Training Jiu Jitsu if you have or want to get dreadlocks

        A year ago I decided to try a new hairstyle, I got dreadlocks. I always wanted to try long hair because I thought it looked cool, but never knew which direction to go.  When I made the decision to get dreadlocks, one of the first things I thought about was my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ, or Jiu Jitsu) training.  Almost every person that trains Jiu Jitsu, every decision in life from where to travel, a new job, even your diet we consider how it will affect my training.

         
  I searched the Internet to find information about people who train that wear dreadlocks and how they deal with them.  I did a search and found a few message board posts about it, but it was mostly opinions from people that trained with someone who had dreads.  Some of the posts were negative, continuing the myths about dreads. The issue of hygiene has been the main topic that I have read.

I figured, since I haven’t seen or read very much in the way of training and dreadlocks, I would write about my experience over the past year and give tips on dealing with dreadlocks and being able to train regularly.

         
If you already train Jiu Jitsu and want to get locs, the unfortunate fact is you will not be able to train hard for the first 6 weeks.  The starter locs need time to take and that much contact will cause the starter locs to come out.  This is one of the reasons why you see most men that train Jiu Jitsu, at least in the states, with short or bald hair cuts. 

 Hygiene is a big concern for anyone practicing any sport or martial art.  When it comes to Jiu Jitsu, hygiene is the most important thing to consider.  They say you should wash you gi after every class.  I agree with that statement, to a point. Depending on how hard you train, how much you sweat, how many gis you have, and how often you are able to do your jiu jitsu laundry are all factors to consider.  Dreadlocks take on a slightly different course when it comes to hygiene.

People generally believe that you can’t wash your hair. That is a myth. The only time it isn’t advisable to wash your hair is at the beginning when you get starter locks.

It is best to wash your using shampoo and conditioner every two days.  When it comes to training, obviously you have to bathe more often than every two to avoid potential skin infections. When it comes to dreads though, when you are showering and washing the sweat off, you can run warm water through your hair to get the dirt and sweat out. There are other methods of washing between shampoo sessions.  Using vinegar on the scalp is one, but I tend to keep it simple and just use warm water.

The next issue is the use of products.  I bought a jar of beeswax because I read that it helps to hold the locs.  If you are going to use beeswax and train Jiu Jitsu be careful.  I used the black beeswax and it did a good job of holding, but after rolling with a few people I started to see dark smudges on their gis and I realized it was from the wax. I stopped using the wax after that and just stayed natural.

The only products I use now are oils, which I spray in after every shower.  I usually spray it in a few hours before I train though, so I don’t get oil on the mats.

         
Hair length is another factor to understand when deciding to get locs and practice Jiu Jitsu.  When the issue of hair length comes up, I look to see how women deal with it.  A lot of women who train just tie their hair back instead of cutting it short.  Women who train BJJ have hair at varying lengths.

 I want to stay semi conservative and only grow shoulder length dreads.  It is possible to have them longer than that and still train regularly.  Guitarist Zoltan Bathory from Five Finger Death Punch has super long dreads and has been training and competing in Jiu Jitsu for years now.

Here is video of Zoltan training:

The issue I have now is that I have mid length hair, too short to tie back and too long for it not to be an issue while training.  I have found a pretty good solution when it comes to drilling.  I use the scrunci no slip hair bands.

I use these when I workout, or during the drilling portion of class.  This helps to keep my hair from giving my drilling partners a shower every time I am in a top position. The down side is the band slips off frequently when I roll. 

I hope this blog helps anyone interested in getting dreads who train Jiu Jitsu, or anyone who has dreads and want to train but aren’t sure because of their hair.

Dreadlock Voyage pt.3

Well, I was finally able to go back for a follow up and to finally get my hair washed. I ran into a bunch of snags with my work schedule and I wasn't able to keep the appointments. She wanted to see me three weeks after our last session, and it turned into five weeks I think until I saw her again.

So far, everything is working out and a lot of them are starting to lock.  The rubber bands help a lot with keeping them in place when I train Jiu Jitsu. Also, because of work, I haven't been able to do that very much lately. Sucks too because I am getting ready to compete in my biggest tournament yet, the IBJJF Worlds. I have been told by many people that I shouldn't feel pressured about the tourney, mainly because it is the blue belt division. I'm excited about it none the less.

I back tracked and looked up info on using rubber bands and found out that you should only have them in for two months.  We'll see how that goes.  That might be an issue with Jiu Jitsu if they haven't locked all the way yet. If it becomes a problem, I still have a bunch of rubber bands left and can put them back in.

The main reason I worry about this is because there are still some locks that feel loose. I bought bees wax to use on those to help them bind faster.  One of the people I watch on youtube says that bees wax and other creams like that aren't necessary because the hair will bind on its own, but I am taking into account the physical activity I do as an exception to that rule.

