tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4215887957871619612024-03-14T10:52:18.408-07:00Fifty/50 BJJ CailínMy boyfriend just started his own BJJ Academy. I am very excited to be teaching the first women only BJJ class in Northern Virginia there. I truly believe that BJJ has improved my life and I want to show all women the beauty of self-empowerment.
Follow me on my journey as a I continue my study of BJJ as a student and embark on my study of BJJ as a new teacher...BJJ Cailínhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17513043772499828646noreply@blogger.comBlogger159125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-421588795787161961.post-52789933470962783622011-10-26T06:03:00.000-07:002011-10-26T06:21:03.654-07:00FIVEOur female blue belt count is now FIVE at Fifty/50...bringing the total women in colored belts count to SEVEN!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoG0FYOQ8yMUPHcr9zM7VRC12r9DNo98xAP-tGxqd023TWTahNDJop5OY3dz6Nc4Z_QZMa3EzLxvOpDsyLmvCzkiQFeDzvQWOG7PbOiYY7DjgGB7G_Co3gaYdEF_FKvAtqH7QAE2o5GU/s1600/IMG_0790.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoG0FYOQ8yMUPHcr9zM7VRC12r9DNo98xAP-tGxqd023TWTahNDJop5OY3dz6Nc4Z_QZMa3EzLxvOpDsyLmvCzkiQFeDzvQWOG7PbOiYY7DjgGB7G_Co3gaYdEF_FKvAtqH7QAE2o5GU/s200/IMG_0790.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667788108841478338" /></a>Congrats to Mary Anne Hutchison and Leah Buckley for joining their peers Megan Lomonof, Kenna Benesh and Tammy Dominick at the next rank!! <br /><br />Leah has been training with us for almost a year coming from an MMA background then by way of Dan Simmler's in Boston. At her last tournament she bumped up to Intermediate and performed exceptionally well against blue belts from other area academies.<br /><br />Mary Anne was the very first woman to walk in to join our women only class in January 2009. This 115lb woman stuck it out when there was no one good for her to train with for almost the whole first year. So many times in that woman only class she received a private lesson because no one else showed up.<br /><br />At last night's women's class before the promotion ceremony we had 9 women in class (plus me teaching) and then 2 others showed up for the promotion! We've come a long way since the beginning and couldn't have done it without our first female student!<br /><br />A special congrats also goes to Mike Donaghy and Ben Bullock who solidified their spots at the next rank through their performances this past weekend at the Copa Nova!BJJ Cailínhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17513043772499828646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-421588795787161961.post-83094664986540209672011-10-14T14:06:00.000-07:002011-10-14T14:35:28.515-07:00Anniversary...kind of5 years ago today I competed in my first Advanced Division at Grapplers Quest. This was back when 12 months of BJJ meant you were considered an advanced female competitor. A terrifying thought, lol!<br /><br />I had about 14 months of Jiu-Jitsu under my belt. My first fight was against a woman who had been training for 3 years. I lost by a triangle. Then I got to fight again against a Purple Belt who had been training 8-10 years and had just placed at the World Championships (the last year they were held in Brazil) a few months prior as a blue belt. I had never even seen or heard of a female purple belt before then! It was probably a good thing that it was nogi and my clueless self didn't know who she was at the time. Haha! Somehow, I managed to lose on points. Probably, I was so spazzy and technique-less that it was difficult to control me, although I can guarantee I wasn't putting her in any danger.<br /><br />In my first match the woman put me in a body triangle and afterwards I remember saying that I didn't know why I was having so much trouble opening the guard. I'd never been put in a body triangle before that day, I didn't even know it existed! It's crazy to see how much the students know about BJJ today, when I think back to how little we were being taught back then compared to today's standards. <br /><br />My opponent's coach in the second match was none other than Ryan Hall, himself a newly minted purple belt, about to go on to win the Advanced Absolute that day. Maybe his first Advanced Absolute title? (I should really know whether that's 100% accurate, I guess, haha). This was Ryan before he had won a single superfight match/division. (Although, he went on to win his first superfight a few weeks later.) <br /><br />Celebrating 5 years since the day I met my awesome boyfriend! :) ...unfortunately though I'm celebrating without him, since he's in England until Monday. :( BUT, I am heading over to my brother's house tonight for some of the most amazing chicken fajitas ever! My favorite meal. So excited!! :)BJJ Cailínhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17513043772499828646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-421588795787161961.post-30035206597509547172011-10-10T23:07:00.000-07:002011-10-10T23:35:44.867-07:00MissingRyan is away on his longest consecutive absence since we started dating 5 years ago. I can't take this any longer! I am never scheduling him a trip this long again (unless I get to go with him, lol!)<br /><br />I trained twice today but didn't get in the run I had planned. So I am getting up early tomorrow to start my new lifting workout, then I hit up yoga at 12pm. Then I'll grab lunch and head to the gym to work on some admin stuff. The kids class starts at 5pm (We are up to 15 kids now and one of our new little girls surprised us with her improvement today and renewed aggression. I was worried she wasn't going to really like BJJ but today she sure showed me!) I don't know why, but I just think it's so cool to watch little children execute proper technique. It's amazing what they are capable of learning if you have the patience to teach it. Then after the kids class, we have the women's class (we are up to 23 ladies!), then Basics (I'll probably rest or grab a snack during that class) then finally I train at 8:30pm. <br /><br />I'm trying to figure out how to manage lifting, yoga, running, and BJJ on top of the actual work I have to do each week and balancing it out. I thought when I quit my job last year that I would have plenty of time for all the training I need to do, but really I probably do as much work with the gym that I did before at my government job, lol! And I feel a lot of pressure to be ready for the NoGi Worlds, especially after so much time off. I'm not worried about my technique too much because I know my Jiu-Jitsu is actually way better this year than last year. I am trying to get back in shape! Four weeks to go!<br /><br />But only one more week until Ryan comes home!BJJ Cailínhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17513043772499828646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-421588795787161961.post-319761399803749942011-10-10T10:55:00.000-07:002011-10-10T11:01:06.045-07:00Broken ShmokenI did indeed break my thumb. This knowledge is courtesy of a new student of ours who happens to be a doctor and was more than happy to pronounce my metacarpal (or something) very broken. I took a week off training (prior to the thumb actually being pronounced broken) and then returned slowly, taping my hand such that I can wave like a real princess. Makes me feel pretty...except for the whole can't bend my fingers, perma-stick tape and throbbing pain at the end of class problem.<br /><br />Luckily though! I took one day off during the week last week then two days this past weekend and it appears to finally be healing! 