What is Jiu Jitsu?
The word “jiu jitsu” derives from the Japanese “Jū” meaning “gentle” and “Jutsu” meaning “art”; essentially, jiu jitsu is the “gentle art”.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ or Jiu Jitsu) is predominantly a ground-based martial art, using the principals of leverage, angles, pressure and timing, as well as knowledge of human anatomy to control or submit another human being. Jiu Jitsu approaches self-defense first by creating distance and avoidance. When distance or avoidance are not an option then Brazilian Jiu Jitsu teaches to manage the closed space. This is when we take the aggressor to the ground, gain a dominant position, and use proven techniques to force them into submission via joint lock or chokehold.