As I was driving home from open mat today, this question crossed my mind; "why Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?" There are so many types of martial arts that date back centuries and are firmly established in the American psyche. BJJ is essentially the new kid on the block. Of course, it's rooted in Jiu Jitsu, which has been around for a while as far as I know...but that's not the point.
The point is, when I finally had the health, time, and money to pursue a martial art, why was there no alternative in my mind? I'm not positive, but I think if there had been no BJJ gym accessible, I simply would not have trained in anything.
All of the following reasons are 100% subjective. Because other martial arts lack some of these elements does not mean I think they're pointless...but simply that I do not find them as appealing.
So, here are my top 3 reasons for loving BJJ:
1) Because it is so raw. You may (or may not) wear a gi and a mouthguard (and a cup if you're smart, dudes), but other than that there is no padding, protection, shin guards, gloves, helmets...nothing. I LOVE THAT. When, at any other point in our day to day lives are we so unprotected? The risk of injury is never far away and anyone in the sport will admit that it will eventually leave marks that will never fully heal. The beautiful thing about that is that I never feel more alive than when I'm that close to perceived danger.
2) It allow me to be aggressive. Many martial arts are solely defense-based. People ask me this all the time, "so are you doing this for exercise or self-defense?" My answer, "neither." I do it for many reasons but one of the main ones is that I am allowed to show aggression and it is perfectly acceptable. Human beings are meant to be able to fight if need be, and I think the more our society crushes that instinct the lesser we become. This goes for women too. Parents, allow your little ones to express this instinct in a controlled environment, it is an essential part of our humanity.
3) It is so darn practical. There are no 'forms' or pretty rituals. If some creep jumps me in an alley, I am not going to say, "hey can you hold on for a sec? I've got this great sequence to show you." If I can't hightail my way out of there, I'm at the very least going to attempt some defense and, if possible, a good triangle or kimura. Newbies: check out this
Kimura from the guard position. To me, punching and kicking just don't seem like they would be all that useful. Remember though,
subjective.
So there are my top three, though I could go on and on. And on.
If you've managed to get this far, leave a comment about why you love BJJ!
Thanks everyone,
AS :)