4 more weeks to NoGi Worlds. Is it possible to prepare in 4 weeks after spending over 1 year unable to train hard? I'm not sure. But Val did say that I was rolling very confidently today...meaning that I didn't appear to be worried that my body would give out somewhere unexpectedly. I think today is officially the first day that's happened since February 2010.<br /><br />Hot damn!BJJ Cailínhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17513043772499828646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-421588795787161961.post-10021394856908207012011-09-23T12:19:00.000-07:002011-10-10T10:49:35.017-07:00So much goings onMy brain is all over the place working on 18 things at once. Today was supposed to be my first day off in weeks, but Seph called in sick. Luckily, one of the other purple belts filled in to teach class this morning, but I had to be here and decided to stick around and get some more tasks accomplished.<br /><br />Ryan was in NYC for 6 weeks training for ADCC. He came home for just a few days before heading to Nottingham, England for the tournament. He fights tomorrow at 7am EST and we are hosting a viewing party at the gym to watch it live. I have never in my life been so nervous about anything. <br /><br />If you don't know about ADCC, it's basically the closest thing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or Submission Grappling has to the Olympics. The top 16 competitors in each weight class participate in the tournament. (Well mostly, 7 have to win a regional trials, 1 is invited if they won the previous tournament 2 years prior, and the last 8 receive invitations based on CV's. However, no invitations are allowed to individuals from someone on the same team that won a trial. So if your team has multiple people at a weight that are better than others, they still won't get a spot.) <br /><br />I have been super busy at the gym since we are designing new gis, rashguards, t-shirts, hoodies, patches, etc for the team. Soon we will launch an online store for all the 50/50 gear! <br /><br />The women's class and kids classes are picking up. We currently have 21 women, plus I'm expecting a lady to come in tonight and one other emailed to say she will be here in a few weeks. The kids program is up to 14 now (plus a few teenagers who take the adult classes). <br /><br />We've recently revamped our schedule and website and are working hard to upgrade many facets of the academy. If you are ever satisfied with yourself, you will stagnate, so we are constantly searching for ways to improve. Big things are coming!<br /><br />I may have broken and torn my thumb last time I was in NYC training, so I've been in and out of class myself, trying in vain, to get back in shape. Only 6 weeks until the Nogi Worlds! And I want to be back in competition form for it!BJJ Cailínhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17513043772499828646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-421588795787161961.post-60142147655917907782011-09-16T13:08:00.000-07:002011-09-16T13:09:18.755-07:00IBJJF Splitting Brown/Black DivisionsCheck this out!!<br /><br /><a href="http://gi3girls.com/2011/09/ibjjf-splits-brownblack-division/">IBJJF Splits Brown/Black Divisions in 2012</a>BJJ Cailínhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17513043772499828646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-421588795787161961.post-58389242616616958912011-09-07T14:08:00.000-07:002011-09-07T15:21:17.598-07:00Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle rocks!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuAKBNqGuof_ZUgDIOthyYQDca_G4VLyLIWfiB-tkxRIueQ2THdokzCUQbc_0k7RKRhq2skfgjg9Hup-qpnrhdf5Xcspxl60K4pK1uVMOIyQnx5v-yp1WScpegfXdHg5gnahenW0ii-g/s1600/P9050566.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 145px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuAKBNqGuof_ZUgDIOthyYQDca_G4VLyLIWfiB-tkxRIueQ2THdokzCUQbc_0k7RKRhq2skfgjg9Hup-qpnrhdf5Xcspxl60K4pK1uVMOIyQnx5v-yp1WScpegfXdHg5gnahenW0ii-g/s200/P9050566.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649744975452536386" /></a><br />This was the second time in the last 3 weeks that I was able to go train at Marcelo Garcia's academy and it was awesome! This time I didn't get up there until Saturday night and Sunday is their day off, so Ryan and I spent most of the day revamping the Fifty/50 Academy schedule and website as a whole. Ryan's on a strict diet so no going out to eat. :(<br /><br />On Monday, I went with Ryan to a special ADCC training practice (the academy was closed due to the holiday). I watched as Marcelo, Ryan, Cobrinha, Batista, and Gabi prepared for ADCC through an hour training session of hard rounds with a few hand picked individuals who came in to help them out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgPNM1MpPGVnWAKvHJNaWnGMJe2-z0s7rnGACHFfm7kT2A8Jz4xfTbR5ycQo77KqZ7iFDqueBpQjuekYJsL5pdR2F82m2n9KH0DdjfH30I3O5ZYbbo9ArFmelRY9UvhbqTrmCLd9YFHw/s1600/birkam-yoga.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgPNM1MpPGVnWAKvHJNaWnGMJe2-z0s7rnGACHFfm7kT2A8Jz4xfTbR5ycQo77KqZ7iFDqueBpQjuekYJsL5pdR2F82m2n9KH0DdjfH30I3O5ZYbbo9ArFmelRY9UvhbqTrmCLd9YFHw/s200/birkam-yoga.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649741507311009570" /></a>Later that day, I tried my first HOT yoga class at a place I found just a few blocks from Marcelo's that offers classes for only $5! The class was packed and halfway through I almost bailed, lol! But after a while, I decided it felt pretty good afterall. :)<br /><br />I grabbed my yoga mat and headed over to Ronin Athletics where I was meeting Ryan and his friend Christian (owner of Ronin) for another training session. I warmed up with Ryan (having cooled down since yoga ended an hour earlier). Then was happy to be able to do a few rounds with Liz (a purple belt at Christian's academy who is my size and very nicely stuck around after their open mat to train with me). Unfortunately, though, my yoga mat didn't make it home. Hopefully, Ryan can pick it up at Christian's later this week for me, oops!<br /><br />Tuesday, we went in to train in the afternoon advanced class at Marcelo's. The only other girl training at this class was Gabi, but one of the guys agreed to drill with me. I rolled with a few different guys, then towards the end was looking for a new partner and Cobrinha saw me standing and asked if I wanted to roll with him! What a super nice guy! He's in training for ADCC and volunteered to give up one of his hard rounds to go with me. And then Gabi did the same! I know that I can't even come close to mimicking the type of training they need and was so appreciative of the rounds I had with them. It is so cool when you meet people who are so accomplished in their careers, well-known and still super humble and kind. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVT8G1IKqMxmz16_EOiMr58RLpvVnVsqiMYh451D43Pg1uA2oDL09XPF4Qg9L6jXgZPGG_bnxyQpVoV5v8GIbVox-vvudxZmyj7HQgoZp5JRyLN6Z1_Pwh39_j0JsGecd5zi0nCPZC1o/s1600/P9050582.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVT8G1IKqMxmz16_EOiMr58RLpvVnVsqiMYh451D43Pg1uA2oDL09XPF4Qg9L6jXgZPGG_bnxyQpVoV5v8GIbVox-vvudxZmyj7HQgoZp5JRyLN6Z1_Pwh39_j0JsGecd5zi0nCPZC1o/s200/P9050582.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649744665630833938" /></a>When we came in for the evening advanced class on Tuesday night, I was excited to see a bunch of other girls. One blue belt my size and one a little bigger that I rolled with last time I was in town. Plus, a purple belt who was visiting from California who I met one other time when she dropped into our academy about a month or so ago. I got to roll 10 minutes with each girl plus 10 with a male brown belt about my size and the last 10 minutes with a male pluma-sized blue belt who was super fun to train with. What an awesome session! <br /><br />My last training session there was today, Wednesday's advanced class. Emily didn't know I was in town but she was sitting behind the desk and I went over to say hi. She hadn't been planning on training, but being the super awesome, nice black belt that she is, she jumped up to change so she could work with me. We went over hand fighting from the back to secure the RNC. You have to pay close attention when Marcelo show's technique because he only repeats it once or twice and if you miss something, he will find it when he comes by to watch you drill! