Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Bangalore

This month saw the inaugural of a new fighting style within Shootfighters, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, with a seminar in the first week of February. Now I know this is one late write-up but nevertheless, this is some insight on what we learnt and have fused with our style. The seminar was conducted by Amit Bhalla from Los Angeles, who has been training at the Beverly Hills Jiu Jitsu Club. The two-day seminar, conducted on the 6th and 7th of February covered various self-defence situations and number of ground fighting techniques and principles.

BJJ was derived from the Japanese Martial Art Kodokan Judo in the early 20th Century. Mitsuyo Maeda, an expert Japanese Judoka and member of Kodokan, was one of five of the Kodokan’s top groundwork experts that Judo’s founder Kano Jigoro sent overseas to spread his art. Maeda is said to have met Gastao Gracie, who helped him get established. In 1916, his 14-year old son Carlos Gracie watched a demonstration by Maeda and decided to learn the art. Carlos then went on to become a great exponent of the art and ultimately, with his younger brother Helio Gracie, became the founder of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, modern Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Though, popularised by the Gracies and believed to have come from Japan, the roots of the art can be traced back to India. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu promotes the principle that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend himself/herself against a bigger, stronger assailant using leverage and proper technique; most notably, by applying joint locks and chokeholds to defeat the other person. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or more popularly known as BJJ was popularised by the Gracie family, who are considered to be the pioneers of the art.

“When I started Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2002 when I was 17 years old, I was very skinny and weak, a regular kid who even had Asthma. I got interested in BJJ, by seeing how effective it was on the street, in any real self-defence situation. When I was 13-14 years old, I would watch all my friends who were possibly as skinny as me head out to BJJ class, and by the time they were 17-18 years old they were good fighers, they had amazing confidence and could tackle even bigger guys on the streets. Their fearlessness was something that inspired me totally.” Says Amit.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is relatively new in India, Ashwin Mohan, believes that is important that one learns ground fighting styles and various types of joint-locks and submissions. “Most fights end up on the ground, once the strikes are traded, you are thrown to the ground, especially in case of women. So it is very important that one learns to deal such situations and turn it to their advantage. BJJ helps you remain calm, cool, and take a seemingly adverse situation into your benefit.”

The seminar covered various street self-defence situations, take downs, ground fighting, strikes from the ground in different positions. The goal is to deflect the basic strikes and dominate one’s attacker from the ground. In Jiu Jitsu, one does not use any force, in fact, you take what is given to you, use the person’s force and energies against them.

“BJJ not only helps you be in great shape, you also learn a lot about your body, it teaches you the right ways to exercise your body, and mold it the way you want. With practice and training you get a sense of confidence and calm, it is a very internal growth as well. BJJ has a lot of balance, coordination and breath control, we even do a lot of meditation, so it even works on your problem solving abilities.” Adds Amit.

There is no secret in getting better at BJJ other than training hard. Amit Bhalla is training under Marcus Vinicus, who holds a 4th Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, 2nd Degree Black Belt in Judo and has trained and coached many top fighters to championships in the UFC, Pride and many other MMA Leagues. “My instructor Marcus Vinicus, worked hard on me and my friends, he made sure that I did not miss any of the fundamentals, all that I know today I owe it to him. That is the secret of BJJ, training hard, good instruction, focus, dedication and proven techniques.” Says Amit.

“BJJ has given our understanding to fighting and self-defence a better edge. It has been a great experience learning this art.” Adds Ashwin.

BJJ has now become more of a new-found love within Shootfighters Inc, the blend of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with our shootfighting style, can without doubt be called Deadly!