A Place to Start...

This blog will chronicle my experiences conducting a study of those involved in BJJ. Why do people get involved in BJJ? How to they understand BJJ? From my rather limited vantage it seems that the BJJ community is a passionate and dedicated one. Yet, so much of what enriches those involved slips beyond the public's purview. This study will attempt to underscore and explore BJJ practitioners' rich experiences of training, competing and learning. I am interested in how they make sense of their struggles and triumphs.

To understand this wonderful art, you must experience it. Watching countless matches is no substitute for sweating, struggling and even bleeding on the mat. It is impossible to know what leverage, economy of motion or posture mean to BJJ players until you have been deftly swept by a well seasoned veteran. For my part, I am a  blue belt under Sylvio Behring and after several years of training 4-6 times a week am just now beginning to 'get it'. 

To my knowledge, this will be one of the first scholarly investigations of BJJ. Of course, some notable individuals have discussed BJJ in their work (i.e. David Mayeda and David Ching's wonderful book, Fighting for Acceptance). 

My intention is to contribute to the BJJ community through an organic study of BJJ that will: 

1. increase public and scholarly awareness of BJJ

2. increase public understanding and appreciation of the art

3. demonstrate the significance of BJJ to our larger culture and what the rapid diffusion of the art throughout the last 2 decades tells us about ourselves

Anyone interested in participating can click on the following links which will take them to a survey. The survey will take between 10 and 30 minutes to complete.

Males click here.

Females click here.

Please send me an email at bjjstudy@gmail.com if you prefer to tell me about your experiences in person or over the phone.