A Journey In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

I just finished reading an article that someone from the Philippines wrote about his training in BJJ. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu just keeps growing and growing worldwide.

It is nice to see how fast this sport is growing. To my surprise, I read that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was not all that well known until the mid-nineties. Even in Brazil the sport was not all that popular.

This past Saturday I competed at the Oregon Open in Hillsboro, OR. I won my first match by submission and then lost my second match by submission, a reverse triangle.

Their are currently 54 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belts that are contributing to the forums on the Grapplers Guide.

How long does it take to go from a blue belt to a purple belt in BJJ? It really depends on a lot of things. How often and long someone trains makes all the difference. I was once told the blue belt is the thickest belt, meaning you spend more time as a blue belt than any other belt, 2-5 years. Obviously, black belt being the goal.

This old man will have no idea how many people he will inspire and the many people who will change their beliefs about what is possible with age.

Now I’m back and ready to get put some time on the mat. The academy that I train at has recently moved to a new location. Last weekend we spent time painting the place and setting the mats down. The new academy looks nice and has some nice mat space. I am not sure on the exact size, but it is big enough for 6-7 pair of groups sparring.

Here is a video that my Instructor Roy Dean created recently.

I just returned from vacation in Mexico, and last night I went to class for the first time in a week. I really don’t like being away from training for any amount of time, but I had a great time in Mexico.

Training in BJJ can be weird sometimes. I have been training for well over a year now, and there are times I feel like I just got on the mat for the very first time. I guess this happens to a lot of people, even the ones I train with.

It’s unfortunate that even Brazilian jiu Jitsu has its politics to deal with. I have read that there are some BJJ instructors don’t like it when their students go to other academies to visit and train at.

Conditioning is very important in any sport, and Brazilian Jiu jitsu is one martial art that will test your conditioning.