• About
  • Gi Help
  • Jiu-Jitsu Events
    • Past Events
  • Female Black Belts
    • North America
    • Europe
    • South America
    • Australia/New Zealand
    • Middle East/Asia
    • Unknow Location
  • Resources
  • Media
  • Photos

BJJ For Women

~ Women's BJJ Blog: Interviews, Jiu- Jitsu Events and All Things Fenom

BJJ For Women

Tag Archives: girls in gis

Girls in Gis Anniversary

03 Saturday Nov 2018

Posted by fenomkimonos in Women's BJJ

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

anniversary, fenom flyer, fenom kimonos, girls in gis, women's bjj, women's brazilian jiu jitsu, women's open mat

Women’s jiu-jitsu open mat Girls in Gis got started in Houston, and the first DFW area event was held in December of 2009 at Alvarez BJJ. On November 11th, women and girls once again are gathering at the same place to celebrate the 9-year anniversary of Girls in Gis. The highest ranked women in 2009 event were purple belts; this year there are five black belt instructors leading the open mat. The first open mat at Alvarez BJJ attracted 25 women and girls which was unheard of at the time. It was so unusual to see a group of women training that even men stayed and watched.

fenom gig 20095
fenom 20094
fenom gig 20093
fenom gig 20092
fenom gig 20091
fenom gig2009

The instructors are Fabiana Borges (Gracie Barra), Danielle Alvarez (Alvarez BJJ), Chelsah’ Lyons (MG Dallas), Karen Lingle (Genesis) and Nathiely de Jesus (Rodrigo Pinheiro BJJ). In 2009 Nathiely and Danielle were white belts, Chelsah’ and Karen had not found jiu-jitsu yet; they started training in 2010 and 2012 respectively. All these ladies are now black belts and high-level, decorated competitors with world champion titles in gi and no-gi. At that time Fabiana was a multiple time Brazilian National Champion in different belt levels, had been a black belt for two years, and was on the move to the US to join Gracie Barra American Team.

Girls in Gis 2009
Girls in Gis 2009
Girls in Gis 2015
Girls in Gis 2015
Girls in Gis 2018
Girls in Gis 2018

From 2009-2015 Girls in Gis event flyers were exclusively designed by Fenom. The font on the first flyers was abandoned in the middle of 2010 and replaced by the swirly font that is used by GIG until this day. The flyers were provided free of charge to help the women’s BJJ organization that had yet to produce income. Years later when GIG started earning profit from t-shirts, patches, gis and participation fees, it was time to hand the flyer design work back to the organization.

Lots has changed over the years. During first years of GIG, all events were free of charge, less formal, and organized in Texas. In recent years GIG chapters have opened up in a dozen states, and most events require a suggested donation in addition to online registration. Brand ambassadors help schedule, oversee and run events. Thousands of women and girls have participated, some have quit training, some are on break but many more are still training and rising in the ranks. The goal the get more women into jiu-jitsu has been achieved, the number of female black belts have sky-rocketed, and tons of other women’s open mats all around the country have sprung up. We wish Girls in Gis a very happy birthday and can’t wait to see what happens next!

Girls in Gis Anniversary

06 Friday Nov 2015

Posted by fenomkimonos in News and Events, Women's BJJ

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

bjj patches, fenom kimonos, girls in gis, girls' jiu-jitsu, messy hair we don't care, training should be fun, women's bjj

Girls in Gis is celebrating six years of successful women’s jiu-jitsu open mats, sisterhood, and happy rolls. What started in Houston in 2009 has now spread throughout several states. Three locations: Denver, Edmond, and Houston, are holding anniversary open mats this month with record number of participants expected; please register ahead of time to save your spot.

girls_in-gis_6th_denver
girls_in_gis_6th_edmond
girs_in_gis_6th_houston

We are making beautiful 12×3, woven patches for Girls in Gis as our continued support for the cause. Get one for you, one for your friend, and pretty up your gis!

GIG_Patch_1-01

Rise Stronger Together

20 Thursday Nov 2014

Posted by fenomkimonos in News and Events, Women's BJJ

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

fenom kimonos, girl's bjj, girls in gis, grappling for a cause, jiu-jitsu fundraiser, strong woman, women's bjj

Being healthy is something most of us take for granted. Occasional flu or a smashed rib is annoying when you have busy life. No-one has time for that! What if you came down with a sudden illness that brought your life as you knew it to a halt? Can you imagine not being able to drive any more? Or not being able to go the store alone? Or not being able to work?

