Bloominton Normal Brazilain Jiu Jitsu (BJJ)
Twin City Gracie Barra Bloomington
www.tcbjj.com

Visit the above link to discover Bloomington Normal's only BJJ school. That is right there is only ONE school that has a certified Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt-and Certifed Instructors-That is Twin City Normal Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. This is very important to understand as a potential student. BJJ is a very small and relative new martial art that holds its linage very close and dear. All schools will be very quick to publicize this linage of instructor’s right back to the founders The Gracie Family of Brazil. This page will list legitimate BJJ Black Belts

What makes Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Superior in a One on One Unarmed Combat?

The state of Martial Arts in the U.S. was reaching an all-time low when Rorion Gracie's clan hit the big scene with their brutal Gracies in Action tapes and subsequently, the Ultimate Fighting Championships, the 1st of which aired on Pay Per View in the latter part of 1993. The importance of ground fighting was then showcased to millions of people all around the world. Royce Gracie, despite his low weight of 180 lb. by UFC standards consistently beat opponents much heavier and stronger than himself.

And so what is it that makes BJJ so different and more effective than the other styles of fighting? The answer is blatantly simple: BJJ was the first to effectively utilizes the mount and the guard position and make it public. The theory is, it is a lot easier to clinch than knock someone out. Once an inevitable clinch occurs, it's only a matter of time before the fight goes to the ground should one of the participants choose to do so. Because of this, most BJJ classes are over 80% groundwork. I recently asked a one of our students, who is also a prison guard, how many fights had he seen ended up on the ground? He told me that every fight he had ever seen had ended up on the ground. I asked several police officers the same questions. He gave me the same answer. Every fight ended up on the ground. A standard scenario is push - push, punch - punch, tackle. In a sexually assault situation it is sure to end up on the ground or prone.

I started martial arts training in 1981 and throughout that time we occasionally practiced ground defense. And quite frankly I felt rather conformable (or what I thought was conformable on the ground). During women's self defense seminars and lectures we did discuss what to do if you end up on the ground. However, the majority was spent in standing situations. I saw the first UFC and realized immediately I needed to find out more about Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. That next year while on business I stopped in at the Gracie Academy in Torrance California. As I further researched the principles of this completely devastating art of ground fighting I was amazed how simple wet effective it was. One against one regardless of size and strength a practicing ground grappler had the upper hand.

BJJ is easily used to both control and injury an opponent. My goal in self defense it never to injury an opponent, and BJJ gives students that ability. My definition of real is to go home and ask a friend to grab you or sit on you or what ever you like. Then, without him knowing what you are about to do, and without your friend having any prior martial arts knowledge perform what ever technique you like. BJJ techniques allow you to prove to yourself and you friends just how easily you can control an opponent without injury. If it works then it is realistic if it doesn't find out why. I am not suggesting you break you friends arm or injury him in any way but a few simple escapes will prove the effectiveness of this style.

The state of martial arts now is rising to new levels primarly by the success of Spike TV The Ultimate Fighter. How do these guys train? They ALL do a combination of martial arts, BUT they all do Muay Thai and BJJ. Where can you get this kind of training? Follow the links on the web site and find the best teachers and coaches around! 

We are often asked the question what is the difference between Ju Jitsu, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Well, a lot.
Here are the current generally accepted differences
Ju Jitsu=Traditional Japanese foundation for Judo and all the martial arts from Japan. Ground, Standing, and throwing techniques.
Jiu Jitsu=This refers to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. There are many places on the web to find out more about this art. Today when spelled this way it is mostly meant to refer to the style the Gracie's developed in Brazil.
However, BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) has been shortened by some like Eddie Bravo to Jiu Jitsu. He uses this to mean BJJ without a gi. Or you could call it submission wrestling. Eddie Bravo's style is all his own and very unique. Combat Ju Jitsu as founded by Walt Bayless and continued by Justin Ellison is a completely ground based grappling art without a gi. Very different then Eddie Bravo style but still a no gi grappling art.