Category: blog
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White Belt – The Most exciting Time In Your Jiu-jitsu
I was speaking with a senior GB Black-Belt from Brazil about what it was like to teach a class of black and brown belts. I expected the senior black belt to say that he was much more interested in teaching experienced belts because he could show some really cool and advanced positions.
But he said that for him teaching beginners was just as satisfying as teaching black belts!
He explained that sure, when he was teaching black belts they could really explore some of the advanced positions and techniques. But he added, the improvement of white belts was so rapid that it was very rewarding to him.
Any students who have been training a while will recall the early frustrations of being a beginner and feeling overwhelmed at times. However, it is also the period that we fell in love with jiu-jitsu and became addicted!
- Every class brings a new discovery, a new position, a new sweep, each new technique more interesting than the previous!
- Every class shows a solution to a problem that we have been experiencing on the mats and we can’t wait to try it in rolling.
- Every class we see an amazing submission or escape that blows our minds and expands our wonder about the art.
- Every class the movements become a little more smooth and take less effort.
We start to see how the individual pieces fit together to make our jiu-jitsu game.
A story from the mats: This week in class, one of the beginner students was sitting at the edge of the mat observing two more experienced belts roll. That very class we had worked on taking the mount, maintaining the position and then attacking and finishing with a straight armlock. During the roll, one of the students succeeding in mounting and tapping the other with that same straight arm bar from mount.
The beginner was astonished! You could figuratively see the “light bulb” turn on over his head and his eyes beamed with excitement. He turned to me and said “Hey, that is what we just did in class! It really works!”
I could see that something had clicked in his mind and sure enough, he was early to the next class full of enthusiasm to train! Yes, white belt is a period where there are some early challenges – but it is also the most exciting time in your jiu-jitsu journey.
on Gracie Barra : 5 Important Questions to Ask When Learning a New Move In Class
Credits: Mark Mullen
Gracie Barra Black belt based in Saigon, Vietnam
Twitter: @MarkMullenBJJ -
“Am I too old to start BJJ?”
As Jiu-Jitsu continues to grow all over the world, more people (outside of the 20 something male demographic) are becoming interested in starting to train Jiu-Jitsu. Many questions about training come from men over the age of 35 who ask “I am 40-something, am I too old to start training bjj?”
The short answer is NO!
A quick look at a BJJ class photo will see a number of BJJ students who are over 40 years of age.
Master Carlos Gracie maintains a high level of fitness through Jiu-Jitsu after the age of 60. TV show host and author Anthony Bourdain started training at 58 years of age and recently was awarded his blue belt.Gracie Barra recognizes that different students have different goals and needs. The philosophy of “Jiu-Jitsu for Everyone” at Gracie Barra includes programs for all levels and types of students. “As a Gracie Barra instructor, you are promising everyone in your community that if they come to your school, they will be welcomed. Regardless of their size, gender, cultural background, experience level, or age, you will
exert your best efforts to teach that person the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.”Many of the first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academies were strongly oriented to competition and simply not accessible for the average person who wanted to learn some jiu-jitsu. While we all respect and are inspired by the high level competitors, competition training is very demanding and may not be compatible with everyone’s goals and capabilities.
The Gracie Barra ICP Course describes this exclusively competition oriented environment as “Jiu-jitsu for a few”.
The “Jiu-Jitsu for Everyone” philosophy structures the programs and curriculum to:
- Focus beyond competition vs focus on competition
- Classes / Students are grouped according to age and level
Ex. Athletes train at special hours /competitors mixed in with beginners.
Now the over 40 beginner should start bjj with a few important things in mind:
1) Proceed at your own pace. Don’t measure yourself against the 22 year olds who eat, sleep and breath jiu-jitsu. A more balanced, patient approach is required. Especially if you have been leading a sedentary lifestyle, you must allow time for your body to adapt to the physical demands of jiu-jitsu.
2) The emphasis in rolling is more on defenSe first. Protect yourself at all times and that might mean giving up positions (such as being stacked) to protect your spine and neck. As Master Carlos Gracie Jr. advises “The lumbar region, for example, as strong as it may be, will never be armored against the passage of time.”
3) Recovery time is the single factor that is most affected by age. Adequate sleep, rest in between training sessions and a healthy nutrition are all more important for the over 40 student of bjj. Most over 40 black belts recommend an increased commitment to eating a healthy diet as key to their longevity in the art.
