Day 19 ! Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Being a baby is easy. Eat, poop, sleep. Repeat. Get showered with compliments; receive endless gifts and command attention at the click of a finger. But the best thing about being a baby, that is overlooked, is how very flexible and resilient they are. It's the only time you can lick your elbow, suck your big toe (I'm not implying these are actual things I want to do right now) or fall double your height without serious injury (without being a double-jointed contortionist). And then we start growing up and restricting our bodies to limited movements, seizing up our muscles and losing that heart-achingly wonderful flexibility that we once had. Some of us are lucky enough to have retained some flexibility, some work to stay flexible and for some of us, it seems like a long lost dream. Like a healthy tasty cookie. Or an invisibility cloak.

And I had this “I wish a baby” moment when instructor Eduardo told/asked me keep rolling across the floor faster. Today was BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) day, which not only sounds cool, but is actually pretty damn cool - it’s a fighting style apparently developed by Samurai warriors (but later modified in Brazil by the infamous (in BJJ-World) Gracie brothers). Can you get much cooler than that? The Last Samurai – Tom Cruise – Swoon. When that guy gets his hair-bun-of-honour cut off? Sniffles.

But no time for sniffley wusses today - it was a pretty interesting, intense, physically exerting, amusing and information-filled hour session. A mixed level BJJ practice class was being held in the dojo but as I was the only (and obviously) beginner beginner, instructor Eduardo taught me at the side of the dojo as trusty assistant, Arya took the class whilst helping us out every so often.

In a mere 45-odd minutes, I learnt some basics - how to fall backwards safely (by slamming your arms on the floor to save your back whilst creating a real satisfying slamming noise) and get back up, how to fall backwards into a shoulder roll and stand, how to shoulder roll forwards and how to shuffle backwards whilst on the floor. I realise that (a) I learnt only the very tip of the basics – it was a taster session after all and (b) the moves don’t sound that complicated, but I can assure you that they will be moves your body are not used to and require much more concentration than you think. It was squat, fall, slam, shoulder roll right, stand, squat, fall, slam, shoulder roll left, stand, squat, fall, slam, etc etc along the side of the dojo. One side (right) was infinitely better than the other side (normal apparently), I got a bit dizzy (also normal apparently) and probably looked pretty silly when I fell when I was supposed to stand but it didn’t matter because it was so.much.fun! Instructor Eduardo was an excellent, experienced teacher and clearly knows his stuff – you could tell that there was a close-knit family feeling in the dojo and I do believe that a number of students (including Eduardo’s daughter!) had won a host of medals at a competition the week before with some students having only started training with Eduardo a few months ago.

If you’re wondering whether it’s the same as Judo, it’s apparently similar but with more allowable moves. There’s also a focus on respect and self-defence.

If you’re thinking that BJJ just looks like two people are hugging and rolling around the floor (official terminology, grappling, my friends), they are not. They are trying to conserve energy whilst setting their opponent up for a s.u.b.m.i.s.s.i.o.n. (that is the official terminology, I’m not going off on a kinky tangent).

If you’re wondering whether it’s mainly guys, the answer’s yes. But instructor Eduardo has around 20-odd lady students. Whilst you can find ladies’ only BJJ classes, the male forms I saw in the class were quite aesthetically pleasing so I’ll leave that to sway your decision of which class to try!

The Need To Know:

- Where: Gracie Barra London Bridge (http://www.gblondonbridge.com) at the Tokei Fitness Centre

- Nearest Station: London Bridge (7mins)

- When: Classes throughout the week, beginners on Tues and Fri pm

- How Much: Single Class £20 else monthly memberships available. Worth getting in touch with Eduardo to see if you can have a trial class.

- Special Note: If I didn’t have 61 other classes to try, I would’ve signed up to few classes there and then.

  

The Want to Know:

- Who’s it For: For those who want to try a body-combat sport of a more controlled and technique-focussed nature

- Sweat Scale: 8/10.

- Strength / Cardio / Flexi / Tone: Mainly strength and kind of cardio

- Complexity: 8/10

- Fun Factor: 9/10

- Changing Facilities: Basic, toilets and showers

- Instructor Inspiration: 9/10. Enthusiastic and clearly loves the sport!

The Stats:

- Total Time: 25mins (watch got stopped by fat wrist)

- Calories Burnt: 102 (in 25mins)

- Average Heart Rate: 101bpm

- Max Heart Rate: 150bpm 

With Funny Arya and Instructor Eduardo
I Did Wonder Why Mr. PhotoTaker was Laughing!