Gentle Persons Wrestling Club: Friday Night Fight

First Friday of the month, 6:30-(≈) 8:30pm

$20/15

A monthly gathering to explore the foundations of wrestling and grappling through felt contact, attention, and shared movement.

We will work with drills and observed flow rolling, cultivating creativity, respect, instinct, and problem-solving in the moment, rather than competitive or unguided matches.

No prior grappling experience is required, though for full enjoyment of the practice, some physical fitness is beneficial.

6:30-7:30pm Class (starts promptly)

7:30- onwards - Casual chats, rollings games, wrestling "tag", probably pizza. Stay as long as you like.

Unlike most wrestling/grappling classes we won't focus on takedowns or submissions. Instead we stay with fundamentals — how bodies meet, lean, listen, yield, and flow, how to stay present in yourself when pressed up against another being whose desire contradicts yours.

Sessions will be guided by Jo Nicdao, a black belt in many disciplines, who draws on over 30 years of martial arts experience. Book early and please let us know if you can't make it. This is a small group practice (maximum 10 people).

This is a wrestling club for gentle people, not for gentle wrestling. These practices simulate real situations of conflicting intent, wrestling for power with our minds and bodies, actually feeling what it's like to stay with the trouble when the threat is real and bodily. For a first timer the pace can feel intense, but nothing needs to be perfect to start with, and you will get the hang of it quickly. We will practice techniques for reducing panic, and for staying present with our selves, strategizing and finding peace, even when you’re underneath the body of a seemingly stronger enemy.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU COME....

Wrestling is a close contact activity. Very close. We will smoosh into each other. Smell each other. There will be sweat, and bodyweight and heavy breathing. While no-one will be required to do anything they’re not comfortable doing, and you can always sit out from an exercise, the class is primarily focused on close contact and participants should be prepared for that.

To be gentle with each other in such close quarters requires a bit of advance planning:

1. Please wear comfortable clothes you can move in easily without dangly bits or zippers.

2. Jewellery can cause injuries. Piercings need to be removed.

3. Tank tops are a choking hazard. Do not wear them. Tight t-shirts and fitted clothes are best.

4. Long nails can cause injuries. If you have long nails that cannot be cut, make sure to let the teacher know, and take extra care not to injure your partners.

5. Please bring a towel.

6. Smells can get very intense very quickly with sweaty bodies in a class like this. Please make sure you’ve done your part to ensure that doesn’t get out of hand. If you can, please arrive freshly showered, and avoid wearing perfume. You are more than welcome to use our shower both before and after class.

Contact the host of Gentle Persons Wrestling Club: Friday Night Fight

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