FAQ
What is Gracie Jiu-Jitsu?
Jiu-Jitsu began with Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese Jiu-Jitsu master and member of the Kodokan. Maeda emigrated to Brazil in the 1910s where an influential businessman named Gastão Gracie helped him get established. In return for his aid, Maeda taught the fighting art to Gastão’s son Carlos Gracie, who then taught the art to his brothers and sons. Carlos’ youngest and weakest brother, Helio, refined the art into what is now known as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
What makes Gracie Jiu-Jitsu different from other martial arts?
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu differs from other martial arts in that it provides solutions for all possible stages of combat. Other disciplines like Tae Kwon Do or Karate focus on striking and rely on a person’s strength and speed to deliver damage, but there is always someone who is faster and stronger than you. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu differs from other martial arts fundamentally. While other martial arts rely heavily on strength and speed, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu relies on superior technique and leverage.
What’s a Gi?
A Gi (sometimes referred to as Kimono) is the uniform that is typically worn when training Jiu-Jitsu. It consists of 3 pieces: a jacket (or top), pants, and a belt. The material in which the three pieces are made is specially reinforced to withstand the rigors of daily practice. Many Jiu-Jitsu players regard their Gi in the same way a knight would their armor. Most practitioners of Jiu-Jitsu who advocate the usage of the Gi cite the more technical aspect of grappling with a Gi. The Gi is also a sanitary measure in that it limits the amount of skin-to-skin contact.
What are the Belt Rankings in Jiu-Jitsu?
As with other martial arts, the progress of a student is marked with a series of colored belts. Unlike other martial arts where Black Belt marks a person’s proficiency in a style, in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu the rank of Black Belt is conferred to individuals who have mastered the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
The belts in order are: White, Blue, Purple, Brown and Black. We also award four stripes for each belt from White to Brown belt. Black Belts are typically awarded one stripe every three years up to ten stripes. There are special classifications for Black Belts fighter and instructors. Instructors have Black Belts with Red bands and Black Belt fighters have White Bands. Typically, Black Belt instructors are not allowed to promote others up to Black Belt rank until they receive their first stripe. The ranks for children are different. Blue belt and higher ranks have age requirements so children have the following ranks beginning with White, Yellow, Orange and Green. Each belt has 4 stripes. These belts are utilized until age 16.
How long until I get my Black Belt?
Typically, it takes anywhere from 8 to 15 years to attain the rank of Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu. Each belt (with the exception of Blue) takes about 2-5 years of dedicated practice; Blue Belt can often be attained in about a year of dedicated study.
Is Jiu-Jitsu safe?
At the Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy safety is paramount. Accidents may occur, but we do everything possible to prevent all injuries.
Who can learn Jiu-Jitsu?
The core principle of Gracie Jiu-jitsu is to provide a method for smaller, weaker individuals to protect themselves from bigger, stronger attackers. To this day, Relson continues to refine and improve his techniques to allow greater efficiency. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is for anyone looking to improve their ability to defend themselves, whatever your size. There may always be someone bigger and stronger.
Is Jiu-Jitsu good exercise?
Jiu-Jitsu can provide you with far more extensive results than typical exercise protocols. Due to the physical resistance involved, Jiu-Jitsu becomes a combination of strength and endurance. It is not uncommon for students to become leaner and stonger after several months of dedicated training. We have had several students lose over 50 lbs. in less than a year. But don’t worry, Jiu-Jitsu is far more fun than running on a treadmill. You will be having so much fun that you won’t even realize that you are working out!
What do I wear my first time (Intro Class) to class?
The best thing to wear to a first class is a shirt and athletic shorts. A mouthpiece is also recommended. Although it’s not required, it is recommended that guys wear an athletic support.
What’s a typical class like?
We begin class with some light calisthenics and stretching. Following our warm-up we then begin drilling technique. These drills when done over and over help form muscle memory and help our students retain technique. After our drilling is completed, we begin to spar (also known as “roll”). Rolling is when students are able to put their techniques to the test with training partners who can resist and counter just as they would in an actual fight, providing valuable real-world experience should the techniques ever need to be applied in an actual fight. Students are not required to spar but live rolling is what separates Jiu-Jitsu from many other martial arts.