BJJ is considered a necessity for MMA fighters today. It doesn’t matter how good your standup striking is, those techniques will only work if you’re standing – a factor which BJJ techniques are meant to remove. Boxing draws power from the legs, but even Iron Mike doesn’t have that power on his back.

So why is a relatively new martial art such as BJJ so effective? These reasons will shed some light on the fact.

Martial arts techniques are often divided into two categories: Hard and Soft. Hard techniques are direct – the practicer uses linear force to destroy a target or block an attack. Examples of hard martial arts include Taekwondo, Karate, and Muay Thai.
Soft techniques (which are not really soft), use circular motions which often deflect the opponent’s attacks, use their force against them, or manipulate their joints. Examples include Judo, Aikido, and Ju-Jitsu.

BJJ is considered a Soft martial art. Arms can be bend at uncomfortable angles, necks can be squeezed to choke the opponent unconscious, and the opponent cannot strike if the BJJ fighter is wrapped around them like a boa constrictor. These don’t require force but rather as Will Turner said: “The right leverage, and the proper application of strength.” ;-)
Soft techniques are meant to work by taking advantage of the laws of physics, rather than brute force. This is why BJJ can be unassuming, yet incredibly deadly.

Many martial arts claim the effectiveness of certain techniques while never providing proof. Untested theories churn in academies while never being tested. Neither validation nor invalidation occurs. Only blind obedience to a teacher by the students ensures the survival of these techniques. As a result, some very whacky theories have been able to take form (No-Touch Knockout, for example).
It’s no accident that BJJ rose to prominence during a time where martial arts were pitted against each other. The UFC provided a testing ground to show which styles were truly effective, and which were exaggerated. There was no room for denial – the better style won. For the next few decades BJJ would become essential in the MMA scene. Anyone who steps into the cage must have a degree of skill in BJJ techniques, or they will lose to someone who does.

From the first BJJ class a student takes, they will spar. Very quickly the student will gain real world experience on what works, and what doesn’t. A technique performed properly will prompt a tap. If your opponent isn’t tapping, the technique is either not properly applied, or your opponent simply enjoys suffering.

BJJ is one of the best examples of aliveness in martial arts. Aliveness means the use of instinct and improvisation rather than scripted movements.

In combat, forms are rarely perfect and you do not have the time to remembers sequences. Anything which isn’t intuitive instantly becomes useless. The fighter is used to the realism of combat and is comfortable in the moment. A skilled BJJ practitioner is essentially flowing on the mat.

BJJ emphasizes aliveness more than almost any other martial art. Progression in the art is directly linked to the removal of psychophysiological barriers to technique. Skill isn’t based on the number of techniques the practitioner knows, but how well they’re able to execute them.

“I don’t fear the man who knows 10,000 kicks. I fear the man who’s practiced a kick 10,000 times.”
-Bruce Lee

“If size mattered, then the elephant would be king of the jungle.”
-Rickson Gracie

Three seconds…That’s how long it takes for a person to lose consciousness when the blood is cut off from their brain.
It doesn’t matter if the opponent is 5’5” or 6’5”. Whether they are 100 lbs or 200 lbs. Muscles don’t work when there is no blood to the brain.
The rear-naked choke is one of the most effective techniques in combat sports. Performed correctly, the opponent (or victim) is helpless. Even dirty tactics would only prompt the fighter to squeeze the neck harder. The results can be anything from unconsciousness, to even death.

BJJ is in many ways the great equalizer for smaller people. Student learn that the human body mostly shares the same weak-points. Muscular strength is less effective than leverage using entire body coordination. Using hips, grip, and legs correctly, anyone’s arm can be broken backwards.

This is not to say size is never a factor. In BJJ, there is a concept called “Boyd’s Belt,” essentially saying 20 lbs variation between opponents is the difference of a belt level. However, this only true when students are otherwise roughly equal in level of skill. With the proper level of skill, size starts becoming less of a factor.

Most traditional martial arts typically work like this: The founder spends many years finding which techniques work for them. These techniques are passed down to students, who follow the martial art as their founder intended. Truthfully, this was very effective in a time when martial arts was more esoteric, and there were less avenues for styles to be pitted against each other and tested. However in today’s world, traditional attitudes only hold martial arts back.
BJJ is unique in the aspect that it is constantly evolving, and new techniques are being added to its repertoire. Even in the last decade, new skills, techniques, and training methods have been added to BJJ based on what’s been shown to work. This is due to the fact BJJ practitioners have been active in the combat sports scene, where everything that works flourishes, and everything that doesn’t dies off.

“Absorb what is useful, disregard what is useless.”
-Bruce Lee

BJJ’s popularity came the result of real-world proof. But more importantly, the martial arts world has benefitted tremendously from BJJ experts willing to demonstrate its effectiveness. THere’s no need to have faith, BJJ will make you a convert.

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In a very physical, and very combative sport like BJJ, you feel a sense of connection with your true nature. BJJ gets you back in touch with your body, and rekindles the sense of adventure that adulthood tends to filter out.

BJJ is essentially the art of conquering another person’s body with your own. The risk of injury is high, and so is the initial learning curb. Yet, it’s one of the most popularly growing activities for people of all backgrounds today. What reasons would a person possibly have to train BJJ?

“Emptiness is the starting point. In order to taste my cup of water you must first empty your cup. My friend, drop all your preconceived and fixed ideas and be neutral. Do you know why this cup is useful? Because it is empty.” -Bruce Lee

There’s a saying in BJJ: “Check your ego at the door.”

