"Dont try to bend the spoon that would be impossible, instead try to understand that there is no spoon."
Welcome to the New Revolution in Jiu Jitsu. As a person who follows JJ you will find a very small yet increasingly growing idea beginning too surface in the US. American Jiu Jitsu. It started with a few brave souls making a little noise. Jake Shields, Josh Barnett, Randy Couture, and others began to bring America into the JJ frame of thought. While we all know the story of how JJ was created we seldom here all the details.
First thing to remember is that without Carlos and Helio Gracie Im pretty sure that we all would still be training TKD. We should all be thankful that the Gracie family made BJJ into the artform and self defense system that it is today. With hardwork, a huge family and perserverance the Gracies transformed modern fighting philosophy. With the idea of close quarter combat and realistic fighting scenarios Carlos and Helio revolutionized the stagnated martial art idealogy. As their home country watched these two free thinking men changed a long standing idea and turned all so called "masters" on their head. However one very important note was lost in the grandeur of "the worlds best martial art."
With every great idea comes a burden. Do you hold onto your idea and steadfastly defend it and keep it hidden.? Do you keep control and moderate who and what can use it? Or do you let it go free and see where it goes? Well the Gracies sort of did them all. With a tight grasp Helio and Carlos created a system to evaluate and maintain their high standards all the while keeping the idea of the purity and homegrown pride.
But their was a problem. this is where the history books only make a small note of in my opinion the MOST important aspect of JJ. Without this historically significant piece of information the beloved Gracie clan and all their hard work would be lost. THE GRACIES NEEDED AMERICA. Thats right read it again. Rorion Gracie didnt go to Sweden. He didnt travel to Madagascar, he came to the greatest country in the world. The U.S.of A. Of course many will argue "they always said that they came to America to show the power of Gracie JJ." What needs to be added into the chronicles of JJ folklore is the IMPORTANCE of the USA in the evolution of JJ.
Why would anyone bring up a seemingly minute portion of the history of JJ? Well as I watch,compete and train with people from all walks of life all I hear is Brazilian. I myself am guilty of using "BJJ" on my business. However I make sure to tell everyone the importance of the USA in making JJ and MMA a worlwide phenomenon. We should all remember the sacrifice of Helio and Carlos and all the family members that gave us the sport we all love. But never forget to listen to the wind.....its whispering "listen....the revolution is coming."
