Knee on belly... Better than any sit up if you want to strengthen your core.

I went to class 4 times last week- Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday. I did double classes both Friday and Saturday. Last weeks intermediate curriculum was all about Knee on Belly positioning, and controlling your opponent using the techniques. This means I spent a lot of time with someones shin across my stomach, and their knee pressed either on or just below my solar-plexus. Not a real comfortable kind of an exercise- especially when drills involved switching sides, changing positions, and setting us for arm-bar, and triangle attacks. For those the motion was for the top man to pivot on his knee and bring his opposite foot around the bottom mans head (misses here frequently resulted in a foot to the head) and if successful the top man will end up sitting (with full weight)on the bottom mans chest. So that pretty much sucks, but it is good strength building for the bottom man's ab region.

The Fundamental curriculum was a side control escape which is an area where I strongly feel I need work. Needless to say I got a lot of work bridging from flat on my back onto my shoulders to create space and then hip-ing out into the void i had created. It was working for me though. I got in a lot of escapes over the course of the week, and when I rolled with a blue belt training partner on Monday I was able to capitalize on the escape and set up for a triangle as he chased me trying to get back into control. It was a good moment where I felt like I was controlling the outcome.

Upsides- I'm starting to feel a lot stronger, my overall physical condition is really improved over the year I have been training. I'm definitely stronger- I was able to sweep some very big dudes from side control. I am feeling a lot more comfortable on the mat.

Downsides- My left ear is feeling a bit "juicy" or swollen. This has led me to the conclusion that I MUST get a headgear if I am to continue training. Expect a gear write up soon. I am still not "flowing" like I would like to. I would really like rolling to start becoming more intuitive, but I have no idea how to go about that. I am scheduling a private lesson with Professor Larry this weekend, and i will be working on that for sure.