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjOXewyC_B6AHpNAfDRIot2W58mNqyywo10Mn5oPnpqQq71XqymaJOSj2f6sV9xZ-yJGoKCAbpvBRzzRF0AEPP4i1TDWFJuhYlnQvR5ESl1YHHGpl4TzJnn4gjMqIDEhA13h7RSKzXEU/s1600/306100_2371381723888_1230840910_2860086_3834563_n.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjOXewyC_B6AHpNAfDRIot2W58mNqyywo10Mn5oPnpqQq71XqymaJOSj2f6sV9xZ-yJGoKCAbpvBRzzRF0AEPP4i1TDWFJuhYlnQvR5ESl1YHHGpl4TzJnn4gjMqIDEhA13h7RSKzXEU/s200/306100_2371381723888_1230840910_2860086_3834563_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649744267304605938" /></a>10 minute rounds again. As expected, Emily pretty much crushed me easily. Haha! I like that she goes pretty hard with me, because I can tell most of the guys hold back a little bit and sometimes feel bad putting their weight on me when I'm on the bottom, and I can feel them back off sometimes. But even though I know she's also careful, Emily makes me work super hard and doesn't let me get away with any mistakes! <br /><br />On the bus ride home now. Only $14 from NYC to DC and it includes free internet! Can't beat that! :)<br /><br />Every joint in my body hurts from training so many hard rounds. It's going to be a while before it gets used to training hard again. And I def need to get back on my strength training before heading into an actual competition. Can't wait for yoga class tomorrow to ease my achiness!BJJ Cailínhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17513043772499828646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-421588795787161961.post-30804859940200652062011-09-02T20:17:00.000-07:002011-09-02T20:31:48.966-07:00New Female Black Belt at Fifty/50!!Well she's not exactly new to her belt. Or new to us for that matter. BUUUUTTT I am so excited to announce that BJJ Black Belt Valorie Worthington (of famed blog <a href="http://bjjvisionquest2006.blogspot.com/">BJJ Vision Quest</a>) is moving to Arlington, VA next week to join our team! Well, actually, to be fair, she is starting her journey next week, but it will take her over a week to arrive since she is driving across the country. :)
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<br />So much awesomeness. Because a. She's awesome b. she's smart c. she's a female who will be around so it won't just be me and the guys all the time anymore d. she's a black belt e. she's on our team and gonna be here all the time and f. she's gonna be staying with me at least for the month that Ryan is in Europe for ADCC and seminars (I hate being home alone)!!! Woohoo!!!
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<br />BJJ Cailínhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17513043772499828646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-421588795787161961.post-55858030230082181682011-08-29T19:30:00.000-07:002011-08-29T20:14:18.959-07:00BlaséDo you ever have those days where you just can't make yourself care what happens on the mat? And not in a good ego-less way but in more like a blasé way?
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8S7bNaL4fYX44GQa3EAkoLV4COtdDUy50ko7Z-4BtCW0wIm_SJUgPb6Kcm5WAWyOtRs0MEv58Eoq8Z36nvK3hymqG9N6D4MOzmBExVGbZLk72fat1Q40MZLzlq2iRvQoelGjCc6MydlM/s1600/blase_frog.gif"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 163px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8S7bNaL4fYX44GQa3EAkoLV4COtdDUy50ko7Z-4BtCW0wIm_SJUgPb6Kcm5WAWyOtRs0MEv58Eoq8Z36nvK3hymqG9N6D4MOzmBExVGbZLk72fat1Q40MZLzlq2iRvQoelGjCc6MydlM/s200/blase_frog.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646481880588522930" /></a>I don't know if I'm still a little under the weather (I'd been feeling badly for the last few days but woke up this morning with my sore throat, etc significantly improved). I also spent around 20 hours updating and compiling the bookkeeping for the gym over the weekend, so my brain is kinda fried. Or maybe it was just hard to come back to the real world after training at Marcelo's. But either way, I just couldn't seem to get my competitive streak going in class tonight. Maybe I need to start lifting again...
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<br />Normally, I love to train hard. And lately, I've been like that all the time. Maybe it's because I spent so much time on the side of the mat this year, but a week ago, I was still trying to remind myself during every roll not to get too carried away, hold a little back, watch your knee, hip, and shoulder. Slow down!
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<br />But today, no reminder was needed, I just didn't feel like going hard. The weirdest part is I wanted to train, I took 2 classes in a row, but I just couldn't make myself train HARD.
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<br />I'm vaguely annoyed at myself for this, eh.
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<br />-Unusually detached
<br />BJJ Cailínhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17513043772499828646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-421588795787161961.post-80994620723439684822011-08-28T22:16:00.000-07:002011-08-28T22:21:23.606-07:0016 yr old 2x BJJ World Champion<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKA9OVf6P4Hh1KvFc17MCw-jzggX2_p2fCR66Wd1009CFEYr5YmBol8BvspwcFepbqT0jbZn0F9L32oo8ud14RoDEPgBHux2qygg0TH4nYa1uKhTK378goHuHamlddvTg-g5Awq3NXhv0/s1600/2010WorldChamp.jpg"><img style="float:center; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKA9OVf6P4Hh1KvFc17MCw-jzggX2_p2fCR66Wd1009CFEYr5YmBol8BvspwcFepbqT0jbZn0F9L32oo8ud14RoDEPgBHux2qygg0TH4nYa1uKhTK378goHuHamlddvTg-g5Awq3NXhv0/s320/2010WorldChamp.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646143580418023986" /></a>
<br />Meet 16-year-old Dominyka Obelenyte on the Grappling Girls Guild Spotlight Section. Read our interview with her <a href="http://gi3girls.com/2011/08/august-spotlight-dominyka-obelenyte/">here.</a>
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<br />BJJ Cailínhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17513043772499828646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-421588795787161961.post-91479799015581580942011-08-26T19:22:00.000-07:002011-08-26T19:59:47.789-07:00Jiu-Jitsu in the Big AppleWhen Ryan asked me if I would come up for a few days and visit him in NYC during his ADCC training camp I jumped at the chance for two reasons. First, of course I wanted to see him since he'd been gone for almost 2 weeks, but I extended my stay a few extra days so that I could train with the all the ladies on my new team! :)
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<br />OMG I haven't had so many fun rounds in a really really long time! I trained with 2 female blue belts my size, and one a little bigger who used to be a national level collegiate wrestler. A nice surprise arrived in a purple belt my size who just moved to NYC from Canada. AND Dominyka (2011 purple belt world champion in the absolute and 2nd place in the division 3 weight classes up from me) was just back fresh from her trip to Lithuania. On top of this I was able to train with both Emily Kwok (first Canadian female black belt) and Jen Petrina, another black belt. It is so rare to be in a room with a bunch of good female training partners and multiple days in a row too! Hopefully, next time I will get to roll with Tati and Lola too!
