The History

        Some historians of jiu jitsu say that the origin of "the gentle art" can be traced back to India, and was practiced by Buddhist Monks. Concerned with self-defense, these monks created techniques based upon principles of balance and leverage, and a system of manipulating the body in a manner where one could avoid relying upon strength or weapons. With the expansion of buddhism, jiu jitsu spread from southeast Asia to China, finally arriving in Japan where it developed and gained further popularity. Esai Maeda Koma, also known as "Conde Koma," was one such master. After traveling with troupe which fought in various countries in Europe and the Americas, Koma arrived in Brazil 1915, and settled in Belem do Para the next year, where he met a man named Gastao Gracie. The father of eight children, among then five boys and three girls, Gastao became a jiu jitsu enthusiast and brought his oldest son, Carlos, to learn to fight from the Japanese master.

        For a naturally frail fifteen-year old Carlos Gracie, jiu jitsu became a method not simply for fighting, but for personal improvement. At nineteen, he moved to Rio de Janeiro with his family and began teaching and competing in the martial arts. In his travels, Carlos would teach classes, and also proved the efficiency of the art by beating adversaries who were more physically gifted. Around this time, the "MMA Stye" of fighting was born. In 1925, he returned to Rio and opened the first school, known as the "Academia Gracie de Jiu Jitsu." Having created an efficient self defense system, Carlos Gracie saw in the art a way to become a man who was more tolerant, respectful, and self-confident. With a goal of proving jiu jitsu's superiority as well as to build a family tradition, Carlos challenged the greatest fighters of the time, as well as managing the fighting careers of his brothers. Fighting opponents fifty or sixty pounds heavier, the Gracie's quickly gained recognition and prestige.

        Attracted to the new market centered around jiu jitsu, many Japanese practitioners came to Rio, but none were able to establish schools as successful as the Gracies. This was due to the fact that the Japanese stylists were more focused on takedowns and throws, while the jiu jitsu practiced by the Gracies had more sophisticated ground fighting and submission techniques. Carlos and his brothers changed the techniques in such a way that it completely altered the complexion of the international jiu jitsu principles. These techniques were so distinctive to Carlos and his brothers that the sport became attached to a national identity, and is now commonly known as "Brazilian Jiu Jitsu," practiced by artists all over the world today.

Understanding & Application

        Although each style of martial arts is different, all seek to provide a means by which a smaller, weaker combatant can successfully defend himself against a bigger stronger opponent. In the 1990s mixed martial arts (MMA) events gained popularity in the United States, although they had been going on for some time in Brazil. These competitions pitted practitioners of different styles of martial arts against each other in a true no-holds-barred competition to determine which of the varied styles was the most effective. MMA competitions, which did not have weight classes, were meant to mimic real street fights. The styles of martial arts represented in these contests were indeed varied and no one expected the dominant style to be Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

        The secret to the success of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lies in the fact that practitioners in this martial art are able to successfully defend themselves in both a standing match and a ground match. While most Eastern forms of martial arts focus on standing kicks and punches, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu focuses on closing the distance between the practitioner and his opponent and then taking the opponent to the ground. Once on the ground, even a smaller, weaker practitioner can easily gain an advantageous position by applying the techniques of leverage and proper technique as taught by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and then submitting the opponent using various joint locks or choking techniques. Also adding to the success of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighters is that they have a sense of purpose and focus on the ground, something their Eastern counterparts lost once the training they were accustomed to was no longer feasible. This clear focus is attributed to the rondori style of training. Essentially, the practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practices his techniques in true life situations during training with an opponent that gives resistance. This is in opposition to the traditional kata method of training whereby a student practices techniques through a series of poses, but never against an opponent who is resisting the application of the techniques.

        Thus, the secret to the success of a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter is two-fold. First, by recognizing that most street fights end on the ground, whether by design or accident, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor can successfully gain a position of dominance while at the same time minimizing his own exposure to danger. Second, by training in a rondori style, against fellow practitioners offering resistance, a practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is able to develop a clear sense of purpose and refinement to his techniques allowing for precise application.

Technique

        Training usually begins with a warm up which can vary from light to long and demanding. This is followed by technique practice in throws and take-downs and then by technique practice in grappling. Finally, the students participate in rondori, usually starting from a kneeling position. Most academies are not rigid in pomp and formality, thus there is no bowing. Training is at each students’ pace and students are expected to push themselves and impose self discipline to achieve the most efficient levels of mastery.

        Students of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu will find that the sport nurtures positive character developments, such as self reliance and self confidence. Inevitably, competition in this art is a singular affair and a win or a loss can only be attributed to the amount of effort exerted by the individual in training. Additionally, practitioners will find that it is not possible to judge an opponent simply by looking at him. As proved by the Gracie family, an opponent that is slight in stature may possess technique unmatched by any other. Practitioners will also find that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu allows one to refine his problem solving techniques by forcing the practitioner to anticipate his opponents’ moves and map out a strategy best suited to defeating a particular opponent. To be clear, no martial art will allow its practitioner to successfully defend against multiple attackers, as such is reality only in Hollywood, but training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu offers the most realistic, practically applicable form of self defense and offers any sport fighting competitor essential skills for competition success.

Family Tree