Introduction
Some of you might have heard about Brazilian Jiu jitsu aka BJJ. It's a martial art, combat sport and a self defense system that focuses on ground fighting. In a typical fighting situation you try to take down your opponent as soon as possible where you submit your opponent with joint lock or choke hold.
Most of the practitioners train only sport Jiu Jitsu which is divided to two types: with GI/kimono or No-gi. But there are some schools which also focused for self defense aspect.
This is video which I will show to my friends when they ask for me what do I train:
Five reasons to train
1. It's fun and for everybody
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is very fun martial art which you can practice with everybody. World Champions can train with beginners and small kids can train with adults. You can also train with the maximum effort "go for a kill" with your sparring partner and there is only minor risk to hurt yourself/your sparring partner. In any other combat sport you cannot spar hard or you will hurt your sparring partner.
2. Self defense
You learn how to defend you (and your friends and family) against (bigger) opponent. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is based to use leverage over strength. Of course self defense is the last option but nowadays it's necessary to know how to defend yourself.
3. Confidence
At the beginning I was a very small, shy and unconfident young man but after some time I noticed my progress. I noticed that I can "fight" with bigger opponent that gave me confidence boost.
4. It's perfect ego killer
In the beginning of your grappling journey you are not good and you have to "tap out" many times. Most of the time you tap out for the smaller and weaker person. That can be hard for your ego. Fortunately if you have big ego you will stop early on the road. That's why there are not many jerks on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
5. Community
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is just like Steem. There is strong community and It is for everybody. There is no races, politics, religions or any other bullshit. Everybody are on the same mission: to have fun and get better on the sport. Only thing which divides you from the another practitioner is your belt color.