Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art and combat sport that focuses on grappling and ground fighting. It emphasizes the use of technique and leverage to control and submit an opponent, rather than relying on brute strength. BJJ is mainly a ground-based martial art that focuses on submissions and positional control. As part of the training, sparring (sometimes referred to as “rolling”) occurs, which can be beneficial for self-defence situations. There is also a belt grading system that enables one to progress through the ranks over time.

History of BJJ

Jiu-Jitsu has a Japanese origin and after arriving in Brazil it was developed and improved by the Gracie family. It's the only martial art in the world that had a change to its origin. The development was so successful that today it became known to the world as “Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu” which is not only an efficient martial art for self-defence, but also a lifestyle. Training BJJ is to learn how to fight and to immerse yourself in the culture and Brazilian cuisine, to develop friendship outside the academy, spirit of union and the joy of living of the Brazilian people. It is for these reasons that Brazilian teachers are so successful with their academies abroad, including in Japan.

It is the fastest growing martial art in the world in the last 25 years. Since the beginning of the UFC in 1993 in the USA, Jiu-Jitsu has become popular worldwide and today it is practiced by different audiences: men, women, children, professional competitors, amateurs and even people over 60 years old.

The organization of this growth and transformation of the martial art into sport, through rules, norms and standardization is carried out by the IBJJF (Brazilian International Federation of Jiu-Jitsu). The IBJJF (www.ibjjf.org) started in Brazil in 1994 and currently has an office in California and holds events around the world.

Considered by many as the most successful Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy in the history of the sport, the Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Team was the true juggernaut of competitive BJJ since the 1970's. Carlson Gracie Academy was also the flagship for innovation in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, having added strong treads such as group classes, a strong focus on sport BJJ and the use of animals in the academy's logos.