FAQ
What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), also known as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (GJJ), is a martial art that was first developed in Brazil by the Hélio Gracie and his family during the mid-20th century. Originally based on the Japanese Martial art of Judo as it existed before World War II, it has since developed into a relatively independent system with a large emphasis on ground fighting, joint locks, and chokes. For a more detailed history of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu please refer to our History page.
What makes BJJ different from other martial arts?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu differs from other martial arts in that it provides solutions for all possible stages of combat. Other disciplines like Tae Kwon Do or Karate focus on striking and rely on a person's strength and speed to deliver damage, but speed and strength doesn't matter when you're on your back. Renowned Jiu-Jitsu world champion Jean Jacques Machado once said "The ground is my ocean. I am the shark and most people don't even know how to swim."
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu differs from other martial arts fundamentally. While other martial arts rely heavily on strength and speed, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu relies on superior technique and leverage (two things that people of any age can learn and implement). A testament to combat effectiveness of BJJ is that the most recent version of the Army Combative Manual (No. 3-25.150) used by the United States Army is built on a solid backbone of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu techniques.
What's a Gi?
A Gi (sometimes referred to as Kimono) is the uniform that is typically worn when training Jiu-Jitsu. It consists of 3 pieces: a jacket (or top), pants, and a belt. The material in which the three pieces are made is specially reinforced to withstand the rigors of daily practice. Many Jiu-Jitsu players regard their Gi in the same way a knight would their armor. Most practitioners of Jiu-Jitsu who advocate the usage of the Gi cite the more technical aspect of grappling with a Gi.
What are the Belt Rankings in Jiu-Jitsu?
As with other martial arts, the progress of a student is marked with a series of colored belts. Unlike other martial arts where Black Belt marks a person’s proficiency in a style, in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu the rank of Black Belt is conferred to individuals who have mastered the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The belts in order are: White, Blue, Purple, Brown and Black. Often schools award four stripes for White through Brown belts. Black Belts are typically awarded one stripe every three years up to ten stripes. There are special classifications for Black Belts fighter and instructors. Instructors have Black Belts with Red bands and Black Belt fighters have White Bands. Typically, Black Belt instructors are not allowed to promote others up to Black Belt rank until they receive their first stripe.
The ranks for children are different. Blue belt and higher ranks have age requirements so children have the following ranks beginning with White, Yellow, Orange and Green. Each belt has 4 stripes. These belts are utilized until age 16.
How long until I get my Black Belt?
Typically, it takes anywhere from 8 to 15 years to attain the rank of Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu. Each belt (with the exception of Blue) takes about 2-5 years of dedicated practice; Blue Belt can often be attained in about a year of study. Sure, there some people who do it faster than 10 years, but they are typically exceptional and very dedicated individuals. One such person is BJ Penn, who achieved Black Belt status in about 3 and 1/2 years (there's a reason he's called "The Prodigy.") If your primary concern is to get a Black Belt Jiu-Jitsu might not be the style for you.
Is Jiu-Jitsu safe?
At Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Midwest safety is paramount. Accidents may happen, however, lack of seriousness during training and the resultant careless application of technique or counters contribute greatly to injury. Careless practice is disrespectful to the spirit of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
Who can learn Jiu-Jitsu?
Practically anyone can utilize the techniques created by Hélio Gracie. Hélio Gracie, when he created his revolutionary system, weighed no more than 145 lbs. The core principle of Gracie Jiu-jitsu is to provide a method for smaller, weaker individuals to protect themselves from bigger, stronger attackers.
Is BJJ good exercise?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can provide you with far more extensive results than typical aerobic exercise. The resistance encountered while rolling provides you with a good base to improve your core strength through intense abdominal workout, increase your muscle tone, and reduce you body fat while improving your balance, bodily coordination, cardio vascular capacity, and muscular endurance.
Why train at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Midwest?
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Midwest is a certified Pedro Sauer Affiliate School. We offer certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu instruction in Gi & No-Gi, submission grappling & mixed martial arts. We are the only certified Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instruction in the Kansas City, Missouri area.
What do I wear my first time to class?
The best thing to wear to a first class is a shirt and shorts. A mouthpiece is also recommended and although it's not required it is recommended that guys wear a cup.
What's a typical class like? We begin class with some light calisthenics and stretching. Following our warm-up we then begin drilling technique. These drills when done over and over help form muscle memory and help our students retain technique. After our drilling is completed then we begin to spar (or roll). Rolling is when students are able to put their techniques to the test with training partners who can resist and counter just as they would in an actual fight, providing valuable real-world experience should the techniques ever need to be applied in an actual fight.
|
