I was dropped on my head once – not as a baby but as a 17 year old, under a tree at debating camp by a dude I had a major crush on.
He was easily 6 ft tall, we were being boisterous and without warning he grabbed me around the waist and hoisted me up to throw over his shoulder.
Whatever force it is, he misjudged it and I went flying up and over – crashing head first onto the ground… like one of those tennis balls in a stocking if you ever played with one in primary school, wound it around your head and let go – but think tennis ball sailing dowwwwwn.
I was stunned, felt pins and needles … everyone panicked – but I was ok!
Maybe it stems from that, maybe it doesn’t – all I know is I have this mental freak out when rolling that sees me often put an invisible ‘block’ on moves that should see me forward/backward roll or fight off my shoulders.
For example, instead of rolling out of an omoplata I’ll stop down and struggle then cop the submission.
Last night I did my first proper class in a couple of months (happy to report the back/groin whatever injury it is, pulled up ok!)
We did this shoulder roll drill – well, everyone else did… picture me simply falling sideways … and that’s about as far as I get.
I’m a curvy girl, I often tell the guys I feel like one of those bottom-heavy blow up punching bags that will always spring back up no matter how hard you try to put their butt in the air. (Bobo The Clown rings a bell?)
I want to be able to do this roll! And comfortably spin in and out and around all over the place.
If you have any drilling tips/links/suggestions to get me more comfy on my shoulders, I’d love to read them.
gypsy girl in gi 