BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU is not easy, which is why it is so rewarding to learn. And because our bodies and perceptions are so deeply personal and complex, we have to respect the subtleties and precision of each movement. Do it slow and correct rather than fast and incorrect. You can make it faster once it’s done correctly. BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU is about timing and inches. Smooth is fast.

This is an arguable point but a common scenario: A beginner does a new movement from both sides on their opponent. I understand and get the importance of being ambidextrous. The thing about this is that it is not always realistic that you will learn the move well enough within a ten to fifteen minute time span to seriously understand the move enough on one side to be able to do it correctly on both sides right away. Now of course, if you have extra time after class, go ahead and do as you choose.

Let’s take a look at another topic to consider for the few BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU nerds (hopefully you) regarding learning: note-taking. I suggest taking notes after each class. If you can stay after on a bench and write, or if you can write them while in your car, do it. Even type it in on your phone’s notepad. Any method you use to internalize information is useful. If you take notes then try and write specific details of the techniques you learned. Write about what you liked or did not like; write about what you feel you need to focus on more. Study BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU like you study anything in life you that want to get better at, and be consistent and committed to the task. It’s a lifestyle you are partaking in, not just a hobby, so live richly, live deeply.

Beyond your academy, there are many other tools that can help supplement your learning process. Some people look at YouTube, some learn from DVDs, phone applications, or even look at both pictures and video at blogs. There are plenty of great teachers out there online teaching BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU. But there is no replacement for live instruction. Why? Because when you physically train with another human being, you can ask for help in real time, feel the positions out, and have someone help you adjust your body position when needed.

Private lessons are a great way to get ahead in the art of BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU. Private lessons typically range from approximately $50 to $200 an hour. The price range will usually depend on who the instructor is or what the going rate is within the area at his or her belt level. In some cases it may be random. You have to understand that BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU teachers usually spend a lot of time and money to become what they are, so you are paying for their skills and their strategies.

Make sure you ask your instructor if it is okay. It should not be a problem, but some are picky and take it personally, so it is always a nice gesture to communicate your intentions.

BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU is like anything else in life. Getting better at BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU happens as a result of the quality and quantity of time spent learning—thinking about it while you are doing it, not just going through the motions and hoping it will click.

Come down to Arashi Do and try out one of our great Brazilian programs like Fundamental BJJ, Women’s Only BJJ or Children’s BJJ for ages 4-7 and 8-14.  All those and you get a 30 DAY FREE TRIAL!  What are you waiting for?  Call or text us at 780-220-5425 or email us at myackulic@ArashiDo.com

The likely scenario of a lesson or class will be this: you may have a ten to fifteen minute warm up, then your teacher will likely show a move on a student about three to five times and then set you up with a partner to practice the movement for five to fifteen minutes. Your partner is not supposed to be resistant, nor are you when learning a move, especially a new move. An instructor wrote on a forum: “My most frequent criticism of students goes to those who do the movements too quickly or with too much strength. Another pet peeve I have is when a beginner student starts to do other moves ahead of what I am teaching. If I am showing an armlock, my student should be trying to perfect the armlock, not learning a leglock that is wholly separate. I am not suggesting not expanding your transitions or options, but you need to know the particular move I am showing well before you transition to the next move. How can you perfect a technique if you have moved on from it in under a minute?”

Anyone can learn BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU at any level and with any body type. You should also believe in this. Sometimes angles need to be shifted to get the movements correct, sometimes your partner or instructor needs to actually place your body in the position where it should be. Take the time necessary and don’t get ahead of yourself.

Having said this, make sure again to focus on going rather slow. Make sure you perfect each and every detail of every movement. I am not saying you go so slow that you never finish the move, but make sure you do each movement at least a dozen times as slowly and as correctly as possible. If you are fast and correct, that is also fine, but BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU is very technical, usually more than meets the eye and immediate senses, so I highly recommend learning each movement slowly and asking questions of your partner and your teacher. I would ask the partner if the move feels right. Where do they feel the movement? For example, if you do a choke, it should usually affect a certain area of the neck and not simply just hurt your opponent or crank on their neck. I would also ask your professor if the move looks right or even try it on them. Ask if there is anything that can be done to make it better. Why not? You are there to get better and pay your hard-earned money to learn, so take full advantage of every opportunity to put your best foot forward.

