Posts Tagged ‘jiu-jitsu history’

The is Kyra Gracie. The daughter of the original founder of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu


Anyone can do jiu-jitsu and even if you think you cant, well show you that you can. Here I will give you the ins and outs of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and when you have finished reading, you’ll want to give it a shot too.


What is Jiu-Jitsu and Grappling and How do I do it?


  1. What is Jiu-Jitsu?

Jiu-Jitsu is a ground art, meant to teach the student how to grapple and maneuver in the tightest of quarters.

Grappling is a term used in martial arts to describe maneuvers, combinations, and ground work. It does not include striking of any sort or weapons control. Now some martial arts will include striking along side with grappling, but this does not mean it is the same thing. It is mainly just a term for grabbing each other. Jiu-Jitsu is a specific combination of moves that consists of pins, locks and gaining control over your opponent while on the ground. It is a sport that will make you a patient person. It takes years to get to a high rank. There is a reason for this. Technique is not the only thing Jits counts on; it also counts on maturity and age. It is one of the more political sports.



  1. What does grappling consist of?

Grappling has many different styles and techniques.





  • Throws: A throw is a technique in which one grappler lifts or off-balances the opponent and throws that opponent off of him. The purpose of throws varies, must mostly emphasizes throws with the potential to make the next move, position ones self in a standing position or to gain the pin.


  • Sprawling: When being taken down, one can sometimes counter act that take down with sprawling. Sprawling is done by shifting the legs backwards and spread out in one fast motion. If you do it correctly you will land on the opponent’s back and gain control.



  • Submissions holds: Submission holds consist of chokes and locks. Chokes can strangle or suffocate someone. Locks are more to trap the opponent and possibly cause injury or breakage to body part. This is one effective way to get your opponent to tap out or give up.
    • Securing or controlling techniques: securing is basically exactly how it sounds. You are attempting to hold down the opponent and secure them for a win, or until help arrives depending on your situation.
  • Escapes: This too is exactly how it sounds. This is the act of getting out or away from danger/opponent.


  • Turnovers: The point of a turn over is to get someone on their back. This is more used in competition style for point’s advantages.



  • Reversals or Sweeps: Think of a sweep as you are sweeping yourself off the rug. In most cases you are on the bottom sweeping yourself on top of the opponent to gain the control.


  1. Where in the world did Jiu-Jitsu come from?

Jiu-Jitsu is one of the oldest forms of martial arts. It is know to be founded in ancient time, although no one certain on what time exactly. It was founded in Japan, China, Persia, Germany Egypt and India. There is a weaponless form of wrestling that has similarities to Jiu-Jitsu. During Alexander the Great’s times (356 b.c. -323 b.c.) he brought this Greek culture of wrestling to many other areas such as India, were Jiu-Jitsu is likely to be born. Now although founded most likely in India, there is proof of the Shaolin Temple, built in the center of China, hosting Dharma as the creature of Buddhism and Boxing.


Later in history, the samurai warriors took this and created jiu-jitsu in its original form. Buddhist monks perfected it through their knowledge of the body’s law of physics, leverage, momentum, balance, center of gravity, and weight transmission of the body parts. They had it down to an exact science.


From 1860-1938 a man names Jigoro Kano, a practioner of Jiu-Jitsu, and a man of many talents not only created Judo, but took his arts to other countries and began teaching. During WWII we even got the knowledge of Judo and took it back to America. But the real story is how Kano taught in Brazil.


Helio Gracie trained his first student in 1929 and realized that he knew the technique of Jiu-Jitsu, but couldn’t execute it as effectively. He began constructing many experiments and many eventually mastered what is now called Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This is the most common form of Jiu-Jitsu taught today.




  1. What types of Jiu-Jitsu are there?

There are many types of Jiu-Jitsu. All types can be practiced in real life situations and in competition setting. The whole point of Jits is ending a fight quickly. Compared to UFC fighting which is older than Jits competing, no one knows how to handle a fight on the ground or if they do, they cant finish the fight. Now a days things have come a long way and people tend to practice more Jits in any sport of fighting they take. To compete in Jits, You tend to win by point or by submissions. The more locks and submissions, equals more points. Just because you think you got the last pin, doesn’t mean you win. It has to be about technique and point value.


  1. I want learn what the samurai warriors did, that sounds awesome!

Whether you want to learn how to defend and escape a scary situation, or compete in a sport, Dragon Within Martial Arts will teach you. Our founder combines the combinations that Gracie came up with in BJJ and the combinations that Kano came up with in Judo. He gives you the best of both worlds and keeps the history alive! There is no other place to get a calm and soothing culture and atmosphere, as well as a family friendly, judgment free zone! Even planet fitness can’t give you all that.

 This is Kyrs Gracie, the daughter of the

 Now I could on and on about the art and history of BJJ, but the fact is you need to see it yourself. So what are you waiting for….

Don’t wait, Schedule your FREE, that’s right, FREE private lesson. What do you have to loose, besides weight and laziness. You have everything to gain, including technique, style, control, and much more. So act now and get in here with us







Dragon Within

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