12 Ways Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Can Improve Your Life: 5. Provides a Sense of Belonging

If you join the right Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy it shouldn’t take long to get the feeling of belonging. The instructors, fellow training partners, and the vibe should all be in alignment with you, and what you’re looking for in an academy. For example, if you’re competitive, find a gym that has a competitive team that you can be a part of. If you’re seeking something more self-defense oriented, find an academy that has instructors that focus on self-defense techniques.

The head instructor plays a very important role in creating the right atmosphere. He or she must maintain a perfect balance between training hard and having fun. Too much of either can ruin the energy of the gym. When you find your match, it will be much easier to connect with your teammates and instructors. It is in human nature to want to belong to a community, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academies allow people to find the group that they feel they belong to. It shouldn’t be too soon after signing up that you feel like you joined a new family of friends. Whether the feeling is conjured up from getting paired up with your favorite training partner or getting to hang with your teammates on and off the training mats you should always feel like you’re part of something much bigger.