You can do twice the work tomorrow if you don’t do it today, but you will never get today back.

Again, make sure to spend at least ten to fifteen minutes per movement. In fact, I would ask the professor about their teaching style before you sign up so you are aware of what is in store. Obviously spending more time doing it will make you better, as long as it is correct. Again (I continue to emphasize this for a reason), make sure you ask questions of your professor or training partner, or ask if they see or feel any flaws with your technique or the mechanics of the movement.

Come down to Arashi Do and try out one of our great Brazilian programs like Fundamental BJJ, Women’s Only BJJ or Children’s BJJ for ages 4-7 and 8-14.  All those and you get a 30 DAY FREE TRIAL!  What are you waiting for?  Call or text us at 780-220-5425 or email us at myackulic@ArashiDo.com

I find striking similarities between BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU and learning a language. In learning a language I would suggest starting off with the alphabet, and then vocabulary words, grammar, et cetera. Eventually after much time you should be strong at the language you study if you are taught correctly. It also helps if you have a native qualified teacher around you to help with the more intricate and deeper parts of the language. And when you become immersed or go to that country where the language is spoken, you will be more adept at speaking, one would naturally assume.

The same goes for BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU, learning the basics (the ABCs), learning the simple movements, and then learning the transitions and deeper complexities. What are worthwhile results? Whatever you believe them to be. I believe results mean daily forward progress, and not falling into the same traps as yesterday. A simple and short sentence speaks volumes within a certain context, as does a well performed, simple, efficient movement done at the right time during a BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU match or spar session. Eventually, those ABCs will become ‘poetry’ in motion.

Additionally, how you learn is equally as important as what you learn. If you go into your first lesson not knowing much of anything, then do yourself a favor and try and find a partner who has greater experience than you, someone who can guide you through the motions and movements. Your instructor should help you with this. Ask questions if you need to, as the old saying goes: “no question is a stupid question,” so do not be shy.

On the other hand, if it is a beginners-only program try and set yourself up with someone about your size or smaller and preferably with someone who seems to be calm and patient. BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU may at times be dangerous if you do not understand your body. Having a patient and egoless partner who is concerned with safety is an important part of your settling in and learning process.

Come down to Arashi Do and try out one of our great Brazilian programs like Fundamental BJJ, Women’s Only BJJ or Children’s BJJ for ages 4-7 and 8-14.  All those and you get a 30 DAY FREE TRIAL!  What are you waiting for?  Call or text us at 780-220-5425 or email us at myackulic@ArashiDo.com

BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU should obviously be viewed as new to you when you begin, so respect the fact that there is a lot to it, otherwise everyone would be at the top instead of a few that are separated from the pack. Most top-notch BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU champions have a certain technical skillset that allows them to achieve their greatness on the mat. They just did not wake up one day and become black belts. A new white belt does not just start tapping or dominating a legitimate black belt the first day of class. Jiu-jitsu is one of the hardest martial arts to become a black belt in. In BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU you have to demonstrate your skill while sparring on a daily basis. A lot of people make the mistake of going through the motions when they are learning techniques, just thinking, “When can we spar?” Well, learning the techniques properly will allow you to spar more efficiently.

Having another martial arts background similar to BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU such as wrestling or judo may also help. Any discipline learned that has any physically coordinated type of learning should help you become more at ease when it comes to learning BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU techniques.

On the other end of the spectrum, some of you may not be strong, athletic, or have had any prior martial arts experience. You may be frail, you may be fragile, you may even be disabled. Have no fear. The one thing that is so great about BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU is that it is for everybody and anyone can learn it.

Similarly, if you are heavy and out of shape, you are still in the right sport. If done safely and correctly, BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU will whip you into shape. You will likely start living a healthier life for the rest of your life. Remember, Helio Gracie lived to the age of ninety-five and trained the same week he passed away.

Come down to Arashi Do and try out one of our great Brazilian programs like Fundamental BJJ, Women’s Only BJJ or Children’s BJJ for ages 4-7 and 8-14.  All those and you get a 30 DAY FREE TRIAL!  What are you waiting for?  Call or text us at 780-220-5425 or email us at myackulic@ArashiDo.com

I will start off with a story regarding Tiger Woods: It was said at one point in his golf career, he decided to make a change in his style of swing. He knew the new swing would make him better, but to learn this particular swing he knew he may have to lose a bit in the process. When he grasped the new swing fully he believed it would ultimately make him a better golfer for the long-term. For someone to take that risk at such a high level tells me he is a perfectionist regarding golf technique, and he sees technique as an integral part of his golf game.

