White Lotus Jiu Jitsu

Yesterday in advanced class, we started with a traditional gi baseball choke and then explored several variations and setups from different positions. It’s always fascinating to see how one technique can branch into so many different possibilities.

One of the best parts of training is the knowledge shared on the mats. Every person in the room brings a different perspective, detail, or experience that helps everyone grow. Grateful for a room full of people who are always willing to learn, share, and make each other better.

Last night we worked rear naked chokes, or as Josh likes to call them to be more accurate, rear naked strangles.

The focus wasn’t on squeezing harder. It was on getting clean mechanics and making the position do the work for you. One of the biggest details was pinning your partner’s body to yours by bringing your choking elbow straight back.

After that, Josh showed a couple slick variations… but my phone died before I could capture them 🤷🏻‍♀️

Last night we worked on posture during our earthbending class. We drilled keeping our shoulders and hips parallel to the floor while our partner tried to sweep us. Then we worked the frog position (name pending) and the importance of being dynamic. Earthbenders don’t stay fixed in one place. They adjust, shift, and move with intention and patience.

After class we headed out for some post training ice cream because it’s feels like summer is finally here.

Comp class today was led by June, and she did a great job leading a gi master class and playing some fun games.

The focus was grips, how to deal with grips, and then some safe, simple, effective takedowns that she’s used a lot in pajamas wrestling over the years.

We’re lucky to have some incredibly experienced students at our gym to share things like this.

BJJ

Asked June to take pictures while we were rolling and instead opened my camera to this 😆

We continued working deep half guard tonight. Focusing on staying connected underneath, moving our hips, and not accepting getting flattened out. Lots of learning, lots of laughs, and just a really fun night on the mats with good people.

Yesterday one of our team turned 21 and his request was to celebrate was with karaoke. There are several preapproved videos waiting in the vault that may or may not make their debut soon.

Grateful we got to celebrate with such a great group of people and make some ridiculous memories together. Happy 21st!

Never flat unless you become the ground.

Last night we dug into deep half and the importance of positioning before movement. Getting your head tight to the hip helps prevent the crossface while giving you the connection you need to move underneath your partner. Once attached, the focus shifts to your hips and legs. Your legs are constantly active. Become the bosu ball. Stay mobile, balanced, and difficult to settle on.

We also looked at using butterfly-style hooks to keep their leg floating instead of planted. If their base disappears, the sweeps start opening themselves up.

From there we moved into lock down. Too many people treat it like a static holding position when it can actually be incredibly dynamic. The goal is never just to stall. The goal is to get underneath your partner and create movement toward sweeps, leg lock entries, and reversals.

Thank you to all the ladies who came out for the rotating women’s open mat at White Lotus yesterday. We had such a good turnout and it was awesome getting to train with so many different women from different gyms.

Really grateful for the support, the rounds, and the atmosphere everyone helped create. Events like this are such a great reminder of how strong the women’s jiu jitsu community is.

Big shoutout to for organizing everything and helping make it happen.

Open Mat Schedule Change for May 17

Our regularly scheduled open mat will run from 11 AM to 12 PM.

The Women’s Rotating Open Mat will be from 12 PM to 2 PM.

All affiliations are welcome. Come train and get some rounds in.

See you on the mats!

Last night we worked deep half guard. We focused on staying in a strong position instead of getting flattened out. Keeping your shoulder at 90 degrees or lower in relation to your partner makes a huge difference in maintaining structure.

From there we worked on a variety of sweeps, connecting the position and mechanics together.
We spent time taking away base whenever possible and using the legs as levers to create movement and off-balance reactions.