Introduction
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has had explosive growth in popularity over the last 30 or so years, and there seems to be no signs of that popularity slowing down. Why is this martial art growing so fast in popularity and what makes it special?
Where it Started
Jiu-Jitsu can be traced back to Asia where it got its start in feudal Japan as a Samurai art. When Samurai warriors were engaged in hand-to-hand combat, they would employ Jiu-Jitsu which consisted of taking an opponent to the ground, gaining positional advantage, and finishing the fight in deadly fashion. When the era of feudal Japan came to an end, Jigoro Kano wanted to keep the martial tradition of the Samurai warriors by preserving their martial art. To train the martial art safely and make it more accessible to a wider audience, the deadly force associated with Japanese Jiu-Jitsu was made more palatable by taking out things like eye gouging and fish hooking. To train and not maim your partners, Kano found that taking out certain elements of Jiu-Jitsu was necessary for longevity. Jigoro Kano is the inventor and creator of Judo which derived from Japanese Jiu-Jitsu. Kano is the founder of Judo and his academy, The Kodokan, is the headquarters of Judo. Judo has grown to be one of the most practiced martial arts and is now an Olympic sport (the topic of another discussion).
How it Spread
Several Judo practitioners traveled the world with a mission to spread the word of Judo, and its effectiveness. Some of the Judo practitioners, Judoka, ended up in Brazil. The most widely known Judoka in Brazil is Mitsuyo Maeda. Maeda is known for being an undefeated no-holds-barred fighter and for teaching his martial art (Judo) to the Gracie family in Brazil. The Gracie family is known for transforming Maeda’s Judo to what we now call Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The Gracie family carried on Maeda’s tradition of no-holds-barred fighting and spreading the word of their martial art, showing its effectiveness in combat. The Gracie family did an amazing job of proving Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s dominance, and the true explosion of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu happened with the advent of The Ultimate Fighter Championship.
Current State of Jiu-Jitsu
Today Jiu-Jitsu is no longer an obscure martial art practiced by a handful of people in Brazil. It is now one of the fastest growing martial arts and practiced by people all over the world. Its benefits have transcended the martial aspect to include mental and emotional advantages as well. The Jiu-Jitsu community has a comradery unlike any other I have personally witnessed. I often say “Jiu-Jitsu makes the world a smaller place” because of the connections I have made through training and competing. I have met people from all over the world, and what unites us is the passion we have for our martial art, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
The Effect of Jiu-Jitsu on Me
I have personally gained many of the advantages I mentioned earlier, from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). I have developed physically, mentally, and emotionally because of BJJ. I have been able to replace many bad habits with healthier habits and I have become a better overall person because of my involvement in BJJ. I have in essence embraced the BJJ lifestyle and strive to make healthy and positive choices daily. The way I eat, the way I carry myself, the way I interact with people, and even the way I think have been altered for the better. In my opinion, I train better when I feel better, and that has had a tremendous impact on my life.
How it’s Affected Others
It is not only me, but I have seen transformation in others as well because of BJJ. I have witnessed people develop positive relationships, get rid of negative ones, beat addiction, lose weight, become healthier, become more confident, and just do better in life because of their training and dedication to BJJ. There’s something about the act of trying to choke another human being that is both exhilarating and primal. Conversely, it takes a lot of trust to allow another person to try and choke you and release the choke once it’s set in and you must tap. For these reasons, and others, the comradery in BJJ is second to none. The same people that are trying to kill you on the mats, will also be your biggest allies in life. They truly want you to succeed, not only on the mats, but in everything you do.
Conclusion
In conclusion, BJJ is such a special practice because of what it gives to people. You get back what you put into it. That statement holds true to anything worth doing in life, and BJJ is a true testament to how hard work pays off. You cannot hide how much work you have put in on the mats. In the end your personality, your commitment, your true intentions, and your character will be revealed through the practice of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.