Literally translated, jiu-jitsu means “gentle art.” It is believed to have originated in India over 2000 years ago where it spread into China, and eventually Japan. It was here that Japanese samurai adopted the martial art as their form of empty-hand combat. In the early 1900’s, a master of Japanese jiu-jitsu, Mitsuyo Maeda, moved to Brazil and was taken in by Gastao Gracie.
“Jū” can be translated to mean “gentle, supple, flexible, pliable, or yielding.” “Jutsu” can be translated to mean “art” or “technique” and represents manipulating the opponent’s force against himself rather than confronting it with one’s own force. Techniques focus on grappling and ground fighting and will give you an understanding of how to control and manipulate a strong and aggressive opponent. Learning Jiu Jitsu basics and adding in submissions will allow you to make an opponent give up without having to throw a single punch or kick.