Brazilian Jiu Jitsu obviously isn't Gracie Jiu Jitsu - or is it... hold on I'm confused!
It seems a somewhat funny title considering my whole blog is about (well the majority) BJJ. But over the past few months I have seen (through introduction by our community) an ever growing trend of schools opening that for me threaten to dilute the sport that I and every participant have come to love while many have literally dedicated their lives to help grow and sustain its integrity and authenticity.
BJJ is a sport of physical fitness no matter what level you hold, character, determination and for me integrity. It is a hard sport that requires dedication with more than a few spots of sweat and blood along the way. Promotion is hard and success is limited.
One could ask why partake in such a sport - well it's simple. We (I believe) as humans are constantly looking to improve/test ourselves. At what level we do that varies greatly. Some will do this through the medium of fitness, running, cross fit. Some online playing computer games - and there are those who do it through physical combat i.e. BJJ, Grappling, Wrestling, Boxing, Muay Thai etc, etc
I accept that the variants within combat sports are great - with the risk of injury greater in some than others, but still - the risk of injury is present. Each one requires a mental toughness and physical commitment with a robustness to accept pain in one format or another.
Although I have 'waffled' somewhat I had to explain what BJJ is to me.
Now where did BJJ come from..... The history of BJJ is colorful with many characters but I believe it's fair to say the Gracie family were the pioneers in this great sport. For a more in depth explanation please see this link (BJJ History)
From what little information you have read so far, I would be confident in saying that many people would consider BJJ and GJJ to be one in the same, after all the same people pioneered it - didn't they?! Well let me tell you this - in the UK (as I can't speak for the US or any other country for that matter) it is NOT. Various schools have appeared in the UK that have 'certified blue belt instructors' teaching people the art of GJJ. These instructors may have vasts amount of experiences in other martial arts but I need to stress that they are not BJJ practitioners and in this arena have little knowledge gained through that good old road of sweat and blood i.e. rolling/sparring (from what I know). If you are thinking of doing BJJ then I urge you to stay away from these schools. If you train GJJ great - but please don't insult my art by saying you train BJJ!
This is a rant - but one I had to have out. If BJJ is to hard for you I can accept that. And if you feel by doing syllabus training in GJJ gives you some form of credibility - crack on but it's NOT BJJ. The BJJ community is small (but growing) but more importantly open. As an art we protect the integrity of what our peers have given us and will endeavor to ensure the difference between BJJ and GJJ is commonly known.
My main concern is not only the watering down of BJJ by way of GJJ but also the easy option many will take. Humans are not only in my opinion looking to test themselves they also at times look for the easy option. If you are that human then GJJ is for you. Many of these schools are within easy reach of genuine BJJ schools - try them both out if you wish, but remember BJJ isn't GJJ and GJJ isn't BJJ.
If anything I have written is wrong I will gladly amend - and if anyone is offended I apologise in advance.