Do you want to be able to defend yourself against any opponent regardless of size?

Do
you want to learn the best martial art without getting punched? If you do Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is for
you. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is known as the gentle art. It is called the gentle art because it does not
use strikes, but instead uses grappling techniques such as joint locks and chokes that are used to
get an opponent to quit, submit, or go unconscious. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has grown a lot since it
was first created by Hélio Gracie back in the early 1900’s. Since then Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has
grown into a worldwide sport. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was created so that a smaller, weaker individual
could successfully defend himself against a larger, stronger opponent. Who wants to get hit to
learn how to defend themselves? With Brazilian Jiu Jitsu there is no need to walk out of practice
with a concussion but instead a good workout and a familial community.
To understand Brazilian Jiu Jitsu more, it is important to know who and why it was
created. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was created by the Gracie family. The Gracie's used the martial art
Judo as a basis to create their new martial art that was specialized in ground fighting. Brazilian
Jiu Jitsu is derived from the Japanese word "Jiu Jitsu" which means gentle art. The Gracie’s
didn’t just make the martial art but proved its effectiveness through challenges of other martial
arts. In these challenges they fought individuals of other martial art backgrounds such as karate
or kung fu and they always won. But this was underground and had potential for bias so to prove
to the world that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was not just effective but the best martial art in the world
they participated in UFC 1. This event was designed to figure out what martial art was superior.
The list of the martial-art specialist was Savate, Sumo, Kickboxing, American Kenpo, Boxing,
Shootfighting, Taekwondo, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. This tournament did not include weight
classes so the opponents that participated were not the same size. In fact, the heaviest fighter was
410 pounds. To prove a point the Gracie's chose the lightest man in their group. That man was
Royce Gracie who weighed in at the lightest at 180 pounds and won first place. This proved that
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was the best martial-art. To explain this with visuals I think this video is
necessary. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jid5GNXZUk)
When it comes to self-defense, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the way to go. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a
non-striking martial art. This means that if done right you won't come home with black eyes and
busted lips, but still learn the best form of self-defense. For me Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is not about
being better than someone, it is about how you can make each other better. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
isn’t about the body it is about the mind. Many people call Brazilian Jiu Jitsu human chess
because you constantly must think of your next move.
 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a workout and it isn't easy. There are many days where you want to
quit. Although this sport is gentle there is room for injury, the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is safely
doing it. Using techniques correctly and using your partners as a way to get better and not trying
to hurt them will be most beneficial. Once all that is taken care of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu will be this
beautiful environment where you will meet people and get to know people personally. Brazilian
Jiu Jitsu is unique as a martial art because the goal of it is to use locks and chokes to get people
to quit. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a way to get your mind off of life and just enjoy your time becoming
a ninja.
With that being said, anyone is able to start Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The most important belt
transition is from your pant belt to a white belt. In my experience I started Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
when I was 15 years old and I started after watching a UFC fight. During the fight, I told my dad
that I wanted to try it. When he said I would be too afraid I was determined to prove him wrong
so the next Wednesday I joined a Jiu Jitsu class for teens. Within a month I moved into the
adult's class and in another month, I did my first competition. My point in bringing this up is
because I was very scared to start and even more so when I joined the adult class but the people
in that class are one of the nicest people you’ll meet. Most Brazilian Jiu Jitsu places make it to
where all higher-level Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners must help the lower levels. This helps
beginners stay, feel safe and become comfortable. A shared mentality among the Brazilian Jiu
Jitsu community is their views on ego. In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu you will learn rather quickly that
you should not have an ego when participating in this sport because your feelings will get hurt
quickly. You will lose way more than you win but in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu we have a saying that
goes like “You either win or you learn,” and that's the mentality you will grow to have.

When you do decide to join you will learn that the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym is not hostile but
instead like a second home. Many people that do Brazilian Jiu Jitsu use it as an escape to daily
hassles that life brings. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a full body workout and can be used as a way to get
fit at all levels of athleticism and at the same mind workout your mind. In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu it
isn’t about winning it's about learning and in this sense Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is just as much a
mental activity as it is a physical activity. At my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym our slogan is “Jiu Jitsu
for everyone,” and that's our goal. We believe that there is a benefit that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
process for everyone. For me it was exercise and the community that made me love it.