New York Open 2013 - A great trip

I had an awesome time on my trip to New York City for the NY Open. It was a weekend filled with Jiu Jitsu, friends, and family; what more could a girl ask for? 

I traveled to New York on Friday and spent the day with my aunt, uncle, cousins and Granpda. It was great seeing them and their company really helped keep me relaxed. They even came and watched me compete the next day which made the experience that much better.

I went into my matches feeling good and ended up winning my division and placing third in the open weight class. 

I don't always do the open weight class when I compete since I'm a light-feather weight; but I was really proud of myself for getting out there and doing well. It was a really great experience. 

After the tournament, I spent the rest of the weekend with some of my favorite BJJ ladies in Times Square. We had a fabulous time eating, shopping, and just enjoying each other's company.

         NYC 2013 - AWESOME trip. Worlds here I come!! :)

Purple and Silver, I'll take it - Pan Ams 2013

Pan Ams 2013 was a blast! My first IBJJF tournament as a purple belt and I got second place in my division. I lost my finals match by only 2 advantage points to a 4-stripe purple belt. I usually take losses very hard, but I did my very best against a more experienced girl, so I'm actually extremely proud of myself and super excited to do well :) The feeling of self acceptance / pride despite losing really makes me realize how far I've come as a competitor and person, and how much confidence Jiu Jitsu has instilled in me.

I trained my butt off (literally and figuratively) to get down to my light-feather class and to be sure I was as prepared as possible to compete. It never ceases to amaze me how difficult tournament prep can be but also how much I enjoy the challenge and the disciplined routine it creates for me. My BJJ journey has definitely taught me the true value of self discipline and helped me to realize how much strength I have inside me.

Now it's back to the routine in prep for the NY Open and Worlds. So excited to see what the rest of the tournament season holds!! Hopefully that silver will soon be gold :)

Side note: After competing, I always go hard on the 'bad' snacks for a few days...just to gross myself out enough that I can't wait to get back to my strict diet. See my GIANT cookie bag below for reference... post-competition snack shopping tends to get a bit out of hand :)

'My Christmas present to you' - Purple belt!!!!!

Saturday 12/23/12 was an amazing day.

Before regular Saturday morning training, Professor Traven promoted me to purple belt. As he tied on my new BEA-utiful belt, he said 'My Christmas present to you'.

Best Christmas EVER.

The whole experience was a bit surreal as I feel like it was just yesterday that this journey began. I know the road is still long, but receiving a purple belt from Professor Traven really makes me realize how far I've come.

Jiu Jitsu has added so many positive things to my life. It keeps me focused and inspires me to work hard and improve everyday. All I can really say is I'm extremely thankful Jiu Jitsu found its way into my life.  I'm completely in love with the sport and I'm so lucky to be a part of a team that truly epitomizes hard work, strength, and family.

Team Roberto Traven!

BJJ Bag - Dakine Mission Pack Review

If you're looking for a highly functional yet practically sized bag for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, the Dakine Mission Pack may be the bag for you. Whether going to and from the gym or traveling to tournaments, this pack allows me to carry everything I need to train / compete in a comfortable, efficient manner. The pack is intended for skaters, yet I find the design intentions transfer very well to accommodate BJJ gear. 

The Dakine Mission Pack comes in various color options categorized by Men's & Women's; although, many designs seem unisex so I'd recommend checking both out. The specs are the same for all color options: Volume - 1500 cu. in. [ 25L ], Size - 21 x 11 x 8" [ 53 x 28 x 20cm ], Weight - 2 lbs. [ .9kg ]. 

Functionality:

'Board Carry' Straps - Gi Carry Straps

This is my favorite feature. As you can see, these straps work very well for carrying a gi. I'm sure you've encountered your gi taking up the majority of the room in your bag, but securing your gi to the outside of the pack really frees up space on the inside and allows for efficient packing.  

Large pocket w/laptop sleeve

2 Main Storage Pockets w/ Laptop Sleeve and Internal Organization Pockets

The pack has two main storage pockets, one large zippered pocket with a padded laptop sleeve and one smaller zippered pocket with an internal organization area. Both pockets are of pretty good size; I typically fit extra training clothes / hoodie, lots of snacks, an iPad, headphones, a travel scale (I put it in the laptop sleeve), and other small miscellaneous items in the main 2 pockets. 