That is what our good friend, Shama Ko, the coordinator of Girls in Gis is dealing with right now. About a month ago, she suddenly collapsed on the mat, and had a seizure. She has been to the ER a few times; seen several doctors, and her medical bills are beginning to pile up. There are still lots of tests to be done, to find out what is causing her body to act this way. She is determined to get to the bottom of this but cannot do it alone.

There are lots of organizations asking for donations this time of the year but please consider purchasing one or a few of these beautiful, 8 inch, woven, phoenix inspired patches that we designed specially for Shama’s fundraiser. The patches cost $8.00, and you can order yours here. Our goal is to raise $2,500 to help getting her life back on track.

final patchblackfinalpatch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Women’s jiu-jitsu community pulled together big time, and set up Grappling for a Cause events all over the US, Mexico and Colombia. If you would like to go to a roll-a-thon, an open mat or a seminar, please check out the locations (Denver, Austin, San Diego, Lakeland, Chandler, Edmond, Monterrey,) that are participating in the fundraiser on December 13-14.

shama_ko_fundraiser

Happy Birthday Girls in Gis!

12 Thursday Sep 2013

Posted by fenomkimonos in News and Events

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

girls in gis, women's bjj, women's brazilian jiu jitsu

Girls in Gis, Texas women’s BJJ group, is celebrating its four-year anniversary on September 22nd in Houston, at Elite MMA. The group has grown exponentially since it started in 2009, and over 100 participants are already registered for the upcoming event. It is a free open mat for women and girls of all ages and experience levels.

At the anniversary event, Girls in Gis is running a fundraiser for YMCA International Services benefiting the victims of human trafficking. Donations in cash and household items such as dishes, towels, small appliances, and baby items are greatly appreciated.

girls_in_gis_september_2013

We are continuing our tradition of donating a gi to the Girls in Gis anniversary event’s raffle. This time around one of our beautiful pink pearl weave gis is up for grabs. Check out the past winners and good luck everyone this year!

2010 winner Camryn

60502_482870055785_7836121_n

2011 winner Tara

305419_10150284238989293_337575_n

2012 winner Jamie

530385_10151409556820786_1698348083_n

2013 raffle prize

pinkgi

To register for the Girls in Gis anniversary event, please click here. To read more about Girls in Gis, please visit their blog.

Pay It Forward

19 Wednesday Dec 2012

Posted by fenomkimonos in Training, Women's BJJ

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

brazilian jiu jitsu, girls in gis, Mrs. Ibarra, women's bjj

We asked one of our favorite bloggers, Mrs. Ibarra, to be the guest writer this month, and she was kind enough to say yes. She shares her experience at Girls in Gis and training with women. Enjoy everyone!

On December 2, 2012 Girls in Gis celebrated its 3-year anniversary.  It was spectacular! Never before have I seen so many women and girls on the mats together, 74 total in attendance.  It was a colorful blur of gis, belts, women, and little girls, and a whole lot of sweat. I can proudly say that my daughter and I have been to all three Girls in Gis anniversary events.

In March of 2010 I took my daughter to her first Girls in Gis.  She had just started  jiu-jitsu three months earlier and I thought it would be a good experience for her to train with other women and girls. At the time she was the only girl in a kid’s class full of boys.  Fast forward a few months, I started jiu-jitsu myself, and then in September 2010 my daughter and I went to the first anniversary Girls in Gis event.

Debra

Fast forward another year…we went to the second anniversary event.  Fast forward another year…third anniversary…you kind of get the picture.  In between we have traveled to San Antonio, Austin, Katy and Houston. When I first started participating in Girls in Gis, most women didn’t quite look like me. It was so very intimidating. I wasn’t athletic, I wasn’t thin, and I definitely wasn’t in shape.  I had some very anxious moments in those early days.  But those women I met, those amazing women, they just kept encouraging me.  They told me to keep training, don’t give up, it will get better. And you know what? They were right!  I slowly started to feel like I belonged. I realized that this “old” lady, who didn’t quite look like everybody else, had a place in this tight-knit jiu-jitsu community.

