How Jiu-Jitsu teaches the triumph of intelligence over aggression
I was on my back and pinned under a person who was almost twice as big as me.
Almost every part of my body told me to fight my way out, to push, shove, and beat him.
But all my brute strength could not move the mountain that was pressing down on me.
When I was scared, I thought of what Renzo Gracie and John Danaher said:
“At its core, jujitsu is the use of intelligence and skill to overcome brute strength and aggression.”
I was just starting to get the lesson. Strong physical strength is a part of Jiu-Jitsu, but it is not the only or even the most important one.
Success depends on skill, timing, and a plan.
I realized I had to stop fighting my opponent’s strength and start using my mind as I lay there trapped.
I moved my hips to make a small opening, then put my arm through it to rest against his shoulder. It wasn’t pretty, but it did the job.
All of a sudden, I was not crushed anymore; I was in charge.
In that moment, this was not just a win; it was a revelation. In Jiu-Jitsu, you do not have to fight back with force. It is about knowing how to use leverage, time, and the body.
It is about being smarter than your opponent, using their anger against them, and staying calm when things get tough.
Every time I work out, I remember that smarts and skill can get you through almost anything.
When you practice jiu-jitsu, you learn to plan ahead, stay calm in chaotic situations, and trust the techniques you have worked so hard to master.
Life is a lot like the mats in that there are times when force seems like the only way out.
Although Jiu-Jitsu teaches us to stop, think, and figure out a better way to move forward. This way of thinking affects how we deal with problems in all parts of our lives, not just the dojo.
Now, I do not use brute force when I am up against an opponent or a problem that seems impossible to solve.
I trust the principles of Jiu-Jitsu: staying calm, being smart, and getting better at something by practicing it over and over again.
Because being strong may win fights, but being smart wins wars.
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