Additional Exterior Pockets

The pack has 4 exterior pockets all with zippered closures and fleece lining on the interior. Three of the pockets are on the sides of the pack and are very useful for storing smaller items in a organized, accessible manner. The 4th pocket is on the back of the pack and expands into the main storage pocket. I use this pocket for my camera as it has a padded cover for protection and is relatively hidden. 

Look and Feel:

Organization Area w/Printed Liner

Stylish Design Options

Dakine offers highly varied yet consistently stylish color options. Most styles have one color scheme on the outside of the pack and an accent color / print on the inside. I have the 'Houndstooth Grey and Yellow' option. 

Support Straps & Padding - Comfort

The pack has 2 sets of adjustable support straps, one set that clips over the chest and one padded set that clip over the hips. I've found that when utilizing all the support straps, this bag is very comfortable to wear even when packed full.


Overall Thoughts: 

The Dakine Mission Pack is very well made and designed for functionality, comfort, and style. The main appeal for a BJJ practitioner in my opinion is the 'Board Straps' (intended for a skate board) on the back of the pack as they easily double as gi straps. This allows you to utilize the internal pockets for other items instead of your gi taking up an entire pocket. The pack also offers plenty of additional smaller pockets that allow for added organization and accessibility. I love this backpack and use it every time I travel for BJJ tournaments. 

I would highly recommend this bag for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu purposes due to the quality, comfort, and highly functional yet efficient design the Dakine Mission Pack offers.

Here are the Women's color options currently offered on the Dakine website for the Mission Pack; although, you can always find additional (usually past season) color options on other sites too if these don't suit your fancy. I would also recommend checking out the Men's (Unisex...) options too.

Dakine Mission Pack | Women's Summer Designs

Not the dreaded cauliflower ear! Headgear for Women in BJJ

If you're a woman in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, I'm sure you've sometimes worried about getting the DREADED Cauliflower ear....well, after about 2 1/2 years of training BJJ, I finally started to get it. Of course, I was freaked out...I definitely didn't want to have a mangled looking ear the rest of my life. LUCKILY, With my Mother's help (a licensed and practicing nurse), I was able to get my ear back to normal in about a week or so. I f you don't have a highly knowledgeable resource to help you, just go to an ear, nose, and throat doctor to assist with the treatment / draining as it needs to be addressed quickly and properly.

Despite our success in getting my ear back to normal, I definitely wanted to make sure it didn't come back...BUT, at the same time, I also had zero intentions of training BJJ any less. So, finding the right headgear was crucial. 

I'd seen many of the guys' headgear at the gym before, but they all appeared to be much too large for me. I knew if I ended up with something cumbersome or uncomfortable, it was pretty unlikely that I would actually wear it. So, I turned to the all-knowing internet for answers, but despite a thorough search, it became apparent that there just weren't that many headgear options out there for women... 

I wanted something comfortable and low profile that provided sufficient protection without being excessive. 
With these attributes in mind, I finally decided to purchase the Asics Unisex Gel Headgear Junior. 

I LOVE it. 

For only about $18, this headgear is a steal. It's meant for teens, so as a 5'1" ~118 lb female, this headgear is perfect for me.  

The Look

The Asics Junior headgear has 2 sets of adjustable straps, one set fitting behind the head and the other set fitting over the top. The headgear has a slim look from the front and back (for headgear) and covers just as much of the ear as needed without being over-sized. 

The straps are made out of a tough, woven, canvas-like fabric that's smooth to the touch. The straps loop through the edges of the hard plastic ear cups that are covered in a blue (or red / black) slightly stretchy fabric that has a soft yet durable feel.

The simple design not only minimizes bulk, but also allows for easy cleaning. I hand wash / soak the headgear in hot soapy water (pulling back the stretchy blue fabric to clean all parts of the ear cup) then dry with a towel and hang in front of a floor fan for complete drying.

I've worn this headgear for about 4 months now and  it's held up pretty well despite frequent training. There's some noticeable wear on the fabric, but nothing too significant and nothing effecting the functionality of the headgear. 



The Feel

The chin strap has an adjustable hook and loop closure and a cushioned chin cup for added comfort and fit. (*Just be sure you line up the velcro on the strap correctly as it can scratch if drastically misaligned. If aligned properly, this isn't a problem at all.)

