One of the most prominent martial arts out there today is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). Jiu Jitsu is a martial art that focuses on grappling/submission, rather than striking, using joint locks and chokes. Examples of such submissions are the rear naked chokes, arm bars, shoulder lock, and the triangle choke among many others. The main difference with Jiu Jitsu is that it focuses more on technique than it does power as opposed to other martial arts. Jiu Jitsu is truly a sport for the little guy. Brazilian Jiu- Jitsu was a martial art that was invented by the Gracie Family, but how did it come to be? In 1904, Judo black belt Mitsuyo Maeda left Japan and traveled around the world to give Judo demonstration's and accepted fights from fighters that trained other martial arts such as boxing and wrestling. Maeda's travels would eventually bring him to Brazil in 1914.There, he performed for many Circuses, one of which was a show owned by Gastao Gracie. In 1917, Gastao's eldest son, Carlos, saw Maeda at a show and immediately took in interest in Judo and asked if Maeda would train him. Maeda accepted and trained Carlos for a couple of years, who in turn would eventually pass down the knowledge to his brothers. However, one of his brothers, Helio, had trouble with some of Judo's power-based moves and so he would go on to develop a more technique-based version of the discipline known today as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This new martial art would focus more on technique, immobilization and flow as opposed to Judo which focused more on power and slams. There are many differences from the two which make it two completely separate martial arts. Jiu Jitsu has grown so much over the past century that it has become one of the most popular martial arts around today. Jiu Jitsu has a very strict and Lengthy belt system. There are 5 main belts in Jiu Jitsu. White, Blue, Purple, Brown and Black. However, students that practice the martial art have to earn four stripes within each belt to graduate to the next belt. To make matters more difficult, Jiu Jitsu promotions are typically only held twice a year for most Jiu Jitsu schools which means that in order to be a Black Belt, you need to train at least Ten years to get there. Graduations or promotions are typically done in one of two ways. The first is a formal test in which the student will show their skill by performing the move that the Professor asks of them. The second way promotions are held is there will be a formal graduation day where the professor will promote you based off skills exhibited within class and training. I started training Jiu Jitsu in 2014. The way I was introduced to Jiu Jitsu was actually through church. I had a piano teacher (who still teaches me to this day), who invited me to his church on a Friday. He was a youth group leader at the time and so one day I went and enjoyed going so I continued to go every week and after six months of me going he had an announcement to make. He announced that in a month he would be starting a Jiu Jitsu program within the church on Saturday mornings. My piano teacher was a Blue belt at the time and started the program as something fun for people to do. After my first class, I Immediately fell in love with it and have been doing it ever since. Even though the program at church ended a year ago, I was still able to find a school near me and have been training There since February under a Black Belt named Rodrigo Almeida and in May I earned my very first stripe. Jiu Jitsu has helped me in so many ways in my life, the main one being weight loss. When I first started Jiu Jitsu, I was 190 pounds. Today I am 150 pounds which is the lightest I've been in ten years. Jiu Jitsu has been one of the most fun things I've done in recent years and its been an awesome ride so far. For something so aggressive, its actually quite calming. I always joke around with people and say that I'm ironically at my calmest when I'm choking someone half to death, but there is actually a lot of truth in that statement. Jiu Jitsu keeps me grounded. The mats are my paradise. For anyone that wants to lose weight, wants to have something to do, or has been looking to train martial arts for the first time, I strongly recommend Jiu Jitsu. While it can be a lot to handle at first, as soon as your body gets used to the physically demanding nature of it, it will gradually become easier for your body to handle. It's a very demanding and aggressive sport but its also one of the most fun things you will ever try.
