MMA and me; day 189

Yesterday (Monday) we worked on what I can best describe as filler. Frequently in jiu jitsu, we learn submissions, or transitions, or points on which to focus. Monday we specifically worked on shadow grappling, and more specifically, how to fill the space in between the points. We started out by stretching, and getting our bodies ready, then we went up into a head stand. We held the head stand for a bit, then moved onto rolling down from the head stand, and switching our hips over to a four point position. From there we incorporated a sit out to a switch, and then began utilizing our shoulder rolls from our knees and our butts. From ending on our backsides, we added coming up to our knees and shooting for a couple take downs, spinning on our knees, and shooting for more take downs. We also added swiveling on our hips to prevent our guard from being passed, pivoting on our sacrum (thanks Nikki!) in a long arc to prevent a standing opponent from stepping around the guard. A couple more focal points were added into our shadow grappling; falling into a bridge from a head stand and then quickly switching our hips from the bridge to being on all fours, and escaping from old school side control by utilizing the curly run, or as Amanda calls it (which I totally agree with) the Homer Simpson, where you bridge, turn to your shoulder and head, and then proceed to run around in a circle until you escape from under the side control and take their back. We combined all of the elements together that we worked on today and shadow grappled for the final 10 minutes of class, and the purpose of this was to feel more complete when grappling. A lot of schools focus on specific moves, and don't work on what goes between them. I really like this type of class, because it forces you to be aware of your body and where you're going to next, which is IMMENSELY important during grappling sessions. Thank you Coach for a great class!!