What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art, combat sport, and a self defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting. Brazilian jiu-jitsu was formed from Kodokan Judo ground fighting (newaza) fundamentals that were taught to Carlos Gracie and Luiz França by Mitsuyo Maeda and Soshihiro Satake. Carlos Gracie is known as the Founder and Creator of Modern Jiu Jitsu (Gracie Jiu Jitsu/Brazilian Jiu Jitsu). Brazilian jiu-jitsu eventually came to be its own art through the experimentations, practices, and adaptation from the Judo knowledge of Carlos and Hélio Gracie, who then passed their knowledge on to their extended family.

BJJ promotes the concept that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend against a bigger, stronger assailant by using proper technique, leverage, and most notably, taking the fight to the ground, and then applying joint-locks and chokeholds to defeat the other person. BJJ training can be used for sport grappling tournaments (gi and no-gi) and mixed martial arts (MMA) competition or self-defense. Sparring (commonly referred to as “rolling”) and live drilling play a major role in training, and a premium is placed on performance, especially in competition, in relation to progress and ascension through its ranking system.

Since its inception in 1882, its parent art of Judo was separated from older systems of Japanese ju-jitsu by an important difference that was passed on to Brazilian jiu-jitsu: it is not solely a martial art, it is also a sport; a method for promoting physical fitness and building character in young people; and, ultimately, a way of life.

Why Jiu-Jitsu?

• Jiu-Jitsu is a great source of cardiovascular exercise which promotes good overall health.
• Jiu-Jitsu is a great core workout which helps a person with overall stability and balance.
• Jiu-Jitsu athletes learn to be calm under pressure, which can help a person learn to relax during normal hectic problems of their daily encounters.
• Jiu-Jitsu teaches very important self-defence techniques.
• Jiu-Jitsu builds self-confidence.
• Jiu-Jitsu is a family-oriented sport.
• Jiu-Jitsu is a great way to make friends.
• Jiu-Jitsu teaches intricate techniques which helps promote problem solving and critical thinking skills.
• Jiu-Jitsu promotes a healthy diet.
• Jiu-Jitsu is for everybody regardless of age or gender.