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<br />Practices were super hard. There wasn't a lot of technical instruction, mostly just hard rounds because Marcelo and Ryan get ready for ADCC during the regular practices. We did different types of training, sometimes regular rounds 5 minutes, sometimes 10 minutes, sometimes we did 1 minute only working takedowns on the feet followed by 5 minutes on the ground. A really fun option though was when we did 5 minutes of a regular round then at the 5 min mark the bell rang and we had 5 minutes to score, first person to score after the 5 minute warning won and the round would be over.
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<br />It was a little tough on my body to go from pretty much no hard training to suddenly 2 times per day of hard training. But it was totally worth it. I finally arrived back home late Wednesday night and practically crawled to Yoga the next day. So refreshing! Haha.
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<br />I can't wait to go back again in a few weeks towards the end of the ADCC training camp. I should be in a little better shape by then too since I'll have a few weeks of training hard again under my belt. :)BJJ Cailínhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17513043772499828646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-421588795787161961.post-13512224645214590002011-08-23T20:02:00.000-07:002011-08-23T20:19:57.034-07:00Second Place at the world championships...of swimming!Okay, so I want to brag about a little girl that I taught to swim many many moons ago.
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<br />Little Sarah was 2 1/2 years old when her mom first started bringing her in for me to work with her. Sarah would have to be forcibly extricated from her mother's arms before every single class, screaming and crying the whole way. But Sarah was (at the time) the youngest of three (now she has a younger brother) and her mom was nonplussed and would do so every Sunday night at 6pm and then turn and walk out the door of the indoor pool, entrusting her toddler to me (I was just a young teenager at the time). Luckily, Sarah would stop crying the second her mother exited hearing range, haha!
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<br />I worked with Sarah as her primary coach for almost 10 years before I stopped teaching her during the winter as I was teaching at a different program then and eventually graduated from college and moved on and didn't get to see her in the summer either anymore. But I try to keep up with her competition success stories.
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<br />I'll never forget Sarah's mom approaching me when she was in middle school saying that all Sarah's coaches wanted her to quit her other sports and just focus on theirs (soccer, basketball, swimming, etc). My advice to her was to not let her specialize until high school and to let her pick at that time what she wanted to do. Well she's a swimmer through and through.
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<br />Last week Sarah received a SILVER MEDAL in one of her races at the Junior World Championships being held in Peru! I couldn't be more proud of how far she has come. Sarah was one of the kids representing the U.S. at the Junior World Championships. Not a bad way to start out her senior year of high school!
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<br />I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for her when the Olympic Trials roll around next summer and she gets the opportunity to take on all the adults!
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<br />Go Sarah!!! :)BJJ Cailínhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17513043772499828646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-421588795787161961.post-32838759708370553742011-08-19T10:50:00.000-07:002011-08-19T11:05:11.853-07:00Self Awareness: Are you a spaz?I took a couple of our new kids to their first tournament a few months ago, 5 year old and 8 year old brothers. There was a lot that I saw in the tournament but in the 8 year olds last match I was very proud of how hard he fought against a kid 2 years older with over twice as much experience. Except for one thing. He didn’t use an ounce of jiu-jitsu. It was all sheer aggression.
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<br />After the match, I went up to him and first praised him for his efforts. Then I asked him what happened, why didn’t he use his jiu-jitsu techniques the way we practiced? He was still gasping for air and just looked straight in my eyes and in between breaths, said simply, “I don't know, I just forgot”.
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<br />Why is it that an 8 year old is capable of this self realization and honesty but most adults are not? He didn't argue with me or make an excuse. He knew that he had allowed the pressure to overtake his mind.
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<br />The other day after class the topic of spazzes came up. One of our blue belts asked Seph (our brown belt instructor), “how do you know if you are a spaz?” Seph’s response was that first because people tell you that you are one. They tell you all the time with phrases like, “calm down”, “use less strength”, “relax a little more”, etc. He said that coaches told him he was a spaz all the time during his progression. (Aside: Are we being too nice? Are we not being direct enough with the students who are spazzy?)
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<br />My answer to the question was a little different. I said, if you notice that the coaches rarely ask you to roll (even in small group settings) or when they do they don’t exchange positions with you, they just tap you over and over and over or they just sit on you and put lots of pressure down and never let you get to any positions, it’s a sign you are a spaz. Another blue belt piped up, “Wait, Ryan doesn’t roll like that with everyone?” My blunt answer, “nope”.
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<br />Light Bulb!
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<br />This second student then asked me directly if he was a spaz, as you may imagine, the answer was yes. It wasn’t what he wanted to hear but he had the appropriate reaction asking how to fix it. I wonder how many years he's been training and no one ever told him this before (he's fairly new to our academy).
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<br />But how to fix it is the difficult question to answer. Once you come to terms with your spazziness, how do you stop? How do you attain the ease of movement that high-level black belts have? Many of us struggle daily trying to discover the appropriate balance between aggression and smoothness.
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<br />Actually, I’m not exactly sure how to do it as I’m still working on it myself.
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<br />But here are a few quick tips that have helped me a lot: If you are ever doing a pushing movement that isn’t designed to get a return push for a redirect, but rather is strictly for the purpose of pushing your opponent away, than you are being spazzy. If you are ever pushing your opponent back away from you from the bottom of guard, instead of using your guard, hooks or points of contact to pull, than you are probably being a spaz. If you find yourself exhausted after 2-3 rolls, you are probably being a spaz. And of course, both mine and Seph’s original responses to the question apply as well. Pay attention to how your instructor rolls with you and with various other individuals. Is it different?
