What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? | the gentle art…
Jiu-Jitsu is a form of Judo and a modern martial art based around the principles of pins, wedges, off-balancing, levers, and fulcrums. Its practitioners follow a simple but highly effective strategy: Takedowns -Defend – Escape – Control – Submit. What makes Jiu-Jitsu different from most other martial arts is that it doesn’t rely on kicks and strikes. Instead, students use chokes and joint locks to finish an opponent. This makes training safer and less aggressive. Another key difference is that Jiu-Jitsu is a complete martial art—it includes a standing game, a ground game, and the transition between them.
Jiu-JItsu like traditional martial arts is in a constant state of evolution. It is a subset of Judo . As students gain experience, they learn to explore and modify techniques so that they work for their own fitness level and body type. That makes it a very adaptable martial art.
These days Jiu-Jitsu is so much more than just a martial art for Self-Defence. It has become one of the world’s fastest growing martial arts and most people recognise it as one of the key components of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). It also has its own well-established tournaments at all levels—local, national, and international. Competition can be in traditional uniform (the “Gi On”) or shorts and a rash guard ( “No-Gi” variation) or the MMA arena.
In short, Jiu-Jitsu is very much whatever you want it to be because it offers something for everyone.
dunedin Ōtepoti
BJJ New Zealand | about our team…
BJJ Ōtepoti Dunedin began when Jiu-Jitsu was still in its infancy in New Zealand. The club was formed amongst friends we then became internationally associated with Mario Yokoyama. Since 2016, the school has been continued by Principal Professor Philip Lindsay.
These days we are independently established as Kura of BJJ Ōtepoti Dunedin, honouring our roots as a charitable community of local martial artists studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Ōtepoti Dunedin.
Our lineage has a clear path from the founders of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Our Lineage: Jigoro Kano > Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Carlos Gracie jr > Ryan Gracie > Mario Yokoyama > Philip Lindsay > BJJ Ōtepoti Dunedin Dojo
Professor Mario Yokoyama Graded Professor Philip Lindsay through to Black Belt in 2013. as seen in this photo above, with Professor Stuart Marks in attendance. Professor Philip is now independent and on the 4th step of the Black Belt system