Lyndhurst Jiu-Jitsu student loses 55 lbs!

Lyndhurst Jiu-Jitsu student loses 55 lbs!

Mark Garcia, a Lyndhurst Jiu-Jitsu student, credits Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) for his weight loss.

When Mark joined the Savarese Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy last year, he didn’t exercise and was very out of shape. Through the benefits of BJJ and coupled with training and hard work, Mark looks like a completely different person now.

In the same time frame, Mark has earned his bluebelt and was recently promoted to his third stripe. He has competed in and won a championship in his weight class at the New Jersey Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (NJBJJF) in May last year. He has become one of the best students at the Academy through his hard work.

To get a free trial class and train at Savarese BJJ, call 201 933-5134.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Primarily a form of ground fighting, Brazilian Jiu-Jistu is a martial art and self-defense system. Statistics show that 90% of fights or altercations end up on the ground, so BJJ practitioners focus on fighting from there. It is a mixture of submission holds, throws and wrestling. It has also become one of the most popular combat sports in the world.

BJJ was formed from Kodokan Judo newaza (groundfighting) that was mostly taught by Takeo Yano and Mitsuyo Maeda. They trained the Gracie brothers: Carlos, Helio and George Gracie; which resulted in its own art form.

Breaking down the misconception that a smaller or weaker person wouldn’t be able to defend themselves against a larger or stronger opponent, BJJ promotes concepts that teach proper self-defense in this scenario. By utilizing proper technique, leverage, and the ability to take the altercation to the ground, BJJ practitioners are capable of defending themselves in several different aspects of a fight.

To defeat their opponent, students learn to apply joint locks, such as arm and leg locks, as well as choke holds. BJJ training is often used for self defense and weapons defense, sport grappling tournaments or mixed martial arts (MMA).  Similarly, BJJ promotes a healthy lifestyle of eating and living clean to promote fitness, weight loss and better health. Brazilian jiu-jitsu is not solely a martial art, it is a method for promoting physical fitness and building character in young people; and, ultimately, a way of life.