'Suffrajitsu': How the suffragettes fought back using martial arts

[NonnyMouse1337]

This is an old article from 2015, but I only discovered it recently! I had no idea that the suffragettes started to train themselves in jiu-jitsu to protect themselves from the police during their protests.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-34425615

I looked at a few YouTube videos to learn a bit more and liked the fact that if you learn it well, you actually use techniques to redirect the force used towards you back onto the person. It's a pretty good self-defense strategy and you don't need to be a fit martial arts student to be able to learn the techniques so that they become part of your muscle memory.
It obviously won't help you fight off an assailant like a Hollywood film scene, but it might help buy you some time to escape by injuring or breaking free.

Does anyone here study and practice jiu-jitsu? Pros and cons?

I wonder if there are any classes near me. I wish there were single sex ones as I feel quite awkward turning up to such group lessons.

I have tried jiu-jitsu but only as part of MMA (mixed martial arts) which is slightly different in that in MMA there are no gis (that is the loose clothing used in many martial arts like judo or karate and also jiu-jitsu) so some of the techniques don't apply.

It is a very technical martial art, less reliant on pure physicality, but can none the less cause serious damage if done improperly. I personally find grappling more scary than stand up disciplines which I find more instinctive, but then prior to trying MMA I had dabbled in tae kwon do, kick boxing and muay thai so am more familiar with those forms.

As with any martial art though I think it is important to remember in real life fights have no rules. Any decent instructor will tell you the best defence is to avoid getting into physical situations if you can, running away is always better than fighting, men are (nearly) always stronger than women, you should never make the mistake of thinking martial arts offer protection. It won't make you 'safe'.

On the other hand it can build your confidence. It can connect you to your body and the amazing things it can do. It is great for fitness and general well being and there is certainly no harm in learning a few self defence techniques provided you don't lose sight of their limitations.

As for classes, I have only ever attended mixed ones and actually prefer rolling with men because they are usually aware of their superior strength and so tend to be very careful, whereas another woman will go full throttle, but as I say I don't come from grappling so am perhaps more wary of it if that makes sense?

Thanks for explaining it in more detail, ArnoldWhatshisknickers.

I suppose I'd feel a bit weird grappling with men I don't know. I imagine it would feel less awkward once I am proficient at the basics. You could be right, that learning among men means they are probably more careful.

I definitely agree that martial arts are not some guarantee of protection. It's a last resort if you can avoid a situation and as a woman, it just buys you time to run away or get help as there's no way to fight off a man on your own!