Gracie Jiu Jitsu | Oregon Martial Arts

Jiu-Jitsu
Gracie Jiu Jitsu (GJJ) or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art and combat sport that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting with the goal of gaining a dominant position and using joint-locks and chokeholds to force an opponent to submit. The art was based on early 20th century Kodokan Judo,which was itself then a recently-developed system (founded in 1882), based on multiple schools (or Ryu) of Japanese Jujutsu.? It promotes the principle that a smaller, weaker person, using leverage and proper technique, can successfully defend themselves against a bigger, stronger assailant. BJJ can be trained for self defense, sport grappling tournaments (gi and no-gi) and mixed martial arts (MMA) competition. Sparring (commonly referred to as ‘rolling’) and live drilling play a major role in training, and a premium is placed on performance, especially in competition.

In 1921, Gastao Gracie and his family moved to Rio de Janeiro. Carlos, then 17 years old, passed Maeda’s teachings on to his brothers Osvaldo, Gastao and Jorge. Helio was too young and sick at that time to learn the art, and due to medical imposition was prohibited to take part in the training sessions. Despite that, Helio learned jiu-jitsu by watching his brothers. He eventually overcame his health problems and is now considered by many as the founder of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

In Brazil, the art is still called “Jiu-Jitsu”. When the Gracies went to the United States to spread their art, the system became known as “Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu” and “Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.”Jiu-Jitsu” was also the original spelling of the art in the West and that is why this style retains the original (although technically incorrect) spelling. Other common spellings are Jujitsu, Ju-Jitsu, Ju jitsu and Jujutsu – the last being correct in accordance with modern romanization.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu emphasizes ground fighting techniques and submission holds involving joint-locks and chokeholds also found in numerous other arts with or without ground fighting emphasis. The premise is that most of the advantage of a larger, stronger opponent comes from superior reach and more powerful strikes, both of which are somewhat negated when grappling on the ground.

BJJ permits a wide variety of techniques to take the fight to the ground after taking a grip. Once the opponent is on the ground, a number of maneuvers (and counter-maneuvers) are available to manipulate the opponent into a suitable position for the application of a submission technique. Achieving a dominant position on the ground is one of the hallmarks of the BJJ style, and includes effective use of the guard position to defend oneself from bottom, and passing the guard to dominate from top position with side control, mount, and back mount positions. This system of maneuvering and manipulation can be likened to a form of kinetic chess when utilized by two experienced practitioners. A submission hold is the equivalent of checkmate.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu came to international prominence in the martial arts community in the 1990s, when Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expert Royce Gracie won the first, second and fourth Ultimate Fighting Championships, which at the time were single elimination martial arts tournaments.[3] Royce fought against often much-larger opponents who were practicing other styles, including boxing, shoot-fighting, karate, judo, tae kwon do and wrestling. It has since become a staple art for many MMA fighters and is largely credited for bringing wide-spread attention to the importance of ground fighting. Sport BJJ tournaments continue to grow in popularity worldwide and have given rise to no-gi submission grappling tournaments, such as the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship. We here at Impact Martial Arts Academy hold firm that Gracie Jiu Jitsu is the one “MUST KNOW” martial arts system in the world for REAL world street survival. It is THE Martial Art of Martial Arts.

Muay Thai
Muay Thai literally Thai Boxing and also known as The Art of the Eight Limbs, is the Thai name for a form of hard martial art practiced in several Southeast Asian countries including Thailand. It is known as Pradal Serey in Cambodia, Tomoi in Malaysia, Muay Lao in Laos and as a similar style called Lethwei in Burma. The different styles of kickboxing in Southeast Asia are analogous to the different types of Kung Fu in China or Silat in the Malay peninsula. The Thai military uses a modified form of Muay Thai called Lerdrit.

