Author Archives: Kristen Lamb

5 Reasons Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is Ideal for Self-Defense

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Hello, from Dojo Diva (Kristen Lamb) at Gracie Barra Jujitsu Mansfield, the definitive Brazilian Jujitsu instruction in the Fort Worth/Arlington area. As a well-known author, part of my brand is martial arts. I’ve been in some form of martial arts since I was four. I studied Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Japanese Jujitsu, boxing and now Brazilian Jujitsu. So, whenever one of my fans is curious about martial arts, they come to me.

Which is the best form of martial arts for self-defense?

I know everyone has an opinion, but unless they answer Brazilian Jujitsu? They are wrong 😛 .

KIDDING!

Okay, only partly.

After studying so many other forms of defense, why am I partial to BJJ? I will tell you.

#1—Brazilian Jujitsu Gives Us Options

If someone tries to attack me and I have been trained in a striking sport or a combative, then I am trained to punch, kick, strike (obviously) or even go for eyes or throats. Not that this is bad, but it isn’t always necessary.

It’s overkill.

In Brazilian Jujitsu I am taught all kinds of options that will stop the attack and the attacker without doing any physical harm.

If I am involved in a dispute and I break someone’s nose and arm, yes I’m “safe.” Then the cops are going to show and then???

Er…

It’s gonna get sticky (aside from the blood). If I have to deal with police, which would I rather defend/explain?

That I pulled the attacker to the ground and wrapped him in a choke that harmlessly rendered him unconscious?

OR…

Do I want to explain how I took out an attacker’s knees and he may never walk again?

And I know that if we are defending from a legitimate attack, we generally don’t have to fear criminal prosecution. We DO, however, need to expect the civil suit suing us for damages. It WILL happen. Then we are going to have to explain why crushing someone’s larynx was an appropriate use of force.

Now, with Jujitsu, if an attacker is SO overpowering that I need to use more force (I.e. dislocating a shoulder)? I can. I HAVE that option. BUT, I have A LOT MORE options that actually will do little more than hurt for a day or two.

#2—Brazilian Jujitsu is Ideal for a Small Person

FACT 1: Most people do NOT know how to fight.

FACT 2:They REALLY do not know how to fight on the ground.

FACT 3: Almost ALL fights go to the ground.

Even if the fight doesn’t go to the ground, BJJ trains us to TAKE it there because it is our DOMAIN. On the ground? Size matters far less.

As a 42 year old 5’3″ female? There is only so hard I can hit, kick or punch. If I am against a far larger opponent, one who might even be under the influence? It is going to be REALLY TOUGH for me to hit or kick in a way that will make an impression. But, the smaller you are? The better the throw. It is all physics and since my center of gravity is lower? I can devastate a larger attacker and gain the advantage in a fraction of a second.

Brazilian Jujitsu is a rapist’s worst nightmare. Most attackers’ go-to move is to drag a potential victim to the ground and then use body weight and strength to pin the person for the attack. If the “victim” knows BJJ? That attacker just sealed his fate. The ground is PRECISELY where we want to be.

#3—Brazilian Jujitsu is Known as The “Gentle Martial Art”

People practice BJJ into their 70s. Guess who’s one of the most targeted groups for violent crimes? Women and older people. Train in Jujitsu, and the attacker will quickly realize…this is going to be a VERY bad day.

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#4—AGAIN, Brazilian Jujitsu is the GENTLE Martial Art

Remember, I am older. I had to give up the striking sports because they were simply too hard on my body. BJJ keeps me fit and limber and I don’t have to worry as much about shattering a hand by punching some blockhead.

But let’s go back to self-defense.

In case you don’t know? Punching and kicking can hurt MORE than just the attacker. We can be the one who ends up with broken bones and dislocations. I was in a fight years ago and by punching the person attacking me? I ended up with two cracked bones in my hand. Not saying BJJ is pain and injury-free, but fighting is not like Hollywood.

Punching and kicking HURTS.

A LOT.

NOT FUN.
#5—Brazilian Jujitsu is Ideal for Children

Bully THIS!
Bully THIS!

Aside from being able to defend themselves from potential kidnapping or sexual assault, bullying is a problem as old as time. But, remember that litigious society we mentioned in the beginning? If your child has to defend him/herself from a larger attacker, what’s going to go over better with the school officials? Our kid bashing a kid’s face in, or an arm-lock to hold the bully in place (without injury) until a teacher can arrive on-scene?

I know we all have our favorites and I love the other sports too. But I will say that for those who practice a different discipline, I highly recommend adding BJJ to your toolbox. You stay safe and let the criminals be the ones in trouble…NOT YOU.

