“Jiu Jitsu is life”…. At least that’s what I have been told.
Several years ago, my boys were invited to a birthday party at a local Jiu Jitsu Academy owned by the uncle of the birthday boy. At the time, I knew a little bit about the sport and the practice and what little knowledge I had was coming more from influencers than from personal experience. Yet I was told that it is a great way to train not just the body but also the mind.
Not long after that party, and after discussing it with my wife, we signed up the boys to start training. At first, it seemed like an odd concept without much practical applicability in my present context. I begin to question my decision. But as I watched my boys roll, I began to see the positive influence of the instructors, the benefits of the physical activity itself, and the benefits of learning to control your emotions and stress - all things that I desire for my boys.
Fast forward one year - sitting on the bench, watching their progress, continuing to be reminded about the physical and mental benefits of jiu jitsu - I decided is my turn to join them. I picked a date, made my decision known and negotiated myself into a position where backing out was not an option. This past fall, I took off the shoes, donned the GI and started training as well.
For those who are unfamiliar, jiu jitsu is one of many martial arts but is particularly known for its emphasis on ground level grappling. The goal is to move your body relative to your opponent in such a way that you create leverage and force your opponent into a position that results in their submission.
The art of Brazilian jiu jitsu was developed and popularized by the various members of the Gracie family beginning with the ultimate grandmaster, Helio Gracie. Afflicted by physical maladies and a small stature, Helio adapted the principles of judo to his situation and focused on the concepts of energy conservation and leverage in his fighting style. What began in his garage has blossomed into an international phenomenon with training academies everywhere bearing the Gracie name and representing the Gracie fighting style.
Jiu Jitsu has been used an object lesson or a metaphor for our daily lives as well. In many ways, we are in a constant struggle against forces that would compete against our desire to achieve a particular aim or outcome. Our mindset, approach, and actions can be viewed as synonymous with a jiu jitsu match. Viewed as a perpetual OODA loop, we seek to position ourselves in such a way as to gain leverage to accomplish our goals and ultimately achieve the submission.
In this book, Rener Gracie (grandson of Helio) discusses the fundamental principles of jiu jitsu. He takes a step back from the specifics of the match and focuses not so much on the guard, mount, arm bar or choke. Rather he seeks to view jiu jitsu from a 30,000 foot altitude perspective in order to identify the principles that make each of these moves possible and the mindset that underlies creating the scenario whereby the submission is not just possible but inevitable. But more than just focusing on applications to jiu jitsu, Rener also shows how each of these principles are applicable to your daily life - even if you don't train jiu jitsu.
I definitely recommend picking up and reading this book. Jiu jitsu practitioner or not, you will definitely find something beneficial to learn. And then I'll see you on the mats.
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