Muay Thai has a long history in Thailand and is the country’s national sport. Traditional Muay Thai practiced today varies slightly from the ancient art Muay Boran and uses kicks and punches in a ring with gloves similar to those used in Western boxing. Muay Thai is referred to as “The Science of Eight Limbs”, as the hands, shins, elbows, and knees are all used extensively in this art. A master practitioner of Muay Thai thus has the ability to execute strikes using eight “points of contact,” as opposed to “two points” (fists) in Western boxing and “four points” (fists, feet) used in the primarily sport-oriented forms of martial arts.? Starting in the 1990s, Muay Thai has enjoyed a boost in popularity worldwide as it has been very effective in mixed martial arts fights, such as those held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and PRIDE Fighting Championships. Mixed martial artists such as Marco Ruas (of Ruas Vale Tudo), Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Wanderlei Silva, and UFC champions Anderson Silva, George St. Pierre, Randy Couture, Chuck Liddell, BJ Penn plus many more have combined many striking elements of Muay Thai with grappling, submission, and choking elements from Judo, Wrestling, or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu into a hybrid synthesis that has been highly effective in defeating practitioners of “pure” martial arts such as tae kwon do or kung fu, at least in sports-centered real world one on one combat.

Modern mixed martial arts tournaments became a huge hit in 1993 with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. This concept of this contest was to bring all styles of martial arts together for the first time truly in history in order to face off in competition in a no rules, no time limit, no holds barred fighting event in a octagon shaped cage in an attempt to determine which system would be more effective in a real, unregulated combat situation.

The history of the modern MMA event can be traced to the Gracie family’s vale tudo martial arts tournaments in Brazil starting in the 1920s. The fighting concept of combining various combat disciplines gained popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s with the emergence of Bruce Lee and his theories of mixing various martial art styles. The sport gained international exposure and widespread publicity in the United States in 1993, when Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter Royce Gracie dominated the Ultimate Fighting Championship, sparking a revolution in the martial arts we see today. Gracie Jiu Jitsu proved to be the dominant martial art against all styles throughout the world and today is the one must know fighting style system in the world especially when a fight hits the ground. The other martial art that has proven to be dominant in real world unregulated combat situations, is the stand up striking art of Muay Thai Kick Boxing, which is the dominant mixed martial art style of choice when a fighter is standing to strike.

Wrestling
Wrestling is the act of physical engagement between two unarmed persons, in which each wrestler strives to get an advantage over or control of their opponent. Physical techniques which embody the style of wrestling are clinching, holding, locking, and leverage. Avoiding techniques likely to lead to serious injury, wrestling has aspects of ritual fighting, but its basic principles are closely related to those of military hand-to-hand combat or self-defence systems. Many styles of wrestling are known all over the world and have long histories, and sport wrestling (particularly amateur wrestling) has been an Olympic sport for over 100 years. Wrestling has gained respect among martial arts practitioners, especially with the advent of mixed martial arts competition.[23] Early competitions (e.g. UFC 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, considering only the first twelve UFC) saw wrestlers defeat stylists from more traditional, striking (and grappling)- oriented styles such as karate, BJJ and kickboxing. Randy Couture (UFC heavyweight champion) and Dan Henderson (current PRIDE champion in the 183 division and formerly 205 pound division champion) both competed extensively in collegiate and Greco-Roman wrestling before beginning their careers in mixed martial arts.

Boxing
Boxing is a combat sport in which two participants of similar weight fight each other with their fists. Boxing today is conducted in a regulated way, typically in a series of one to three-minute intervals called rounds. Victory is achieved if the opponent is knocked down and unable to get up before the referee counts to ten (a Knockout, or KO), if the opponent is deemed too injured to continue, or if the opponent is knocked down three times in one round (a Technical Knockout, or TKO). If there is no stoppage of the fight before an agreed number of rounds, a winner is determined either by the referee’s decision or by judges’ scorecards. Boxing is one if not the most well known and popular fighting styles in the modern world.? Boxing gloves are typically used during this hand to hand combat fighting style.

