“Lifestyle Sports”
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a Martial Art formed from Kokodan Judo a grappling combat style created by the Gracie family in the 1920’s. Its concept aims to prove that a smaller opponent can successfully defend themselves against a much larger opponent through a variety of techniques such as joint submissions and chokes.
Carlos and Helio Gracie are heralded as the founders of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu having developed their own take on styles and techniques learned from traditional Judo and Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, which have been around since the late 1800’s. The ranking system for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is as follows.
White is for beginners, next up is blue, then purple, brown and finally Black, there can also be yellow, green or orange belts in children’s classes. From white belt to brown belt progression, by applying correct techniques and completing assignments by the grading Professor can range anywhere from 6 months to 2 years depending, firstly on the coach and secondly how extensive the grading process is. To achieve a Black belt which is the most prestigious honour can take up to 5 years or more, there are different degrees of Black belt the highest being a 9th degree, which can take up to 20 years to achieve, so for the majority who take part in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu it becomes an absolutely huge part of their life and an obsession.
I spoke to Shane Walsh (26) from Rathfarnham in Ireland who is a two stripe white belt in Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu in Dundrum, Dublin 14. Shane very kindly met me for a pint and a quick chat this is what he had to say about his experiences with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
So Shane I suppose the first question is how did you get into BJJ?
“I got into BJJ because I have wanted to do it since I was about 18 or 19 years old. I had taken Tae Kwon-do classes, for a year in secondary school, and I wanted to grapple ever since I saw UFC 1 on YouTube, so I was always looking for a good school to join. When I wanted to join it there were no established BJJ schools so I just sort of forgot about it. I started watching UFC around UFC100 and I have been a fan of MMA since then. Then about a year ago I decided to look into BJJ schools again as it had been about 8/10 years since I had and I wanted to see if there were any new schools. That’s when I came across GB Dublin in Dundrum being run by Professor Chris Bowe, he seemed to be a high level having a black belt under Braulio Estima so I knew I’d be in good hands.
And what sort of impact has it had on your overall fitness and lifestyle in general?
“I think the most positive benefit has been on my fitness and lifestyle. I have found myself far more disciplined and focused because of BJJ. When I started I was playing football with friends once a week and that was my sports and exercise for the week, aside from running for the bus. I am going to the club anywhere from 2 to 4 times a week and I’m doing yoga also with Magda Bowe.
The hard work of training is also a great encouragement to eat better and improve my diet. Now that I’ve started competing it means I have to keep an eye on my weight and keep around the 76kg mark. I have just been doing simple things like less junk food and white carbs and trying to get more protein in my diet. I feel a lot better for eating well, it gives me a lot more energy and focus in work and my personal life”.
And one thing I’ve noticed about BJJ is a very level playing field in terms of Men and Women?
“There are fewer women in the club compared to men. But the ones that are in the club are just like anyone else the environment is one of acceptance and learning so it’s very relaxed and friendly everyone rolls with everyone and it’s always good.
There is also a women’s self-defence course in the club twice a week.
How is BJJ as self-defence for women?
BJJ is a great way to learn how to defend you as it is not a striking martial art it is a very good way to take care of yourself in a street situation. You can defend yourself and subdue your attacker while causing minimal damage to anyone.
Also for women it’s a good self-defence to know as it doesn’t rely on strength and power and more on leverage and balance so it is a good way to defend yourself even if your attacker is larger and stronger than you.”
“And finally in terms of workout intensity, I’m sure you have partaken in different strength and conditioning workouts, you said yourself you’ve competed in different Martial Arts where would BJJ rate for you as a workout”?
“It is an incredible workout, it’s very rewarding and encouraging when you are learning something and seeing the improvements in your technique as well as how your body becomes stronger and more flexible.
BJJ is very cerebral and it’s a great exercise in being present in the moment. It’s hard to focus on the hard day you had in work when defending a choke. You need to be totally present and focused in it while you are doing it, and I don’t think I can say that about many other” forms of exercise. I have found BJJ to have helped my physical and mental health and given me a great outlet within a great community that encourages growth and improvement”.
Shane is a member of Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu which is located in Dundrum Town Centre, dundrum Dublin 14.
