Jiu-Jitsu and Chess: Capturing Space, Freedom, and Sight
Jiu-Jitsu and Chess: Capturing Space, Freedom, and Sight Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and chess are often compared for their strategy, the idea
What It Means to Be a Jiu-Jitsu Student Beyond the Mat
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.
Training Jiu Jitsu While Neurodivergent
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.
Ego, Shadow, and Play: The Real Work of Jiu-Jitsu
Ego, Shadow, and Play: The Real Work of Jiu-Jitsu “Leave your ego at the door.” It’s a phrase you’ll hear
What Science and Systems Can’t Teach You in Jiu-Jitsu
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.
Politics, Ideology, and the Academy: Why It Matters and Why Some Want It Gone
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.
Balancing Growth and Competition: Training at BMJJA
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.
The Significance of BJJ Belts: More Than Just a Rank
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.
Hygiene in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Essential Practices for Staying Safe and Infection-Free
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.
Nietzsche’s Archetypes and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: A Playful Exploration
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 .
