Is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Right For You?
Brazilian jiu jitsu training is not really for the casual participant. Generally, the instructors will want a significant commitment from their students, and if it is a Gracie jiu jitsu school that you are attending, then this commitment will extend to how you conduct yourself outside of the dojo as well. The seriousness that those involved with Brazilian jiu jitsu show is a result of being at the top of the mixed martial arts world. Despite the intensity usually involved in the training, most classes follow a structure similar to any other martial art.
Brazilian jiu jitsu training, the same as other martial arts and most types of structured physical activities, will nearly always start with some kind of a warm-up. If you’re new to jiu jitsu, then the instructor will probably focus on a lighter warm-up session. A lighter session will normally involve some straightforward exercises such as situps and pushups, and maybe laps around the gymnasium. Stretching also happens after your body has warmed up a bit. A heavier warm-up would be lengthier and really designed to break a sweat and help you with training for endurance.
Subsequent to the warm-up, the next part of Brazilian jiu jitsu training typically concentrates on methods. Specific moves will be chosen by the instructor and broken apart so that students can perfect each stage. Mistakes are ironed out at this time, and the trainer will try to spend time with each student to make sure things are being done properly. More experienced students are often paired with novice ones, so that the former can assist the latter. This is particularly important in bigger classes where the instructor is unable to give everyone individual training all together.
At the end of the lesson, there is usually time set aside for the application of Brazilian jiu jitsu training that was earlier taught, through one-on-one matches. Students are paired up and within a time limit are given the chance to try out the martial art techniques they were shown earlier in class, or in previous lessons. This sparring is a good way for students to see just how useful the techniques they are learning can be, and how to more quickly execute moves when up against an unyielding opponent.
So if you are prepared to sweat a lot and devote a significant amount of time to working hard during your Brazilian jiu jitsu training sessions, and to spend time practicing and staying in shape outside of your lessons, then you are more likely to get a better result. You will feel stronger physically and you will also find that your mental outlook on things is likely to change as well. Brazilian jiu jitsu is not just a sport – it’s a way of life.
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