Matty and John have a conversation around BJJ and Gracie Jiu Jitsu and the idea of training for self defence. 

Why do we regularly discuss jiu jitsu from a standpoint of violence? It’s known as the gentle art for a reason, and you like it because you don’t need to get hurt while doing it.

Learning the sweeps, and escapes, and submissions of grappling is also so much fun, and plenty of work in and of themselves. So why then are kicks, and punches, and eye gouges, and headbutts still relevant in the conversation of BJJ?

BJJ is Fun

The game of BJJ is so much fun, and it equips you with amazing skills of movement, and controls, and submissions. And when you add the understanding of striking, it only serves to make it more rich, and more potent, as a skill to serve you for the rest of your life.

You want to be effective as a BJJ practitioner, not just in a certain rule set but in all areas of life. You also aim to be a better husband/wife, mother/father, you want to improve at work, and be the best you can be. This is what it’s like to be a martial artist.

Gracie Jiu Jitsu is Better

That’s why it’s best to train with a mindset of self defence. And this is why we place so much emphasis on the original Helio Gracie Jiu Jitsu curriculum, and also why we do No Gi Gloves now on Thursday at Higher Jiu Jitsu.

We still roll. Competitions are still always fair game for our students. But the intention is always self defence because that is what will allow you to understand jiu jitsu so much better, and do it in a way that keeps you on the mats for a lifetime.

Reviews, and feedback are always welcome :)

Thanks for listening!

John & Matty