The inside of the ear cup has a gel lining for padding and shock absorption and ventilation holes on the outside allowing for breath-ability and relatively unobstructed hearing. 

The straps behind and over the head fit snugly and slide minimally. It takes a few tries to get it right, but, when fitted properly, this headgear stays in place very well. AND, as an added bonus, I've found it actually helps to keep my hair back and out of the way as well (I expected the opposite!).

When I originally purchased this headgear, I only intended to wear it when my ears were sore; but since wearing it really doesn't bother me at all, I never train without it.  I'd much rather prevent cauliflower ear than try and get rid of it. This headgear provides complete protection while maximizing comfort and minimizing the 'I look stupid' feeling wearing headgear can often cause.  :-) Check it out ladies!

Hard work. Experience. Progress. Worlds 2012

The Hard Work

After the Pan Ams this past March, I made the decision to try and drop from the feather weight class (129 lbs in a gi) to the light feather weight class (118 lbs in a gi). The goal was to make this change for the IBJJF Worlds at the very end of May.

I wasn't sure I could do it as I needed to get to a weight that I'd likely last seen around age 12 in only about 2 months. So, needless to say, the task was a bit daunting...

My uncertainty must have been apparent for after just a week or so in, my Professor had a talk with me. He told me if I just committed 100% then I could definitely do it, and he thought I'd do very well if I made the change. The decision was clear at that point; if he thought I could do it, then there was no reason I should think any differently. Sometimes you just need a shove in the right direction from the right person.

It was a somewhat grueling 2 months of a very strict diet and lots of extra cardio sessions, but on May 30 I left for Los Angeles weighing 117 lbs gi in hand and feeling very confident in my own strength and discipline. 

The hard work was over, it was time for the fun.

The Experience

As it typically proves to be, the hard work was more than worth the experience I gained at Worlds 2012. I loved every moment on those mats and the experience really re-solidified my love for the sport and competition. Not only did I learn a lot and gain valuable experience on the mat, but I did pretty dang well too. 

Worlds 2012 is officially in my hypothetical book of favorite memories. I can't wait for Worlds 2013; only about 10 more months to prepare... :-)

Third place. I lost in the semi finals, 
but put up a hell of a fight.

The Progress

I returned to training with many learnings and excitement to continue to work hard and improve. I also received a stripe on my belt from Professor Traven. I never thought a strip of athletic tape could mean so much to me, but gosh, does it. 

Keiko Raca Girl’s / Women’s Gi Review

I received the white / pink Keiko Raca Girl's gi as a gift in December of 2010; I've trained and competed in it regularly ever since. Since this gi's held up so well for me and I couldn't ask for a better fit, I wanted to write a review in case this may also be your perfect gi. 

To help gauge the accuracy of the Keiko sizing chart, I wear an M4 and I’m approximately 5’1.5” tall and have ranged 115-125 lbs while fitting this gi. Thus, I would say the sizing chart is pretty accurate:

The M4 Gi Top:

The Fit-

I love this gi top as it definitely caters to my proportions. I have a long torso and a broader back for my stature, thus I appreciate a gi that gives a little room. If you have an athletic build, this gi top provides room in all the right places without being over-sized. 

The jacket is of sufficient length for my longer torso and has wide enough sleeves that I’ve never been concerned about meeting IBJJF requirements at a tournament. 

The gi top may have shrunken very slightly in the first wash; however, it wasn’t significant enough to be noticeable. I’ve washed this gi top on a regular basis since I first received it and it’s still in great shape.

The Feel-

The gi top has 4 patches and and a pink accent trim. I think the patches are arranged in a very attractive way: one logo on the front of the jacket along the left lapel, one on either shoulder, and one square logo on the top center of the back of the jacket. The pink trim runs along the hem of both sleeves and along the bottom of the jacket. The jacket material is lightweight, but never stretches with training. 


The gi top also has a pretty thick collar that’s maintained its stiffness over the last year and a half of use.

The M4 Gi Pants:
The Fit-

I’m just as big of a fan of the pants of this gi as I am the top. The pants are of a lower rise (typically my preference) and have a straight fit through the leg. I would say the pants are on the shorter side; however, I have proportionately short legs so these pants fit me perfectly. If you’re on the higher side of the height range for a particular size and you have a shorter torso and longer legs, I would be a bit concerned the pants wouldn’t be long enough to meet IBJJF standards.

