{"id":462,"date":"2013-12-02T18:09:26","date_gmt":"2013-12-02T17:09:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.art-of-bjj.com\/en\/?p=462"},"modified":"2018-04-04T20:31:22","modified_gmt":"2018-04-04T19:31:22","slug":"what-if-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-would-be-more-open-to-women","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.art-of-bjj.com\/en\/what-if-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-would-be-more-open-to-women\/","title":{"rendered":"What if Brazilian jiu-jitsu would be more open to women?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-483 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/www.art-of-bjj.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2013\/12\/Brazilian_jiujitsu_women.jpg\" alt=\"Young woman practicing jiu-jitsu. Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a martial art, self defense system and combat sport.\" width=\"425\" height=\"282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.art-of-bjj.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2013\/12\/Brazilian_jiujitsu_women.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.art-of-bjj.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2013\/12\/Brazilian_jiujitsu_women-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 425px) 100vw, 425px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If you pratice Brazilian jiu-jitsu, you would also notice a small number of women in this sport. <strong>Good for self-defense, physical shape and mental, BJJ nevertheless does not attract women. So what should be done to make Brazilian jiu-jitsu more appealing for women?<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>Brazilian jiu-jitsu\u2019s benefits for women<\/h2>\n<h3>A good self-defense mean<\/h3>\n<p>In case of agression a man will always be stronger than a woman. Yes ladies, put your feminist and free-woman\u2019s ego aside because, on this aspect, we are really weaker. <strong>And that\u2019s why BJJ fits us!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Short reminder about the <strong>Brazilian jiu-jitsu\u2019s concepts: give the possibility to a weaker person (us ladies for example) to resist a taller and stronger opponent<\/strong> (mister muscles) <strong>and to defeat him.<\/strong> More seriously it corresponds to the most part of assaults women have to deal with, especially sexual assault.<\/p>\n<p>And \u00a0know what?! One of the most effective BJJ\u2019s attack\/defense position is being on your back with the oponent between your legs. <strong>Indeed Brazilian jiu-jitsu has developped its effectiveness in ground fighting<\/strong> and an agressor will often try to bring you in such position\u2026<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-678\" src=\"http:\/\/www.art-of-bjj.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2013\/12\/1385327_521506441276914_311676940_n.jpg\" alt=\"Why should girls learn BJJ by Marist\u00e9\" width=\"400\" height=\"414\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.art-of-bjj.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2013\/12\/1385327_521506441276914_311676940_n.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.art-of-bjj.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2013\/12\/1385327_521506441276914_311676940_n-290x300.jpg 290w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Another Example :<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4jdjGRDCtV4\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>By the way BJJ became worldwide known after MMA fights in which <strong>Carlos or Helio Gracie\u2019s<\/strong> children and grand-children won their fights by bringing strongest opponents to the ground.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Cardio, core muscle strengthening: a complet sport!<\/h3>\n<p>Forget the monotone \u00ab thighs\/abdominals\/buttocks\u00bb! Another <strong>BJJ\u2019s advantage is that to be a very complete sport.<\/strong> <strong>It develops as good cardio, physical strength and sculpts the body.<\/strong> Another feminin magazin sales pitch?! No. BJJ uses all muscles and so tone up and strengthen the muscles.<\/p>\n<h3>Develop your well beeing in all situations.<\/h3>\n<p>BJJ helps to <strong>better deal with stress and to strengthen self-confidence.<\/strong> You might say, always the same arguments?&#8230; I can assure that your self-control and self-confidence are at the top level when you manage to deal with a 30kg heavier opponent\u2019s assaults (even to tap him out, in this situation you feel the girl power increase!). Good on the mat and in everyday life.<\/p>\n<p>So why are there only a few women in this martial art?<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Overcome the first training stage<\/h2>\n<h3>An important lake of communication around Brazilian jiu-jitsu<\/h3>\n<p>Man or woman here is one of the first difficulties.<strong> Step back and remember how you started BJJ<\/strong>. It\u2019s often an acquaintance who brought you to the first class. In France <strong>Brazilian jiu-jitsu suffers from a flagrant lake of notoriety.<\/strong> With the MMA\u2019s broadcast, where most fighters train Brazilian jiu-jitsu techniques, the situation tends to improve. Nevertheless it does not represent well enough what BJJ really is and might not convince many girls to go on tatamis.<\/p>\n<h3>Overcome the hand-to-hand sparring\u2019s a prioris<\/h3>\n<p>Once you heard about it, you have to <strong>overcome many Brazilian jiu-jitsu\u2019s clich\u00e9s<\/strong>, like \u00ab what\u2019s this sport in which you hug each other \u00bb etc. It\u2019s not easy for a man, so imagine for a woman who plans to practice this sport.<\/p>\n<p>For me one explanation for the low number of women in jiu-jitsu is the <strong>unease they could feel. To try a new sport you need to go out your confort zone.<\/strong> It\u2019s even more important as practicing <strong>Brazilian includes a lot of contacts and an important proximity with your training partners.<\/strong> It demands a considerable effort to present yourself at the edge of a tatami and to overcome your apprehensions in front a group of guys (\u00ab I am the only one woman, what will they think\u2026). It is easier to go to a fitness gym!<\/p>\n<h3>The difficulty to get into a BJJ team<\/h3>\n<p>Once on the mat, the hardest part will come. In generally, <strong>the welcome is very important because it reflects the team\u2019s state of mind<\/strong>, especially when welcoming a woman. As for everything, the first impression is very important.<br \/>\nIt is necessary to guide the newcomer and treat her like any other jiu-jitsu mate, a light one. You will avoid mutual unease causing blunders:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Women but not weak women!<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Guys, we really appreciate when you are careful not to hurt us, it is a proof of respect and consideration. Nevertheless we are not dolls. We won\u2019t break ourselves under a knee belly control for example. During technical exercises or sparring, judge the appropriate intensity but don\u2019t handle us with kid gloves. In the long term, it will be frustrating and won\u2019t be helpful for you and us.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Avoid heavy-handed comments<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>During technical exercices or sparring avoid comments like \u00ab by the way, it\u2019s my cup that you feel. (True! Seriously would say that to a guy ?!)\u2026<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>A fully-fledge training partner<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When you have to choose a partner, don\u2019t let women on the side. Do you remember in your childhood, when sport\u2019s team were to be made and that you were the last one chosen? It\u2019s exactly the same for a woman in BJJ class. Overcome the a priori. <strong>Working or rolling with a woman allows you to improve your game in a different, more technical way!<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Consideration!<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Don\u2019t hesitate to chat with them on the mat and invite them to competition or other gym\u2019s events.<strong> It\u2019s important to make women feel they completely belong to the team.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>The first 6 months stage<\/h2>\n<h3>A highly demanding learning process<\/h3>\n<p>Man or woman, <strong>the first six months of jiu-jitsu are often synonymous of pain.<\/strong> Moreover this sport requires high physical intensity, we spent our time to undergo the rolls\u2026 Blossoming through sport is still far away!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Being a light weight includes a specific BJJ\u2019s approach:<\/strong> be smarter, more technical and faster to counterbalance strength and weight\u2019s differences. It demands a lot more will and effort.<\/p>\n<h3>Toughness of the first rolls<\/h3>\n<p>Even if most of the BJJ practioners know how to adapt themselves to smaller and lighter ones, it happens that some of them use big strength. Ladies do not hesitate to tell them gently, it\u2019s often involontary.<\/p>\n<p>Some might have an excessiv ego (a minority, be reassured!). Rolling with a woman has no interest for them or is an opportunity to show their strength and virility. Be cool, manage it then avoid rolling with them. You won\u2019t learn with this kind of sparring. You might give them a chance later, the adaptation time is more or less long, depending on one\u2019s cleverness! It\u2019s also a good way to see how your progress.<\/p>\n<p>Coaches have also a role to play ! Designate the newcomer\u2019s opponents (for both men and women) is a good mean to make sure that the sparring will go well for everybody.<\/p>\n<h3>Being a woman and practising a martial art<\/h3>\n<p>The woman\u2019s presence on the mat is related to her <strong>private sphere.<\/strong> Practising BJJ implies to have <strong>a partner who accepts that you roll hand-to-hand with other men.<\/strong> To convince and reassure him, bring him to a class and <strong>show him that your are considered like another fighter.<\/strong> Even offer him to try, he might be captivated by the sport (I did it ! Now he is a BJJ geek like me and supports me a lot for this blog)!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>How to develop Brazilian jiu-jitsu for women?<\/h2>\n<h3>Improve the relationship between the academie\u2019s members<\/h3>\n<p>Besides the BJJ\u2019s notoriety which has to be developped, there\u2019s first a need to <strong>work on the relationship<\/strong>. If you have women in your academy, ask them how they feel and what could be done to make them feel better. <strong>The training environment is primordial.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3>Brazilian jiu-jitsu\u2019s female practioners: the best ambassadors<\/h3>\n<p>I think that <strong>current female practioners have an<\/strong> <strong>important role.<\/strong> On the mat we have to show that a woman can practice jiu-jitsu and that we are fully-fledge training partners. Outside the mat we are ambassadors and have to <strong>contribute to the development of BJJ for women.<\/strong> How? Starting by explaining to friends and colleagues what you do and try to take out a prioris and clich\u00e9s. Lastly, being an example on the mat.<\/p>\n<h3>A new jiu-jitsu approach to bring women in?<\/h3>\n<p>For me it\u2019s important to <strong>understand women\u2019s motivations for combat sports:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Highlight the self-defence aspect:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Some women wish to get real <strong>self-defense knowledge but this aspect is often abandoned in favour of the purely sports aspect of jiu-jitsu.<\/strong> Moreover <strong>classes are often built by men and for men who have a similar weight.<\/strong> Try to adapt your technics to lightweights and test to focus some class more on self-defense.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Insert fitness in a funny way:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Work things off, stay in a good shape, strengthen muscles \u2026<\/strong> <strong>These motivations might be less important but are still present.<\/strong> Like Gracie Barra \u2018s \u00ab womens classes \u00bb or \u00ab boot camps \u00bb, it might be interesting to propose <strong>women only classes including cardio, muscle strengthening in a funny way.<\/strong> Even if we have to suffer, let\u2019s do it while having a good time!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/I9UlZ1Vr3yo\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;\"><br \/>\nSo here are some trails to better open BJJ to women. For me there is no ready-made answer because each academy evolves in a proper context. Nevertheless it appears necessary to me to <strong>understand and consider women\u2019s motivations in order to create an environment which makes them feel at ease so they want to come back!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Men and women will always take up and practice Brazilian jiu-jitsu in different ways. Offering an environment where women can evolve and roll with men will allow to evolve together. Jiu-jitsu\u2019s diversity and open-mindedness have always been the strength of this martial art.<\/p>\n<p>Debate remains open! I invite you to share your own experience or solutions to have more women on the mat !<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you pratice Brazilian jiu-jitsu, you would also notice a small number of women in..<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":483,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v14.0.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Good for self-defense and self-confidence, Brazilian jiu-jitsu really fits to woman. 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