There is an old saying in jiu-jitsu: “The best time to have started training jiu-jitsu was 20 years ago.
The 2nd best time is NOW!”Credits: Mark Mullen
Gracie Barra Black belt based in Saigon, Vietnam
Twitter: @MarkMullenBJJ -
5 Reasons Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is Ideal for Self-Defense
Hello, from Dojo Diva (Kristen Lamb) at Gracie Barra Jujitsu Mansfield, the definitive Brazilian Jujitsu instruction in the Fort Worth/Arlington area. As a well-known author, part of my brand is martial arts. I’ve been in some form of martial arts since I was four. I studied Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Japanese Jujitsu, boxing and now Brazilian Jujitsu. So, whenever one of my fans is curious about martial arts, they come to me.Which is the best form of martial arts for self-defense?
I know everyone has an opinion, but unless they answer Brazilian Jujitsu? They are wrong 😛 .
KIDDING!
Okay, only partly.
After studying so many other forms of defense, why am I partial to BJJ? I will tell you.
#1—Brazilian Jujitsu Gives Us Options
If someone tries to attack me and I have been trained in a striking sport or a combative, then I am trained to punch, kick, strike (obviously) or even go for eyes or throats. Not that this is bad, but it isn’t always necessary.
It’s overkill.
In Brazilian Jujitsu I am taught all kinds of options that will stop the attack and the attacker without doing any physical harm.
If I am involved in a dispute and I break someone’s nose and arm, yes I’m “safe.” Then the cops are going to show and then???
Er…
It’s gonna get sticky (aside from the blood). If I have to deal with police, which would I rather defend/explain?
That I pulled the attacker to the ground and wrapped him in a choke that harmlessly rendered him unconscious?
OR…
Do I want to explain how I took out an attacker’s knees and he may never walk again?
And I know that if we are defending from a legitimate attack, we generally don’t have to fear criminal prosecution. We DO, however, need to expect the civil suit suing us for damages. It WILL happen. Then we are going to have to explain why crushing someone’s larynx was an appropriate use of force.
Now, with Jujitsu, if an attacker is SO overpowering that I need to use more force (I.e. dislocating a shoulder)? I can. I HAVE that option. BUT, I have A LOT MORE options that actually will do little more than hurt for a day or two.
#2—Brazilian Jujitsu is Ideal for a Small Person
FACT 1: Most people do NOT know how to fight.
FACT 2:They REALLY do not know how to fight on the ground.
FACT 3: Almost ALL fights go to the ground.
Even if the fight doesn’t go to the ground, BJJ trains us to TAKE it there because it is our DOMAIN. On the ground? Size matters far less.
As a 42 year old 5’3″ female? There is only so hard I can hit, kick or punch. If I am against a far larger opponent, one who might even be under the influence? It is going to be REALLY TOUGH for me to hit or kick in a way that will make an impression. But, the smaller you are? The better the throw. It is all physics and since my center of gravity is lower? I can devastate a larger attacker and gain the advantage in a fraction of a second.
Brazilian Jujitsu is a rapist’s worst nightmare. Most attackers’ go-to move is to drag a potential victim to the ground and then use body weight and strength to pin the person for the attack. If the “victim” knows BJJ? That attacker just sealed his fate. The ground is PRECISELY where we want to be.
#3—Brazilian Jujitsu is Known as The “Gentle Martial Art”
People practice BJJ into their 70s. Guess who’s one of the most targeted groups for violent crimes? Women and older people. Train in Jujitsu, and the attacker will quickly realize…this is going to be a VERY bad day.
#4—AGAIN, Brazilian Jujitsu is the GENTLE Martial Art
Remember, I am older. I had to give up the striking sports because they were simply too hard on my body. BJJ keeps me fit and limber and I don’t have to worry as much about shattering a hand by punching some blockhead.
But let’s go back to self-defense.
In case you don’t know? Punching and kicking can hurt MORE than just the attacker. We can be the one who ends up with broken bones and dislocations. I was in a fight years ago and by punching the person attacking me? I ended up with two cracked bones in my hand. Not saying BJJ is pain and injury-free, but fighting is not like Hollywood.
Punching and kicking HURTS.
A LOT.
