Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a self defense martial art and combat sport based on grappling, ground fighting (ne-waza) and submission holds. BJJ focuses on the skill of taking an opponent to the ground, controlling one's opponent, gaining a dominant position, and using a number of techniques to force them into submission via joint locks or chokeholds.  Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is more than just a martial art. It's also a self-defense system, a sport, and an excellent way to create better fitness!

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BJJ is also one of our ways of promoting physical fitness, building character, and for our practitioners to adopt martial arts as a way of life.

 

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was initially developed in the 1920's by Brazilian brothers Carlos, Oswaldo, Gastão Jr., George, and Hélio Gracie, after Carlos was taught traditional Kodokan judo by a travelling Japanese judoka, Mitsuyo Maeda. Later on, the Gracie family developed their own self-defense system, and published Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

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BJJ eventually came to be its own defined combat sport through the innovations, practices, and adaptation of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and Judo, and became an essential martial art for modern MMA. 

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BJJ revolves around the the concept taken from traditional Japanese jūjutsu, that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend themselves against a bigger, stronger, heavier opponent by using leverage and weight distribution, taking the fight to the ground and using a number of holds and submissions to defeat them. BJJ training can be used for sport grappling and self-defense situations.

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At Mon Valley BJJ we keep our philosophy strong in our BJJ program and our goal is to provide the atmosphere and tools to enable you to not only obtain your fitness goals but make sure you are more confident in any self defense situation.