A family tradition since 1925, founded by brothers Carlos and Hélio Gracie, and passed on to their extended family, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a self-defense martial art system and combat sport, focused on grappling and ground fighting.
It promotes the concept that smaller and weaker people can successfully defend themselves against bigger, stronger, and heavier attackers.
It emphasizes getting an opponent to the ground in order to use ground fighting techniques such as submissions, involving joint-locks and chokeholds. A more precise way of describing this would be to say that on the ground, physical strength can be offset or enhanced by an experienced grappler, who knows how to maximize force, using leverage and technique as an advantage.
This system of maneuvering and manipulation can be likened to a form of kinetic chess, when used by two experienced practitioners. A submission hold is the equivalent of checkmate, reflecting a disadvantage which would be extremely difficult to overcome in a fight (such as a dislocated joint or unconsciousness).
- Self-defense.
- Increased flexibility.
- Improved fitness, strength and general physical conditioning.
- Stress release and improved concentration.
- Increased self-confidence.