I have also started using supplements to help my hair grow a little faster.  Hair, Skin, & Nails is what I use mainly, I haven't looked at any other supplements just yet because this has been working really well.  Usually my hair will grow to a certain point and either stop or slow down a great deal and that's when I use to get it cut, now with using this stuff, not only has it continued to grow but it has grown fast. Who knows, I may have had a biotin deficiency all this time.

I don't have to worry about back for another appointment for at least a month, so I guess I'll see how much my hair will grow and what I will with it next.

Dreadlock Voyage pt. 2

It's been three weeks since I got my starter locks done. It was an interesting three weeks. I learned what to do and what to consider when I do certain things. For starters jiu jitsu training. The night I got my starter locs put in, I went to train. I worn a stocking cap for, and because it was mainly self-defense basics that I was working on, I didn't worry too much. I played it safe that night and didn't roll. The lower back portion did come out however. I didn't worry too much because I still had a lot of them left, so I figured I would protect them the best I could. I went and bought a bandana for training and for sleep. I ran into a problem with that because while rolling the bandana kept coming off. Over time more of the locs started to come out with jiu jitsu until I eventually stopped wearing the bandana all together and just took my chances. I don't have any pictures of the in between mark of the locs.

I went back yesterday to get maintenance done. When the woman saw what happened, she had a shocked look on her face. I'm sure she was surprised how bad it got that fast. She was able to touch them up and she also put a pattern in some of them, especially the one in the back, to keep them from coming out so easily.

So, because of the happenings with training and what that might do to my locs, I have been looking up ways to protect my locs and thinking of trying a few. Now with the bandana and the skull cap I would have to buy ear guards just to keep them on. Not too sure if I want to spend the money to do that. Another option is to use rubber bands and light tension at the base of the locs. I think that might help and I read that using rubber bands helps them loc faster.

I think about the latter option more because I intend to compete very soon in a couple of major jiu jitsu tournaments. IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation) tournaments don't allow anything that could restrict the opponent from working, so the rubber bands look like the bes option. The bright side is, I go back for another maintenance appointment before the tournaments so I could ask about it then.

Hair issues and the final solution (Dreadlock Voyage pt. 1)

For years I have gone to the barbershop and had my hair cut down real low. I mainly did went with a short haircut because I wasn't sure what else to do with my hair. I remember one time, when I was about 10 or 11, I went long hair so I could have a pony tail. Don't ask me why, I just thought they looked cool. Over the last couple of years though, I thought about making a change, but I still wasn't sure what I wanted to do.

About 9 months ago I went into my local barbershop to get my hair cut and I saw that the area that my regular barber cuts at was empty. I sat and waited until it was my turn and I asked the other where he was and he said he was no longer there. I didn't ask details, I just sat down and got my usual. That haircut was very awkward. He did a good job, but the barber that I had I have been going to him since I was 13. I was 28 at the time I went, so you do the math.

I never thought something as simple as someone cutting your hair could be something as deep. I kind of developed a bond to this guy and was so use to him cutting my hair, that anyone else who did it just didn't feel right. Women have the same feeling when they get their hair done I guess, only one person who knows what they want and knows how to do it to their liking has to do it. Haircut looked the same, but didn't feel the same.

I thought about what to do when I needed to go back for another cut. Would I still feel the same way and have to force myself to accept the other guy as my new barber, or would I go somewhere else and start over. I actually thought about this for a good while. As I thought, my got longer, about as long as the average black persons does in a 6 month period of time.

One day, my mom asked me if I was going to get a hair cut or let it grow out; I told her I was going to let it grow and get it braided. That bought me some time and I really started to think what I was going to do, and then it hit me, dreadlocks.

Seeing them on other people I always thought they looked cool and was interested, but I had no clue on how to go about doing them or who did them. The answer was right next door, my neighbor. Never dawned on me that she has had dreads for a couple of years now and I could just ask her. So I asked, got the info, set up an appointment, and yesterday got them done.

The woman that did them was cool and it really didn't take too long. I cost $100 for what she called "starter locks". Not a bad price for the time and materials used though. I really like how they came out and can't wait for them to settle and actually become solid (I guess that's what happens). I am a little worried though, because I did the dumb thing tonight and did a jiu jitsu basic seminar (with and stocking cap of course) and the back came out a little. I think it was mainly the stocking cap didn't come down over the entire head, so I lost a couple.

Other than that little hiccup, I am taking the proper precautions that were told to me. Three weeks from now I go back to her and get the maintenance done to them and hopefully they will set and I can enjoy them.

I will post more progress reports on it as time goes on.