By Coach Tommy, black belt under Roger Gracie and head instructor at Elevate Martial Arts and Strength

 

If you have never trained regularly in Brazilian jiu-jitsu it is almost impossible to imagine how many benefits it can bring to your life. It is best known as a core element of mixed martial arts, as a formidable grappling style that became famous when the UFC arrived in the 1990s.

 

This reputation as a fighting style is well deserved, and not just in the cage. If you want to learn one martial art for self-defence, whether you are a civilian or work in law enforcement, you can’t do better than jiu-jitsu.

 

I have taught seminars to police officers, and there are so many things to share that don’t even involve chokes and arm-locks. Keeping distance is vital, as it maintaining a strong base so you don’t get knocked over. If you do find yourself on the ground, we teach you the quickest way to get up and avoid taking any damage.   

 

These are all vital skills, and then if you do have to engage with an opponent, jiu-jitsu teaches you how to control them in the least aggressive way, subdue them with the minimum damage caused, unlike striking martial arts where your only way to subdue a person is to hit them.

 

But there is so much more to it than learning to fight. The biggest benefit for me is the ability to remain calm under pressure. I have a day job in finance and it can be incredibly stressful. With jiu-jitsu you will be put under pressure every time you come to class, and learning to deal with the physical pressure of somebody trying to strangle you translates very well to your ability to stay calm whatever life throws at you.

 

Jiu-jitsu also works like a form of meditation. It takes you out of yourself and stops you worrying about your problems. After an hour of jiu-jitsu it is like your brain has been reset, and you can go out and face whatever else life throws at you.

This is all before you get onto the physical transformation that jiu-jitsu can make. If you train properly you will become stronger, more flexible, have better posture and more energy. If you are tired after a long day, the best way to recover is not by slumping in front of the TV, where your mind will go in circles and your body will become soft. It may sound counterintuitive, but the energy you expend in a jiu-jitsu class will leave you with more energy than when you arrived.

 

For some people it can even be a life saver. I have one student who started jiu-jitsu when he was dealing with some severe substance addictions. He loved jiu-jitsu but didn’t have job and couldn’t afford classes. I told him if he promised to train at least three times a week we wouldn’t charge him until he was back on his feet. He was so happy that he trained like crazy and eventually was able to get his life together and find a job. He has been clean ever since, and said jiu-jitsu has been instrumental in conquering his addictions.

 

Are there downsides to doing jiu-jitsu? Sure. It’s tough and there will be times that you feel like quitting. But if it didn’t test you, you would not get all these physical and psychological benefits. Jiu-jitsu is tough, but definitely worth it.

 

Elevate Martial Arts & Strength is REORG’s London HQ

Tommy was talking to @healthybeastpodcast