Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) hasn’t been widely known beyond Brazil for very long. It entered the MMA scene in the 1990s and has proved to be a valuable form of fighting on the mat and in the ring, regardless of a fighter’s size and strength compared to their opponent. 

BJJ has a unique philosophy that borrows from influences like judo and Japanese Jiu-Jitsu. The article below will look at the philosophy that has shaped this martial art, starting with a brief overview of its history and then examining the principles and values at its center.

Brief History of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

With “Brazilian” built into the name of this martial arts practice, it’s easy to assume that its roots are in the country of Brazil. However, the country’s influence is a recent component of the art. The true roots of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can be traced back to Japan and ancient samurais. 

Samurais were trained in armed combat atop horses, but hand-to-hand combat was also included in their training because it was seen as a last line of defense if a samurai was knocked down from their horse and without a weapon. 

The hand-to-hand combat techniques developed suited the heavy armor donned by samurais, which limited their movement. The methods involved working within their limitations to subdue an opponent, leading to the basis of Jiu-Jitsu. The basis included choke holds, throws, and joint locks. Over time, this self-defense practice became a stand-alone art.

A practitioner of Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, Mitsuyo Maeda, moved to Brazil where he continued his practice and taught it to others in the region. He began working alongside the Gracie family (today, they’re considered BJJ royalty) and shaping the art to suit their needs as small-framed, lightweight individuals. This led to the development of techniques that allowed anyone, regardless of their size or their opponent’s size, to subdue an opponent.

In the late 1900s, these techniques and the BJJ art itself made their way out of Brazil. They garnered recognition and a rise to prominence through members of the Gracie family taking on opponents in MMA competitions and winning despite being among the smallest participants. Since this increased awareness, BJJ has become a popular martial art widely used by MMA competitors.

The Three Core Principles of Judo That Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Stemmed From

The techniques and skills of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are not just performed on the mat. As the art form evolved, so did its philosophy. The philosophy shaped the art form in many ways, but it also shaped the lives of BJJ practitioners on and off the mat.

The development of BJJ by Maeda and the Gracie family was formed based on three core principles from judo that practitioners needed to practice to excel in their craft.

1.  Ju-No-Ri or “Gentleness”

It may come as a surprise that a martial art form developed for defense and outperforming an opponent has gentleness at its foundation, but it’s an essential component. Judo is considered a gentle art form because of the absence of weapons and a focus on leveraging the power of the body and mind. The principle incorporates the idea of flexibility and adaptability to situations and opponents while working with a calm state of mind. This idea should also be carried into the triumphs and challenges of daily life.

2. Jita-Kyoei or “Mutual Prosperity or Welfare”

This quality comes into practice most dominantly while training, with the idea being that you’re training to help improve your training partner rather than yourself. This inevitably makes you a stronger practitioner but also allows you to support the growth of your fellows. Like the first concept, this is one to carry with you as you go through life. Instead of focusing on one’s wants and needs, practitioners will also consider those of the people and community around them.

3. Seiryoku-Zenyo or “Efficiency”

The third principle, efficiency, isn’t about completing a task or challenge as quickly as possible. Instead, it is about achieving maximum effect with minimal effort, a principle that takes time and skill to hone.

Complementary Principles Guiding Growth and Technical Proficiency

The philosophy of BJJ is guided by principles beyond the three mentioned above that help embody and uphold the values set out for BJJ. When a fighter implements these into their lives, it assists in their mastery of the martial art.

Mind-Body Connection

From the food that practitioners eat to the intentional focus on activities that benefit their overall wellness mentally and physically, balancing care for the mind and body allows a BJJ practitioner to excel at their craft.

Humility

With BJJ, setting aside one’s ego and pride before getting on the mat is essential for recognizing personal limitations, owning mistakes, and seizing opportunities to grow and learn. If someone practicing BJJ isn’t willing to tap out or acknowledge their mistakes, they have failed to understand and embody the principle of the art and master the technical skills.

Consistency

Showing up consistently and fully from warm-ups to matches is essential to becoming skilled in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is expected of all who take up the art. The progress from showing up consistently is gradual, but over time, it can profoundly affect an athlete’s technical proficiency on the mat and in life. 

Conclusion

The philosophy of BJJ emphasizes many interlinked principles and qualities. These lead to gradual progress when paired with consistent effort, allowing BJJ athletes’ skill set and mindset to be honed over time. It’s a similar concept in other areas of life. For instance, if you prefer casinos with a $10 deposit or less, you understand the value of starting small and building up, making it a lower-risk way to engage in gaming.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has been a staple martial art style in MMA competitions for several decades now. It borrows from the principles of other self-defense arts and comprises a philosophy and techniques that requires great discipline of the mind and body and allows its practitioners to take on opponents of all sizes and strengths.