Women In Jiu-jitsu
When I was at Jax BJJ I noticed two women training together. In my present academy we have no women who train. I am always glad when I see women practicing Jiu-jitsu. Often times, I know it can be uncomfortable for some women to be around so many guys.
However, it has been my experience in Judo and Jiu-jitsu, that men welcome women to the art with no hesitation or reservations. They (men) have been respectful and do not play overly rough, which I have read that some women do not appreciate.
The men who do play rough usually are rough with other men as well. If anything I may be guilty of taking it too lightly, which I know can also be a source of irritation for some women. However, I usually do this with men who are much lighter or not as strong as me because I believe in technique before power.
I hope that I have not offended anyone with this post. I just noticed that they were training there and I was glad to see it…
Filed under: BJJ, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Grappling, Jiu-Jitsu, Judo
We have about 10 women at my school, one being our instructor’s wife (who is a blue belt).
I think that it’s cumulative in that having one or two women train will help encourage others.
When I roll with the ladies, I try not to use my weight or strength as a weapon and work primarily technique. This doesn’t mean I give anything away. I just don’t take advantage of their size, as you say, just as I would roll with a smaller guy.
I think that in the future, more and more women will train BJJ. My daughter is one of several girls in her kids’ class and there are always girls at the kids competitions locally.
Hi there. I just discovered your blog through a friend. Great idea.
I train 7 days a week, too!
I train with Elliott Bayev and kimonogirl BJJ in Toronto, ON. As far as I know, we are the only all-women’s jiu-jitsu academy in Canada, if not North America. We have a sister (brother?) school called OpenMat BJJ, which is a mixed-gender club, so we get to train with guys, too. The OpenMat guys are awesome to train with, and I welcome the opportunity.
I have to travel frequently with my job, and when I do, I visit one or more BJJ schools in the city where I am staying. Sometimes it’s all guys plus me. Other times, there are one or two women there. They are always VERY excited to see me, and comment frequently on how they wish they could train with more women. It can get pretty lonely, because even though instructors don’t intend to be this way, women can get ignored and pushed aside, and even when clubs have women’s classes, it’s seen as sort of a required business add-on, rather than an opportunity to train some really kick-ass women.
I’m generally not scared of training with men, and that’s a good thing because if I am away from the kimonogirls, I often have to do that. I’ve found most men to be really welcoming. I can only think of two times where a guy did something gross (one guy was in my closed guard and started dry humping me, and another guy grabbed my breasts at every opportunity). I’ll bet I am not the only one who has experienced that, but I was humiliated and didn’t feel like I could say anything about it.
Jiu-jitsu is a great sport for women, but many schools could definitely do some work to make women feel more welcome.
Yeah Steve,
I think you are right. I think more women would be comfortable joining if they see at least one or two other women present. I also think as it becomes more mainstream that more women will join as well.
Hi Alaina,
Thanks. Trying to train everyday (sensibly) has been an eye-opening experience for me and it’s incredible how much I have improved.
The academy where you train and having a sister (brother?) academy is an awesome concept and it sounds as if you guys are years ahead in thought.
Also, I am sorry that those experiences happened to you. Hopefully, those guys will fall out of practice or will be pointed out at some time in the future and will be expelled from wherever they train….