Want to increase your muscular strength and cardiovascular endurance? What about toned muscles and weight loss? If you’re still reading, it sounds like Jiu-Jitsu is for you.
Jiu-Jitsu is a predominantly ground-based form of martial art. It uses the principles of timing, angles, pressure and knowledge of the human anatomy to form close contact holds and techniques which are used to achieve a choke or joint manipulation. This practice can be traced back to 4,000 years ago where Buddhist Monks in India needed a way to defend themselves without fatally harming their attackers.
Often nicknamed “human chess”, Jiu-Jitsu stimulates both the physical and mental facilities of our body. It’s emphasis on body awareness helps to improve balance, coordination and reactive ability. Jiu-Jitsu is one of the most effective forms of martial arts for self-defence, after all it was initially designed to allow smaller individuals to defend themselves against larger and stronger assailants. Many techniques taught in Jiu-Jitsu are very much applicable to street self-defence, for example clinching an attacker while on your feet, defending yourself on the ground off your back, defending chokes, when and how to apply over hooks and under hooks, and escaping an assailant who grabs you from behind.
If you’re looking for a mental workout, you’ve got it. Sparring with a partner is an open skill, meaning that each sequence will never be identical to the previous one. There’s also the added challenge of constantly learning new defensive and submissive techniques – in Jiu-Jitsu, a “submission” is a technique to control, hurt or subdue the opponent. Develop and hone your reasoning skills as your mind gets used to thinking ahead and planning the next offensive or defensive step. Soon, you’ll be able to treat Jiu-Jitsu as a way to balance your thoughts, perhaps even to a point of calling it therapeutic.
Whatever age, gender, or fitness level, Jiu-Jitsu is for everyone. As the pandemic eases up, I want you to step out of your comfort zone, open up your circle and meet new people. The body movements and concepts may seem overwhelmingly difficult at times, and you may even feel inadequate, but STRONGBEE’S select coaches will be there with you every step of the way. We guarantee that this experience will be humbling, yet empower you with a new mode of confidence. Practising Jiu-Jitsu touches on your humility, empathy, compassion and patience, virtues that will follow you wherever you go be it on the mat, in the streets or in the conference room.
