Leverage Jiu Jitsu Academy (Thomastown)

Gracie Jiu Jitsu is a martial art that enables practitioners to use their leverage to apply techniques, manoeuvres and counters on an opponent, in order to gain a physical advantage. Its origins stem from the Japanese Kodokan Judo which was introduced to the Gracie family in Brazil by Master Mitsuyo Maeda in the early 1900's. Maeda was fundamental to the development of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, specifically his teaching of Carlos Gracie. Carlos Gracie, after learning the martial art opened the Academia Gracie and started to teach the art. Carlos' younger brother Helio later took up the art, and shortly thereafter, took over the running of the academy.

Helio Gracie realised that even though he knew the techniques theoretically, the moves were much harder to execute. Many of the judo moves required brute strength which did not suit his small stature. Consequently, he began adapting judo for his particular physical attributes (he never weighed more than 63kg) and through trial and error learned to maximize leverage, thus minimizing the force exerted to execute a technique. From these experiments, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (later known as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) was created. Using these new techniques, smaller and weaker practitioners gained the capability to defend themselves and defeat much larger opponents.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu promotes the concept that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend against a bigger, stronger assailant by using leverage and proper technique and taking the fight to the ground - most notably by applying joint-locks and chokeholds to defeat the other person. Since its inception in 1914, its parent art of Judo was separated from older systems of Japanese ju-jitsu by an important difference that was passed on to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: it is not solely a martial art: it is also a sport; a method for promoting physical fitness and building character in young people; and, ultimately, a way of life.

Classes

Adult Classes
Our Adult classes cater for people of all capabilities from the age of 13 and upwards. Our classes include: Beginners Gi, Fundamentals Gi, Advanced Gi, No Gi Beginners, No Gi Advanced and No Gi with Gloves. In general classes begin with a short warm up involving conditioning and strengthening exercises. Jiu Jitsu techniques are then demonstrated by the instructor and drilled by the class.

Kids Classes
Kids classes cater for children aged between 4 and 12 years of age. The classes begin with a short warm up. This is followed by demonstration and revision of Gracie Jiu Jitsu techniques. The class then plays a number of Jiu Jitsu "games" designed to learn techniques and skills necessary to Jiu Jitsu in a fun manner. Kids classes also cover non-violent anti-bullying strategies

Women Only Classes
Jiu Jitsu is a very close contact martial art, so it might take a little bit of getting used to. That's why we offer women only classes - you learn the exact same things as you would in the beginner mixed classes, just in a women only environment!

Training Camps
Leverage Jiu Jitsu Academy offers specialised training camps for your school, workplace or sports club. Specialised tackling courses for football clubs, specialised courses in Jiu Jitsu techniques for members of the defence and police forces and self defence workshops that can be held on-site or off-site.

Cost:

Pricing for Classes
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