Familia

One of the things I most appreciate about BJJ is the sense of family that is created through the sport. I know I touched on this in a previous post, but walking into the gym today I realised how much I enjoy the company of my training buddies. I also miss many friends that have sinced moved either back to their homeland or to other countries.

I have an awesome training partner in Tomi-san. Tomi is a purple belt at our academy (Bangkok BJJ) and he always take the time to roll using technique with me. I think this is invaluable as a girl. Tonight I had to really pay attention to my own awareness (awareness of position, losing positions, recovery etc) and I appreciated how I was given the time to develop this awareness and try incorporate my game. Believe me, Tomi could walk through me if he so desired!

I also appreciated my friends who mentioned that have read this blog. I know it's early days, but my guys seem really supportive, so thanks! I think it's important to note that I really want to hear what my male friends have to say and that this is a forum for sharing thoughts and ideas as well as promoting women :) I know many friends (guys) that comment that rolling with women is different in some ways (not just with regards to the weight and strength differentiation) and this I find interesting too.

I would like to invite all my girlfriends from the Phillipines, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore, to name just a few, to send in any materials - be it pictures, ideas, thoughts, reflections. I think it would be neat to have a forum, one place where we can collectively come together to not only promote women in the region but share our journey together too. Of course, I have girlfriends in the USA, UK and Australia and I welcome the sharing of anything BJJ from them too :) BJJ, espeically women in BJJ, is still a relatively small community and, as stated at the start, the community created is all part of an extended 'family'. Besides being exclusionary is just not necessary. I just hope to highlight how the community in SEA is developing with such amazing talent so that people coming to live/work/holiday in the region know that us gals (and guys!) are out here and having a blast :)

Working on a Game Plan!

4 1/2 years after starting BJJ (with one year out...) I have FINALLY started on a game plan!
This is monumental for me!
Prior to, hmmmmm, 2 weeks ago, I was simply relying on perservering through rolling. Defending, preventing subs etc etc. Now, I am actually thinking (no jokes, please! I am blonde..) and it is working wonders for my game. I feel that I am more proactive. I know that for the next few months I will have to work hard on ironing out the techniques and I am aware that I will be crushed, pummelled and walked through for a while, but that's ok. I have something to work with and the moves are the ones I most enjoy!

Right now I am in a good place with my training. I have good friends and good training partners at my gym. The warm ups in general are not killing me but the burpees are.

I will post pictures soon.

A dialogue between friends.

I was recently inspired by a friend, whom I have not yet met, in the UK to reintroduce a blog concerning BJJ - in particularly - women training in BJJ.

I realised that I was moved by this encouragement. My training has ebbed and flowed. Mostly due to injury (and the much needed rest for recovery) and then through feeling inadequate on the mats. But through the reading and sharing of ideas, thoughts and reflections with other girls (in the extended BJJ family worldwide) I felt reinspired to get back on the mats. And I couldn't be happier.

I have met so many wonderful girls in BJJ. Mostly in South East Asia (SEA) where I live, but also online worldwide. Due to the nature of the game, there are seemingly never as many gals as guys, but the numbers are increasing! Part of the reason for setting up this blog was to create a way in which for us to all keep in contact. Through the rough times, I have turned to other girls and have found out that they too have felt the way I have felt, that they too have experienced the frustrations that comes with training (as a girl) in BJJ. This has helped me no end and kept me going. I want to contribute to this and provide a forum in which to share ideas and training tips. To create conversation between friends separated by sea.

This blog is obviously not restricted to just girls. I love my male team mates and I would not be where I am in BJJ without them. I welcome their responses and contributions just as much the girls. But I do want to help in creating visiblity to girls in BJJ in SEA.

SEA is bubbling with BJJ and this enthusiasm is gaining momentum each year. I am proud to call Luke who is the author of BJJ Asia a friend of mine as I believe he has done a lot to promote BJJ in SEA. This blog is in no way an attempt to replicate the sheer cohesiveness that has been created through BJJ SEA. This is simply a blog where I share my perspective(s) and training trials and tribulations and pictures, and I hope that my friends in the BJJ scene (both guys and gals) can help contribute to a fun, productive and meaningful dialogue that will help us all in this amazing journey.