Why did I want to start the Women's only classes? The answer is simple. The main question I have from females wanting to start Judo. Are there any girls in the class? and it was always this awkward "well actually" moment. So I wanted a way where I can say there's not many but I have got this one class where its only girls (apart from the other 2 instructors and most of the time they just let me throw them around the room).
You see I have spent most of the last 30 years being the only girl in the room. Not that it has bothered me but I am a Dojo Brat. I grew up in the dojo and it didn't matter if you was a boy or girl, you was just a judo suit and one of the group. We was almost like siblings and just like siblings we'd argue, we'd bicker but most importantly we would laugh... So hard. And for that it didn't matter I was the only girl or not one of the boys, especially when we had a common enemy. (Poor Sensei, you'd think he would have learnt not to leave us to our own devices for too long. It never ended well for him.)
Is it awkward being the only girl? Sometimes. The boys do have moments where they forget I'm not as strong as them and that I move in a slightly different way but is it ever scary or intimidating? No. NEVER!! and if one of them ever did hurt me or make me feel unsure they would be horrified. I am slowly training them that yes I also where a Judogi like them, but mine is quite a bit smaller than theirs.
Still being the only girl does also have its perks. Its always fun watching the boys try to figure out how to fight me, especially if we are doing Newaza. They never know where to look or hold. No matter how many times I tell them to treat me as any other Judogi. The other thing (to be quite unkind) is when certain techniques go a little awry and you can hear more than see that something hasn't gone according to plan.
So in short.. .Is it awkward being the only girl in class? Sometimes but would it make a true difference to what is happening in the class? Not at all.