Adopt us!

Contact me if you know anyone who wants some fluffy kittens! They are adoptable through CLAWS and are three boys and two girls, plus momma. Serenity is the mom, a half Himalayan. Her kids are: captain Mal and River (grays), Jayne (buff classic tabby with white bob and tummy), Zoe and Walsh (buff mackerel tabbys).

Please share!

Technical vs pushing through

A few years ago, I was invited to a couple different workout groups, including Crossfit. Although many people love Crossfit and swear by the results (and look pretty damn good!), I was a little disturbed. I overheard a student telling the instructor that a certain move hurt. His reply, "if it doesn't hurt, then you are doing it wrong. Push through. Your body will get used to it." They weren't complaint about "being tired pain," but how just doing the snatch and grab hurt their shoulder. This attitude of pushing through to the end, even with bad technique, wasn't for me.

Jiu jitsu isn't like that. It's all technique. If you can't do something or its just not working right, it's because your technique was wrong. Don't push through. Do it right. Being right is so much better than being hurt.  When your body and mind come together in just the right way, and you "hit" that move that hs been eluding you, that is pushing through the pain (of failure) and "getting used to it."

Texas vs New Jersey

Last time I trained in Texas, I was only a couple months back after a couple years hiatus. I noticed that I was both out of shape and that I was a target. I basically wasn't a hard target, but was tested by everyone. Not in a mean fashion, but was still called out to roll even when injured. It is a different style, more casual, yet more aggressive in some ways. I want to compare the styles more this next week and try to put a few things in my arsenal.

As I head back to Texas tomorrow for twelve days, I look forward to working with Josh at http://www.graciesa.com/.

And just looking, now open seven days a week. I am going to make it just on time Friday afternoon for the noon class. OSS!

And Serenity, saved from being PTS, will need a home in a few weeks. And so will her kittens! My goal is to find homes for everyone and help out my local rescue. Anyone want to help me sponsor her?

And happy birthday to my little girl! One yet old and ready to roll :)

One step forward...

Seems that it's one step forward a day and then frantically fighting not to slide too far backwards. In other news, Serenity needs a home.

Stronger, faster, better?

Not really, but I do keep trying. It's been a nice couple weeks. New people rolling in al the time. I feel really lucky that my favorite male rolling partner convinced his wife to start. She is now even coming without him!

I also get "a personal black belt" to train with on Saturdays when Kay Stephenson comes to our school. Yup. I am lucky!

Talent and training

I am jealous. Absolutely, undeniably a green-eyed monster when I see people with talent. Those born with it. The ability to pick things up quickly and well. In. BJJ, I see them. And I feel envy.

I don't have talent. It doesn't come easy. I backslide a bit for any step forward. I feel stupid. And slow. And absolutely jealous.

That being said, I work. I am at class every night of the week, barring scheduling conflicts. At the very least, I get five instead of eight classes in. As jealous as I am of the talented, I am so grateful to have them in my school. I get to work and roll with them. I get to pick their brains for help. I may not like the constant submissions, but I am learning, albeit slowly.

Thank you for kicking my ass ;)

Elvira, the talented and myself

Spring has arrived!

And it's about time! Finally can (maybe) put away the winter boots. It makes training even more fun as wry one seems to be in great moods!

Learned a couple transitions through attacks his week so far. I'm really enjoying the reverse arm bar from multiple positions as well as the emphasis on getting back to basics for stand up. It's been a long time for me, so just working on flow makes me better (and happy)!

Rico Rodriguez is back teaching and the class was nice and controller today. I felt much better rolling today, and felt like II may one day find my groove again :)

Last Saturday.

The day before Easter. And the lady day at Relson Gracie San Antonio. At least until June. Josh taught me a good arm bar from half guard, a stand up pass, an escape from half guard, and a couple foot/ankle locks. I also tried but couldn't master a sweep/roll from half guard. But, I think I Can do it soon!

Josh and I

Texas, yes!

Two new half guard passed learned. Woot! One new standing to knee bar/foot Kimora learned. Nice. But the absolute best part of the past two days, UIL state championship wrestling. Girls. Yup. Girls. They looked awesome. Te guys weren't too shabby either ;)

Texas training

Trained today in San Antonio at Relson Gracie Jiu Jitsu San Antonio. Small school and very welcoming. Got my butt firmly handed to me, but picked up some nice triangle tips. My hand is really bothering me so going to have to train one handed after drilling from now on.

Wednesday Woes

Well. Not really. Packing and cleaning for a twelve day trip to San Antonio has me stressed. Was planning to go see the new nephew but that fell through.

Tonight, I took a judo class for the first time. Two new throws that I felt I got. One, not so much. I hate being eight inches taller than my partner.

Jiu jitsu was drill. Repeat. Drill. Then a couple review moves. Then training. Then cardio. Then training. I am beat. Found the first guy who refused to roll with me because in a girl. Whatever. One of the purple belts taught him a couple lessons. Lol. Seriously, I'm am not a girl training. I am your teammate. Get over your ego and help us all get better. Plus, I outrank you. Maybe I could teach you something.

Frustration.

Yup. That's about it. I keep plugging along and know that I am getting all emotional when I just need to let it go and focus on training. I did learn how to escape the Kimora when I'm on top thanks to Angel. He rocks.

Tearing up the mat

Well, as I don't get to go practice tonight due to life getting in he way of training, MerBear is tearing up the mats ;)

Why is it that people assume so much? I was washing all the gi's this past Sunday. I was "informed" by another tenant in the laundry room that I was a good wife for washing my husband's martial art clothing. I cracked up. Told this guy (my age or so) that it was mine. He gave me a disapproving sniff. Lol.

Raccoon 1, MerBear 0

I guess having side control escape issues run in the family.

Whiny

Ever feel just off?  I am feeling pretty helpless today. I couldn't even roll with a new guy as he basically squished me. Then grappled the had that is hurt and twisted. I think I messed up the torn tendons even more.

Doesn't help that the instructor that was there totally intimidates me. He keeps telling me to impress him, hell. I can't even impress myself right now. I feel weak and clueless. Like I don't deserve my rank. So, I am off to look at escaping side control videos. Again.


Cage death match between Tyrion and Simba.

And, as there are cats in the title, a picture of my dwarf, Tyrion, with the evil "Catch Me Kitty!"

Randomness on a Friday

After returning to BJJ after over two years, I find that while I miss my old school, I wouldn't want to go back there.  strange, eh?  I find that I am more comfortable with people who didn't know me pre-MerBear.  I was talking to one of my fellow students and was glad I wasn't going back.  (No reason not to go back other than it is 45 minutes away).

He summed it up nicely.  "It's so hard to see guys I used to beat be a belt up on me.  Or these guys who were white belts are suddenly blue or beyond!"  I am not sure if that would bother me as much as not having the  same dynamics that were there years ago.  I look at pictures and only recognize a few people.  I don't see my old rolling partners.  The girls there are not the same.  The guys, a few familiar faces but how would I feel with out that same kinship?  That family?  I know, you can't go backwards.  So carry on, a new beginning.

I have been at my current school since they opened this branch.  Again, not the same, but expecting the difference makes the transition easier.  I don't find myself comparing the schools or looking for familiar voices yelling at me to do something while rolling.  I miss it, especially some of the coaches but i feel like I am settling in to a new skin (albeit heavier with this post baby weight!).

Change is hard.  Change is good.

Old School

New School