So much can be learned through Jiu Jitsu! Not just take-downs, self-defense, and submissions--but respect, concern for your training partner, the ability to think fast in a situation and to apply the necessary technique to escape a position and defend yourself. BJJ has helped me learn respect for my professors, my training partners, and my family/friends. BJJ has also helped to humble me, to give me an outlet for pent-up energy (as well as anger, bad days, and inner hurt), and to learn equality in people. Below is something I found on the Gracie BJJ website, and I'd like to share it with y'all because it also helped me gain a broader understanding of what Jiu Jitsu really is, and how it can and should be applied in life.
"What is Gracie Barra Jiu Jitsu?"
"The benefits of Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu are far reaching and will touch every aspect of your life. At Gracie Barra, our students become leaders. Gracie Barra nurtures your independent thinking, supports your fighting spirit, and helps you achieve your personal BJJ goals.
Through GB BJJ, you will begin to understand yourself, on and off the mats, in ways you never imagined. You will test your limits and become the best you can be. GB respects that each student has their own goals and we support you in reaching them. The more you train, the better you will become and the more completely you will reach your true potential in life.
GB BJJ is for anyone who wants to learn how to defend him or herself in combat. What most people don’t know, is that GB BJJ will also allow you to apply those same principles to fighting the daily battles of life, like weight loss, stress, relationship issues, and self-confidence. You will learn how to think through problems more constructively than before, on and off the mats.
At GB, you are a part of an extended family. You will join a team that will support you in your quest for self-improvement. Training the techniques and participating in live training sessions, with your partners and coaches, will give you an arsenal of weapons at your disposal whenever you should need them. The more you train, the more you will arm yourself with knowledge and skills to fight all your battles in life like a black belt.
We at GB believe that if everyone trained GB BJJ, the world would be a better place…"
-Simply Jen
