :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. You may or may not know that they call bobby pins 'kirby grips' in the UK. It amused me when I discovered it :D