NOT FUN.
#5—Brazilian Jujitsu is Ideal for Children
Bully THIS!
Aside from being able to defend themselves from potential kidnapping or sexual assault, bullying is a problem as old as time. But, remember that litigious society we mentioned in the beginning? If your child has to defend him/herself from a larger attacker, what’s going to go over better with the school officials? Our kid bashing a kid’s face in, or an arm-lock to hold the bully in place (without injury) until a teacher can arrive on-scene?I know we all have our favorites and I love the other sports too. But I will say that for those who practice a different discipline, I highly recommend adding BJJ to your toolbox. You stay safe and let the criminals be the ones in trouble…NOT YOU.
Stay Frosty,
Dojo Diva
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Ten Reasons to Fall in Love with Jiu Jitsu
It’s coming up on Valentine’s Day where we show appreciation, adoration and affection for who and (today) what we love. We take time to articulate WHY we get that warm fuzzy feeling when that special someone (or something) crosses our mind. Thus, I want to talk about Jiu Jitsu and why I LOVE Gracie Barra Jiu Jistu in Mansfield, TX.I am in withdrawal. I have actually been healthy, but my poor Spawn has been bringing home a string of seriously contagious bugs (I.e. stomach flu) and managed to infect Hubby and my mom and, because I LOVE my BJJ peeps?
I am nice enough not to share the experience of praying for death in the middle of the night with a stomach ache.
Yeah I am classy like that.
But here is me.
Last night I was woefully looking at pictures of all my BJJ friends who I miss DEARLY and it made me really start thinking about why I love them and Jiu Jitsu and I have come up with the TOP TEN REASONS to Fall in Love with Jiu Jitsu.
10. If you train as a family it is not only legal to arm bar your spouse, GF/BF, child…but encouraged 😀
9. It’s legal to choke people.
Unlike that guy who’s honking me at a RED FREAKING LIGHT because I was refusing to block an entrance to a school just so we all could WAIT at the RED LIGHT…closer. Choking him? Totally illegal.
Bummer 🙁 .
Really, Buddy? Just freaking REALLY.
8. You learn that real friends still love you even after using you as a human Swiffer.
7. It’s really awesome exercise.
So you sleep better, feel more relaxed (probably because choking people legally can be cathartic), and it limbers up those muscles that get tight from sitting at the computer on Facebook too long.
6. You make friends without the aid of alcohol.
Face it. When you get to be an adult, making friends is no easy task. When we were kids, it was as simple as, “You have a bike? I HAVE A BIKE! OMG! We must be best friends!” These days, for folks who aren’t into a bar scene, finding a way to socialize is no simple deal. But, with Jiu Jitsu? No problem.
Of course, you can add alcohol later. Sometimes helps *limps away*
5. You make REALLY good friends.
As in friends who can and WILL beat up anyone who messes with you. Yeah, dude at the light revving your car and threatening me? I am looking at YOU. I know people who will omoplata that sass right out of you.
4. Jiu Jitsu is similar to Fight Club and you have friends…you don’t even know you HAVE.
Seriously. I wear my Gracie shirt everywhere. It’s like those Barbie shoes my mom had to sneak in and steal and burn so I would stop wearing them because I’d long ago outgrown them but they were just TOO AWESOME.
Anyway…
One day I’m in another town having lunch. They guy at the counter is all, “Oh, you do Jiu Jitsu.” *wink, wink* *gives me extra brisket then slinks back in shadows with a knowing smile*
I feel part of Project Mayhem already. We meet, beat each other up and the only difference is we aren’t planning on taking out the credit card companies and we are encouraged to tell others about
Fight ClubJiu Jitsu.3. There IS a certain BAD@$$ Factor
And what is NOT to love about that? Hey, I’m a 41 year old MOM who drives an SUV. I need all the help I can get. It can be tough when you get older. You don’t want to be ridiculous, but you might not quite be ready to talk about fiber supplements with friends. BJJ helps us create that nice MIDDLE ERA where we are still kind of…okay incredibly cool even if we are “old.”
2. You get to hang out with Professor Young.
Well worth paying for. This guy is AMAZING. You cannot be unhappy being around the guy. NOT KIDDING. Having a bad day? Spend three minutes with Professor and you will be all better. It is weird and if he goes missing, we know he’s been abducted by either the government or the pharmaceutical companies who are going to study him.