<br />BJJ Cailínhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17513043772499828646noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-421588795787161961.post-26313439662378700262011-08-15T23:01:00.000-07:002011-08-15T23:43:59.606-07:00Gym hopping<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0olzSpbhF-wHuTYSMCH89KUX7V0R9WOdKcZXzzL9t_YjbQcUpmCwTev_UnwsoK3_ZICXfM5c8QINfbVeZ5tmcoa6Zaodw9ZxOQIvPfNYU8OE7iIWq9g10_5bDIRboAfBzxMT3Ftivpnc/s1600/ybg.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 94px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0olzSpbhF-wHuTYSMCH89KUX7V0R9WOdKcZXzzL9t_YjbQcUpmCwTev_UnwsoK3_ZICXfM5c8QINfbVeZ5tmcoa6Zaodw9ZxOQIvPfNYU8OE7iIWq9g10_5bDIRboAfBzxMT3Ftivpnc/s400/ybg.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641340832797255058" /></a>
<br />Why do I read Sherdog? It seems to be constantly full of low level white and blue belts giving their opinions on Jiu-Jitsu. It kinda reminds me of a middle-schooler trying to teach his parents about life...
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<br />The latest thread I became frustrated with was on the topic of gym hopping. I guess I can understand to some degree where the point of view that despises gym hopping comes from. Usually they are non-competitors who cannot comprehend the constant drive to learn more, faster, better. They are also probably lacking in some way a connection of some sort and need their team to be their family. They want to be a part of a group more than they want to succeed. These people are necessary in the academy and in life, but they will never be at the top.
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<br />I have changed gyms twice...and hope to never have to again.
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<br />The first gym was the one I happened to walk into when starting BJJ. While at this academy, I treated it like my family. I showed up regularly for a year and a half, I was one of only 4 students that regularly competed. But I hit a point where I didn't feel it was giving me what I needed. I was more committed to them than they were to me. I realized that the instruction wasn't as good as my ignorant self thought the first time I walked through the doors, and I wanted to train with women who were higher ranked than me. Even still, it was an agonizing decision that took me months to arrive at. I still have a few friends from this academy, although most of those have since followed me to my third.
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<br />I was very much thrilled to become a part of my second gym. I was so excited at the instant increase in my jiu-jitsu knowledge and skill. But after some time I decided it was no longer the place for me. Although, I had a bunch of friends and enjoyed the training itself, the atmosphere was no longer for me.
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<br />My third gym was started by my boyfriend, Ryan Hall. I don't know what I would do if we broke up, because I can't imagine ever training anywhere else. Ryan has so much more Jiu-Jitsu knowledge than almost every person I've ever met. He makes all movement look and seem easy. He can answer literally every single question I've ever had and his answers come from tried and true, proven competition results at the highest levels. He isn't a Marcelo Garcia or Cobrinha, but is working towards getting there one day.
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<br />Ryan holds the key to my constant battle between technical movement and aggression. His scientific and principled approach to BJJ is exactly what I need. Every time I roll with him, I get better, simply by feeling his movement. Plus, I love the laid back yet hard working environment he fosters. Ryan doesn't have any desire to be your dad or your boss. He doesn't want to be an authority figure in any way, he just naturally is one. He likes to joke around a lot but our practices are hard; all the students train with aggression and desire to win, yet each one also constantly strives for technical proficiency and ease of movement. The exact combination is so rare in jiu-jitsu academies that to me it is amazing to behold.
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<br />Many times I have commented that even the students who get on my nerves, I like. I work at the gym full time now and it really is truly wonderful to be in an environment where you work with around 100 different people each week and yet like them all! A positive environment seems to perpetuate itself in much the same way a negative one does.
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<br />I am very excited at the idea of what it will become in the future. I can't imagine ever being anywhere else.
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<br />But then, I couldn't imagine every leaving my first two gyms either. So who knows...BJJ Cailínhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17513043772499828646noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-421588795787161961.post-22697364919427115642011-07-24T16:36:00.001-07:002011-07-24T16:44:31.243-07:00I'm gonna party like it's my birthdayBecause it is! :)<br /><br />How did I spend my day? Well, of course it started with Jiu-Jitsu.<br /><br />I taught the women only class, which was super small today but it worked out because I was able to catch to of our newest girls up on some techniques they'd been having trouble with. Then Ryan rolled with me and helped me with a few things for an hour of uninterrupted time! It's probably surprising to most people but we almost never get to train, especially for any length of time without being interrupted by students or other coaches needing something. It was nice to spend that time with him working on a bunch of my weaknesses. It's weird because even though I've barely trained the last 9 months, he said my movement is WAY better than it used to be. I guess all that time just watching everyone else may have paid off in some form. Now I just have to get back in shape and be able to go full speed. <br /><br />Then Ryan, Kenny, Gianni (who just arrived from NY today), and I all went to the pool. It was nice to relax a bit. Now we're home cooling off and getting ready to change so Ryan can take me out to dinner. <br /><br />A totally awesome day!BJJ Cailínhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17513043772499828646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-421588795787161961.post-85765006028417162382011-07-20T12:14:00.000-07:002011-07-20T12:17:40.382-07:00New Black Belt Down Under<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rgO8IjzF7WSFGzCwOfVGvV80IkgT_A8U8QLlDE6WgIVVaPxUPWfUI6g8VdSn-xTOqdInaZLi49u6QOdz9fMAt1SiKBl5ngftUnh88AdOMRNHM8cihr_5mUdaPuGB7mEYqsxCS0OGttw/s1600/stellabjj3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 166px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rgO8IjzF7WSFGzCwOfVGvV80IkgT_A8U8QLlDE6WgIVVaPxUPWfUI6g8VdSn-xTOqdInaZLi49u6QOdz9fMAt1SiKBl5ngftUnh88AdOMRNHM8cihr_5mUdaPuGB7mEYqsxCS0OGttw/s320/stellabjj3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631515647558066050" /></a><br /><a href="http://gi3girls.com/history/whos-who/australian-black-belts-women/esther-tavares-tutida/">Esther Tavares Tutida</a> becomes the second Australian female to receive her black belt in BJJ! Read more at the <a href="http://gi3girls.com/2011/07/new-black-belt-down-under/">Grappling Girls Guild</a>!BJJ Cailínhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17513043772499828646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-421588795787161961.post-69654933355335637782011-06-08T05:44:00.000-07:002011-06-08T05:47:41.871-07:002011 Mundial Women's Brown/Black ReviewI watched the Budovideos live feed from home this year since I couldn't compete due to injuries. :(<br /><br />And the ladies sure shook things up!!<br /><br />Full review here...