Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a martial art, combat sport, and self-defense system that focuses on grappling and ground fighting. BJJ, as it is often called, teaches that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend against a bigger, stronger assailant through the use of natural body leverage and techniques such as joint locks and other submission holds.
Most of the advantage of a larger, stronger opponent comes from superior reach and more powerful strikes.The emphasis in BJJ is on getting an opponent to the ground in order to gain an advantage for striking or submission holds.
The reason this works is that physical strength can be offset or enhanced by an experienced grappler who knows how to use mechanical strength instead of pure physical strength to overcome an assailant. When used properly, BJJ has been proven to be an effective method for dealing with bigger and stronger opponents.
Translated as “the gentle art,” Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is not solely a martial art. BJJ is also a sport and an increasingly popular form of fitness training and character-building–in young people and also among women who may have–in our lifetimes–heard messages and internalized untrue beliefs of weakness, inadequacy, or low self-worth.
Learn more about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for women at MAFA, as well as MAFA’s Kids’ Programs.
