Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need Brazilian jiu Jitsu Experience?

This progoramme is suitable to all levels, as there are beginner classes (even young kids learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil,  however the people that benefit the most already have a few BJJ belts. Why? because you will be training with some of the best out there, your skills and knowledge will be advanced way further in just a couple of weeks training here than several months back home. This trip is a great opportunity to really develop your ability.

What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

Jiu-Jitsu originated with Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese Jiu-Jitsu master and member of the Kodokan. Maeda emigrated to Brazil in the 1910s where he met an influential businessman named Gastão Gracie. Gracie helped Mitsuyo get established. To repay the favour, Maeda took on Carlos Gracie (the son of Gastao) as his student. Carlos then taught the art to his brothers and sons, the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was born.

What makes BJJ different from other martial arts?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is different from other Martial Arts because it is a complete fighting system. Meaning it takes into account all the different possible senarios you could encounter in a fight.

Where as other disciplines like Tae Kwon Do or Karate center on striking or rely on a person's own strength and speed to deliver damage, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu recognises that speed and strength do not come into play when you are on the floor or on your back.  In fact BJJ comes into its own when the fight goes to the floor relying  on superior technique and leverage. This is one of the reasons why most Ultimate fighting champions, MMA fighters and Cage fighters have BJJ as thier main arsenal when they step in the ring.

What's a Gi?

A Gi (also known as a Kimono) is the uniform that is typically worn when training BJJ. it is made up of three parts: a jacket (or top), pants, and a belt. Gi´s are constructed with hard wearing materials, helping to resist the  rigors of daily practice.

What are the Belt Rankings in Jiu-Jitsu?

As with other martial arts, as you advance in your training you will recieve different colored belts.

The belts in order are:

• White
• Blue
• Purple
• Brown
• Black.

Many different schools award 4 stripes for all belts (until black). Black Belts can take up to ten years to gain, and once attained further stripes can be awarded one stripe every three years up to ten stripes.

Instructors and Students have different classifications for Black Belts. Instructors have Black Belts with Red bands and Black Belt fighters or students have White Bands. Customs dictate that, Black Belt instructors can not award belts up to Black Belt rank until they receive their first stripe.

Is Jiu-Jitsu safe?

Naturally safety is the utmost consern, BJJ is a full contact sport and accidents can happen, however, lack of seriousness during training and the resultant careless application of technique or counters contribute greatly to injury. Careless is 100% frowned upon and people not being careful is completely against the spirit of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

Who can join the Jiu-Jitsu programme?

Pretty much anyone can study and practice the techniques created by Carlos Gracie. Carlos Gracie, was not a large guy, infact he was about 135 pounds when he created his revolutionary system. In fact the main principles of Gracie Jiu-jitsu is to provide a method for smaller, weaker individuals to protect themselves from bigger, stronger attackers.

Is BJJ good exercise?

You bet, and it is practiced by men and women, adults and kids alike. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gives you much more extensive results than typical aerobic exercise. As you roll, the resistance encountered gives you with a superb base to improve your core strength through intense abdominal workout and increase your muscle tone. It will also reduce your body fat and improve your balance, bodily coordination, cardio vascular capacity, and muscular endurance.