Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a martial art that teaches how to subdue a larger opponent through the use of body mechanics and leverage, is unquestionably the most effective martial art for real-life self-defense situations.
It is also the fastest-growing. Over the last 20 years, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has exploded in popularity throughout the United States.
During that time it has moved in two different directions; one being toward the highly technical strain that is necessary for success in today’s competitive landscape and the other toward a simpler, more realistic version that is suitable for real-life self-defense situations.
It’s this second strain that is closer to the authentic core of the original martial art that Helio Gracie developed in Brazil almost a century ago.
“Originally Gracie Jiu Jitsu was focused only on three things: throws, traumatic strikes and ground fighting,” says Ricardo Murgel, 9th degree Jiu Jitsu black belt and BJJ legend.
“It is about defending yourself in real-world situations and it is the most effective martial art for defending yourself against a larger opponent in a hand-to-hand combat situation that has ever been devised.”
…He continues, “The goal of my new gym is to save the spirit of this original Jiu Jitsu philosophy. We offer our students the full spectrum of what real Jiu Jitsu can provide. We provide everything necessary from the highest-level competitors to people who may never find themselves in a Jiu Jitsu Tournament, but want to focus on self-defense on the street. It will all be taught here along with the unmatched benefits of Jiu Jitsu for health, stress relief and character development.”
Grandmaster Murgel’s new gym location is 5925 Atlanta Hwy, Suite 400, Alpharetta, GA 30004.
“Returns dedicated students to the noble origins of the Art Suave that the Gracie Family developed in Brazil almost a century ago,” he says.
With over 1,400 square feet of Jiu Jitsu mats, Union Team BJJ will soon be the home of the most elite Jiu Jitsu programs in the Southeastern United States.
Murgel says Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has many other powerful benefits in addition to self-defense for those who practice it diligently. It is a great way to get in shape. It reduces stress and helps prevent bullying in both children and adults. In addition, since it’s principals are based on leverage rather than strength, it is the best martial art for women to learn to defend against larger stronger men in rape prevention programs.
Grandmaster Murgel, who has devoted over 60 years of his life to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, can testify to the many ways BJJ can improve a person’s quality of life and develop their character.
“If a person is too passive then Jiu Jitsu will make them bolder,” he says.
“If they are too aggressive then Jiu Jitsu will calm them down. More than just a fighting system, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a tool for building a better life.”
Murgel, who is one of the highest ranking Jiu Jitsu experts in the world is so confident in what he’s offering at the new school that he doesn’t insist, as do most other martial arts schools and fitness gyms, that students lock themselves into restrictive long-term contracts.
He says that when people experience the quality of his instruction and the life-changing benefits of his authentic brand of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, many students will be happy to stick with the program and develop their skills.
“Our memberships are built around our student’s lifestyles, budgets and level of committment to their training. Our students are not going to be pushed for three years or two years or anything like that because we don’t want them tied with us only because they are paying for it. We want them with us because they love the quality instruction, they love their teammates, they love to be a member of the team and are as proud to be one of us as we are proud of them.”
Next Time: Grandmaster Murgel Shows How His Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Will Protect Your Child Against Bullies.
