The Benefits of a Non-Macho Martial Arts School

Yesterday I taught an impromptu grappling class for my students. Submission grappling doesn't make an appearance in my curriculum until the senior belt levels, focusing more on 'no rules' ground defense (i.e. do whatever you have to to get off the ground and away from your attacker) at the early belt levels. That being said, I do teach submission grappling to my white and yellow belts once in a while as a change of pace.

In the past, I've trained at MMA and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu schools and I found my enjoyment of the class varied quite widely, depending on who I partnered with. I found that some guys were very macho and if I was doing well against them they would use their strength against me often in a dangerous way. On the other hand, when I trained with less macho, more experienced students, they focused more on developing their technique when they rolled with me, staying relaxed, fluidly transitioning from position to position, often ending in a seamless submission.

When I run grappling classes, my students seem to enjoy themselves, no matter who they're partnered up with, big or small, experienced or not. It's because my students share a mutual respect for each other and a positive, non-macho attitude towards their training.

I've been very lucky when it comes to the types of students my Vancouver Jiu-jitsu dojo has attracted. I think that because I'm a woman instructor, and my dojo's focus is self-defense rather than competition, I tend to attract more open-minded, non-macho students who aren't constantly struggling with fragile egos, which usually results in unpleasant, dangerous training practices.

I consider myself one lucky Sensei. :)