The Basics of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Or BJJ

People worldwide are becoming more and more interested in the benefits and effectiveness of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This is even truer for the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. areas. However, before jumping right in and joining a school, maybe you would like to know some of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or BJJ basics.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was almost unheard of until it became an event in The Ultimate Fighting Championships. It has quickly become one of the most respected martial arts globally and has been proven very effective in many situations. The US Military recognizes its qualities and effectiveness, and many law enforcement agencies such as the Air Marshals.

The basics for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is using your opponent's strength, aggression, and force to defeat them. You use your leverage and body positioning to defend yourself in an attack. Many fights wind up on the ground before one opponent defeats the other so, BJJ teaches grappling positions such as Guard, Mount, and Side Control. These help the defender apply strikes to their opponent using the most leverage-based techniques available.

The biggest advantage of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is that anyone can do it from young to old. It is an effective self-defense sport to take down a larger and stronger opponent, no matter your size. You don't have to be in great shape to perform the strikes, nor do you have to have prior martial arts experience to benefit from BJJ.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was designed with self-preservation in mind. It is a great method of protection from personal attacks from just about any predator. Women enroll in BJJ for the benefits of protection when they must work late at night and are out alone. The BJJ moves give them a feeling of security. It is today a sport but was created as a functional form of self-defense.

Benefits of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu include:

• Weight loss

• Build body strength

• Increased flexibility

• Increased self-confidence

• Can lead to a healthier life in general

Many other benefits have been recognized from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that is usually taken for granted, such as flexibility, balance, hand-eye coordination, and cardiovascular improvement. Many of these are not thought of when you consider enrolling in a BJJ school. BJJ is a great exercise and allows you to develop your strength, awareness, and strategic thinking. These benefits can be carried throughout life and used in everyday situations.

Eddie Bravo said, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is not a physical exercise for attacking an opponent. It is a self-defensive, beneficial art form that requires both body control and mind control from the user. It is a self-preserver that anyone can benefit from and use in a defensive position. With BJJ, you can feel more secure when traveling alone and use the lessons you learn throughout your everyday life. Talk to your local Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor about enrolling. You will meet new people, have fun, and learn life lessons that will help you deal with everyday situations.

For people in the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C areas, you must try out Lloyd Irvin's Mixed Martial Arts Academies. They offer a 30-day free trial program on any of the mixed martial arts programs.