Judo
Judo, meaning “gentle way”, is a modern Japanese martial art (gendai budo) and combat sport, that originated in Japan in the late nineteenth century. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw one’s opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one’s opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an opponent to submit by joint locking the elbow or by applying a choke. Strikes and thrusts (by hands and feet) – as well as weapons defenses – are a part of judo, but only in pre-arranged forms (kata) and are not allowed in judo competition or free practice (randori).

Ultimately, the philosophy and subsequent pedagogy developed for judo became the model for almost all modern Japanese martial arts that developed from “traditional” schools (koryu).Karate

Karate is still to this day arguably the most popular martial arts system in the united states. Karate was made very popular in the United States due greatly in part to the very successful movie series “The Karate Kid” which was released in the 1980′s. The martial arts of Karate? originated from the Ryukyu Islands of Japan. Karate training is commonly divided into kihon (basics or fundamentals), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring). Karate also trains in weapons (kobudo).

Aikido

Another grappling Martial Art; utilizes wrist and elbow locks to throw opponent to the ground. Like Judo and Karate it is from Japan

Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and also combat sport which has now held the prestige status of being an Olympic sport since the year 2000. Although there are great doctrinal and technical differences among taekwondo organizations, the art in general emphasizes kicks thrown from a mobile stance, using the leg’s greater reach and power to disable the opponent from a distance. Taekwondo is famed for its use of kicking techniques,especially which distinguishes it from martial arts such as karate or southern styles of kung fu. The rationale is that the leg is the longest and strongest weapon a martial artist has, and kicks thus have the greatest potential to execute powerful strikes without successful retaliation.

Taekwondo as a sport and exercise is popular with people of both sexes and of many ages. Physically, taekwondo develops strength, speed, balance, flexibility, and stamina.

Kung Fu
Kung fu. According to the legend of Chan (Zen) Buddhist monk Bodhidharma, kung fu also has its origin in India. The Indian monk named Bodhidharma Sardili (also known as Da Mo in Chinese) traveled from India to China around 500 CE. It is said that he visited Shaolin monks in the Henan Province. While there, Bodhidharma awed the resident Chinese monks with his mastery of meditation. The secret was physical discipline which Bodhidharma saw lacking in the monks. He trained them in exercises designed to strengthen the body and thus their endurance. According to legend, Bodhidharma had attained such a level of control that he was able to bore a hole through a wall simply by staring at it for a number of years in meditation. These series of exercises the monks used evolved into kung fu. This is why Bodhidharma is credited with spreading Chan (Zen) Buddhism to China and for forming the modern kung fu.

The term kung fu was not popular until the 20th century, thus the word would be seldom found in any ancient texts. The term was first known to have been reported by a Westerner, French Jesuit missionary Jean Joseph Marie Amiot, in the 18th century and was known little in the mainstream English language until approximately the late 1960s, when it became popular because of the Hong Kong films, especially those by Bruce Lee, and later Kung Fu – the television series. Before that it was referred to primarily as “Chinese boxing”. Kung Fu, as it is written here, refers to the general term of Chinese martial arts. Shaolin Kung Fu refers to the style that was developed in the Shaolin temples.

Filipino Kali
Kali has its roots in the martial arts of The Philippines and the South East Asian countries. Kali is the mother art of Arnis and Eskrima. Kali has many sub-systems such as Panantukan (Filipino Boxing), Sikaran (Filipino Kickboxing), Stick fighting, Daga (Knife Fighting Training), Cadena De Mano (Close Quarters Range) and Dumog (Grappling). In Kali these concepts are woven together into a complete and very effective fighting system. Any improvement in one aspect of the system will accelerate change and immediately enhance another. In a combination of empty hand training and weapons training, the practitioner will develop speed, coordination, stamina, strength and reflexes that support self-defense and fighting skills. The Kali practitioner is trained to be able to adapt to any given situation.

Although these Martial Arts have different characteristics, the most important thing in choosing a style is to find a school where you like the teachers!

And remember, friends, in the spirit of the Martial Arts, be strong in facing life’s challenges, and gentle toward all fellow human beings!