Because if you don’t, get used to your ego being broken.

BJJ cuts right to the chase and shows you that arrogance is really weakness.

During your first class, you will likely have no idea what you are doing. Even if you have a background in wrestling or another martial art, don’t expect it to help you in BJJ.

In society, we’re so used to worshipping those with exceptional skill in a certain field that we forget one thing…

It takes an extraordinary amount of effort to be good at something. Attaining a new level of proficiency requires shedding the ego – sacrificing our current self for the self we can become.

During your first several classes of BJJ, you will eat lots of humble pie. You will be submitted over and over again. But there will be one unforgettable moment where everything clicks. Suddenly, all the drills will be stored into your muscle memory. Positions and techniques will be subconscious. You will see the patterns you couldn’t see before.

This principle can be applied to anything else in life. You will see that learning anything is possible if you remove your expectations, and are humble enough to welcome truths.

“Jiu Jitsu is perfect. It’s humans who make errors.”

-Rickson Gracie

BJJ is one of the most practical forms of self-defence. Nothing in BJJ is left to theory. Everything is practiced, and everything is either proven or disproven.

The problem with many other forms of self-defence is they rely on complex, scripted movements. In a real fight, you don’t have time to think about performing a sequence of moves. Once your fight-or-flight system takes over, you resort to your instincts. Your body will only do what it’s been trained to do.

In BJJ, you will spar every class. Sparring not only gives you the chance to test your techniques, but it puts you in the mental state of what a fight feels like. As you put yourself in the feeling of a fight, you learn to conquer your body’s adrenal response. You can be precise rather than chaotic.

BJJ also shows that no matter how big or strong a person is, the human body is still vulnerable. Joints can be manipulated in a way where they are immobilized or even damaged. Anyone’s jugulars can be squeezed to cause unconsciousness. BJJ is about exploiting the opponent’s vulnerabilities.

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”

-Confucius

The only way to get good at BJJ is by showing up to class, drilling techniques, and sparring with opponents. Even if that’s all you do, you will notice yourself getting progressively better at it.

The mind is a funny thing. It will sometimes try and trick you into thinking what you do now won’t pay off in the future. It will keep you from thirty minutes of exercising, while directing you to five hours of Netflix or social media. It might even keep you awake the minute you try to get your much needed sleep!

But the mind has its strongpoints. It’s a slave to habits. It will make you do the same things over and over again even when you forget why!

This principle tends to work very well in BJJ. Even if you get discouraged at first, your persistence will pay off. As a result, you will condition yourself to stick with something beneficial, even if it’s as challenging as BJJ!

Discipline is a superpower. It gets us through the uncomfortable process of change for the belief it will benefit later on. BJJ will change your life by instilling this quality.

“If you want to be a lion, you must train with lions.”

-Carlson Gracie

BJJ in not performed in isolation. It is absolutely necessary that practice with other people. Sparring requires you to be in close contact with a variety of people with whom the only shared commonality is your love of BJJ. Technique grows through shared experience with other BJJ practitioners. Ideas are exchanged not always with words, but through the art of combat.

Your instructors will also be especially attentive to your technique. They will watch as you evolve, and be there to support your growth every step of the way. BJJ is a social affair!

“Not less that two hours a day should be devoted to exercise.”

-Thomas Jefferson

You don’t need to be a particularly big or strong person to do BJJ. In fact, the main concept behind BJJ’s creation was that a smaller person can overpower a larger person. BJJ activates muscles in coordination that otherwise lay dormant in most people. As BJJ class consists entirely of resisting another person’s body weight, you will notice yourself get physically stronger. Your endurance will also improve considerably, as BJJ is stamina intensive. In fact, professional BJJ competitors are exceptional strong in this area. The Diaz brothers, who are known for their speciality in BJJ, are also regular marathoners!

You don’t need to run marathons to train BJJ. A BJJ class itself is like an hour of intense cardio.

BJJ also teaches you to conserve your energy. Every new student has been told to breathe, and stay relaxed. When the body is relaxed, it isn’t expending unnecessary energy, it’s doing only what it needs to.

“This game is ninety-percent mental and the other half physical.”

-Yogi Berra

BJJ is said to be human chess. With every move, there is a counter-move from your opponent. With every new set of moves, there is a multitude of possible moves depending on your position, and the position of your opponent. With every new belt, you gain a new arsenal of moves, and the possibilities increase exponentially.

What you many people don’t realize about BJJ is that you’re expanding your brain’s capacity for knowledge. Most of our mental capacity is taken up by stressors of modern life, and we’re never fully aware of our ability to solve problems.

When you’re on the mat, the competition is mental as well as physical. It takes memory to learn the techniques, and analytical ability to find your opponent’s weaknesses to apply the techniques.

“Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world.”

-Miyamoto Musashi

Joe Rogan has said his BJJ classmates are some of the nicest guys he knows. They are usually the last to get worked up over petty issues that most people do. Why? Because BJJ allows for a release of stress.

The build up of stress leads to the build up of negative emotions. These negative emotions aren’t just in the mind, the get stored in the body’s nervous system. Even when we’re not able to articulate it, the body remembers the stress, and we become anxious for reasons we don’t always understand.

Combat sports such as BJJ allow for a release of the cortisol levels stored in our body, which makes us happier and calmer. What’s unique about BJJ is it’s combative nature, ensuring we tap unto the deepest parts of our nervous system and are able to fully release the built up stressors. Fight to make yourself happy!

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