<br /><a href="http://gi3girls.com/2011/06/2011-mundial-womens-brownblack-divisions-review/">Women's Brown/Black Belt Play-by-play</a><br /><br />The women’s divisions did not disappoint this year! The feeling on the budovideos chat log was that the women’s division finals were much more interesting than the men’s. These ladies came out to fight and by all appearances were not satisfied to squeak out a win by advantages if they could help it. Whether the match actually ended by submission, points, or ref’s decision, it was clear that each woman on the mat was playing for keeps.<br /><br />* Please note that they didn’t show all of the women’s matches so I don’t have exact play-by-play for all of them other than the finals.<br />PLUMA REVIEW<br />Gezary Matuda Kubis finished her first two opponents (Tove Sodersten and Claudia Martinez) by triangle/armlock and armlock respectively to meet up with Leticia who had a bye first round before besting her first opponent on the way to her match with Gezary. Leticia and Gezary battled it out with Leticia coming out ahead 8-6. On the other side of the bracket, Nyjah Easton bested her first 2 opponents before beating Jennifer Sutingco by a large point margin in the semifinals.<br /><br />The final pitted the experienced black belt and reigning champion, Leticia Ribeiro versus Brown Belt, Nyjah Easton. Nyjah quickly pulled guard at the opening of the match. After a long stalemate, Leticia finally forced her to open and Nyjah quickly switched to De La Riva Guard. Leticia managed to secure 3 points for a pass before Nyjah exploded with a bridge and managed to roll Leticia over. Leticia managed to base out and in the scramble land back on top. Nyjah was able to secure a sweep to give her 2 points towards the end and the match ended 3-2 in favor of the current champion, Leticia Ribeiro. <a href="http://gi3girls.com/2011/06/2011-mundial-womens-brownblack-divisions-review/">Read More Here</a>BJJ Cailínhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17513043772499828646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-421588795787161961.post-28064374495129432372011-06-02T20:17:00.000-07:002011-06-02T20:42:01.248-07:00Fifty/50's First Student Mundial Medalist...is a GIRL!!!I just found out from my doctor last night that I tore my LCL (more later), but today, I don't care. Because I am so happy for Megan! <br /><br />Megan Lomonof is the first student from Fifty/50 since we opened our doors in January 2009 to medal at the BJJ World Championships! Congrats to Megan for her Bronze medal in the Women's Blue Belt Lightweight Division!<br /><br />Megan has worked so hard and definitely deserved this! She started training BJJ in December 2009 and was promoted to blue belt in February 2011 after winning the White/Blue Belt Division at the Abu Dhabi Pro Trials in NJ. On top of being a beast at BJJ, Megan is a highly accomplished musician, playing the flute and piccolo for the United States Army. And she bought her first bikini and sundress the other day! So it's a win all around this week for her! :)<br /><br />Good luck in the absolute tomorrow chica! And good luck to Kenny and Ostap as they fight their divisions tomorrow as well!BJJ Cailínhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17513043772499828646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-421588795787161961.post-85251237487218563892011-05-30T17:25:00.000-07:002011-05-30T17:51:41.543-07:00NO PAIN, NO PAIN, NO PAIN!!!And no that's not a mantra I'm just telling myself to make it so. :)<br /><br />I've been on and off the mat, trying to get back into training the last 3 months following my initial post-surgery rehab. I've been on a strict weight lifting regimen and unable to train much because just lifting would exhaust my hip/shoulder to the point of often being unable to train (or train long) that day or sometimes 1-2 days following hard lifts. And even when I did train, I wasn't able to do more than a few rounds and was very nervous about tweaking my hip or shoulder and had to move carefully to avoid many positions...BUT...not today!<br /><br />For the first time in over A WHOLE YEAR I trained 100% pain free today! It probably helped that I didn't do any physical activity on Saturday and only rolled for 10 minutes with my favorite training partner on Sunday, so my body was feeling great when I went in this morning to train with Megan for the Mundials. I'm not going, but one of our female blue belts is and I wanted to help her get some work in at the special Mundial Memorial Day practice. After drilling and warming up, Seph asked me if I was going to train. My response was, "yes, but I don't know how many rounds my body will hold up for". But my body did GREAT! It didn't betray me today. Not at all.<br /><br />I trained hard, and without thinking about my hip or shoulder at all the whole time! I know my strength still isn't 100% but this is the first time I've been able to really <span style="font-weight:bold;">train</span> without worrying about the angle my arm or leg was at in literally over one year since I first tore the hip and shoulder. Okay, during the last positional sparring round I felt my hip starting to tighten up but I actually lasted all the way to the end. And once during rounds I had to break the order and take an extra 3 minute round out because my asthma was acting up from my cardio lacking after almost 8 months off real training (holy crap, it's really been that long!) but otherwise I couldn't be happier! <br /><br />Jiu-Jitsu is fun again!<br /><br />After being injured for so long, between the initial injuries and the months of ignoring what I knew to be true, then finally getting both surgeries and doing the rehab, to getting back into jiu-jitsu (probably a little too early), I actually forgot how much fun jiu-jitsu was. I can't wait to get back into actual shape and get back into competition! I will be a different grappler. New and improved!<br /><br />It is a little frustrating that this moment of bliss finally arrived the week of the Mundial...if only it had been 3-4 weeks sooner, then I could have competed. But at least I'm healed! My doctors rock! <br /><br />Soo...yeah...I need to go ice my hip because after training earlier, it is tight and achy. But I made it! It's all uphill from here! Woohoo!!!!BJJ Cailínhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17513043772499828646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-421588795787161961.post-8383479838034215822011-05-11T21:12:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:40:19.276-07:002011 ADCC Invitee...Ryan Hall!Yay!! Ryan received his invite for ADCC earlier this week. I'm so happy for him! :) I know he wanted to do the trials but he unfortunately missed both. :( He missed the east coast trials last fall due to a torn thumb ligament that affected his grip and missed the west coast because of an ankle injury that affected his ability to train hard in preparation for (and to make the new day of weight requirement since he couldn't run either) the tournament. And he wasn't sure if missing the trials would preclude him from being able to attend this year. (Huge sigh of relief!) I can't wait to see how he does two years later, one rank higher, and possessing much better competition and training experience under his belt!<br /><br />Ryan leaves mid-way through next week for a Mundial training camp in San Francisco with Felipe Costa, Caio Terra, and others. And he already has plans for an ADCC training camp in August-September with some of the best. Good luck, Ryan! :) <br /><br />And good luck to the other Fifty/50 competitors heading out to the Mundial this year: Seph Smith, Ostap Manastyrski, Kenny Savercool, and Megan Lomonof! (Wish I was going with you all!)BJJ Cailínhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17513043772499828646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-421588795787161961.post-65250172482893480602011-05-01T12:26:00.000-07:002011-05-11T13:22:39.025-07:00A generation of participation trophies, ribbons, and now...BJJ Belts? (pt 1)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMzGEJXbnYhdg3prdwfHpFVGzK9XL8WbU5FuXN2L9EyKC1a3U_T_gTXir5aSZIMrYIOqCC4Pzvo9nkigjs7CHWZvPoe_LzE3NrmtTjB-E-SavmtuABSo-hS0a1C8Bs2slmCwbhNWEtFs/s1600/trophy.