Jiu-Jitsu and Chess: Capturing Space, Freedom, and Sight Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and chess are often compared for their strategy, the idea that every move has a counter, that victory belongs to those who can think several steps ahead. Yet these descriptions
Jiu-Jitsu and Chess: Capturing Space, Freedom, and Sight Read More »
Jiu-jitsu isn’t just a set of moves. It’s a way of learning how to deal with pressure, uncertainty, and conflict. The practice doesn’t end when class finishes. It’s carried in how you walk, how you think, how you respond when no one is watching.
Outside the academy, things change. There’s no mat, no coach, no structure. When students try to “test” their skills in that kind of environment, it’s usually ego leading the way. Not the ego that protects you or helps you commit to a goal, but the part that reacts without awareness. That kind of ego wants proof, wants to be right, wants to be seen. That kind of ego doesn’t help you train. It pulls you out of the practice.
What It Means to Be a Jiu-Jitsu Student Beyond the Mat Read More »
Training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as a neurodivergent person means stepping into a space that’s physical, unpredictable, and built on assumptions about how people learn, respond, and communicate. For some students, those assumptions don’t hold. Instructions might take longer to process. Eye contact might not come naturally. Touch, sound, or pressure can trigger strong responses. This isn’t defiance. It’s how some nervous systems respond to stimulus.
Training Jiu Jitsu While Neurodivergent Read More »
Ego, Shadow, and Play: The Real Work of Jiu-Jitsu “Leave your ego at the door.” It’s a phrase you’ll hear in almost every Jiu-Jitsu gym. But it’s often misunderstood, and even more often misused. What people usually mean is: don’t
Ego, Shadow, and Play: The Real Work of Jiu-Jitsu Read More »
There is a limit to what techniques, instructionals, systems, and structured models can provide. Beyond a certain point, progress in Jiu-Jitsu does not come from collecting more techniques. It comes from how practitioners relate to the knowledge they already have.
What Science and Systems Can’t Teach You in Jiu-Jitsu Read More »
There is tension on the mats these days. Some say they do not want to hear about politics in the academy. Others say everything is political. Both sides have a point, but one gets closer to the root of what is really going on.
Politics, Ideology, and the Academy: Why It Matters and Why Some Want It Gone Read More »
At Blue Mountains Jiu-Jitsu Academy (BMJJA), we’re committed to providing a well-rounded training experience that supports every member’s journey, whether their goal is personal development, fitness, self-defense, or competition success. In our second year since rebranding, we’re focused on maintaining our learning culture while offering targeted training for those who wish to compete. To achieve this, we emphasise the importance of attending Regular Classes, Self-Guided Training, Open Mat, and our Competition Class.
Balancing Growth and Competition: Training at BMJJA Read More »
BJJ belts represent far more than the ability to execute techniques or win matches. They encapsulate the essence of the journey, embodying growth, perseverance, and responsibility. Each belt marks a milestone, but its true value lies in the experiences, lessons, and connections forged along the way.
The Significance of BJJ Belts: More Than Just a Rank Read More »
In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, maintaining hygiene is more than just routine—it’s essential for the safety and well-being of everyone who steps on the mat. Cases like Gordon Ryan’s struggle with recurring staph infections serve as reminders that a strong hygiene protocol is non-negotiable in any grappling environment.
Hygiene in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Essential Practices for Staying Safe and Infection-Free Read More »
Imagine picking up a book like Nietzsche’s Thus Spoke Zarathustra at random, flipping through its pages, and thinking, Hey, this might actually help me understand why I keep getting smashed on the mats in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu .
Nietzsche’s Archetypes and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: A Playful Exploration Read More »
