| Gracie Jiu Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are a form of | | | | opponent to the ground. From there the fighter may |
| martial arts that originated in Brazil. Many people within | | | | choose to strike their opponent or to apply a |
| the Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C. areas | | | | submission hold which is a hold that cuts off the |
| confuse these for 2 different forms of martial arts. | | | | airway to the opponent rendering them unable to |
| However, they are one in the same with the Gracie | | | | breath and allowing them to tap out or cede to the |
| family from Brazil founding this form of Jiu Jitsu. It was | | | | practitioner. This is all sanctioned by the UFC or |
| originally used in street fighting in Brazil, but has of late | | | | Ultimate Fighting Championships. The UFC is what has |
| become a sanctioned sport in the western world. | | | | made GJJ so popular today in the US. |
| With a preference for ground fighting, Gracie Jiu Jitsu | | | | The UFC fought to bring the art of mixed martial arts |
| uses a series of holds, arm locks, chokes, leg locks | | | | into competition by studying other forms of combative |
| and strikes as its primary techniques to take away | | | | sports and adapting some of these sports rules to the |
| any advantage of an opponents superior striking | | | | style of mixed martial arts. It sanctioned the sport and |
| abilities. It also takes away any advantage that a | | | | began holding competition which was later picked up |
| stronger or much larger opponent may have over a | | | | by some television networks. This is the reason this |
| fighter. This makes GJJ the perfect self-defense | | | | form of martial arts is so popular today. |
| technique for any age or size combatant. | | | | In 1993 a son of one of the Gracie family, Royce, won |
| It promotes the idea that a smaller, weaker combatant | | | | an inaugural UFC trophy. At only 170 pounds, he |
| can defend themselves against a much larger and | | | | continued to win the 3 of the first 4 UFC tournaments. |
| stronger assailant using the larger and stronger | | | | Since this time more rules have been implemented and |
| person's size against them with leverage. The | | | | more and more practitioners are getting involved in this |
| techniques derive from multiple schools of Japanese | | | | style of Jiu Jitsu. |
| Jiu Jitsu and an early form of Kodokan Judo of the | | | | For more information of the Gracie Jiu Jitsu, contact |
| 20th century. Together they form the GJJ form of | | | | your local mixed martial arts school and ask about |
| mixed martial arts. | | | | sitting in on a class. In many schools, they even offer |
| Today, the Gracie Jiu Jitsu martial art form is taught in | | | | free classes before you commit to signing a contract |
| the western world as a self-defense mechanism for | | | | with them. Allow yourself to experience the benefits of |
| women and even children. Although there are still | | | | GJJ. |
| many who prefer to compete in rollings or competitive | | | | If you're interested in experiencing the many benefits |
| bouts, it is primarily taught for self-defense. Children as | | | | that Gracie Jiu Jitsu has to offer, and live in the |
| young as 6 have enjoyed the teachings of the Gracie | | | | Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC area, you can check |
| family form of mixed martial arts. | | | | out Lloyd Irvin's, Mixed Martial Arts Academies. You |
| The goals of Gracie Jiu Jitsu are to take ones | | | | have the benefit of signing up for a 30 day free trial. |