Kids class

Monday was Labor Day, so I didn’t go to class. On Tuesday I helped out with kids’ class, which was fun. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it, since I’m terrible with small children—I didn’t even like my own sisters until, oh, three years ago (I exaggerate, but only slightly). But little kids rolling around in too-large gis is the cutest thing ever.

We did a few games/drills, including dodge ball, a leg passing drill, and a mount drill. Then the kids rolled. Jonathan paired me with what’s-his-face, David’s nephew, who’s probably about 20 pounds lighter than I am. Pretty sure I overheard a comment from him near the beginning of class about not wanting to lose to a girl. Jon just smiled, reassured him, and went on with class; the kid will learn to deal. He didn’t have a bad attitude during the actual roll, though he was a little hesitant. I let him try to take me down but resisted a little. Tapped him three times with a guillotine, Americana, and something else. Afterward I felt a little bad—I wasn’t being mean or squashing him too much, but I could’ve let him work more. I always appreciate it when the bigger guys let me try things.

Wednesday Rusty was supposed to teach, but he had to take an emergency trip to the hospital. Hope he’s OK; I haven’t heard anything yet. Blue belt Matt taught instead. He went over the same Eddie Bravo sweeps he taught last time, as well as some takedown drills.

We had a couple new guys on Wednesday—Rashad, Casey, and a high school–age guy who’s around Steven’s weight and who says he’s been coming for about two weeks. Rolled with him a few times. Didn’t control him as well as I should’ve, but he wasn’t too spazzy, which was nice. He got me under a version of side control and sort of guillotined me from there. I was annoyed at myself for getting in that position, but walked him through the version from guard when we restarted. Also tried that initial flying armbar Rusty told me about on him, but couldn’t land it.

I was too tired to stay for Sheldon’s striking class, which is a shame since I’ll be missing class next Wednesday to go to the karate school down the road with Jennifer. She’s still trying to figure out which school she wants to go to—two karate/JJJ schools or Ground Control. We’ve got a free month at the school down the road, so I plan to keep her company there for a while if that’s what she wants to do—Wednesdays and Saturdays for the next month.

Stomach bug = gassed

First of all, I would like to say to whomever found my blog by Googling “totally awesome clumsyninja”:

Dear sir or madam, you have absolutely come to the right place. My clumsy ninja-ing is pretty awesome; if you hang around long enough you’ll undoubtedly witness me trip over my own feet at class and faceplant into a wall or a large piece of furniture! (This may or may not have already happened to me.)

Class

Wednesday’s class was small, but I was really glad to be back. Been off the mats for about two weeks—one of my best friends has been in and out of the hospital and I’ve been helping take care of her. On top of that, I’ve been moving and am starting a new job soon. Have been fighting exhaustion and minor nausea for the last few days, which are probably due partly to the aforementioned stressors and partly to my propensity for sudden random stomach bugs.

Jonathan was gone, so a blue belt named Matt taught the class. I don’t know his last name, but he said he’d trained with Rigan Machado and has been out for about ten years. He went through a few drills and techniques quickly, and then we rolled.

Rolling

Only rolled twice, both times with Matt. Gassed both times by the end. I’d gotten tired pretty quickly during drills and techniques and was feeling queasy again, which didn’t help.

Despite that, the actual rolls went pretty well. Spent too much energy defending the first roll; at one point, he told me to slow down and just hold him there, because fighting the weight difference was clearly tiring me. Relaxed a bit after that. I had fun—did a lot of hooking and spinning and escaping.

Afterward, he said I’m hard to pin down, have a great guard game (“knees sneaking in everywhere”), and look like I have a judo background. My knowledge of Japanese jujitsu isn’t that extensive and I haven’t used it much in BJJ, but that was nice to hear.

It feels like I’ve been rolling better lately. The last three times I’ve rolled, I’ve experienced a few moments of flow state. That doesn’t necessarily mean I know what I’m doing or have all the basic techniques down, but I’m able to react without panicking (much), move instinctively, and try new things. I’m having more fun.