Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a grappling-based martial art whose central theme is the skill of controlling a resisting opponent in ways that force him to submit. Much of the technique of Brazilian Jiu jitsu is centred around the skill of taking an opponent down to the ground and wrestling for dominant control positions.
To overcome greater size, strength and aggression with lesser size and strength is the keynote of the sport. By utilizing superior leverage and position, it is possible for a smaller, weaker person to defend themselves against a much larger opponent. Students of the sport gain a deep understanding of the workings and limits of the human body.
Students also benefit from greatly increased physical fitness, problem-solving ability, and the many social benefits of working within a large group of like-minded fellow students as you learn and have fun together.
Many students first learn about Jiu jitsu through the great popularity of mixed martial arts (MMA) competition, where Brazilian Jiu jitsu technique is very prominent. In fact, the beginnings of the contemporary MMA competition were largely tied up with proving the combat-efficiency of Brazilian Jiu jitsu.
The practice of Brazilian Jiu jitsu as a sport, however, is very different from MMA. Daily classes do not feature kicking or punching. The focus is on safe grappling technique that can be done on a daily basis with no more fear of injury than any other contact sport. While we do have a professional MMA team at MMA University, the great majority of students study only the grappling sport and find that this is the most enjoyable and satisfying route to take.
This striking art is sometimes referred to as the “Art of Eight Limbs” because of the use of all eight points of contact: punches, elbows, kicks and knees strikes. It was developed in Thailand when the country was constantly under the threat of attack. The fighting was usually short range, so the body's natural weapons such as the head, fists, elbows and feet would necessarily also have been utilized. Undoubtedly, it is the systematic use of these natural weapons, developed as a practical fighting skill for the battlefield that came to be Muay Thai Boxing.
All of our striking classes are run with great attention to our students safety. Proper protection is worn at all times, and instructor permission must be given in order to spar. We pride ourselves on our technical attention to detail, but these classes are also a great way to get an excellent cardio workout.
No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu is a dynamic self-defense system that focuses on applying the fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu without the traditional uniform. In No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu the goal is to gain a dominant position using joint-locks and choke holds, and forcing your opponent to submit.
Much of the ground game aspect of what you see in mixed martial arts (MMA) is learned in No-Gi training and can be applied to everyday situations. Students who have previous wrestling experience tend to find No Gi Jiu-Jitsu to be a great extension to their wrestling background.
