In this vein, part of the training is a beginner class in Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu, which I am *loving*. I am very slight of frame and not at all physically strong and I now realize it’s really important to learn the basics of some kind of hand-to-hand technique from a purely self-defense position.

A writer from Black Belt magazine came by our class to see how martial arts training was helping actors, and he brought some issues of the magazine for us – I asked him why no female cover models, and he said he didn’t think there were that many female MMA fighters… I think that should change.

With my background (coming from a very traditional school of non-sporting Tae Kwon Do), I was trained to be somewhat suspicious of MMA and other “sport” styles (due to injury risk, philosophical differences, and mild martial arts snobbery). It was a nice surprise to find that you enjoy it so much and get so much empowerment out of it. Hope you keep training.

You’re right on the money with how you can’t judge the sport because it *looks* crude; that’s not an accurate picture of either intent or effect. Some of the most graceful-looking traditional martial arts moves seen in demonstrations are, when performed on a person at full speed, incredibly violent.

Maybe I’ll try an MMA workout sometime. Thanks for shining some light on a frequently misunderstood subculture.

Thanks, Olivia.

I’m heading out to Thailand on Saturday for ten days of intense Muay Thai training followed (potentially) by my first fight. I found making the transition from hitting pads to people quite mentally challanging. But my trainer and I pared it back to the basics and, through his patience, we reached the point where I really enjoy being in the ring.

Like you say, half the journey is about training and figuring out what works for you and your body, and that’s the part no one else really sees. But when you get to the point where you see your body transforming, it’s such a great feeling.

I’ve worked out in the gym for years but never have I seen the results that I have from the past six months.

Two years ago I hadn’t even tried martial arts. Now….I’m hooked!

It’s a sport that I encourage all women to try. With so many different martial arts to choose from, there’s a type for everyone.

Thanks once again, Olivia.
(@oliviabevan)

I’m fascinated by MMA and I’d love to try it, but I have a lot of mental and physical hang-ups to deal with before I take the plunge. I’m similar to your body type, at least in height–I’m around 5’9″ and have long limbs–but I’ve never been the least bit muscular or athletic, and I always perceived myself as fairly frail. So I’d definitely have to build up some physical confidence. I’d also have to get around the fear of hurting someone…but there is something about direct, hand-to-hand combat that I find really beautiful and exhilarating.

I studied capoeira for 2 years and it was the best fun I ever had. Always was curious about MMA but was wary of the apparent thug culture and the violence. I think I’ll give it a go now.

Totally agree that it is awesome for a woman to be physically strong.

You go Drahill!

Could be since she’s younger she has a hard time articulating responses. But this was very informative! Thank you for sharing the experience!

I’m kind of your opposite in that I’m short and stocky (5’4″, built like a fireplug) and one of the things that has long driven me crazy about being a woman who works out is the fact that no one cares about my strength, just that I “looked” right. At my strongest and fittest people would tell me I shouldn’t lift so much because I’d “get big” and all that crap.

PS One of the nicest guys I’ve ever known was a Pankration fighter, so boo to the thug stereotyping.

Oh, and thank you Harpies for inviting Drahill to blog!!!!

You’d get over it quickly. Especially if they’re hitting or kicking you. At least, that was my experience. And the women I’ve sparred with always punched/kicked me harder than the men.