I’ve washed the pants regularly since owning them. They've held up very well and, despite shrinking very mildly, they still fit just as well as when I first received them.

The Feel-

The pants have one unobtrusive red and black Keiko patch located on the bottom of the right pant leg. The pants are made of 100% cotton with reinforced stitching in all the right places; thus giving the pants a smooth yet durable feel. The fabric may stretch very slightly during training, but it’s not enough to be noticeable. The pants have a rope tie that sits right at the hips and always stays tied during training. 

Overall Thoughts:

Thanks for the photography Mom.
She said I had to include her 'action shot' :-)

This is my favorite gi for training and for competition. It has a light feel without sacrificing a stiff collar and a high level of overall quality. For an athletic build, I would say the sizing chart is very true to size;  if there’s any room for error, I would say the weight ranges could reach a little higher for any particular size as the jacket is generous in the right places. I would recommend this gi for both training and competing as it’s light yet durable and has always passed IBJJF standards for me.

Pan Ams 2012 - A Reflection

After about 6 months of not competing due to various obstacles, I finally got back out on the big blue mats at the 2012 Pan Ams this past March.  I’m very grateful for this overall tournament experience as I feel I learned a lot about myself, Jiu Jitsu, and where I may fit best in the sport.

I learned how to prepare my way.

In the past I’ve allowed pre-competition nerves to really dictate my frame of mind the days, hours and minutes before I compete. When allowed to, my mind seriously fixates, inevitably causing an absurd buildup of self-expectation. This buildup always ends up affecting my mindset during competition and makes losing feel much more catastrophic than it should.

Not this time.

Although I was well aware that ‘game time’ was drawing near, I kept my mind elsewhere during the few days before I competed. I refused to fixate and induce anxiety as I’ve done in the past. Even the night before I kept a calm mind, forcing myself to focus on relaxing memories and I actually got a goodnight’s rest: a first for me before a tournament. It was not until the hours before I competed that I allowed my mind to focus on the task at hand. A well-timed warm up and a calm transition of thought really helped me go into my matches with a ready body and mind.

I’m sure most people have their ideal way to ready themselves to compete; I’m just so glad I found mine.

I learned I am strong.

I think strength is more than a physical measurement; to me it's also the ability to push yourself further than you ever have before. It takes something special to keep going even when your body says no or the odds against you seem too large. This tournament was the first time that I lost yet I still truly felt I could not have done anything more. I left everything on the mat that day; I even remember telling myself over and over again in my last match ‘everything you got’ as I was all too aware of my very tired body, nearly numb hands, and a clock quickly counting down. It makes me feel very proud and strong to know that my body obeyed my mind and I held up the ‘never quit’ reputation of my very supportive team. 

Despite the loss, I know I am strong, and that’s a really good feeling.

I learned, though strong, I am small.

This tournament in particular brought light to the fact that I may just be a bit small for the Feather weight class. I often forget my stature, but when I see photos of myself next to my opponents I'm definitely reminded. Even my coaches noticed and advised to potentially dropping classes. In retrospect, I did feel much closer in size to the Light Feathers in the bullpen and I weighed in almost 5 lbs light (my mistake of course).

Considering these notions, I've decided to stick with the very clean diet I was keeping before the Pans and see where it takes me. I’m interested to see how much smaller my body will allow me to get and how I will do at a new weight. Regardless of weight though, it's just a good choice for my body overall so there’s no downside; well, other than desperately missing sweets. J

Overall, I’m incredibly grateful for this tournament experience. Although I indeed hate to lose, I’m excited to take my experience and use it to learn, progress, and come back stronger (though smaller J). My Jiu Jitsu journey is still young; I’m excited to see where it will take me.

