An interesting thing happens when people start training Jiu-Jitsu and when the practice of going to the GB school several times a week becomes a more important part of their weekly routine. In addition to attending the classes at the school, Jiu-Jitsu students start to look for ways outside of class to support their Jiu-Jitsu learning efforts.

One way to look at this is to call it embracing the Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle. We’ve heard the term before, but what does it mean? Put simply, the Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle is about adopting habits and attitudes that support not only specifically Jiu-Jitsu training but in a larger sense a healthy, positive way of living.

Let’s take a look at some examples and tips on how Jiu-Jitsu students can support their training beyond the GB school and the techniques that we learn on the mats.

Cross training

The majority of students that we meet in the GB school tend to be high energy, goal oriented people that love all sorts of physical activity. As improving ones Jiu-Jitsu skills becomes more important, students will supplement their attendance at classes with extra physical training.

What types of extra physical activities are best if your goal is to get better at your primary sport of Jiu-Jitsu?

Bjj students who also do some yoga practice rave about the increased range of motion in their joints, the therapeutic effect on their recovery and better breathing which affects their endurance and ability to relax while rolling. Serious martial artists often round out their training with some boxing or muay thai classes every week. Weight training not only builds strength, but provides an insurance policy against injury by protecting our joints.

Swimming, cycling, running all have their place in your overall fitness routine. Pick something that you enjoy and get going!

Healthy Eating

Historians of Jiu-Jitsu will know that Gracie family patriarch Master Carlos Gracie Sr. was a firm believer in the value of a healthy nutritional diet to avoid illness and promote vitality throughout a long life. Of course Jiu-Jitsu students are most interested in improving performance on the mats and naturally start to adopt healthier eating habits.

If you know that you need to be ready to roll with your favorite training partners at bjj class tonight, you are far less likely to overindulge or eat processed junk food. A regular diet of healthy, natural foods is going to not only going to make you feel better, but provide the energy and recovery we need to give our best in Jiu-Jitsu class.

GB Online features several articles on the subject of eating well so search the website if you want to learn more about how to eat better for Jiu-Jitsu.

Online Learning and Community

Once you get a taste of the enormous complexity of the positions of bjj, you will quickly have a appetite for more and more technical knowledge. While it is possible for beginners to get distracted by too advanced moves on YouTube, online instruction is a great way to learn concepts and variations on the multitude of bjj techniques.

GB Online is a great place to go for regular updates on technique in weekly tutorials and with courses you can learn from in a systematic way (as opposed to a mish mash of assorted moves).

A solid tip on how to use online video resources is to take what position you are learning in class and do some extra “homework” and study that same position’s variations looking for common principles and maybe even an extra tip on how to best perform the move.

The community aspect is a great way to fuel your motivation for Jiu-Jitsu by connecting with other GB students and instructors throughout the world wide Gracie Barra network.

Get started https://online.graciebarra.com/

Attitude and Philosophy

Grandmaster Carlos Gracie had a list of his principles and philosophy that conveys the importance of a positive attitude and character development through the practice of Jiu-Jitsu.

“1. Be so strong that nothing can disturb the peace of your mind.

2. Talk to all people about happiness, health, and prosperity.

3. Give to all your friends the feeling of being valued.

4. Look at things by the enlightened point of view and update your optimism on reality.

5. Think only about the best, work only for the best, and always expect the best.

6. Be as just and enthusiastic about others victories as you are with yours.

7. Forget about past mistakes and focus your energy on the victories of tomorrow.

8. Always make those around you happy and keep a smile to all people who talk to you.

9. Apply the largest amount of your time on self-improvement and no time in criticizing others.

10. Be big enough so you can feel unsatisfied, be noble enough so you can feel anger, be strong enough so you can feel fear, and be happy enough so you can feel frustrations.

11. Hold a good opinion about your self and communicate that to the world, but not through dissonant words but through good works.

12. Believe strongly that the world is in your side, as long as you stay loyal to the best of yourself.”

Carlos Gracie Sr.

What is the most significant way that you live the Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle beyond the mats?

See also on Gracie Barra : 5 Ways to Eat Better

5 Ways to Eat Better