See you on the mat,

Sean Haley

P.S. Many of our readers have called to find out how to learn more about “Total Defense” topics. As a courtesy, I’ve decided to offer a Free One-Week Trial Membership at “Oregon Martial Arts” to all “Total Defense” readers. If you would like to register, just call us at 503.598.8055 and ask for Sean Haley. (Register soon; classes fill up quickly!)

Brian Webber’s Testimonial of our Muay Thai & Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Classes

Posted on 03. Sep, 2010 by SeanHaleyMuayThai in Blog, Gracie Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai Kickboxing

“Sean is knowledgeable about the martial arts and is a very experienced and creative instructor. His classes are a great workout. He pushes you to achieve your goals, but makes it fun while you’re doing it. I have seen the difference in my personal fitness and skill level from taking his classes. I would recommend Sean and Oregon Martial Arts to anyone looking to get into shape and learning how to effectively defend themselves.”

Brian Webberhttp://www.linkedin.com/pub/brian-webber/16/8b8/118

Myths and Facts About Being a Black Belt

Posted on 25. Aug, 2010 by SeanHaleyMuayThai in Blog, Gracie Jiu Jitsu, Kids Classes, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Oregon Martial Arts

black belt 300x199 Myths and Facts About Being a Black Belt

As “Total Defense” readers, I want you to always have the straight scoop on the Martial Arts. So I thought I would take some time to “de-bunk” some of the misconceptions about the Martial Arts.

Myth (in fact, the #1 all-time “full of baloney” idea about the Martial Arts): The law says that a Black Belt has to register his hands with the local police department.
Fact: No such law exists! A Black Belt has the same legal right to protect himself as everybody else, and the same liability, responsibility to not use skills offensively as anybody else!

Myth: Black Belts are invincible.
Fact: Nope. They are highly skilled, and way more likely to be able to defend themselves than non-Black Belts…but nobody is invincible.

Myth: It takes a whole lifetime of study to become a Black Belt.
Fact: Not so! Training 2 – 3 times a week, you can earn your Black Belt in our Muay Thai Program in four years. For Gracie Jiu-Jitsu it takes an average of 4 years to get a Purple but 10 years to be a Black Belt.

Myth: Black Belt represents the end of a students Martial Art training.
Fact: Hardly! For the serious Martial Art student, Black Belt is just the beginning! Many Black Belts continue to study for their entire lives. It’s a cool thing to get a Black Belt…but the best thing is to be a Black Belt…by continuing to study after earning the Black Belt.

Myth: Martial Arts are mostly for young kids.
Fact: Nope! I know plenty of Black Belts…even Masters, who didn’t start their Martial Art training until they were in their twenties and thirties!

Myth: Black Belt means you are a tough guy.
Fact: Not exactly. A true Black Belt is a tough guy, but he doesn’t go around acting like a tough guy. In fact, the guys that I consider to be true Black Belts conduct themselves, at all times, like gentlemen. This is the true spirit of the Martial Arts.

Lots of misinformation and rumor surround the Martial Arts. If you enjoy the Martial Arts, cut through the nonsense! Get the facts! Pursue the truth!

And remember, friends, in the spirit of the Martial Arts, be strong in facing life’s challenges, and gentle toward all fellow human beings!

See you on the mat,

Sean Haley
P.S. Many of our readers have called to find out how to learn more about “Total Defense” topics. As a courtesy, I will offer a Free One-Week Trial Membership at “Oregon Martial Arts to all “Total Defense” readers. If you would like to register, just call us at 503-598-8055 Register soon; classes fill up quickly.

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Prof. Pedro Sauer rolling with Black Belt in China in March 2008 #3

Prof. Pedro Sauer rolling with Black Belt in China in March 2008 #2

Prof. Pedro Sauer rolling with Black Belt in China in March 2008 #1.

Prof. Pedro Sauer talks philosophy during a seminar in Washington in 2006

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Myths and Facts About Being a Black Belt

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