Thousands of years ago in India, ancient wrestling techniques were used to effectively 'redirect' an opponent's energy to actually use it against them. Adopted and called Jiu-Jitsu, Japanese for "gentle art," this discipline of unarmed combat became a powerful 'weapon' during the days of the Samuri. To this day Jiu-Jitsu is widely used by the military elite.

In 1914, Japanese Judo and Jiu-Jitsu master Mitsuo Maeda (known as Count Koma) traveled to Brazil. In exchange for assistance from Brazilian politician Gastao Gracie, Koma taught Jiu-Jitsu to Gracie's son Carlos. Carlos taught his brothers, who collectively practiced and refined the art for no-rules fighting, thus establishing the highly competitive style now known as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Jiu-Jitsu, the godfather of Judo (sometimes referred to as 'pre-judo)', is unlike any other fighting system in that it does not rely on brute strength. Training focus is primarily on grappling and ground fighting. Today's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is most closely associated with the earliest practices of this art in Japan. Part of its' appeal is that smaller individuals are able to defeat heavyweights, making the sport an effective tool for self defense training. Restraining tactics in Jiu-Jitsu are among the most effective known.

For self defense in situations where restraint, without harming the individual, is necessary (Police Officers, Body Guards, Bouncers, Security Teams…), Jui-Jitsu has earned its reputation as a program of choice.

There are 5 belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: White, Blue, Purple, Brown and Black. Achieving the first belt (Blue) in this style is equivalent to Black Belt level in most other martial arts. Purple belt is an advanced level of instruction and symbolizes a high degree of proficiency. It is at this level that a student can becomes an instructor. Brown Belt is like a Master's Degree -- Black Belt equates to a PHD of martial arts. For most Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners it will take an average of 6-15 years to 'earn' a Black Belt.