Learning Jiu-Jitsu is like anything else in life: if you work hard and smart at it, then you will get good at it.

First and foremost, if you have an injury or medical condition I suggest you consult your doctor. Jiu-Jitsu is termed the gentle art, but it can be very brutal on your body. Most—if not all—of your body parts are engaged during many instances of BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU drilling and sparring. It is very naive to believe you can start something new such as BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU and expect to partake in sparring or even drilling with any type of serious injury. I am not saying an injury will completely stop you, but just take the necessary precautionary measures that your doctor advises you to take.

If you are injured but still want to learn BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU, you can certainly go to class and take notes. The only problem with this is that many want to train and do, and when they do they often aggravate their injury. Know your limits. Be smart. It is better to be safe and train for the long haul by holding off until your injury has fully healed.

Some of you may come in with certain advantageous attributes. Being a good athlete may help you have an edge on the rest of the beginners and often even some of the experienced people in your class. Obviously, athletic ability and functional strength will help you in many areas when it comes to sports. Being athletic and in shape can make you less injury prone and potentially give you more “wind.” Many also believe that having a strong grip can help you.

Don’t always choose to rely on your incoming strengths as your staple; if you do it can impede the process of learning BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU. Include what you have to start with, but let your mind and technical prowess lead the way.

Come down to Arashi Do and try out one of our great Brazilian programs like Fundamental BJJ, Women’s Only BJJ or Children’s BJJ for ages 4-7 and 8-14.  All those and you get a 30 DAY FREE TRIAL!  What are you waiting for?  Call or text us at 780-220-5425 or email us at myackulic@ArashiDo.com

As a black belt in BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU, you can understand the finer principles of the sport; you should be able to spar with anyone using technique as the focal point, and you are able to understand or at least adapt to any style before you. Black belt is a goal for many, but when reached it is just the beginning of understanding the deeper aspects of BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU. A black belt typically will not change their whole style—they will likely become more efficient at their style and should be able to adapt and change when necessary. A black belt should be able to independently examine their game and the game of another with a higher level of understanding. A white belt may look at two black belts sparring and see two whole bodies moving, while a black belt may see the details of individual hand or a foot placement or look deeper into the strategy at hand. 

Each school or affiliation’s belt ranking test will vary to some degree. Some schools may also want you to know street self-defense principles. Belts don’t matter to some people but to many others they do. Belts can be a form of currency for instructors and their programs. What I mean by this is that, generally speaking, most want to learn any type of martial art from a black belt and ultimately would like to become a black belt himself or herself. Having a higher belt will typically earn you more students. Yet, it does not necessarily matter what belt you are when you are on the mat—everyone is measured by skill. So, to finally answer this age old question regarding how long it takes to get a black belt: it will take you likely between six and twelve years depending on your dedication level.

One more consideration that should be highlighted is competition. Some affiliations want their students to compete and may rank students according to how well they do at certain competitions. I do not believe this is essential, but it certainly can be a factor depending on your program’s criteria.

There may be rituals or ceremonies at your BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU program upon receiving your belt and moving up in rank. Some affiliations may conduct a positive speech about the student and talk about why they deserve to be at the rank they have been awarded. As crazy as this may sound, some schools have a procedure where they will whip you with a belt as you go down a line of people in a group. This resembles something known as a ‘Gauntlet.’ More and more academies are making curriculums rather than relying on an instructor’s discretion and will have you perform a set of movements to test your efficiency and knowledge and thereafter you may receive your belt in ceremonial fashion. I would not spend too much time concerning yourself on what belt rank you are, just worry about learning and getting better at BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU. But again, do as you choose—sometimes motivation such as a belt may give you incentive to become better.

In No Gi, belts may not be awarded. Some No Gi programs may also offer a rash guard according to the BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU belt system. In terms of attire for No Gi, tight fitting shorts and short or long sleeve shirts can be worn. More typically, a long or short sleeve rash guard will be worn on top, similar to a surfing rash guard. For your bottom, you will likely wear grappling shorts, which are similar to beach board shorts. Specific grappling shorts often allow for crotch room or elasticity to move around and not rip your shorts. You cannot grab clothing in No Gi grappling, so sleek fitting clothes work well. Some will also wear sweat pants or Gi pants while grapping in No Gi. It seems some schools are trending to make you wear their own attire for uniformity.

