tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30740798.post333132754506561143..comments2024-01-08T02:25:53.600-06:00Comments on Georgette's Jiu Jitsu World: Why have a women-only seminar?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30740798.post-19060708081833572322011-06-15T11:09:45.245-05:002011-06-15T11:09:45.245-05:00I also agree that the female empowerment aspect is...I also agree that the female empowerment aspect is extremely important. I had only met white belt women until I went on my jiujitsu tour of the west coast and I was SO EXCITED to meet any COLORED BELT women. In fact, at each school, I generally took a picture of the team, me + the instructor, and then me + the women. In the entire time I traveled to the 13 different locations, the most women I saw at any one place was...3? at one school. I think I may have seen 2 at two other schools, but most either had just one or none. Seeing a room full of women doing jiu jitsu together would feel so wonderful--like I'm actually PART of a LARGER group and not so isolated.<br /><br />I don't get so many opportunities to meet women doing BJJ, so getting to meet a LARGE GROUP would be fantastic. I feel like I can meet men doing BJJ all the time. And for a seminar, every spot taken up by a man is one not available for a woman.<br /><br />I think the ideal situation is to have a two day seminar--where one day is women's only and the other day is coed. That way you can get a good mix.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30740798.post-88219465310052045402011-06-15T11:06:48.820-05:002011-06-15T11:06:48.820-05:00I also agree that the female empowerment aspect is...I also agree that the female empowerment aspect is extremely important. I had only met white belt women until I went on my jiujitsu tour of the west coast and I was SO EXCITED to meet any COLORED BELT women. In fact, at each school, I generally took a picture of the team, me + the instructor, and then me + the women. In the entire time I traveled to the 13 different locations, the most women I saw at any one place was...3? at one school. I think I may have seen 2 at two other schools, but most either had just one or none. Seeing a room full of women doing jiu jitsu together would feel so wonderful--like I'm actually PART of a LARGER group and not so isolated.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30740798.post-22327271575856395102011-06-13T09:15:05.797-05:002011-06-13T09:15:05.797-05:00I grew up with older brothers, so this is the type...I grew up with older brothers, so this is the type of BJJ interaction that I have been most comfortable in. Stronger, aggressive, white belt women are who I fear most. But if there was an upper belt female who was supportive and wanted to help me... I think that would be awesome! I have never been to a woman-only seminar, or been taught by a woman, so I can't say for sure, but I really feel that the female empowerment aspect is important. Generally speaking, it is women who know what it is like to feel vulnerable, ignored, pushed aside, belittled, condescended to, taken advantage of and/or disrespected on a regular basis. These are aspects of gender that my not directly occur on the mat, but that may be coming onto the mat with someone. I tried out a gym that had a huge locker room with showers for me... and a closet for women. There are lots of ways to say women don't belong. This isn't really for you. I shopped around for a bicycle for over a year, and nothing felt quite right. It wasn't until I found a line of Giant bikes that are made for women, by women, that riding a bike was actually comfortable. I bought one of the very few Gi's designed for women and it made a HUGE difference. I have a BreakPoint and it's great. Next, I want to buy a Fenom because I like their organizational mission. This is also something that I only learned about through the female blogging community. Thanks, Ladies. I guess, overall, my hunch is that the women who come to the mat and stick around are the ones who have already had enough positive experiences with men in their lives to work through any uncomfortable or frightening feelings.Elissa Hopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13568060297344628502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30740798.post-87281863494202693412011-06-11T20:18:44.445-05:002011-06-11T20:18:44.445-05:00Sadly no... torn meniscus, cracked bone in my foot...Sadly no... torn meniscus, cracked bone in my foot, so I'm resting for now...Georgettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08705282002904234217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30740798.post-14663274343677250302011-06-11T19:46:52.825-05:002011-06-11T19:46:52.825-05:00Great post Georgette. Women DO roll differently a...Great post Georgette. Women DO roll differently and rolling with more women DOES improve your game, heck, it lets you DEVELOP a game, as opposed to spending your days escaping from the mount yet again.<br /><br />Are you doing the Vegas Open? Or Southbay?Deborah Clemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14604981032804601694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30740798.post-47182209932796330262011-06-09T22:11:05.186-05:002011-06-09T22:11:05.186-05:00Good question and superb, well-written, comprehens...Good question and superb, well-written, comprehensive response. I approve!Ashleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00389820287771206112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30740798.post-25211010778550652692011-06-09T16:12:46.245-05:002011-06-09T16:12:46.245-05:00Let women have women only seminars. Nothing wrong ...Let women have women only seminars. Nothing wrong with that at all, it makes sense. They have to endure a male dominated bjj scene and frequently get overlooked or taken for granted. I like the idea of women getting together to share things unique to their bjj experience. The key thing is they are training, thats what matters.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30740798.post-32239667241847773632011-06-09T14:42:34.135-05:002011-06-09T14:42:34.135-05:00I should have added-- bronze and silver in the bla...I should have added-- bronze and silver <i>in the blackbelt division.</i>Georgettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08705282002904234217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30740798.post-32266676368934822812011-06-09T14:36:24.618-05:002011-06-09T14:36:24.618-05:00HINinja, I agree-- you're making a good argume...HINinja, I agree-- you're making a good argument for a co-ed seminar taught by a woman. Of which there are some! but probably not enough :)<br /><br />I know for sure Hillary and Leticia have taught them. Personally, I take seminars wherever and whenever I can afford them, regardless.<br /><br />If you want more high level female competitors offering seminars, SET THEM UP AT YOUR SCHOOLS. Cough cough, Ninja, you might ask Jennifer Sutingco or Nyjah Easton (bronze and silver medalists at this year's Worlds, I think light feathers? and both in DC!)Georgettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08705282002904234217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30740798.post-20514884465268869352011-06-09T14:04:24.074-05:002011-06-09T14:04:24.074-05:00Good points. I agree that most women (because the...Good points. I agree that most women (because they are smaller) have a different game that's not based on strength. I can also see why you like women only seminars, but all of us could get something out of learning from people who use technique to overcome size. <br /><br />The senior student who taught one of our classes was 155lbs so he would always show us helpful "little guy jiu jitsu" techniques to control larger opponents. And if you ever have an opportunity to take a seminar with Felipe Costa, DO IT!. The dude is tiny, like 125 lbs, but his moves are so technical and everything he shows works on bigger people. <br /><br />If there was a high level female competitor offering a seminar that was open to everyone, I would take it.HomeImprovementNinjahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01134409822023878387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30740798.post-26108267890342178602011-06-09T13:08:52.465-05:002011-06-09T13:08:52.465-05:00Great points! Also some women- especially new whit...Great points! Also some women- especially new white belts- do not feel comfortable with some sweaty heavy dude on top of them. And then there's the male ego as well. I can see how women don't want to worry about that crap when they're at a seminar.AJnoreply@blogger.com