What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

More than just a workout, jiu jitsu is often referred to as “human chess” in that it exercises both the body and the mind.

The physical benefits of jiu jitsu are immense and well-documented. Because jiu jitsu presents a combination of dynamic and explosive movements with pressure-based isometric pushing, pulling, and holding, it helps to develop increased strength and cardio, as well as promotes weight loss and improved muscle tone. Because you’re constantly responding to another person’s movements, jiu jitsu also heightens your body awareness and improves your balance and reactive ability.

Jiu jitsu is also an incredible mental workout. For one, it provides the challenge of learning a new activity, with limitless variations of movements, techniques and submissions. It also develops your reasoning skills, in that you are constantly planning your next step, both when you’re in an advantageous position or a defensive position. As an activity practiced with another person, it increases your ability think quickly and “on your feet” in response to your partner’s movements, as well as to remain calm and controlled when you find yourself in a defensive situation.

For many, it also provides an outlet for the stresses of daily life. When you step on the mat, everything else is put to the side for a moment, while both your mind and body are engaged in learning jiu jitsu.

Most importantly, unlike many other sports and physical activities, jiu jitsu is unique in that it can be done by anyone. Jiu Jitsu was designed and developed so that a smaller, weaker person can defend his or herself against, or even defeat, a larger and stronger opponent. So regardless of age, size, gender or physical limitation, any person can utilize the techniques and principals of jiu jitsu, and reap the benefits of its practice.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a predominantly ground-based martial art, using the principals of leverage, angles, pressure and timing, as well as knowledge of the human anatomy, in order to achieve a non-violent submission of one’s opponent. Unlike other martial arts that focus on strikes and/or kicks, jiu jitsu focuses on close-contact “grappling” holds and techniques, and the application of chokes and joint-manipulations.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Ranks

White Belt – White belt is the beginning rank for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu students. This belt is held by all practitioners new to the art with no prerequisite experience. 

Blue Belt – The blue belt is the second adult rank in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. At the blue belt level students have undertaken hundreds of hours of mat time to learn and implement new moves efficiently. 

Purple Belt – The purple belt level practitioner has gained large amounts of knowledge. Purple belts are generally considered qualified to help instruct lower-ranked students.

Brown Belt – It takes the average Jiu-Jitsu practitioner five years of dedicated training to achieve their brown belt. It is often thought of as a time for refining techniques. 

Black Belt – The black belt is the highest common belt within Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, denoting an expert level of technical and practical skills. The average time to acquire a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt is ten years of dedicated training. 

Red/Black belt – Awarded when a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt reaches the seventh degree.

Red/White belt – Awarded when a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt reaches the eighth degree.