Never ask for a belt from your instructor. This is often seen as begging and can get more time tacked on depending on who you ask. If you want to talk about rank with your instructor, it is okay to ask them what they look for in a particular belt so you can understand their criteria or what you should be seeking in terms of your development. Trust that you chose an instructor who is there to help you advance. Trust if you are not getting your belts right away that your instructor understands what it takes and see areas where you need progress. There is usually a lot more that goes into getting a rank/belt than just knowing techniques and “beating” your sparring partners. You have to use the techniques correctly and transition with fluidity. Earning your belt is good, but caring about learning and progressing while earning your belt is even better.

Come down to Arashi Do and try out one of our great Brazilian programs like Fundamental BJJ, Women’s Only BJJ or Children’s BJJ for ages 4-7 and 8-14.  All those and you get a 30 DAY FREE TRIAL!  What are you waiting for?  Call or text us at 780-220-5425 or email us at myackulic@ArashiDo.com

Belt rank and/or belt grading in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu may differ along some lines. Commonly the belt color and rank scheme goes as follows: white, blue, purple, brown, and black. Black/Red (coral) and Red Belts are nothing you have to be immediately concerned about; they are handed out many years after you receive your black belt. Some schools offer other belts in between white and blue, depending on their particular program’s criteria or at the instructor’s discretion. Kids’ belt colors differ and you will have to see exactly what our school’s kids’ curriculum offers.

According to the governing body recommendation of the IBJJF, a blue belt cannot be given unless you are sixteen years of age, you cannot receive a purple belt until you reach seventeen, a brown belt until eighteen, and a black belt cannot be given until you reach the age of nineteen.

In between each color of belt levels are what are commonly called “stripes.” Stripes are usually a piece of tape your instructor will give out from time to time by wrapping it around the width of your belt. You can get one or a few at a time depending on your skill level and your instructor’s discretion, or the criteria of your specific program. Four stripes are typically needed before you can advance to the next level belt level.

A common question is “How many years does it take to get a black belt?” First, there are different ways to test for each belt depending on your program; formal testing is becoming more commonplace as the sport continues to grow. A formal test will consist of a set of movements or drills that you may need to perform to near perfection. A test may consist of sparring with your fellow classmates or both sparring and demonstrating techniques. As you move through the ranks, standards often rise.

Many say a white belt is a like a newborn to the sport. A white belt may be developing body awareness, remembering names of positions, recognizing positions, finding balance within positions, and developing survival skills.

A blue belt starts to get a more comfortable handle on the positions and should be able to do better than the majority of white belts while sparring, provided they are of a similar weight range. Technical ability should increase and overtake natural instincts. A well-seasoned blue belt should be able to handle a brand new beginner quite easily.

When you reach the purple belt stage, you should be at a point where you know and understand the positions and techniques and have come to your own understandings to develop your own “game.” You should be able to teach basic techniques efficiently to other students. A purple belt will typically demonstrate a recognizable superiority to white belts and most newer blue belts.

A brown belt is the stage where you have developed your style to the point where you can enforce it upon another of lower rank and effectively test a black belt’s level while sparring. Many will not be able to differentiate between a brown belt and a black belt; their differences are usually more mental than physical. A black belt will usually have more time and study in the sport than a brown belt. Typically a black belt will spar more smoothly than a brown belt.

Come down to Arashi Do and try out one of our great Brazilian programs like Fundamental BJJ, Women’s Only BJJ or Children’s BJJ for ages 4-7 and 8-14.  All those and you get a 30 DAY FREE TRIAL!  What are you waiting for?  Call or text us at 780-220-5425 or email us at myackulic@ArashiDo.com

While a lot of combative sports are indeed referred to as sports, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) is probably best described as being a combative art, which makes learning the art of BJJ all that much more interesting since there are a number of other elements added into the mix and it isn’t quite as straight forward as say learning something like the martial arts.

The Brazilian element to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is very much a part of the whole experience of BJJ, so learning the art of BJJ ensures you get your little piece of Brazilian combative arts culture and tradition, to go with your newly acquired fighting skill, making the journey all the more emotional and that much more powerful.

