What to Expect at Your First BJJ Class

Starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) at Virtue BJJ is an exciting step. Our academy is built on respect, community, and personal growth. Here’s what you can expect in your first class with us.

1. Arriving at Virtue BJJ

When you walk through the doors, you’ll be welcomed by our instructors and teammates. If it’s your first class, we’ll ask you to sign a waiver. Arrive early to introduce yourself, get fitted for a gi if needed, and get comfortable in our training space

2. What to Wear

If you don’t have a gi yet, wear a rash guard and shorts without zippers or pockets. We have loaner gis available—just ask! Make sure your nails are trimmed, and personal hygiene is maintained out of respect for your training partners.

3. Warm-Up and Drills

Each class begins with warm-ups tailored to improve your movement for Jiu-Jitsu. At Virtue BJJ, you’ll practice fundamental drills like shrimping, breakfalls, and rolls—important skills that will help in every session.

4. Learning Techniques

Our instructors, led by Professor Thiago Teixeira and our dedicated coaching team, will break down key techniques, ensuring students of all levels can follow along. You’ll practice with a partner, focusing on control and movement rather than strength.

5. Sparring (Rolling)

At Virtue BJJ, beginners are eased into sparring in a safe and controlled way. You may start with positional drills before engaging in live rolling. Remember, technique and patience are more important than using force.

6. Respect and Etiquette

Respect is at the core of Virtue BJJ. Bow onto the mat, listen to your instructor, and always be a good training partner. Our culture is built on mutual support, and we maintain a judgment-free environment where everyone can grow.

7. Post-Class Tips

After class, take time to stretch and hydrate. If you borrowed a gi, return it neatly. Don’t be discouraged if things feel challenging—BJJ is a lifelong journey, and every class brings progress.

8. Final Thoughts

Your first class at Virtue BJJ is the beginning of an exciting and rewarding path. Whether your goal is self-defense, fitness, or competition, our community is here to support you. Stay open-minded, trust the process, and most importantly—enjoy the journey!

Ready to start training? Join Virtue BJJ and take your first step toward mastering Jiu-Jitsu in a positive and inspiring environment!

The History of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) has deep roots in Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and Judo, but it developed into its own unique martial art in Brazil. Here’s how it all started:

1. Origins: Japanese Jiu-Jitsu & Judo (Pre-1900s)

Jiu-Jitsu (柔術) originated in feudal Japan, where samurai used grappling techniques for combat.
In the late 1800s, Jigoro Kano, a Jiu-Jitsu master, modernized the art into Kodokan Judo—which focused on throws, groundwork, and submissions.

2. Mitsuyo Maeda & The Gracie Family (1914-1920s)

Mitsuyo Maeda, a top Judo practitioner and student of Kano, traveled the world demonstrating Judo.
In 1914, Maeda arrived in Brazil and befriended a businessman named Gaston Gracie.
As gratitude, Maeda taught Judo to Gaston’s son, Carlos Gracie.

3. The Birth of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (1920s-1930s)

Carlos Gracie trained with Maeda and then taught his younger brothers, including Helio Gracie.
Helio, being smaller and weaker, struggled with some Judo techniques, so he modified them, emphasizing leverage, guard work, and submissions—this became the foundation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
The Gracie family began challenging other martial artists in Brazil to prove BJJ’s effectiveness.

4. The Vale Tudo Era (1930s-1980s)

The Gracies created “Vale Tudo” (“Anything Goes”) matches, where they fought boxers, wrestlers, and other martial artists.
BJJ’s reputation grew as Helio and his sons (Rickson, Rorion, etc.) dominated fights using ground techniques.
Carlson Gracie introduced a more aggressive, modern BJJ style in the 1950s, focusing on pressure, takedowns, and athleticism.

5. BJJ Enters the U.S. & UFC Revolution (1990s-Present)

In the 1980s, Rorion Gracie moved to the United States and started teaching BJJ.
In 1993, he co-founded the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) to prove BJJ’s dominance.
His brother, Royce Gracie, shocked the world by winning UFC 1, 2 & 4 against bigger opponents using BJJ submissions.
This proved that BJJ was the most effective ground-fighting system in real fights.

6. Modern BJJ: Sport & Global Growth (2000s-Present)

BJJ has evolved into a global sport, with major tournaments like:
- IBJJF World Championships
- ADCC (Submission Wrestling)
- Eddie Bravo Invitational (EBI)
BJJ is now a key part of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts), and even military & law enforcement training.
Modern BJJ has also developed sport-specific styles, such as berimbolos, leg locks, and no-gi grappling.

Time	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
6:00 – 7:00 AM	6:00 – 9:00am Private Classes	6:00 – 7:00am Woman Only Class		6:00 – 7:00am Woman Only Class	6:00 – 9:00am Private Classes	7:00 – 8:00am Seniors Class – Over 40 (Basics)
7:00 – 7:30 AM		7:00 – 9:00am Private Classes	7:30 – 8:30am – MMA	7:00 – 9:00am Private Classes	7:30 – 8:30am – MMA	8:00 – 8:30am Kids & Parents Conditioning
8:00 – 8:30 AM			8:30 – 9:30am – Judo		8:30 – 9:30am – Judo	8:30 – 9:30am Kids All Levels – Gi
9:30 – 10:30 AM	9:30 – 10:30am All Levels – No Gi	9:30 – 10:30 All Levels – Gi	9:30 – 10:30 All Levels – Gi	All Levels – Gi	All Levels – No Gi	8:30 – 9:30am Kids All Levels – Gi
10:30 – 11:00 AM	No Gi – Sparring	Gi – Sparring	Private Classes	Gi – Sparring	No Gi – Sparring	9:30 – 11:00am Adult Open Mats – Gi
11:00 – 12:00 AM			Private Classes			Breathing & Stretching
4:00 – 4:45 PM	Kids Lv.1 – 3-6y/o – Gi	Kids Lv.3 – 7-9 & 10-14 y/o – Gi	Kids Lv.1 – 3-6 y/o – Gi	Kids Lv.3 – 7-9 & 10-14 y/o – Gi	Kids Lv.1 – 3-6 y/o – No Gi
5:00 – 5:45 PM	Kids Lv.2 – 7-9y/o – Gi	Kids Lv.1 – 3-6y/o – Gi	5:00 – 6:00pm Kids Competition Training – Gi	Kids Lv.1 – 3-6y/o – Gi	Kids Lv.2 7-9y/o No Gi
6:00 – 7:00 PM	Basics – Gi	Fundamentals	Competition Training – Gi	Fundamentals – Gi	Basics – No Gi
7:00 8:00 PM	Advanced	7:00 – 7:30pm Sparring	All Levels – No Gi	Advanced – Gi	7:00 – 7:30pm – No Gi Sparring