5 Reasons Why Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the Ultimate Self-Defense Skill

5 Reasons Why Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the Ultimate Self-Defense Skill

"There is no losing in Jiu-Jitsu. You either win or you learn."- Hélio Gracie

Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is the multitool of martial arts. Like other hand-to-hand combat disciplines, it fosters strength of mind and body, builds confidence, and gives its practitioners essential self-defense skills, but there are things BJJ boasts that the other martial arts cannot. Those unique attributes are the reasons BJJ has found such a committed and favorable following across the globe, and is known as one of the best martial arts for self-protection. Its communities have a presence that is hard to ignore, even for the uninitiated. As a regular practitioner of this martial art, Afik Group CEO Yaacov Afik is intimately familiar with Brazilian jiu-jitsu benefits. He has earned a black belt, practices at least twice a week, and won multiple gold medals in international competition. Similar to his other passions within the realm of personal growth and wellness, he wishes to use his platforms and reach to show others what practices have changed his life for the better. Join us for an exploration of five reasons BJJ and self-defense go hand in hand.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Fosters and Rewards Technique Over Strength and Power

"Jiu-Jitsu is a thinking man's art. It's not about brute strength; it's about intelligence and strategy."- Carlos Gracie Jr.

It all began in Brazil (naturally) with Carlos Gracie, who started training in the art of jiu-jitsu under Japanese instructor, Mitsuyo Maeda in 1917. Carlos was dedicated but his small stature posed some disadvantages when it came to larger and stronger opponents.

This led him to focus his attention on the ground fighting aspects of Maeda’s teachings. Emphasizing leverage and technique, Carlos adapted and modified jiu-jitsu to be more focused on self-defense. Thus, the Gracie family’s indelible influence on the world of martial arts began, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu was born.

Carlos Gracie’s immediate family and descendants would adopt, progress, and champion his technique-focused approach. Carlos, alongside his brother, Hélio, organized the “Gracie Challenges.” These events took place of the course of decades and involved the Gracie’s or their students challenging practitioners of the more established martial arts, including boxing, judo, and even Capoeira, to demonstrate that BJJ was the most effective in a fight.

They didn’t win all the challenges but the effectiveness of Brazilian jiu-jitsu was always clearly showcased, turning the Gracie family members into legends and initiating the popularity of the discipline you see today. Even those without the size, strength or natural ability can adopt this martial arts form and realize that they can hold their own.

The development of BJJ in this way has not only turned it into one of the most accessible martial arts in the world but also made it an invaluable set of skills for any person when it comes to self-defense. In altercations with big discrepancies in size and strength, BJJ is an equalizer.

Bjj Training Translates Well into Real World Situations

"Jiu-Jitsu is not just about fighting; it's about life. It teaches you respect, discipline, and how to overcome adversity."- Saulo Ribeiro [multiple BJJ world champion]

If you are ever in a situation where self-defense is necessary, Brazilian jiu-jitsu has a slight advantage over other martial arts in how the skills are utilized in real life. Other martial arts, such as taekwondo or karate, are heavily focused on striking and blocking techniques that are grounded in specific poses and body positions. This is key to the training process as it cements the actions into the mind. However, as training progresses, it becomes clear, either through instruction or experience, that utilizing the exact body positions and movements are not practical in real fights. Basically, you should not move into a perfect start position for a block or attack as time is valuable when someone is attacking you.

BJJ on the other hand, teaches the application of its techniques in specific situations, and the training often moves into practical applications quicker than other martial arts. There is also a consensus that most real-world altercations end up on the ground – the LAPD did a study that found 62% of altercations during arrests ended up on the ground. Brazilian jiu-jitsu found such a strong presence in Mixed Martial Arts for this reason, because groundwork skills are essential in fights.

You can clearly see the differences when comparing martial arts discipline’s training vs sparring or competition. Taekwondo and karate fighters do not use the exact positions and stances practiced in training, whereas Brazilian jiu-jitsu fights resemble the training quite closely.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Trains the Mind, Which Helps with Self-Defense and More

"Jiu-Jitsu gives you confidence. It makes you feel strong, not just physically, but mentally."- Kyra Gracie

BJJ, like all established martial arts, requires dedication and discipline. This, and the welcoming community it fosters, are why it is a great hobby to immerse oneself in to improve self-confidence and overall well-being.

BJJ bolsters mental health by:

-       Releasing endorphins | the physical activity involved releases this neuropeptide (chemical produced in the brain), which brings on a feeling of positivity and boosts one’s mood.

-       Promoting mindfulness | the scenarios one faces during training, particularly sparring, brings one’s mind into the present to focus on overcoming the challenges of BJJ. As Psychology Today explains, when you are grappling with a sparring partner (who may weigh 200 lbs.), your mind pushes all your daily worries, such as rent or work, away. The more this happens, the more mindfulness will pervade everyday life.

-       Building resilience | the personal challenges that need to be overcome and the need to confront failure with practicality and a learning-mindset helps one become tougher in the face of life’s hurdles.

-       Fostering camaraderie | for many, the social aspects of BJJ gyms or academies are the core of why they join and decide to commit. Let us be honest, socializing is tough at the best of times. The common goals and supportive philosophy found among BJJ communities sheds the usual inhibitions and judgement found in everyday life. This builds friendships and networks that are strong and trustworthy.

-       Simply being good for you | research studies have shown that BJJ significantly improves cognitive function, attention span, and mental sharpness, according to The Sport Journal. The National Library of Medicine has stated that there is strong evidence that BJJ reduces symptoms of mental conditions, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

The world is not always kind, and there is always the possibility that you will need to defend yourself from physical attack. BJJ will not only give you a fighting chance through its physical skillset, but also with the strength of mind you build upon every time you show up to your gym or academy.

BJJ Naturally Builds Self-Awareness

"Jiu-Jitsu teaches you to control yourself, your mind, your emotions. It teaches you to be patient and persistent."- Renzo Gracie

It may come as a surprise that “self-awareness” gets its own section rather than being grouped in with how Brazilian jiu-jitsu benefits the mind. The reason for this is that self-awareness is priceless in a fight, which of course includes self-defense scenarios.

To know one’s limits is the foundation of understanding how your skills can help you during an altercation. Not only can you leverage your strengths but also avoid circumstances that will show your weaknesses.

Beyond that, the physical training that BJJ offers also builds great awareness of the body through sheer muscle-memory and repetition. You become acutely aware of how your body can perform, especially in normally uncommon positions such as being on the ground.

Self-awareness is one of the Brazilian jiu-jitsu benefits that is often overlooked.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s Accessibility is Its Secret Weapon

"Invisible Jiu-Jitsu is when you make your opponent feel like they are doing everything right, but you are still controlling them."- Rickson Gracie

The magic of Brazilian jiu-jitsu is its accessibility. It’s the reason it has become one of the most popular and fastest growing martial arts in just the one century since its inception. It’s the reason such wonderful communities have formed. It’s the reason so many people have confidence in themselves no matter their physique, level of strength, or background.

By the same token, the welcoming and empowering nature of BJJ has also allowed throngs of people to feel safer. Using Brazilian jiu-jitsu for self defense is not a superpower – it is the practice of knowing one’s abilities and building upon them through dedication. It’s the difference between being unsure and confident in how you will handle the unforeseen.

If you haven’t already, find a Brazilian jiu-jitsu academy near you and pay them a visit. We have a feeling they will welcome you with open arms and you’ll be introduced to parts of yourself that you never knew were there.