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Eastside Jiu Jitsu Values Part 2: Inclusivity

At Eastside Jiu-Jitsu, we truly believe the mantra that “Jiu-Jitsu is for everyone”. We’ve been training BJJ for over 15 years, at the Carlson Gracie Academy and in academies around the world and through that experience; we have come to understand that every person can find their place in Jiu Jitsu.

The inclusive nature of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is twofold. Firstly, it means that everyone can learn Jiu-Jitsu. Secondly, it asserts that everyone can learn through Jiu-Jitsu.

Everyone Can Learn Jiu-Jitsu

In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, there are no one-size-fits all techniques. While the philosophies and values of Jiu-Jitsu can be taught and used by all, no single technique will work for every person or at every time. Regardless of your weight, age or physical prowess you will need to go on a journey of learning what works for you. On the one hand, this realisation can be frustrating for new white belt. The moves you see your instructors or high-level training partners pull off may not be usable for you. However, on the other hand, this also gives light to Jiu-Jitsus true inclusivity. That being, its ability to adapt its techniques for everyone. Whether you are big or small, tall or short, young or old, flexible or stiff you can learn Jiu-Jitsu and make it your own.

Everyone can learn through Jiu-Jitsu

The lessons each person will learn through their practice or Jiu-Jitsu are even more individualised than the techniques themselves. The training philosophies of Jiu-Jiu, while on face value teach us how to move and operate in a fight; can serve to teach us much greater life lessons. For example, through learning how to escape a disadvantage position we learn how to keep calm under pressure, how to maximise our energy efficiently, how to feel comfortable in moments of distress and how to find an opening when it’s presented. The real life applications of these lessons are clear and expansive.

Each student’s ability to learn through Jiu-Jitsu gives further credence to its inclusivity. It means that even if you have no ambitions of becoming a world champion or never see yourself being a black belt Jiu-Jitsu is still for you.

At Eastside, inclusivity is one of our core-values. It pushes us to create a welcoming environment and compels us to teach the art of Jiu-Jitsu in a way that everyone can understand it, connect to it and learn through it.

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14/02/2019

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Eastside Jiu Jitsu Values Part 1: Family

Eastside Jiu Jitsu Values Part 1: Family

At Eastside, we believe in the importance of family. The families we are born into and the families we create.

When I first started training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu back in 2009, I did so with my little brother. Although being my little brother and three years younger than me he took to BJJ a lot faster than I did. The first time he stepped on the mat it was like a fish to water, a natural elegance to his movements and his understanding of BJJ. Me, I took a bit longer to adapt my movements and mindset to that necessary for BJJ. Nevertheless, training with my family added a special and unique element to both our training sessions and our home relationship.

As my brother and I continued to train and work on our familial relationship we came to understand that we had created a new family with our Carlson Gracie teammates. The connection we had with one and other quickly and seamlessly bled into our relationships with our new friends at training. When a team of people train together daily, and do so with the lens of helping one and other, they become a group of people closer than any other.’

At Eastside Jiu Jitsu, we believe in fostering both of these relationships. We hope to continue to build a family of inspired and passionate people and encourage all members to bring their family members to train with us too.

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14/02/2019

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Our Lineage and Why it Matters

Our Lineage and Why it Matters

When people talk about their BJJ training or their academy they will often refer to their lineage. Much like a bible verse they will track, in chronological order the link each student has to the ‘source’ of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. But why is lineage important? Why should we focus on who taught our teachers teacher? At Eastside Jiu Jitsu our lineage is central to what we do because it elevates jiu-jitsu to something greater than ourselves.

Lineage is about respect

When you step onto a Jiu Jitsu tournament mat, you do it alone. Your opponent won’t be thinking about who your instructor is, and even less so who his instructor was. However, when you step on that mat or when you enter your academy for training you are doing so only because of the passion, dedication and hard work of greater people who have come before you. We reference our lineage at every opportunity to pay our respect to those teachers who invested in us and in doing so made us the people we are today.

Lineage serves to preserve the art

As an art form like BJJ grow, they run the risk of being watered down. While progression and innovation is important, with every decade that passes we push further away from the ‘source’ of Jiu Jitsu. While that gap will only continue to grow, recognising an academies lineage can help maintain the ‘quality contro’l of the art form. As we reference the grand-masters who have come before us we in turn recognise the standards they set and adhere to them. Progression in Jiu Jitsu is a slow and agonizing road. Respect and homage to our lineage helps maintain these standards. It ensures the art and standards grow with Jiu Jitsu and do not be a victim of Jiu Jitsu’s expansion.

Lineage keeps us humble, and humility leads to strength

A key component to progression through Jiu Jitsu is the recognition that humility is not weakness but that it leads to great strength and mastery. A common BJJ trope insists that students “leave their ego at the door”. Our lineage and the photos we place on the walls of our academy serve as a further reminder of how far we all have to go on our BJJ journeys. When we look at high hung photos of Carlson Gracie Sr. we have no choice but to check our egos and remain humble.

Our Lineage

Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Sr. > Carlson Gracie Sr. > Carlson Gracie Jnr. > Ben Hall > Raph & Brad

http://www.graciejiujitsu.com.au/history

We are proud to be bringing our lineage and our brand of Jiu Jitsu to Murrumbeena, Glen Eira and all of Melbourne.

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