Tatami Zero G Midas Gi Review

Some time ago I was asked to review the Tatami Zero G Midas Gi by BJJHQ. I injured my knee right after agreeing to do the review, so unfortunately I'm just now getting to writing it...sorry BJJHQ!! But any who, let's get right to it. :-)

Being about 5'1" tall and knowing most gi's are typically too big for me, I opted for the F1. In the past I've found most gi sizing charts to under estimate the weight range, but after actually trying this gi, I would say their size chart is very accurate.You can see the Tatami specs below:

The F1 Gi Top:

The Fit-

Upon arrival, the F1 gi top fit like a glove; I was slightly concerned that after a wash the top would be too small. Although I have a small frame, I do have an athletic shape with a relatively broad back and shoulders for my size. I feel like this was the primary culprit for the gi snugness as the jacket and sleeves were both of appropriate length (Well, at first, the sleeves are too short now after multiple washes as you can see in the picture below). I asked for the F1 since I have a long torso and shorter legs thus I have trouble finding gi pants that fit me. I would suggest ordering the bigger size if you are between two especially if you also have an athletic build; I feel that the F2 top would have served me better.

Also, the sleeves are pretty narrow. This isn't a big deal for training purposes, but I would be concerned that the sleeves wouldn't pass IBJJF standards (another reason to order a size up).

The Look-

The gi top has 4 patches and 2 embroidered logos. The patches and logos are arranged in a very unobtrusive manner: 1 patch and one logo on each shoulder, 1 patch on the lower part of the back (leaving plenty of room for your own patch on the back), and one small Tatami tag/patch on the lower portion of the left lapel. 

The gi also has a pretty thick collar that was stiff when I first received the gi, but has become less stiff after being washed multiple times.

The F1 Gi Pants:

The Fit-

I really like the pants of this gi. They fit perfectly upon arrival and shrank minimally after washing. They have a moderately wide leg, but not too wide and they don't stretch while training. They have a pretty low rise, but I don't mind as I typically prefer this. The pants fit me well, but I think I could wear the next size up in order to have a better fit in the top.

The Look-

The pants have a nice smooth fabric texture and reinforced stitching in all the right places. I also really like the nylon tie as I've found that these pants rarely come untied while rolling. The patches and logo on the pants mimic the ones on the top; one patch along the outside of each pants leg and one embroidered logo on the front of the left leg. 

Overall Thoughts:

This is a high quality gi with a somewhat stiff collar and an attractive design. For an athletic body type, I would recommend getting a size up or the bigger size of the two you're between as the jacket seems to run a bit small. For me, I think the ideal fit would be an F2 top and F1 pants; however, keep in mind that I'm about 5'1" tall and have a long torso and an athletic build. For the price, this is a great gi, but considering the IBJJF rules regarding gi color and the narrowness of the Gi sleeves, I would recommend this gi for training purposes not for competition. 

Find Women Only Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Classes

You can find the following information on my 'Find Women Only BJJ Classes' Page; however, I just wanted to post about it as well, so you all might help me build up the list with your awesome knowledge of Jiu Jitsu schools. My goal is the create a comprehensive resource of legitimate women only BJJ classes around the world, so if you were to move or travel somewhere new, you could easily find other women to train with. As of right now, I've only included schools in the U.S., but the list is a work-in-progress and is ever expanding, so bear with me. If you don't see your school on the list and it should be, please let me know! Thanks so much :D

State City Gym Arizona Tempe Gustavo Dantas Brazilian Jiu Jitsu California Fontana C Quence Jiu Jitsu California Montrose M3 Fight and Fitness California Murrieta Team Quest MMA Fitness California Santa Cruz Claudio Franca BJJ California Temecula Gracie Jiu Jitsu Colorado Boulder Easton BJJ Colorado Greenwood Village Busy BJJ District of Columbia Washington Beta Academy District of Columbia Washington Capitol Hill Martial Arts Florida Fort Myers Third Law BJJ Florida Lakeland Fabio Novaes BJJ Florida Lakewood Ranch Americas Best Martial Arts Georgia Atlanta Unit2Fitness Georgia Atlanta Coffey BJJ Maryland Elkridge Crazy 88 Martial Arts Michigan Battle Creek Eric Smith Martial Arts Michigan Canton EastWest Martial Arts New Jersey Red Bank Go Getter Academy New York Clyde Fusion MMA North Carolina Jacksonville Combat Club Fitness Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Steel City Martial Arts Tennessee Knoxville Knoxville Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Texas Austin Gracie Austin Texas Fort Worth Mohler Jiu-Jitsu Virginia Arlington Fifty/50 BJJ Virginia Manassas Rage Fight and Fitness Virginia Winchester Win BJJ