by Jason Maine
There’s no denying that Brazilian jiu-jitsu is one of the fastest growing fighting arts in the world. It has grown beyond a simple martial arts or sport. For many people, it’s a way of life. Much of its popularity stems from the fact that the benefits you can gain from BJJ are both physical and mental.
There are several reasons why BJJ is so prominent today. We’ve come up with the top five most well-known ones.
#5. Age Limit? What Age Limit?
It is true that there are many martial arts you can practice at various ages. BJJ is one of the most forgiving ones whether you’re starting at 4-years-old or 60-years-old.
Children are able to gain a better focus, becoming more aware of their own mind and body on a deeper level. They are also naturally inclined to have fun in whatever environment they’re put in, and when they have fun, they learn easier. With the right instructor, they can be simple to teach.
With adults, they come in distraction-free and ready to learn. The incredible physical benefits alone make BJJ attractive to many looking to get into better shape and stay healthy.
Don’t let anyone fool you; you can practice BJJ regardless of age.
#4. Excellent Self-Defense Tool
Ask anyone about the advantages of BJJ, and they’ll mention self-defense. It’s a reason why many want to learn the art in the first place. BJJ will teach you several techniques to defend against numerous attacks from a street robbery at gunpoint to a rape assault.
The art can be an especially useful tool for abuse victims. More importantly, since many individuals go into the art with the need to defend themselves, instructors are becoming more cautious and aware with how they handle these types of students in order to aid them better.
#3. Have Fun While Training
It’s not often that you can associate such a strenuous activity with fun. Instructors encourage their students (and not just the young ones!) in a rewarding environment. They want you to learn something new each day.
You will be pushed, of course, and you may very well fail, but good instructors will go out of their way to make sure you’re actually enjoying the process. Exercise should be fun, not a chore. With BJJ, you’ll want to keep returning to class.
#2. Self-Confidence Boost Like No Other
BJJ will allow you to achieve a confidence not only in your training, but in every avenue of your life. You’ll start to value your overall health, both in mind and in body.
The art will push your limitations, urging you to not give up when things get tough. It will show you how you can effectively stop an opponent that is physically larger and stronger than you are, teaching you to truly love and care for your body.
Feeling good about yourself is an excellent step to gaining self-respect and improving overall self-esteem. It’s what makes this art so compelling for anyone who may be in dire need of such a confidence boost, like children and teenagers.
#1. Strong Sense of Community
At face value, it may seem like competition is a given in BJJ. In reality, BJJ is an art that favors community. Step into any gym around the world and you can feel a sense of warmth. Those two people giving it their all trying to take the other out on the mat will be laughing with each other afterward.
BJJ is a tight-knit community that encourages individuals to support and help each other rather than go against each other. You celebrate your opponent’s technique on the mat, not degrade or insult them. This type of teamwork can translate outside of BJJ, turning into long-lasting friendships.
Jason Maine is the founder of FullContactWay, a blog dedicated to provide best martial arts advice and information. Jason helps his readers with martial arts training by sharing personal tips and thorough research. Check out fullcontactway.com to get more about Jason’s work. You can find him on Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter.
BJJ is fantastic martial art! Recommended to everyone!
Cheers
Jason