Women's Self-Defense: El Dorado Hills, CA

     I've come across many workshops advertising Self-Defenese Training sessions for women in the last couple of days. I think it's great that many Martial Arts schools are donating their time to offer some type of training for the community members. After all, the most important element of Self-Defense is AWARENESS. However, a one time 2 hour session is just not enough.
     Our weekly Women's ONLY Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense Class is meant to train women on a consistent basis to keep the techniques fresh and ready to be used. We see the need for ongoing training as an essential part of a fit and healthy lifestyle. Therefore, we not only talk about self-defense, but also incorporate all the other aspects of sport, fitness, and core training/ strength training into our workout routine. If you are interested in trying one of our classes contact EDHBJJ!

Eliot Kelly

EDH Grappling

916 595 4064

Self Defense Awareness is Developed When You Roll

     Awareness is a BIG bullet point when the topic of Self-Defense is brought up. Being aware of your surroundings, understanding what dangers surround you, and taking the necessary actions to remove yourself from the possible dangers are all essential steps to protecting yourself.
     When grapplers train on the mat, whether it's Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, or Wrestling, it's essential to maintain an elevated sense of awareness. Not only do you have to be aware of the potential chokes and attacks from your training partner, but also where you are in relationship to others on the mat. If you are rolling inches from another group, you are allowing yourself to play in a 'high risk' area. Get yourself out of that situation. Don't wait for others to move... Exercise your awareness and move before someone gets hurt. If you are rolling inches from a wall, or the edge of a mat, that's also a great thing to be AWARE of. Tap your partner and let them know that you should move so it doesn't end up on the wall or hard floor.  Exercise your Self Defense Awareness, when you are on the mat! This is a great way to consciously train the mind and improve your sense of awareness!

Eliot Kelly

EDH Grappling

916-595-4064

"Train your Self-Defense Awareness when you roll!"

Fundamental Jiu-Jitsu Lessons from My Cat (Part 1)

I used to think cats were the laziest and most boring pets to own, but recently realized I was just never around long enough to appreciate their unique characteristics. In the last year my wife and I have acquired 2 cats, and it has been enlightening to see them play and roll around with each other. In my opinion, it sometimes looks like a simplified application of no-holds-barred Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Recently I have found myself observing my cats with a keen eye, hoping it would somehow enhance my awareness on the mat. Here are three very dominant traits that I have noticed from my cats, Maru (the runt of a litter born near our apartment), and Tomo (a tomboy adopted from the SPCA).

The first trait would be my cats’ ability to establish a solid guard. While observing my cat in the guard, I noticed how the back of the head was off the ground, the feet were up and positioned between the bodies, and the limbs were used to test the balance and posture of the other cat. Rather than keeping the back flat on the floor, the cat would roll from shoulder to shoulder and post up on an elbow (or whatever joint that could be comparable to an elbow) when there was a small gap between the two. When the cat on top would make a move, it forced the other to reposition in guard using a hip-escape.

The second trait would be the hip-escape. Also known as shrimp-ing, this action is one of the fundamental movements in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  Not only is it an essential movement when trying to move and position your body on the mat, but it’s also an essential action to create or take away space. Whenever it looked as though the cat on top was positioned a little out to the side, the cat in guard would casually push off the ground to distance the hips in order to maintain a position where their bodies were facing one another. Within this display of Jiu-Jitsu movements, I realized flexibility was a key factor allowing for the action.

The third trait would be flexibility within the back and hips. Although I have never seen my cats do the butterfly stretch, I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t have any problem doing so. Their flexibility allowed them to move freely and maximize the use of their body without strain or discomfort. They have also shown me the ability to curl into the smallest ball or arch backwards into a semi-circle.

Although it may be a little silly to compare cat’s play with Martial Arts, we should realize the movements we are acquiring follow principles that exist in nature. The movements we train our bodies to do instinctively “make sense” in nature and therefore are practical and applicable. We are essentially re-teaching our bodies to do what we have untaught ourselves. What tied all of these traits together were Maru and Tomo’s ability to adjust their speed and balance, maintain an element of surprise, and stay relaxed all while having fun.

Eliot Kelly
www.edhbjj.com