We Tried It: Jiu Jitsu

I have never taken a martial arts class.

The closest I’ve come to feeling capable in self-defense was a boxing class I took in college after seeing Creed (anything for Michael B.) I’m 5’2’’and not very strong. I’ve lived my whole life kind of accepting that I most likely am not able to defend myself without the help of my trusty pepper spray. Taking a self-defense class felt practical, though I had no idea how strong and confident I would feel walking away.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu traces its roots to 19th-century Japan, where it evolved from Judo, which focuses on using your opponent's energy against them with throwing moves. Jiu Jitsu builds off this, and emphasizes leveraging technique over strength.

What stuck out to me, and what is core to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, is the confidence instilled in practice. It requires just as much physical training as it does mental, which is what piqued my interest in it. While it fulfills the practical need for self-defense, Jiu Jitsu is incredibly empowering and taught me to trust myself, and others, in a new way.

We began the class with learning how to fall safely, protecting our neck and head from taking any unwanted impact. Then we learned how to get up from a fall while keeping a defensive stance and protecting our face. With these two basics secured, we moved on to learning escape moves - one standing and one laying down. We paired up and practiced these moves with each other, and while the focus was self-defense, it was also a really fun bonding activity for all of us.

Overall, my biggest takeaway from this class was that we all have innate power and ability no matter our size or fitness level. Jiu Jitsu gives us tools to use our bodies to our advantage and protect ourselves. I genuinely have never felt more empowered. Some of that is owed to the practicality and energy that Thiago teaches with, but a lot of that is because even in the short hour I practiced Jiu Jitsu, I immediately felt the confidence and resilience it teaches.