1. You can protect yourself and those you LOVE from harm.
Woe be to the bully who messes with my kid or frankly anyone I care about. Love is a verb and what better way to express love for another person than volunteering to get beaten up multiple times a week all so you can keep THEM safer?
THAT is love.
Awwww. Man, I get all choked up at that.
Happy Valentines! I love you all. I miss my BJJ Brothers and Sisters. There is SO much to love about Jiu Jitsu that one little post cannot convey what you simply have to experience for yourself. Gracie Jiu Jistu is not a sport or a hobby or a workout…it is a LIFE. And a very cool and rewarding one at that.
WE LOVE YOU! To show our love, if you want to check out the BJJ experience come by and get a free month. My plan is to be back this coming week. Kid was up sick coughing last night again and I was all, “I’ll get you a pony of you STOP THAT!! I miss Jiu Jistu 🙁 ! You’re killin’ me, Smalls!”
What are your thoughts? What do you love about Jiu Jistu? How does it simply make your life all better? Am I right about Professor? YOU CANNOT BE IN A BAD MOOD AROUND THE MAN! It’s science.
Happy Valentines!
~Dojo Diva
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10 Ways to Accelerate Your Jiu Jitsu Game
Image via Gracie Magazine
At Gracie Barra Mansfield, we bring you the best Jiu Jitsu training in the DFW area. But Gracie was not always a thing in these parts. I recall training in traditional Japanese Jiu Jitsu back in the early 90s. No one had ever heard of Jiu Jitsu. Texas was firmly Tae Kwon Do country.Then the Gracie family brought us into a new era for martial arts with the UFC.
Who were these little guys from Brazil who were just laying waste to competitors? Year after year, the Gracie family decimated the competition and it became clear fairly quickly that if a fighter did not cross-train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, that fighter didn’t stand much of a chance in the octagon. If the fight went to the ground—and against a Gracie it ALWAYS went to the ground—then it was GAME OVER.
Since the Gracies took the world by storm, Jiu Jitsu has become a far more common sport which we love to see because we believe in Jiu Jitsu for everyone. Jiu Jitsu studios abound. As we like to say in Texas, “You can’t swing a dead cat without hitting one.” I have no idea who came up with this saying or why anyone would want to swing a deceased feline…but Texans do all kinds of weird things.
Case in point.
Looks legit. Suffice to say that while Jiu Jitsu studios might be common, I can tell you from experience that there is nothing quite like going to the source.
I began my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training at another dojo, but after training there a year, I felt I needed something more. When I took a trial class at Gracie Barra Mansfield? No comparison.
Now that I’ve been in Jiu Jitsu long enough I’ve found my goals have shifted from, “OH DEAR GOD JUST STAY ALIVE!” to thinking more strategically. For those who spend any amount of time in Jiu Jitsu, you will find that there will be periods of plateau, where you just don’t seem to be improving no matter what you do.
I used to think that was just being a white belt. But, now that I am a blue belt, there are days I feel I might actually know what I am doing and then…*screeching brakes*
Thing is, we are often our own worst enemies. Thus today, I’d like to share with you some tips from the masters over at Gracie Magazine to help you always be improving your Jiu Jitsu game.
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You’ve been training for a while now and despite all your efforts, you don’t seem to be improving a lot on the mats.
So, we decided to compile 10 valuable pieces of advice to get you back on tracks and have your game improving by the day.
1. Be Curious
Speak up when you have a doubt and you need your Professor or instructor to explain it. Many times, the devil is on the details and a quick explanation is all you need to have that technique clarified.
2. Keep a Notebook
Write down what you learned every week and then revise. Find your weakness and the ways to overcome them. Don’t trust in your memory alone, specially if you are a beginner.
3. Have a Game Plan
When you are a beginner and it’s time to spar, don’t just ad lib as you go. Have a plan and aim for your specific targets with specific techniques. Leave improvisations for further ahead in your learning process.
4. Know Your Limits
Don’t mix toughness with stupidity. If you are injured, don’t make it worse by training before it’s healed. If you are caught, tap and live to train another day.
READ the rest of the article at Gracie Magazine…
Thanks for stopping by the blog and hope you enjoy the tips. Please join us for a free trial. I did it a year ago and it was the best decision I ever made. If a 41 year old mom can have fun and find new life with Jiu Jitsu, you can too!
