Traditional Gracie Jiu-Jitsu transcends self-defense. This form of martial arts goes well beyond just learning chokes, joint locks, throws, and strikes. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is a way of life for almost every practitioner.

Beyond the confines of the gym, those who train under the Gracie philosophy strive to live healthy lives based on the same principles they learn during jiu-jitsu training. Grand Masters Carlos and Helio Gracie believed that the principles of efficiency, patience, and control are the keys to success in all areas of a person’s life, not just within learning martial arts.

Below we will discuss these principles in more detail.

Efficiency

Being efficient is having the ability to maximize your output while minimizing your input. With Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, we train to defend against bigger and stronger attackers. One of the key elements to success against a larger opponent is to exhaust your attacker while conserving your own energy. This is accomplished through leverage-based movements and counters.

As with all of life’s big obstacles, when you learn how to efficiently expend your energy, you will be able to achieve the maximum results with the least amount of effort. The phrase “work smarter, not harder” comes to mind.

Be Patient

Patience is a virtue. When fending off an attack from a larger person, staying patient is another key element to having success. Within jiu-jitsu training, it is typically not the one who strikes that most that wins, rather the one who expends the least energy is usually the victor. Acting without focus and without a plan is irresponsible. These impulsive and aggressive movements will only waste your energy. Patience teaches us how to wait for the right moment. After all, timing is everything in life. So even if you attempt a perfectly executed technique, if the timing is not right the attempt will fail.

The same holds true outside of training. You will be able to make your own good luck by being ready, staying in control, and being patient. Getting frustrated and acting out of impulse will only keep setting you back in life. Use your energy efficiently and wait for the right time before you act.

When you feel like being impulsive, take a step back and breathe deeply a few times. This will allow you to clear your mind and come up with an alternative solution. Also, be patient with friends, loved ones, and enemies as well. Treat everyone like you would like to be treated with kindness and patience.

Control

Our final element to success is to always stay in control. When you stay in control during a fight, you will eventually impose your will. When you’re able to physically dominate someone, a tap out will soon follow. You cannot dominate someone physically without being able to control your opponent’s movements, as well as your own.

Staying in control applies to all of life’s struggles. After all, control will keep you out of a lot of trouble. Making the right decisions in life shows that you are taking control and showing the ability to personally discipline yourself. Staying in control means choosing to eat a healthy and nutritious diet, staying away from drugs and alcohol, and treating people with kindness.

You Have Many Options for Self Defense Besides Karate Classes in Raleigh

If you’re interested in learning self defense then please call Gracie Raleigh today. We do not offer traditional karate lessons in Raleigh for self defense, however, we are the best jiu jitsu and muay thai gym in the Triangle! Training at our gym will help you build up your confidence by learning the right techniques that will work in real self defense situations. You’ll love the fact that you’ll always be able to defend yourself, and your loved ones, from attackers without a firearm.

Gracie Raleigh offers free classes for beginners so you can try without worrying about a commitment. For more information, please call us today!