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 157px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMzGEJXbnYhdg3prdwfHpFVGzK9XL8WbU5FuXN2L9EyKC1a3U_T_gTXir5aSZIMrYIOqCC4Pzvo9nkigjs7CHWZvPoe_LzE3NrmtTjB-E-SavmtuABSo-hS0a1C8Bs2slmCwbhNWEtFs/s200/trophy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601841286709101442" /></a><br />I had a couple conversations regarding belts with a few of our students today and a topic touched upon in both was that of belt promotions.<br /><br />The first conversation was in relation to kids belts. It seems that many BJJ kids programs have created their own belt structure due to their preference for what they perceive to be a necessary marketing tool. It is designed to give the kids a regular promotion as a physical representation of their improvement. One student related how in TKD her niece's had a belt test every 6 weeks. BJJ used to be anti-mcdojos, but are we heading in this direction too? <br /><br />The initial BJJ belt structure was organized so you would be at a given belt for a fair amount of time (years, plural) before being promoted. How many gyms follow the official IBJJF belt protocol for kids (or adults)? Not many from what I've seen. The kids at the tournaments have all sorts of belt colors, some even follow the adult system (against IBJJF official regulations).<br /><br />We decided when we started our kids program last fall that we would follow the official IBJJF guidelines instead of designing our own marketing gimmick (gag). We wanted to commit to the intent of the system. In doing so, we ended up demoting 2 of the kids who transfered from elsewhere so their skill level would match the belt we would give them. And contrary to the popularly held belief in martial arts (including BJJ) marketing, neither child minded at all. In the 6 months our kids BJJ program has existed, we have not broached the subject of belt promotions with the kids at all. And only one of them at one time inquired how to get a black belt, when told he couldn't be awarded one for a while and it was explained that he would be told when he was ready for promotion, he dropped the subject and never brought it up again (he's eight).<br /><br />All the children work hard every day, they learn, ask questions, train, and have fun! We are even taking the majority of them to their first BJJ tournament next weekend in Ashland, VA. But because we don't emphasize earning a physical representative of their improvement to outwardly express it, they don't need one. As children will do, they simply follow our lead and example. And ultimately isn't it better for them to be learning to enjoy the process of earning success instead of being focused on an outward representation of it? Isn't that more of a lifeskill than anything? <br /><br />Has our society's desire for participation ribbons and trophies and the idea that everyone earns the same rewards begun to ruin our culture and by extension BJJ? I believe to some extent it has. Everyone is not created equal, some are more naturally gifted physically, some mentally, and others with sheer determination and drive. Shouldn't rewards go to those who shine? Otherwise, they aren't rewards at all...they are in fact, meaningless. <br /><br />Shouldn't we teach our kids at a young age that they can have anything they want, but only IF they work for it. That if they choose not to, they can't complain and demand/expect the same rewards of those who do? Shouldn't they be taught to win and lose graciously instead of being forced to believe in the idea that no one wins or loses? Because, in life, that simply isn't true at all. <br /><br />Elsewhere in our society they are being forced to believe a fairy tale. But what about when real life happens and it shatters that vision? Will they be prepared?<br /><br />What happens when a generation of children become adults that don't know how to work hard for (and appreciate) success or how to win and lose with dignity?BJJ Cailínhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17513043772499828646noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-421588795787161961.post-76621298271423053512011-04-29T19:34:00.000-07:002011-04-29T21:35:45.847-07:00The Mundials are out...Once again I will miss the Mundials due to injury. :(<br /><br />After asking me if I could do a couple positions/movements this past Saturday, to which my answer was "no", Ryan informed me that I couldn't participate in the Mundials. I cried again. Dammit. I've spent over 3 months rehabbing, adding strength and conditioning, everything I could to push myself to make it back in time for the World Championships. I really thought I could make it. I was so frustrated when I was told there was no way. And the worst part is, I can't really argue with the assessment. What do you do when your coach asks you to do a simple technique and you can't?<br /><br />You see, I've been training and hard too, so no one realized how much trouble I was still having in some positions...because, well, I just avoided those positions at all cost. But Ryan is right, there are too many I have to avoid because of my hip and what if I can't avoid them. Then what? But knowing that doesn't make me feel better at all.<br /><br />How do you stay motivated to work hard when you know you won't be able to compete against people your size and level for FIVE months? The curse of being small means that local tournaments never have people in your division. And now it will be a full year from my last competition until the next. Especially, as I probably wouldn't even be able to think about entering divisions against bigger people for another few months as well. Being injured sucks. And healing, but not quickly enough sucks too. Ugh.<br /><br />But to keep from being too negative, even though it cuts into my training time, I've really enjoyed teaching all the classes while the guys are in Toronto competing at Grapplers Quest. It's exhausting to be on the whole time, especially yesterday, but it's really cool to see the progress the students are making. Also, it looks like our numbers are back up for the women's class. The ladies were a little irregular in their attendance for a few weeks for various reasons and it's nice to see a bunch of them back in regularly again. We got up to 11 in one class last week and 9 in one this week. So fun!! :)BJJ Cailínhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17513043772499828646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-421588795787161961.post-59484376314713414082011-04-16T20:05:00.000-07:002011-04-16T20:17:44.679-07:00Emirati Women Set a PrecedentAn article in an online newspaper in the UAE about the UAE women's jiu-jitsu team competing at the Abu Dhabi Pro<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Emirati Women Set a Precedent</span><br />By: Amith Passela<br /><br />ABU DHABI // The Emirati women's jiu-jitsu team gained much-needed exposure from their first international competition last night.<br /><br />All seven participants, making their debut on the international stage, lost their first-round games at the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championships. All of them, however, declared they would return stronger for the next staging of the event in Abu Dhabi.<br /><br />"Our biggest challenge was to get on stage in an event telecast live and in front of a big international audience. We have overcome that hurdle," said Rachida Mubarak Belfakir, after her defeat to <span style="font-weight:bold;">Megan Lomonof</span>, of the United States, in the white/blue 63kg and under weight division at the National Exhibition Centre yesterday.<br /><br />"We all knew the fights would be very, very tough. Yet we wanted to get on stage and fight against opponents with more experience. We are not exposed to such training but we want to change that culture and become athletes by our own.