History And Basic Concepts

A lot of people all over the globe are getting into martial arts. And one that is growing in popularity is a form of martial art that originated from Kozen Judo. Here is some Jiu Jitsu History.

We all know that learning about martial arts provides us knowledge about self-defense. However, many people are into these martial arts as a way of getting fit and achieving a healthier body and mind.

This martial art has a lot of benefits. But before you decide about enrolling in our school, it would be a lot better if you are able to learn about the basics of this martial art.

An introduction to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu:

Up until the 90s, Brazil was well known for football and its beaches. Not many knew that the country had developed a long history of a martial art known as the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. This martial art rose into prominence during the first UFC event in 1993. Royce Gracie won the event using Brazilian Jiu Jitsu by beating opponents larger and stronger than him.

The history of this martial art goes back a century. The next section will discuss about the history of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and its roots of origins in Asia.

The History Of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu:

In 1915, Mitsuyo Maeda (A student of the Kodokan) arrived in Brazil and in about a year, he finally decided to settle in the country in a small town of Belem do Para.

During this time, Maeda met with a local named Gastao Gracie who became interested with in Maeda’s art and Maeda made him his student.

After a while, Gastao’s son, Carlos, also became interested and he also then became a student of Maeda.

Carlos was only 15 years old and he had a fragile figure. By learning Jiu Jitsu, Carlos did not only learn self defense but also to improve is life and confidence.

Carlos decided to move to Rio de Janeiro when he was 19. In Rio, Carlos began promoting his art form by teaching locals and competing in fight competitions. Carlos began gathering more followers and students after he consecutively managed to record victory after victory over larger and stronger opponents.

With a growing number of followers and students, Carlos finally decided to open a first Jiu Jitsu gym in Brazil. His first gym was located in Rio under the brand “Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy”.

Teaching the Philosophy:

After Carlos established the first Jiu Jitsu gym in Brazil, his brothers also began taking interests in the art form. Carlos began teaching them as a mentor. He did not only teach techniques but also the philosophies and life concepts he had learned through.

Carlos believed that Maeda’s art had made him a better man by become more tolerant and having more self-confident. To prove his point about Jiu Jitsu being the number one martial arts, Carlos and his brothers regularly held fight exhibitions, challenging fighters from other art forms to go head to head with them.

Carlos and his brothers always managed to display fine performance and to defeat opponents who were a lot heavier and stronger. Through this performances, the Gracie brothers became more and more famous in Brazil and started to gain acknowledgement and prestige.

Brazil Vs Japan:

The news about the vast development of Jiu Jitsu in Brazil reached Japan in no time. More Japanese then migrated to Brazil and tried to build schools to teach their art, but none of them could match the Gracie brothers.

The Japanese failed to market their style because the Gracie brothers managed to develop their own unique style which was a bit different from the original art form.

Japanese Ju Jitsu focuses more on taking down your opponent or performing throws on them while the style developed by the Gracie brothers focused more on ground fighting and submissions.

Today, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has become an established and organized sports under the administration of an international federation, which was founded none other by Carlos’ son Carlos Gracie Jr.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Basic Concepts:

This martial art offers many benefits other than self defense. If you are interested in learning it, you need to learn about a number of basic concepts behind the popularly growing martial art.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu’s main benefit is having the ability to take on larger and stronger people. To become a master of the art, you do not need to build a huge physique. By learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, you will be able to use your opponents’ own force against them.

This martial art mainly focuses on ground fighting. The ground fighting techniques involved are mainly submission techniques that force your opponent to give up by tapping out.

During ground fighting, your ability to position your body and to use leveraging are keys to win a match.

Other than offering a way for self defense, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can actually be used as an alternative weight loss program. It will also improve your cardiovascular performance and in terms of personal development, you will gain more confidence after seriously practicing.

8 Most Common Submissions In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu:

Basic Submissions Video

The aim of all Brazilian Jiu Jitsu match is to force your opponent to submit using a submission move.

Submissions are techniques that aim to put your opponent in pain by making their joints to go into directions they are not supposed to.

Some submissions also involve a process of choking that force your opponent to choose between tapping out or passing out.

Here are some popular ones that you can use during a match to win:

1. Rear naked choke: a choke on your opponent which is executed from behind your opponent’s back using your arms squeezing the sides of the neck.

2. The Guillotine: a choke hold from the front. You reach underneath your opponent neck and apply pressure using your armpit.

3. The Leg Triangle: a choke from the front using both of your legs while you are lying on the ground.

4. The Arm Triangle: very similar concept with the leg triangle choke. In this move, you are using your arms and are usually executing it while you are on top of your opponent or behind them.

5. Arm Bar: you secure an arm of your opponent and extend the elbow by having it trapped between your legs and bend it to an opposite direction.

6. Knee Bar: very similar with an arm bar but it is applied on the knee.

7. Ankle Lock: a submission move which aims to twist an opponent’s ankle. Or pull it straight back.

8. Kimura: a technique applied on shoulder joints which aim to snap it out.

There are many more different aspects of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. To fully understand the art and its philosophy, then you must participate in a Fundamentals Programme.