Stay Frosty,

Dojo Diva

Ten Reasons to Fall in Love with Jiu Jitsu

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It’s coming up on Valentine’s Day where we show appreciation, adoration and affection for who and (today) what we love. We take time to articulate WHY we get that warm fuzzy feeling when that special someone (or something) crosses our mind. Thus, I want to talk about Jiu Jitsu and why I LOVE Gracie Barra Jiu Jistu in Mansfield, TX.

I am in withdrawal. I have actually been healthy, but my poor Spawn has been bringing home a string of seriously contagious bugs (I.e. stomach flu) and managed to infect Hubby and my mom and, because I LOVE my BJJ peeps?

I am nice enough not to share the experience of praying for death in the middle of the night with a stomach ache.
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Yeah I am classy like that.

But here is me.

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Last night I was woefully looking at pictures of all my BJJ friends who I miss DEARLY and it made me really start thinking about why I love them and Jiu Jitsu and I have come up with the TOP TEN REASONS to Fall in Love with Jiu Jitsu.

10. If you train as a family it is not only legal to arm bar your spouse, GF/BF, child…but encouraged 😀
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9. It’s legal to choke people.

Unlike that guy who’s honking me at a RED FREAKING LIGHT because I was refusing to block an entrance to a school just so we all could WAIT at the RED LIGHT…closer. Choking him? Totally illegal.

Bummer 🙁 .

Really, Buddy? Just freaking REALLY.

8. You learn that real friends still love you even after using you as a human Swiffer.
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7. It’s really awesome exercise.
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So you sleep better, feel more relaxed (probably because choking people legally can be cathartic), and it limbers up those muscles that get tight from sitting at the computer on Facebook too long.

6. You make friends without the aid of alcohol.

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Face it. When you get to be an adult, making friends is no easy task. When we were kids, it was as simple as, “You have a bike? I HAVE A BIKE! OMG! We must be best friends!” These days, for folks who aren’t into a bar scene, finding a way to socialize is no simple deal. But, with Jiu Jitsu? No problem.

Of course, you can add alcohol later. Sometimes helps *limps away*

5. You make REALLY good friends.

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As in friends who can and WILL beat up anyone who messes with you. Yeah, dude at the light revving your car and threatening me? I am looking at YOU. I know people who will omoplata that sass right out of you.

4. Jiu Jitsu is similar to Fight Club and you have friends…you don’t even know you HAVE.

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Seriously. I wear my Gracie shirt everywhere. It’s like those Barbie shoes my mom had to sneak in and steal and burn so I would stop wearing them because I’d long ago outgrown them but they were just TOO AWESOME.

Anyway…

One day I’m in another town having lunch. They guy at the counter is all, “Oh, you do Jiu Jitsu.” *wink, wink* *gives me extra brisket then slinks back in shadows with a knowing smile*

I feel part of Project Mayhem already. We meet, beat each other up and the only difference is we aren’t planning on taking out the credit card companies and we are encouraged to tell others about Fight Club Jiu Jitsu.

3. There IS a certain BAD@$$ Factor
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And what is NOT to love about that? Hey, I’m a 41 year old MOM who drives an SUV. I need all the help I can get. It can be tough when you get older. You don’t want to be ridiculous, but you might not quite be ready to talk about fiber supplements with friends. BJJ helps us create that nice MIDDLE ERA where we are still kind of…okay incredibly cool even if we are “old.”

2. You get to hang out with Professor Young.

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Well worth paying for. This guy is AMAZING. You cannot be unhappy being around the guy. NOT KIDDING. Having a bad day? Spend three minutes with Professor and you will be all better. It is weird and if he goes missing, we know he’s been abducted by either the government or the pharmaceutical companies who are going to study him.

1. You can protect yourself and those you LOVE from harm.

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Woe be to the bully who messes with my kid or frankly anyone I care about. Love is a verb and what better way to express love for another person than volunteering to get beaten up multiple times a week all so you can keep THEM safer?

THAT is love.

Awwww. Man, I get all choked up at that.

Happy Valentines! I love you all. I miss my BJJ Brothers and Sisters. There is SO much to love about Jiu Jitsu that one little post cannot convey what you simply have to experience for yourself. Gracie Jiu Jistu is not a sport or a hobby or a workout…it is a LIFE. And a very cool and rewarding one at that.

WE LOVE YOU! To show our love, if you want to check out the BJJ experience come by and get a free month. My plan is to be back this coming week. Kid was up sick coughing last night again and I was all, “I’ll get you a pony of you STOP THAT!! I miss Jiu Jistu 🙁 ! You’re killin’ me, Smalls!”

What are your thoughts? What do you love about Jiu Jistu? How does it simply make your life all better? Am I right about Professor? YOU CANNOT BE IN A BAD MOOD AROUND THE MAN! It’s science.

Happy Valentines!

~Dojo Diva

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