Jiu Jitsu or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or BJJ (all the same thing) is a grappling martial art. The first UFC events proved that as a standalone martial art, Jiu Jitsu was generally superior. The Brazilian Gracie family (credited with evolving Jiu Jitsu) didn't even put out its biggest or best fighter, yet Royce Gracie still beat everyone on his path to victory.
In a confrontation, if you don't know how to grapple, and the other guy does, you'll feel like you're drowning, regardless of if you have a size or strength advantage.
I remember when I first started training, I was an athletic 180 pounder. Teaching most of the fundamentals classes at my gym was a 155 lb purple belt named Nate with a mediocre physique. After training for 2 months, 5 times per week, I finally was able to spar (or "roll" as we call it in the BJJ community) with Nate. While we were rolling, I was helpless. He arm-barred me multiple times, dominated me from mount, and utterly demolished me and my pride. I needed to learn more. This gave me the perspective that if I worked hard at this, I too would be able to submit bigger and stronger people. Years later, Jiu Jitsu hasn't let me down.
In BJJ, you'll learn how to escape bad positions, such as when someone is mounted on top of you or when someone has your back and is trying to strangle you. You'll learn how to sweep or submit people from bottom position (the guard). You'll learn how to control and submit people from top position and how to transition between many positions such as side control, mount, back control, etc. You'll learn many takedowns, strangles, joint locks, etc, all in a controlled and safe environment. Most of our members have to go to work the next day, so don't worry; even though we go hard, it's very controlled and safe. That's the beauty of BJJ. You can go as hard as you want and still train everyday. In other martial arts like boxing, you can only keep that up so long before you get brain damage.
If you just want to come and train as an outlet for your stress, Jiu Jitsu is there for you. If you want to see what you're capable of, and enter tournaments. Jiu jitsu has you covered there too. No matter your goals, Jiu Jitsu can help, and we'd love to help you take your first step at Flow Theory Grappling.
Signing off,
Caleb Yonkers
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