252230_432220326833101_1754162259_n

Because of Girls in Gis I have had the pleasure of meeting women from all over the world, women at different stages of their jiu-jitsu journeys.  I’ve been able to train with black and brown belts, purple, blue and white belts, and I’ve even had the pleasure of training with women who were trying jiu-jitsu for the very first time.  Most importantly, I’ve met other women who love jiu-jitsu just like me.  And guess what? Now when I go to Girls in Gis, there are more and more women who look like me! Now it’s my turn to pay it forward.  It’s my turn to encourage and support and help all the newbies as they start their jiu-jitsu journey.

Thank you Mrs. Ibarra!

Three Years of Girls in Gis

14 Wednesday Nov 2012

Posted by fenomkimonos in News and Events, Women's BJJ

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

girl's brazilian jiu jitsu, girls in gis, women's brazilian jiu jitsu

Girls in Gis is celebrating its 3rd birthday! It all started in September 2009, when Ashley Nguyen invited girls to her gym, Elite MMA, for the very first free open mat. Seeing more than 10 women training together was unprecedented at the time, everyone was a bit nervous and no-one knew what to expect. The first open mat was a huge success and from that day on, Girls in Gis has become a permanent fixture at the women’s BJJ scene in Texas.

Girls in Gis 2009

Girls in Gis in September 2009

Girls in Gis open mats have traveled all across Texas, from gym to gym, bringing women and girls together regardless of team associations. White belts have become blue, blues have turned purple, and a few purple belts have been promoted to brown belt. Many friendships have been formed and the number of women participating in Girls in Gis has grown year after year. Seeing 30-40 women at an open mat has become normal and this year a new record, 65 girls and ladies, was set at Gracie Humaitá Austin.

Girls in Gis in September 2012

What Ashley started, Shama Ko has carried on. She is the driving force and active leader behind Girls in Gis, scheduling events, promoting, networking, and organizing fundraisers. You can hardly ever see Shama on Girls in Gis photos because she is always behind the camera documenting the events.

Shama Ko at work

Girls in Gis facts:

  • 31 events
  • 15 different cities
  • 23 host academies
  • largest event at Gracie Humaitá Austin with 65 participants
  • longest drive to a GIG event – 13 hours round trip
  • most GIG events attended – Shama Ko 20, Lana Hunter 17
  • out of state participants from Oklahoma, Louisiana, California, New Mexico, Arkansas, Washington, and Virginia
  • over 20 sponsors in 2012

Donation drives and fundraisers:

  • GIG Wish List Drive benefiting SafePlace Austin women’s shelter in January 2012
  • GIG Volunteer Sponsorship Program in August 2012
  • GIG Food Drive benefiting Tarrant Food Bank in November 2012
  • GIG Toy Drive benefiting Toys for Tots in December 2012

Happy Birthday Girls in Gis! 

Enter your email address to follow this women's jiu- jitsu blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Facebook

Facebook

Instagram

Simplicity. This is how we start 2021. #newbeginnings #backtobasics

Popular Posts

  • North America
    North America
  • Let's Talk About Gi Pants Part I
    Let's Talk About Gi Pants Part I
  • Female BJJ Black Belts
    Female BJJ Black Belts
  • Past Events
    Past Events
  • A0 Tall Size Gis
    A0 Tall Size Gis
  • Gi Weaves 101
    Gi Weaves 101
  • South America
    South America
  • Europe
    Europe
  • BJJ Memes
    BJJ Memes
  • Unicorn and Donuts Gi in White Pearl Weave Plus
    Unicorn and Donuts Gi in White Pearl Weave Plus

Tags

affordable australian girls in gi beatriz mesquita bjj bjj bffs black friday brazil 021 brazilian jiu jitsu competition cotton drill crystal weave curvy pants emily kwok female black belt fenom gi raffle fenom kimonos gi giveaway girl's bjj girl's brazilian jiu jitsu girls' jiu-jitsu girls in gis gis for girls gis for women gracie humaita hannette staack jill baker jiu-jitsu jocelyn chang leka vieira leticia ribeiro like a girl Love luciana "luka" dias messy hair we don't care michelle nicolini Mother's Day pearl weave pearl weave plus purple belt socal wbjj sophia drysdale strong woman support women's bjj sweaty betties training should be fun white to black belt women's bjj women's brazilian jiu jitsu women's gis women's grappling camp

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • BJJ For Women
    • Join 217 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • BJJ For Women
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar