Jiu jitsu can be scary, exciting, nerve-racking, joyful, and bunch of other emotions all rolled into one. It’s not uncommon for this to happen when diving into a male-dominated sport.

Despite women still being out-numbered in this martial art, Easton BJJ is showing their progressive side by introducing more women to the mat and allowing them to have women-only training sessions with guest coaches and professors.

“Training with women provides a unique opportunity to be on a more equal level with your training partners — from a weight and strength perspective,” says Becky Knott, one of the founders of the women’s training program and a purple belt out of the Boulder school.  “Women tend to be a collective group and are willing to support, share, coach and mentor each other for the sake of advancing their sister jiu-jitsu practitioners.  All women’s training is a place where girls can be free to ask questions, express anxieties, concerns, successes, and frustrations they might not entrust to a male training partner.  Easton’s women-only program provides an awesome estrogen-laced environment for women to blossom in the sport of Brazilian jiu jitsu.”

[frame][/frame]

But, train with the men, too!

Even though training with only women can be extremely beneficial to perfecting technique, leaving out the men from a training regime can be detrimental to a person’s overall performance on the mat.

“Men and women train differently. If you want to be the best you can be you should train with as many different types of people as possible — men, women, different body types, and different skill levels,” says Rossie Shaffer, a blue belt out of the Arvada school. “No matter who you are training with you can learn from them. Especially if you want to compete — you should roll with both men and women. Sometimes women can replace guard when some men can’t. The more types of people that you roll with, the more techniques you will be exposed to and the more your game will improve.”

From a self-defense perspective, training with men is a must, says Milly Malloy, a jiu jitsu blue belt from the Boulder academy.

“It is important to train with both men and women because you want to practice the technique with different body types and weight. In a self defense situation, your attacker will more likely be bigger than you, so you would want to be confident that you can apply what you have learned in class.”

What a woman can expect at EastonBJJ

Brazilian jiu jitsu is an intense, combat sport that can be extremely intimidating if you don’t know what to expect. Go into the sport with an open mind and the possibilities are truly endless.

“A new woman can expect to be welcomed by the friendly and knowledgeable staff — regardless of age, weight, or physical abilities,” says Knott. “Both male and female coaches will make her first Brazilian jiu jitsu experience positive and memorable.  By the end of her orientation and trial classes, she will have a new confidence in what she believes she can do and may have surpassed limitations she thought she had.  A woman who enters Easton’s doors should be ready for a fun, educational, and effective workout based on Brazilian jiu jitsu.”

Don’t be afraid to ask for help and express any concerns with your professors and coaches — and that goes for men and women on the mat.

Making jiu jitsu a worthwhile hobby

Take this advice and you’ll be ready to walk into Easton and feel empowered about the decision to get healthy, learn self-defense and gain self-esteem.

“Do your best to work hard and learn the technique,” says Shaffer. “Don’t get frustrated. At first, people can win with strength and speed. If you keep working hard to improve your jiu jitsu, not only will you get better, but you will see it pay off on the mats. The better technique will see results. Jiu jitsu is a journey and everyone’s journey is different, but you will meet amazing people along the way. Listen to advice from everyone. Every chance you get, roll with an upper belt, the darker someone’s belt is, the less they have to prove and the more you can learn from them.”

Simply put, “Put your fears aside, get out of your comfort zone and just give it a try you will not regret it!” says Malloy.

Contact Easton today!

If you are interested in training at Easton Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, contact one of the locations today to learn more or leave your comments at the bottom of this post and we’ll get back to you.

Hey, current students!

Tell us about a good training moment you’ve had at Easton BJJ.