First day

All right here we go with my first blog training installment in my journey in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Although it only lasted about 45 minutes I am absolutely exhausted.

Warm ups started us out stretching and doing some agility type exercises but mostly shrimping. MAN my hips are gonna be sore!

After that we started out by going over how important posture is, especially while in someone elses guard. There were multiple demonstrations where he had me try to get out by whatever means possible from various positions (ie: mount, side control, inside the guard, half guard). I found out quickly that you can't just flop around like a fish out of water and expect results.

When asked about which position I felt least comfortable in, that was definently in his guard. For some reason being stuck between his legs made me feel extremely open to attack.

He slowly taught me some very simple guard passes. These were completed by creating downward pressure on his hips to help me make space between us. Then your knee came up and put pressure on the inside of their thigh dropping that leg to the ground. (I actually am going to be bruised I'm fairly certain cause of his demonstrating on me!!) You then slid the pressure leg through and kept their leg hooked with that foot until you could pass with your other leg and gain side control.

The other pass was on the same lines in the end but was set-up differently. You had to create the gap by slightly blading your body inside their guard and placing one knee on their butt to keep the space. Finish as before.

After that we slowly rolled for what felt like an eternity but was actually only about 15 minutes straight! He would let me start out and was intentionally giving me chances to find those opprotunities I had been taught. Whenever I would over react and lean too far forward he was punishing me by showing the different submissions available while someone was in your guard.

Another point that he made to me was that I naturally walk on my knuckles while on the ground therefore making it very hard for me to get a grip when its available! (I guess that re-enforces the "Magilla Gorilla" thing huh? :). )

Well that pretty much wraps up my second installment. I was given some exercises to do with a heavy bag since for now I will only be able to get with him once a week due to our conflicting schedules.

I'm gonna go take an ibuprofen and take a hot shower and stretch some more! Ill try to get some pictures up of the training area when I get a chance.

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