BRAZILIAN
JIU JITSU HISTORY
In 1914, Japanese jiu-jitsu master Esai Maeda moved to Brazil where he helped to establish a Japanese immigrant community. His efforts were aided by Gastão Gracie, a Brazilian business man. As an expression of his gratitude for Gracie's assistance, Maeda taught the Brazilian's oldest son, Carlos, the essential secrets of the ancient martial arts technique. Carlos taught Maeda's techniques to his four brothers including Helio Gracie. Helio Gracie taught jiu-jitsu to his sons including Royce Gracie, Rickson Gracie, Relson Gracie, and Royler Gracie all of whom have become jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts legends.
The superiority of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has been demonstrated throughout the world both in the ring and on the street and was made popular in the United States by Royce Gracie who dominated the early years of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU PROGRAM
Fairfax Jiu Jitsu offers a complete Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instruction program that incorporates excellent technique, live sparring, competition training, and fitness. Although our classes are intense and utilize a vigorous exercise program, our instructors recognize that each student is an individual with unique goals and progresses at his or her own level according to that student's athletic and martial arts background and level of fitness. We are the only Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy in Northern Virginia with two Jiu Jitsu Black Belts.
To learn more about our instructors, please visit the instructors page.
MMA HISTORY
The roots of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) can be traced back to ancient times; a form called Pankration was introduced to the Olympics in 648 BC. It officially begain in the US in 1993 with the first Ultimate Fighting Championship. Early contests pitted one style of martial art against another and had few rules and no time limits. Through the adoption of a unified rule set promoting fighter safety, MMA is now regulated and sanctioned by athletic commissions in many states. Contestants typically fight three to five rounds of five minutes each. Fights can end via knockout, referee or doctor stoppage, or submission/tapout.
To be successful, the MMA fighter must develop proficiency in all phases and ranges of combat: kicking, punching, clinching, and ground grappling. To that end, MMA is the ultimate cross-training martial art. It is not hindered by a specific style, rather it thrives on the best parts of many styles including Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, wrestling, boxing, and Muay Thai in order to create a fighter that is prepared for any and every aspect of the fight.
MMA PROGRAM
Fairfax Jiu-Jitsu offers a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) program that includes the best techniques from the world's elite combat sports and combines them into one effective system. Learn skills from Boxing, Muay Thai, San Shou, Wrestling, Judo, Sambo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in one class. Whether your goal is to compete in the cage or ring, improve your fitness or for self-defense, this is the program for you. Our MMA class provides an excellent mix of technique, application and conditioning to take you to the next level.
To learn more about our instructors, please visit the instructors page.
ABOUT CAPOEIRA
CAPOEIRA (pronounced ka-poo-eyh-rah) is an Afro-Brazilian martial and art self-defense form that brings together fighting techniques, acrobatics, dance, percussion, and songs, in a rhythmic dialogue of body, mind, and spirit. Since the 1500's, many Africans were taken from different areas of West Africa and brought to Brazil to be kept as slaves by the Portuguese. In Brazil, generations of enslaved African people shared the customs, dances, rituals, and fighting techniques that would combine to become Capoeira. Slaves used Capoeira for fighting, escaping and resisting capture, but concealed its combative purpose through music, song, and dance. Although their practice appeared to be a harmless dance, the dancers, or "Capoeiristas", were rehearsing deadly fighting techniques that needed to be disguised. That trickery is part of what separates Capoeira from other martial arts. Capoeira was born as an expression of resistance and resilience, and brought spiritual and emotional empowerment to its practitioners. Over time, the culture of enslaved Africans and also that of Brazilian indigenous peoples and Brazilians of Portuguese and European ascent all contributed to the art of Capoeira. The contemporary martial art reflects the cultural and social integration of diverse peoples. Capoeira has developed over the years as a means of empowerment and a forum for social and cultural exchange. It is now an internationally respected art form of grace and strength that combines ritual, self-defense, acrobatics, and music in a rhythmic dialogue of the body, mind, and spirit.
CAPOEIRA PROGRAM
The capoeira program at our academy follows the philosophy and methodology of Abada-capoeira.
Abada-capoeira is an international organization of over 40,000 members, founded in 1988 by Mestre Camisa, represented throughout Brazil and in over 30 countries, and based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The acronym Adaba-capoeira, translated into English, stands for "Brazilian Association for the Support and Development of the Art of Capoeira". The original style of Abada-capoeira seeks to incorporate both Capoeira Regional and Capoeira Angola, and embraces the modernizing innovations of the legendary Mestre Bimba without losing sight of the history and philosophy of the ancient art. Our teaching methodology is both challenging and supportive, rooted in the belief that encouragement and positive role-modeling enable Capoeira to enrich the lives of all students, regardless of level or background. The mission of Abada-capoeira is to provide a great capoeira experience by preserving, developing, and sharing the art with integrity and respect. Abada-capoeira seeks to inspire and empower people to realize their full potential as responsible, confident, productive members of society.