<br /><br />"This championship was a learning curve for all of us. All of us realised how much work we need to put in to reach the level at which we just competed. I think we got about 30 per cent experience from these fights.<br /><br />"I would like to think we are on the right path and with more intense training, we will reach a good level. It is up to us now to increase our workload and then keep improving by participating in competitions regularly."<br /><br />Belfakir has ambitions of becoming a black belt and to compete in the World Professional championship. She has trained about a year and has participated two local competitions, winning a silver medal and a bronze.<br /><br />"We are a group of friends and we are very serious of pursuing a career in jiu-jitsu," she said. "Our parents didn't have any objections when we asked for their permission. There are several other Emirati girls in training but they don't want to fight in public. But we, seven of us, have decided to move forward. We have given the Emirati women a start and I am sure more will follow us."<br /><br />Of the other Emiratis in the 63kgs and under, Issrine Idris was outclassed with a choke-lock from Niceye Whissell of Canada and Charlotte Baumgarten of Germany had Latifa Hassan out early with a hand-lock.<br /><br />Maha al Rumaithi went down to Tamino Kaori of Japan and Samira al Rumaithi went the full distance although losing by 17-0 to Eman Isam Bilbaisi of Jordan.<br /><br />Soud al Mir, who went down to Allison Tremblay of Canada in the 63kg and over weight division, wasn't disappointed either.<br /><br />"There is no reason for me to get disappointed," she said. "It is the other way around. I am very excited and happy to have participated in a big competition that has drawn a big audience and seen live on TV.<br /><br />"Like all my friends, I am going to continue with the training and get better. This was a real good experience for all of us. Jiu-jitsu is new for the Emirati girls and I am sure it will get bigger and better with time. What we need here is more competitions."<br /><br />Latifa Akhassay, al Mir's colleague in the same weight division, was beaten by Eirin Nyguen of Norway.<br /><br />Caroline de Lazzer, the Emirati women's coach, also made a first round exit to compatriot Michello Nicolini in the black belt 63kg and under.<br /><br />"It just goes to show how tough the competition has become," said de Lazzer, the 2006 world champion. "Those opponents the Emirati girls competed are those who are pursuing in becoming future world champions. My students are just beginners. It was the experience for them."<br /><br />For a second successive day the organisers failed to have a fight-card and the results, and not only had the public and the media confused, but some of the competitors too.<br /><br />Katrina Weilbacher, from the United States, in her first appearance at the Abu Dhabi event was still wondering around long after the day's events were over to find out if she had to fight for a third-place play-off.<br /><br />"Usually the fight schedules and the results are announced over the PA system so you know when and whom you fight next," she said. "There is a lot of confusion. I still don't know if I have to fight in a play-off for bronze."<br /><br />Weilbacher went down to South African Penny Thomas in the black belt 63kgs and over in the semi-finals.<br /><br />"I was in a triangle for about three minutes but lost the fight," she said. "Penny is one of the best in the world. The competition here is much higher than I expected with all the top fighters from around the world."<br /><br />Thomas will meet the world champion Gabriella Garcia, of Brazil, in today's final. And Weilbacher, who lost in the World Cup final to Garcia in Los Angeles last year said it could be anyone's final.<br /><br />"It will be a very close and exciting contest," added the American, who has crossed path with both. "It will be like a toss of a coin for me."<br /><br />The finals of all weight classes and categories will be worked off today from 11am at the National Exhibition Centre.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.thenational.ae/sport/uae-sport/emirati-women-set-a-precedent">The National: Emirati Women Set a Precedent</a>BJJ Cailínhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17513043772499828646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-421588795787161961.post-74207535980155827162011-04-15T13:13:00.000-07:002011-04-15T13:20:30.276-07:00Jiu-Jitsu in Hijab...Female Competitors at the Abu Dhabi ProI've posted a quick article and some of the preliminary results from the women's divisions at the Abu Dhabi Pro on the Grappling Girls Guild Website. Click <a href="http://gi3girls.com/2011/04/jiu-jitsu-in-hijab-female-competitors-at-abu-dhabi-pro/">here</a> for more information.<br /><br />Also, new BJJ/Grappling events for women taking place now through August have been listed in the calendar section. Check in to match up your vacation time with one of them! (And please feel free to send me more if you have any brewing that I don't know about.)<br /><br />A special congrats to Fifty/50 student Megan Lomonof for her hard work, dedication, and composure for earning a spot to compete at the Abu Dhabi Pro as a 14 month white belt, then going out and competing in her first big tournament ever (and first tournament as a blue belt) and coming home with 2 submission victories, many lessons learned, and the ability to believe that there was nothing different she could have done to achieve a greater outcome. (Megan lost in the quarterfinals but put up a brave fight the whole way). We look forward to seeing her get out to more tournaments in the latter half of 2011!BJJ Cailínhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17513043772499828646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-421588795787161961.post-47932690093174550932011-04-11T21:53:00.001-07:002011-04-11T22:11:40.000-07:00iPhone...sending BJJ technical instructions from Abu DhabiI miss Ryan. And on top of this I hate being home alone, I'm used to noise all the time and I just cannot sleep when it's quiet. Consequently, I haven't slept well since he left. I'm perpetually tired all day, yet unable to fall asleep at night. Tonight I plan to leave the TV on all night and see if keeps a low hum at an appropriate decibel for me to sleep soundly. Fingers crossed...<br /><br />This hasn't been an easy weekend. Ryan's grandmother passed away last week, the night before he left for Abu Dhabi. He was going to stay home, but his mom thought he should still leave to compete at the World Pro. Trying to stand in for him as best I could, I went to the wake on Sunday and the funeral today. This was a side of his family that I haven't met as often as the other side so, as I was recounting the last two days' conversations to Ryan via Facebook chat, I kept confusing him by getting names mixed up, lol. Plus, he was chatting using his iPhone so there was a huge delay from message to message, making things more confusing when there was a question, haha. :) <br /><br />Ryan's bummed about his performance this past weekend in the higher weight class at the nogi tournament and by losing to Vagner Rocha by advantage in the absolute, but he's getting good training in with Murilo Santana this week and looks to perform better back in his regular weight class this coming weekend. He's also looking forward to the arrival of our student, Megan Lomonof, who flew out today to Abu Dhabi, where she will compete in the women's white/blue belt division. She's been working hard and I know she will make us proud, regardless of the actual outcome. Good luck to them both!!!<br /><br />Btw - You know you are addicted to BJJ when your boyfriend/coach is sending you instructions for how to do a particular sweep using FB chat on his iPhone from the other side of the world, lol! (This was going on in between my messages describing my day with his family. I guess we are a strange couple...)BJJ Cailínhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17513043772499828646noreply@blogger.com1