See you on the mats!
Dojo Diva
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Gracie Barra 30th Anniversary Promotion!
If you ever needed a reason to begin your Jiu-Jitsu journey…
your search ends today.For the past 30 years Gracie Barra has been delivering Jiu-Jitsu excellence to local communities all around the world. This month Gracie Barra is celebrating 30 years of Jiu Jitsu and GB is giving you not one but THIRTY reasons to start training today.
Want to try out a class for free? Fill out the form below or call (817) 453-5858.
[contact-form-7 id=”2360″ title=”30th Anniversary Promotion”]30 Reasons To Start Training Jiu-Jitsu
1 – Get in the best shape of your life!
2 – Surround yourself with great people who will help you accomplish your goals!
3 – Have a mentor that will walk you through your success as a martial artist!
4 – Get inspired to achieve more!
5 – 30% OFF – After all we are celebrating 30 years!!!!
6 – Free Intro Class – Get started the right way.
7 – Jiu-Jitsu is a journey for a lifetime.
8 – Gracie Barra is a family that we choose, and a place where we respect and help each other.
9 – You will always find a good friends on the mats.
10 – Focus – The first skill you will improve in your Jiu-Jitsu life.[expand title=”Click here to learn more about the other 20 reasons why JJ will change your life for better!!”]
11 – Everyone should learn Self-Defense.
12 – Confidence – Day-by-day you will learn to trust your body and see yourself becoming more confident.
13 – Mindset- Jiu-Jitsu will also help you improve your mind.
14 – Gracie Barra is a place for a everyone, including you.
15 – Philosophy – Find a new way to live your life. The Jiu-Jitsu philosophy is contagious.
16 – Tradition – Be part of something bigger than you and make history with us.
17 – Gentle Art – Jiu-Jitsu focuses on grappling and controlling your opponent rather than striking. It is substantially less violent and injurious than other forms of combat or martial arts.
18 – Self Esteem – Training Jiu-Jitsu will help you accept yourself and love yourself just the way you are.
19 – Greatness – Find your greatness thought jiu-jitsu is something possible and mensurable.
20 – It’s Challenging – You will learn something new every day and the learning never stops.
21 – GB Environment – You will never know if you never try. Gracie Barra is the right place for you and your family!
22 – It’s Fun – We promise that you will never get bored doing jiu-jitsu.
23 – GB Method – Gracie Barra developed an amazing curriculum that will help you learn Jiu-Jitsu in the right way.
24 – Discipline – To make it happen.
25 – White Belt – Jiu-Jitsu is a journey and being a white belt is the first step.
26 – Blue Belt – Being a blue belt in Jiu-Jitsu is an awesome feeling and means that you have the power of perseverance and you didn’t give up.
27 – GB1 – Fundamental Class. Gracie Barra has created a structure that condenses an immense diversity of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu into core fundamental moves combined intelligently and safely to optimize your learning.
28 – Purple Belt – Hard Work is how we describe a purple belt and in this phase Jiu-Jitsu has already became a part of you.
29 – Brown Belt – Patience and dedication. The word that we use to describe the brown belt is patience as we are dreaming a lot about becoming a black belt.
30 – Black Belt – The journey doesn’t end for those who have reached this level. If you want to be a black belt, be ready to serve. We believe that the knowledge should not die with you. It should be passed on as a legacy.[/expand]
Gracie Barra Mansfield
(817) 453-5858 -
Valentine’s Day!
That time of the year is upon us and we at GB Mansfield invite you to bring your Valentine to train with us on Feb. 14th!
Many of us are constantly having to maintain a healthy balance between spending time at Jiu Jitsu and spending time with our significant other. Gracie Barra believes in JIU-JITSU FOR EVERYONE and we would like to give you and your S.O. the opportunity to train together!
For ONE DAY ONLY we will be offering both you and your Valentine a gift for training with Gracie Barra Mansfield:
- Free Class for your Valentine.
- Free Gi for the Valentine when they sign up for Jiu-Jitsu.
- Free Month for you when your Valentine signs up for Jiu-Jitsu.
This is a great opportunity for you to show your loved one why Jiu Jitsu is so important to you.
Offer valid only for current GB Mansfield students.
