What is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

What is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

Brazilian JiuJitsu Often abbreviated to BJJ, is a martial art and combat sport used for self defence and in competitive ground fighting. Based on grappling, submission holds, joint locks, choke holds, and compression locks. It is primarily a ground based fighting style, with the aim to bring or take the opponent down to the ground, gain a dominant position, and use the above techniques to force the opponent to tap out, and/or to gain as many dominant positions as possible to win a fight with points. 

Developed in the early 20th century in Brazil emerging from ancient Japanese combat sports, it has grown to be one of the most popular combat sports today. 

The concept revolves around a smaller and weaker person being able to successfully defend themselves against bigger, stronger and heavier opponents. 

Bjj is also used for physical fitness, building character and as a way of life in a deeper spiritual sense.

What is Yoga?

In the western world we mainly know Yoga as a physical practise. The first proof of yoga goes as far back as 5000BC in India. The word Yoga literally means “Union”  

There are four fundamental types of Yoga

Karma Yoga-the path of selfless action a path of service 

Bhakti Yoga-is the path of devotion

Jnana Yoga- the path of wisdom and study

Raja Yoga- the path to the 8 limbs of yoga

Raja Yoga is the Yoga that includes Meditation, breath work, and asanas the physical yoga positions we know as Yoga in the western world, yoga stretches and strengthens the Body

but is meant to unite body mind and soul and is also practiced as a way of life.

What is Pilates?

Invented by Joseph Pilates somewhere around 1912 who was often sick as a child and turned to yoga, martial arts, meditation, selfdefense, gymnastics  and boxing to stay healthy. He then invented Contrology which later was renamed to Pilates. Mat Pilates is made up of a series of exercises mainly to build the muscles of the core body, which provides support to the spine, increases flexibility and improves stability and endurance.

Pilates believed in self-discipline and self-care and striving for a healthy lifestyle. His approach was holistic. 

How can we connect the three?

1. Breath work. First and foremost learning to breathe accordingly is one of the top points that connects these three. Breath work is an important part of these disciplines and an enrichment in all over life. 
2. Awareness & Control. Feeling and understanding your body. Moving in a controlled and contious way. isometric muscle work.
3. Balance & Coordination. Understanding up down over under, being able to find center points, knowing how to shift your weight.
4. Concentration & Efficiency. Being in the moment. Saving energy. Using isometric muscle work. Understanding movement.
5. Precision & Timing. Precice movement and timing. Learning to time movement and then move precicely. 
6. Flow and Harmony. Flexibility and soft-skills.The famous Bruce Lee quote describes best what this means. Be water my friend. 

With a combination of these three we can really improve coordination, speed, strength, agility and endurance.

Through stretching and strengthening the muscle, also working with isometrics, we can work towards building a flexible and strong body with balanced muscles, improved posture and dense bones. 

Also shortening our recovery time. 

The elements we learn in Yoga and Pilates are very similar to the ones we find in Bjj. Like the ones mentioned above but also learning to regulate our nervous system, dealing with fight or flight, calmness under stress, finding symmetry of mind and actions. 

If you are interested in learning more about any or all of the three above mentioned arts, get in touch, right here over the website, I offer a free first meeting via zoom or in Person. 

Otherwise I am also available for personal training in all of the above in the general Frankfurt am Main Germany area, Lagos Portugal and of course via zoom.