If you are indeed interested in getting into the fighting arts and you are at a  beginner level, or you’re looking to get started as a complete novice who has never thrown a punch or a kick in anger, you might have a fair idea of the different fighting styles available to you, with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu one of your leading considerations because of how popular and effective it is amongst MMA Athletes.

Jiu Jitsu on its own is challenging enough to develop the body, with a number of benefits to come out of it as a combative art.  Your research of the fighting arts will definitely have you know of the major advantage offered by Jiu Jitsu, that being a more levelled out playing field where size and strength don’t really matter as advantages.

This is mainly because jiu jitsu’s uniqueness lies in the fact that ground fighting and grappling is more the main focus of Jiu Jitsu, so that the majority of advantages which come with pure striking combative arts are eliminated in this way and it becomes more about how smart you are as a fighter than how much brute force you can make use of.

The Brazilian element to the whole setup comes in the form of that unmistakable Brazilian rhythm — the spirit of the Samba makes its way all the way to the combative arts, beyond the realm of football and that is what makes Brazilian Jiu Jitsu a little bit different to regular Jiu Jitsu.

The immediate effects of adding a fair bit of rhythm to a combative art form which is already effective can probably be seen already, taking the form of ensuring practitioners get a greater challenge when participating in BJJ, adding so much more value to the overall experience.

Rhythm adds that element of fitness which would otherwise be lost to Jiu Jitsu as a fighting art, making it a whole lot more fun than it otherwise would be and therefore attracting a whole lot more practitioners, which in turn makes the competition that much more conducive to real advancement of the craft.

Because of the increasing popularity of BJJ, learning the art of BJJ is now very possible beyond the borders of its native land of Brazil, from where it evolved from the combative art of Judo.

Come down to Arashi Do and try out one of our great Brazilian programs like Fundamental BJJ, Women’s Only BJJ or Children’s BJJ for ages 4-7 and 8-14.  All those and you get a 30 DAY FREE TRIAL!  What are you waiting for?  Call or text us at 780-220-5425 or email us at myackulic@ArashiDo.com

Arashi Do Behring BJJ is a school that is very committed not only in training students on fighting skills but also on social values as well. It is for this reason that you will be amazed by the outstanding personalities of those students who have been lucky enough to go through our magic hands. The best moment to get to identify a student from our school is when he happens to come across some form of confrontation. It is at this point in time that you will be shocked at the way he will demonstrate a great tactic of judgment. He/she is a very productive citizen and participates fully in all the activities to steer his/her nation ahead.

Loyalty is a value that we feel is very important to teach our students. We believe in a society that upholds loyalty in a great way. When the citizens of any country are loyal their country it then goes without saying that the country is very safe. Loyal people are people who can actually confide in each other and they actually form a great team together. This is not news but something you have experienced personally.

Honor is some admirable virtue that we also inculcate in our students. In the first place what do I mean when I talk about honor? Honor is an inner drive in a person to seek respect from others as well as make decisions that will make others judge him as a person who has integrity. Let me also add that in all the corridors of justice an honorable person will always emerge with an image that is not tainted at all. He or she will never be put to shame because he/she acts in a desirable way. We teach this value because we would not by any chance wish that any one who goes through our training to taint our image in any way.

A great sense of maturity in dealing with people of all levels is also a desirable trait. Showcasing a form of behavior that portrays you as someone who is mentally retarded is actually very shameful. It makes others lose respect for you and I guess you understand how difficult it is to deal with a person or persons that underestimate you.

You can easily identify students from our schools with a number of positive attributes. They first and foremost exhibit increased levels of confidence. Confidence is an attribute that is necessary in interpersonal relations as well as in the trading activities. From that I believe that you can now be able to tell about the true essence of confidence in any given person.

The other thing that makes trainees from our schools distinguishable is their great sense of organization. They are normally very organized even in the most complex times in their lives. By this point in time you should have realized that we actually offer the real value for the charges that we actually receive from you. There is nothing that is half as good as being able to co-exist with others as well as share happy moments with them.

Come down to Arashi Do and try out one of our great Brazilian programs like Fundamental BJJ, Women’s Only BJJ or Children’s BJJ for ages 4-7 and 8-14.  All those and you get a 30 DAY FREE TRIAL!  What are you waiting for?  Call or text us at 780-220-5425 or email us at myackulic@ArashiDo.com