Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: 10 Compelling Reasons Why It Reigns Supreme

Enter the dynamic realm of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), a martial art that transcends boundaries and captures the essence of self-defense, physical fitness, and mental fortitude. In this exploration, we distill the myriad reasons into 10 compelling factors that solidify BJJ’s status as the ultimate martial art. 1) Potent Real-Life Fighting System: BJJ’s focus on ground fighting […]

Getting ready for a BJJ Class – Gi

Getting Ready for Your BJJ Class at KNOTS: A Beginner’s Guide with Bonus Tutorial Embarking on your Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) journey at KNOTS is an exciting step towards self-discovery, fitness, and personal growth. Whether you’re a complete beginner or transitioning from another martial art, preparation is key to making the most out of your first […]

How to be a good Jiu-Jitsu Partner: 11 Principles

The Frustration of a Not-So-Helpful Partner Picture this: you’re on the mat, eager to improve your Jiu-Jitsu skills, but your training partner isn’t quite on the same page. They may be too aggressive, too passive, or simply not engaged in the learning process. It’s frustrating, isn’t it? In Jiu-Jitsu, the quality of your training partner […]

A Message to First Starters

Welcome to the world of Seriously Fun Jiu-Jitsu at Knots Jiu-Jitsu! Prepare yourself for an exhilarating journey filled with laughter, growth, and many knots (the good kind!). Here’s a guide to help you navigate your first experience at our unique and lively jiu-jitsu school: Embrace the Knots: Get ready to dive into the world of […]

Jiu-Jitsu Belt Rank and Stripes

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu employs a structured belt ranking system to recognize and celebrate students’ accomplishments. Progress in BJJ encompasses a spectrum of attributes, such as knowledge, skills, experience, and even behavior. These elements collectively contribute to a student’s growth in the discipline. While the customary practice is to don colored belts when wearing a BJJ gi, […]

At what age can my child start training in Jiu-Jitsu?

At our academy, we recognize that each child’s path in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is uniquely shaped. Some youngsters may meet the prerequisites as early as 2 years old, while others might find their readiness blossoming between the ages of 4 and 5. This readiness boils down to three pivotal factors: a child’s capacity to listen, their […]

Jiu Jitsu vs. PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event such as a natural disaster, a serious accident, a terrorist act, war/combat, or rape or who have been threatened with death, sexual violence or serious injury. (1) It affects multiple biological systems, such as […]

Wrist Lock

“Mão de vaca” means “cow paw” or “cow hand” (with “cow paw” being the preferred translation), and it’s a Portuguese term used to refer to a wrist lock. It’s typically executed by grabbing the opponent’s hand—whether it’s the palm, back of the hand, or even the fingers—and then bending and/or twisting it. One rule that […]

Understanding a fight through the Jiu-jitsu lens

In a typical altercation, the image that comes to mind involves two individuals engaged in a chaotic, instinctive brawl – punching, grappling, hair-pulling, grabbing clothing, and often stumbling or falling to the ground. This scenario is characterized by a lack of distance control and is driven by pure instinct. However, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) differs from […]

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu / BJJ

Did you know that Jiu-Jitsu, often compared to a game of human chess, has a fascinating historical lineage that enriches its intricate techniques and philosophy? With roots dating back to ancient Japan, Jiu-Jitsu initially emerged as a combat art developed by samurai warriors. These skilled samurai sought to develop a system of combat that transcended […]