1) What is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling system developed in Brazil in the early 1900s when a Japanese Judo and Jiu Jitsu master taught the arts to the Gracie family. The Gracie family modified these traditional arts to increase the effectiveness for their slight builds, and to make the techniques as efficient for smaller people as the traditional arts were for their larger predecessors.

2) Why should I learn BJJ?
BJJ has been proven to be one of the most effective self defense systems ever developed. BJJ has been street, mat, ring, and cage tested, and has changed the way that the martial arts world views which techniques are effective in real life, and which techniques are not. Over ninety percent of altercations end up on the ground, and BJJ is the art that addresses self defense on the ground, and in the most effective manner for today's world.

3) Is BJJ for me?
BJJ is for everyone. BJJ is one of the few self defense systems that truly can be adapted to make the system work for you. No matter size, shape, or physical limitations, BJJ will give you an effective system for self defense.

4) What do I wear to class?
Traditionally, a jiu jitsu gi (or kimono) is the uniform for class, but some classes will be conducted in the no gi fashion. For these classes, you will wear shorts and a T-shirt or rash guard. New students should come to class in comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely. Shorts should have a drawstring, and should be free of external pockets, zippers, or articles that could catch on another student's skin.

All students are expected to come to class clean, with nails trimmed, and all other personal hygeine attended to. As with all grappling arts, there is a large amount of person to person contact, which is different from traditional striking arts like karate or kickboxing.