Where did I leave off with my BJJ classes? Oh yes, I finished my first day sore but extremely happy.

The next morning I had the previous night’s events fresh in my head and it felt as if I picked the right school to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I was nervous, sure, but it felt right to be on the mat and learning about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu history and techniques.

Two days go by and I head back for an open mat session. Some of the same people who greeted me before were already there warming up with smiles on their faces.

I share a smile and head nod and head to the changing room. I didn’t have a gi yet so I was wearing my shorts and a rash guard I picked up from a box store. I can feel some of the anxiousness in my gut return from just a few days before. I do my best to shrug it off and walk out of the changing room, most likely as pale as a Super Mario Brothers ghost.

I head for the mat and do my warm up, adding what I learned from my first night into my routine. Some teammates and I share some greetings and I notice I am the only one going no gi. I had not received my gi yet, and figured just showing up and watching would further my knowledge. Heck, I was a blank canvas when it came to Jiu Jitsu and wanted to immerse myself into it. As I am done warming up, I apologize to those around me that I don’t have my uniform just yet – I’m told it’s not a big deal and that I’ll get my gi soon.

A blue belt comes and grabs me for some roll time.  We pick a clear corner and I take his lead. He shows me what is called a Kimura. I looked the move up after class and find out it’s a double joint arm lock, named after Masahiko Kimura. Masahiko used the move on Helio Gracie in a famous match; Helio was one of the founders of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Prior to being renamed to Kimura, it was called a reverse arm entanglement. Back to the mat, my partner talks about proper posture and how Jiu Jitsu is about leverage and technique not size and strength. He shows me how to sit in someone’s guard, and goes over some of the terms. He also shows me how to hip out – in this case – a move where you push your hips and hands as a way to create space when you’re in the guard position.

After about 30 minutes we go our separate ways and I grab some needed water and a moment to catch my breath. I meet a few more fellow teammates and have some short conversations. I go back to the mat and practice hipping out. I was having a hard time being agile like my training partner. Mostly due to the 150 pounds difference and my amount of inexperience. I know that if I don’t give up I’ll be able to move around much better soon enough.

I grab some wall space and watch the others roll. I look for any clues on how to improve. A white belt comes up and introduces himself. We slap hands, bump fists and he shows me some moves as well. Before I know it, an hour has passed and its time to clean up and go. I throw my sweatpants on and head to my car. It’s winter in New Hampshire and the thermometer in the car is already 3 degrees. I head home gulping down water trying to replenish what I lost. If I was going to stay in the game I told myself I’d have to make sure I got my water in. It was a long week but I love this stuff. Till next time.