Training Jiu-Jitsu is something totally different from any other practice. It is not only about a fight that will help you to lose weight or recover your health. This is a gentle art, in which the strongest man will learn that not always the smallest is the weakest one.

On the mats, the equality between two physically different people is set by the use of the technique. That technique which evolves and brings a new belt. Some will say that the belt only helps you to tie your pants. That’s wrong. The belt says what and who you are. It goes beyond the technique and about how many trainings you can perform. It does represent what you learned, but also means far more than that.

Someone who really practices Jiu-Jitsu knows that within this sport there is a philosophy. Each generation – which renews the legacy left by Carlos Gracie, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s father – knows that with a black belt student formation, there is also his/her character formation. This is something not that easy to be learned by some people. But eventually, they will get that. The base of all that is the respect, not only dictated by words, but through the actions that all of us are subjects in our dojo day-by-day routine. There is not distinction between a white belt and a black belt’s respect.

When we wear our kimono and tie our belt, we know that, from that moment on, there is not such a world where the phrase “Do you know who you are talking to?” exists. The belt meaning is built when the student gets this idea. He or she will notice that, besides the technique, the belt color from those more graduated colleagues represents that they are learning from the gentle art since more time ago something almost extinct in the society: the respect.

There is a huge difference between instilling fear and being respected. Some people mistake those concepts. After all, hurt ears do not show how tough you are. Do not be feared by your pairs. Be an example to those who think that your hurt ears mean toughness. Sometimes, your attitudes are worth more than a thousand words. No belt colors will be able to do that. Some people are respected for having and following some conducts.

Be yourself an example for a new training partner.

Make the difference!