What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
Jiu-Jitsu began with Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese Jiu-Jitsu master and member of the Kodokan. Maeda immigrated to Brazil in the early 1900’s. There, he met influential businessman Gastão Gracie, who helped him to establish himself in Brazil. In return for his aid, Maeda taught the fighting art to Gastão’s son, Carlos Gracie. Carlos then taught the art to his brothers and sons. Maeda’s the art was called Jiu-Jitsu. The Gracie family refined this art form into what is now known as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
Mitsuo Maeda, who taught Jiu-Jitsu to Carlos Gracie a hundred years ago.
What makes BJJ different from other martial arts?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu differs from other martial arts in that it provides solutions for all possible stages of combat. Other disciplines such as Tae Kwon Do or Karate focus on striking and rely on a person’s strength and speed to deliver damage – but speed and strength don’t matter when you’re on your back. While other martial arts rely heavily on strength and speed, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu relies on technique and leverage.
Rolls Gracie fighting, circa 1980.
What’s a Gi?
A Gi (sometimes referred to as Kimono) is the uniform that is typically worn when training Jiu-Jitsu. It consists of 3 pieces: a jacket (or top), pants, and a belt. The fabric construction of these three pieces is reinforced to withstand the rigors of daily practice. Many Jiu-Jitsu practitioners regard their Gi in the same way a knight would their regard their armor. Most practitioners of Jiu-Jitsu who advocate the usage of the Gi site the more technical advantages of grappling with a Gi.
What are the belt rankings in Jiu-Jitsu?
As with other martial arts, the progress of a student is marked with a series of colored belts. Unlike other martial arts, where a black belt marks a person’s proficiency in a style, a black belt is only given to individuals who have mastered the art in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. The belts (in order of rank) are as follow: white, blue, purple, brown and black. Often, schools award stripes to mark progression, totaling four stripes per belt from white belt to brown belt. Black belts are typically awarded one stripe every three years up to ten stripes. There are special classifications for black belt fighters and instructors. Instructors have black belts with bed bands and black belt fighters have white bands. Typically, black belt instructors are not allowed to promote others up to black belt rank until they receive their first stripe.
Belt ranking for children is as follow: white, yellow orange and green. Each belt also has four stripes to mark progression. In order to earn a blue belt, a child must be at least 16 years of age.
How long until I get my black belt?
Typically, it takes anywhere from eight to fifteen years to attain the rank of black belt in Jiu-Jitsu. Each belt (with the exception of blue) takes about two to five years of dedicated practice. A blue belt can often be attained in approximately one year of dedicated study.
Is Jiu-Jitsu safe?
At the Renzo Gracie Academy, safety is paramount. Accidents may happen, however, the largest contributing factors to injury are lack of seriousness during training and careless application of technique. Careless practice is disrespectful to the spirit of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
Who can learn Jiu-Jitsu?
Practically anyone can utilize the techniques created by Carlos Gracie. When Carlos Gracie created his revolutionary system, he weighed no more than 135 lbs. The core principle of Gracie Jiu-jitsu is to provide a method for smaller, weaker individuals to protect themselves from bigger, stronger attackers.
Is BJJ good exercise?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can provide you with far more extensive results than typical aerobic exercise. The resistance encountered while training provides a good base to improve your core strength through intense abdominal workout, increase your muscle tone, and reduce your body fat while improving your balance, coordination, cardio vascular capacity, and muscular endurance.
At his 50s, pioneer of Jiu-Jitsu Carlos Gracie demonstrates a flying armbar with his brother, famous Helio Gracie.
What do I wear my first time (Intro Class) to class?
The best thing to wear to a first class is a t-shirt and shorts. A mouthpiece is also recommended and although it’s not required, it is recommended that men wear an athletic support.
What’s a typical class like?
Class begins with light calisthenics and stretching. Following the warm-up, we begin drilling technique. Repetition is important when practicing these drills to help build muscle memory and to mentally retain the techniques. After drilling is completed, then we begin to spar (or roll). Rolling is when students are able to put their techniques to the test with training partners who can resist and counter just as they would in an actual fight, providing valuable real-world experience should the techniques ever need to be applied in an actual physical altercation.