In 1914, Japanese jiu-jitsu master Esai Maeda moved to Brazil where he helped to establish a Japanese immigrant community. His efforts were aided by Gastão Gracie, a Brazilian business man. As an expression of his gratitude for Gracie's assistance, Maeda taught the Brazilian's oldest son, Carlos, the essential secrets of the ancient martial arts technique. Carlos taught Maeda's techniques to his four brothers including Helio Gracie. Helio Gracie taught jiu-jitsu to his sons including Royce Gracie, Rickson Gracie, Relson Gracie, and Royler Gracie all of whom have become jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts legends.
The superiority of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has been demonstrated throughout the world both in the ring and on the street and was made popular in the United States by Royce Gracie who dominated the early years of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU PROGRAM
Fairfax Jiu Jitsu offers a complete Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instruction program that incorporates excellent technique, live sparring, competition training, and fitness. Although our classes are intense and utilize a vigorous exercise program, our instructors recognize that each student is an individual with unique goals and progresses at his or her own level according to that student's athletic and martial arts background and level of fitness. We are the only Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy in Northern Virginia with two Jiu Jitsu Black Belts.
To learn more about our instructors, please visit the instructors page.
MMA HISTORY
The roots of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) can be traced back to ancient times; a form called Pankration was introduced to the Olympics in 648 BC. It officially begain in the US in 1993 with the first Ultimate Fighting Championship. Early contests pitted one style of martial art against another and had few rules and no time limits. Through the adoption of a unified rule set promoting fighter safety, MMA is now regulated and sanctioned by athletic commissions in many states. Contestants typically fight three to five rounds of five minutes each. Fights can end via knockout, referee or doctor stoppage, or submission/tapout.
To be successful, the MMA fighter must develop proficiency in all phases and ranges of combat: kicking, punching, clinching, and ground grappling. To that end, MMA is the ultimate cross-training martial art. It is not hindered by a specific style, rather it thrives on the best parts of many styles including Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, wrestling, boxing, and Muay Thai in order to create a fighter that is prepared for any and every aspect of the fight.
MMA PROGRAM
Fairfax Jiu-Jitsu offers a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) program that includes the best techniques from the world's elite combat sports and combines them into one effective system. Learn skills from Boxing, Muay Thai, San Shou, Wrestling, Judo, Sambo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in one class. Whether your goal is to compete in the cage or ring, improve your fitness or for self-defense, this is the program for you. Our MMA class provides an excellent mix of technique, application and conditioning to take you to the next level.
To learn more about our instructors, please visit the instructors page.
ABOUT CAPOEIRA
CAPOEIRA (pronounced ka-poo-eyh-rah) is an Afro-Brazilian martial and art self-defense form that brings together fighting techniques, acrobatics, dance, percussion, and songs, in a rhythmic dialogue of body, mind, and spirit. Since the 1500's, many Africans were taken from different areas of West Africa and brought to Brazil to be kept as slaves by the Portuguese. In Brazil, generations of enslaved African people shared the customs, dances, rituals, and fighting techniques that would combine to become Capoeira. Slaves used Capoeira for fighting, escaping and resisting capture, but concealed its combative purpose through music, song, and dance. Although their practice appeared to be a harmless dance, the dancers, or "Capoeiristas", were rehearsing deadly fighting techniques that needed to be disguised. That trickery is part of what separates Capoeira from other martial arts. Capoeira was born as an expression of resistance and resilience, and brought spiritual and emotional empowerment to its practitioners. Over time, the culture of enslaved Africans and also that of Brazilian indigenous peoples and Brazilians of Portuguese and European ascent all contributed to the art of Capoeira. The contemporary martial art reflects the cultural and social integration of diverse peoples. Capoeira has developed over the years as a means of empowerment and a forum for social and cultural exchange. It is now an internationally respected art form of grace and strength that combines ritual, self-defense, acrobatics, and music in a rhythmic dialogue of the body, mind, and spirit.
CAPOEIRA PROGRAM
The capoeira program at our academy follows the philosophy and methodology of Abada-capoeira.
Abada-capoeira is an international organization of over 40,000 members, founded in 1988 by Mestre Camisa, represented throughout Brazil and in over 30 countries, and based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The acronym Adaba-capoeira, translated into English, stands for "Brazilian Association for the Support and Development of the Art of Capoeira". The original style of Abada-capoeira seeks to incorporate both Capoeira Regional and Capoeira Angola, and embraces the modernizing innovations of the legendary Mestre Bimba without losing sight of the history and philosophy of the ancient art. Our teaching methodology is both challenging and supportive, rooted in the belief that encouragement and positive role-modeling enable Capoeira to enrich the lives of all students, regardless of level or background. The mission of Abada-capoeira is to provide a great capoeira experience by preserving, developing, and sharing the art with integrity and respect. Abada-capoeira seeks to inspire and empower people to realize their full potential as responsible, confident, productive members of society.
