BJJ – Is Lineage Important?
If you have been exposed to the world of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu then probability that you have encountered the name ‘Gracie’ will be very, very high. The Gracie Family are the most well renown martial arts family not only in Brazil but the world.
What is the origin of BJJ?
Mitsuyo Maeda a Japanese national helped found Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. As a teenager he was introduced to the world of Sumo wrestling. Unfortunately due to his stature this proved to be a short-lived interest. Mitsuyo then switched to learning Judo and Japanese Jiu Jitsu (JJJ) due to the growing popularity of them at that time.
He travelled the world generating interest in his skills before settling in Brazil. In Brazil Mitsuyo met Carlos Gracie who fell in love with JJJ. Carlos quickly discovered that JJJ lacked ‘something’. That ‘something’ then went on and was the super ingredient that transformed JJJ into BJJ.
How did the Gracie name become so big in BJJ?
Carlos’ took his skills in the newly formed Martial Art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and found his siblings to be his first students. His siblings who were now quite proficient in BJJ then went on to spread the word accompanied by their skills and knowledge of BJJ to their children. They in turn then went and taught their children This is a century-old Gracie Family tradition that is still exercised today, the formula of how the Gracie Dynasty was created.
If the Gracie Family are masters of BJJ – Shouldn’t you learn BJJ from a Gracie?
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a martial art, sport and lifestyle that holds world-wide recognition. There are countless instructors with a good knowledge and experience of BJJ that do not hold the Brazilian nationality or Gracie name.
Whether or not someone decides to become a master of BJJ is down to the individual. It is not an easy decision to make or a light task to embark on. There are many years of dedication required to reach such a grading.
If your mission is to learn the most genuine form of BJJ that holds true authenticity and value, then you must be taught from a master that holds these values.
The popularity of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is soaring and although there are elements of BJJ in MMA it would in completely inaccurate to assume that MMA is BJJ and visa versa. Be sure to check the originality of the form of BJJ you are being taught.
If you ask your instructor the name of his master, then the name of his master, then the name of his master and continue until you reach the name Carlos Gracie, you can rest assured that the BJJ you are learning is the real deal.
If the Gracie Family are masters of BJJ – shouldn’t you attend a Gracie Academy?
If your aim is to learn genuine BJJ then what better place to learn but from the descendants of Carlos’ Gracie.
But which to attend?
This is down to personal preference but I would chose a Roger Gracie Academy.
Why Roger Gracie Academy?
As the grandson of Carlos Gracie, Roger has experienced direct exposure to the very best techniques of BJJ.
But Carlos Gracie had many children and grandchildren who this art was taught to but what makes Roger Gracie so unique is his 10 time World Champion title of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Not many can boast such a title. If the career of your instructor has had any influence by Roger Gracie you can be assured that the quality of your BJJ training will be of an elite standard.
