As one of the fastest growing martial arts in America, many people are discovering that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) is a fun and effective form of self-defense. Since Royce Gracie (A BJJ master) introduced the art to America via the Ultimate Fighting Championship, BJJ has quickly gained acceptance as one of the most fundamental arts required of Mixed martial artists today. However BJJ is not only beneficial for the Mixed martial artist, everyone can experience the many benefits that BJJ has to offer.

Non-athletes that are BJJ practitioners enjoy the art for several reasons. First, BJJ is a form of kinetic body art or expression. One of the fundamental aspects of BJJ is the transitioning between ground positions that, when seen in real-time, looks like a dance. Arguably the most skillful practitioner of BJJ, Rickson Gracie, described these transitions to be a state of 'limbo' where one allows him or herself to 'go with the flow'. Second, BJJ allows the practitioner to compete with his or her peers. There are many year-round local, national, and international competitions allowing the practitioner to show their skills and win awards. Students in BJJ schools travel together participating in national competitions and gaining awards on behalf of their school. Often times, a school's success is measured by the number of awards its students receive at national competitions. Third, BJJ allows practitioners to teach techniques to their peers. Although classes are largely facilitated by one instructor, the majority of the learning in class takes place between the students.

Athletes enjoy BJJ because it is a great workout combining strength and cardiovascular training in one exercise. BJJ mostly implements the use of core muscles fundamental for maintaining good posture, a tight stomach, and preventing injury. Cardio training is enhanced in BJJ classes through sparring sessions lasting 2-5 minutes each. Sparring sessions enhance cardiovascular fitness because throughout the 5 minute matches one is constantly pushing or pulling against their opponent. As BJJ employs both strength and cardiovascular training in one exercise, athletes find that it is a great way to build their physique.

BJJ is also for the person who is interested in practicing some form of self-defense, but wants to avoid needless injury. Unlike most martial arts, BJJ does not involve punching or kicking. Therefore in competition or during sparring, BJJ practitioners will never receive or give a painful blow.

Dojo Etiquette Guidelines
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Dojos tend to teach in a more relaxed and less rigid atmosphere than traditional martial arts. Nonetheless, in order to maintain a positive environment that is both conducive to learning and welcoming to potential students, we require our students, parents of students in the kids’ classes, and staff to adhere to the following Dojo Etiquette guidelines.

• 1. Always show respect to your instructors, training partners, and fellow human beings. Respect in training means: do not seek to harm fellow students physically (e.g., by cranking a submission harder than necessary to make them tap) or emotionally (i.e., by calling them names or making jokes about hurting them). Respect also means that you must train seriously and hard enough for you and your partner to improve his or her skills, conditioning, and fighting spirit. Not giving your best during training detracts from both you and your partner’s experience.
• 2. Maintain good hygiene (i.e., shower and brush your teeth regularly). As you can imagine, it is difficult to concentrate on technique when you find your partner’s smells distracting!
• 3. Keep finger and toe nails short and clean to prevent injury to yourself and others.
• 4. Bring a clean, dry gi to each class. Also, always keep a rash guard or T-shirt in your gym bag for no-gi classes.
• 5. Keep shoes off the mat, so that we can keep the mats clean and sanitary.
• 6. Do not walk outside with bare feet. If you have to go outside, wear sandals or shoes. Items (5) and (6) are especially important to prevent the spread of skin conditions such as ringworm.
• 7. Do not shout loudly or use profanity in the dojo. This should go without saying.
• 8. Do not talk while the instructor is talking. It distracts those who are trying to learn and is disrespectful to the teacher, as well as other students.
• 9. Stand, sit with your legs crossed, or kneel during class. No lounging. Studies show that people learn more effectively when seated in upright postures.
• 10. Please wear your gi, a T-shirt, or a tank top while in public areas of the Dojo. No bare backs!
• 11. Do not leave the mat during class without the instructor’s permission.
• 12. Keep cell phones off during class. Again, they distract those who are trying to learn.
• 13. If the instructor has not changed the task, then continue doing the task he or she has given (i.e., don’t sit around talking because you feel you have done a technique enough times). You can NEVER do a technique too many times.
• 14. It is disrespectful to ask an instructor or a higher rank to train with you, so wait until they ask you to roll.
• 15. Always bow or shake hands before live training or sparing.
• 16. Much of what we practice routinely with each other will seriously injure the uninitiated. It should not be practiced on others outside the dojo.