Welcome back
Sign in to comment to your favorite stories, participate in your community and interact with your friends
or
LOG IN WITH FACEBOOKNo account? Create one
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
1. The Freshmen 15? It's real.
WARNING: The buffet style campus dining spots are a TRAP. If you're eating and out drinking on the weekends, it is EXTREMELY LIKELY that you're going to gain a little bit of weight. Gaining weight isn't really a bad thing, but staying healthy is definitely important. Take a walk or a run to even out that junk food intake, but feel free to sneak that late night five-cheese panini at 1AM.
2. Make friends with some of your floormates.
Your first year of college is arguably the most memorable time of your college life. You live with your floormates for two semesters, and you see them in the hall all the time. Make it a point to say "what's up", it'll definitely make your year more fun.
3. College is hard. Don't sell yourself short.
Higher education. It's not high school, your professors are a little less prominent than your HS teachers. This being said, you are responsible for your own eucation. It's a little hard having all this freedom and responsibility for (probably) the first time in your life, but it's important to realize that it's a little harder because you're sort of on your own.
4. You don't HAVE to have sex to "get it over with".
This is IMPORTANT. Deciding to have sex when you get to college? Cool. Deciding you want to wait? Awesome. Having sex because you just want to get it over with? Hm, think about that. Your decision is your decision, but if you're iffy about entering the "college hook-up culture", PLEASE really think about how important it is for you to have sex.
5. Be careful who you hook up with and who you open up to.
As I said earlier: beware of the infamous "college hook-up culture". IMO, it's a chance for college guys or gals to lead the other on (the majority of the time). It's not possible to control your feelings, but it's possible to cut a hook-up off/talk about how you feel. Better for you in the long run, trust me.
6. Work around scheduling a class before 12PM.
You might have the idea that, "Oh, I got up at 8AM in high school. I can do it again." No. No, you can't. I have very little explanation for this. You'll enjoy the extra sleep. If you don't believe me, schedule a morning class, and see how you feel.
7. Dress how you want to dress.
You wanna dress up? Slap on some make up, put on some heels, and head to your lecture. You were up late last night? Roll out of bed in what you fell asleep in last night. The good thing about college? You realize that no one is really focused on you, so it's a good time to just "do you" and rock it.
8. The drinking every chance you get? Not healthy. Stop that.
9. When you DO go out, be safe.
Check your drink, make sure you're pacing yourself, don't wander home by yourself, etc. The essentials.
10. Spend your money frugally.
Living the ramen/ easy-mac life is a real thing. There's a reason why it's a college student's go-to: it's easy to make, and it's cheap as heck. It's important to practice money saving tips- even though it seems almost impossible.
11. Those events your RA hosts? Go to them. Some of them are awesome, some offer free food.
As a poor college student, the word free resonates in all of our ears. RA events are not only a gateway to free food, but are also a way to meet more people on your floor/ in your building.
12. It's not all about school- enjoy yourself.
College is a new time in your life where you're working towards your future, but it's also a time where you meet people and have experiences like no other. Let yourself breathe sometimes, and just enjoy this experience.
StableDiffusion
What about combined income from two minimum-wage workers? Wouldn't that put them above the poverty line? In a nuclear family with two working parents and two children, their combined yearly wage would be about $30,160. That's only $7,846 above the poverty line. Now, let's take into account rent, food, gas, utilities, car insurance, health insurance, school supplies, clothes, and tuition. Try and see how $30,160 would cover all those expenses in a year – it doesn't. The minimum wage is not a living wage.
The minimum wage is not a living wage.
StableDiffusion
Here are some myths that I would like to present and debunk:
Raising the minimum wage will kill jobs. This is false. In a March 2011 report, the Center for Economic and Policy Research concluded that raising the minimum wage would not only help workers but actually have the possibility of increasing job openings. Better pay leads people to spend more money, and the cycle repeats.
"Nobody living in one of the most influential nations in the world should be worried about making ends meet."
influential nations
StableDiffusion
On June 2, 2014 , Seattle changed the city's minimum wage to $15 dollars. Following that procedure, unemployment decreased 17.46 percent – falling from a previous 6.3 percent to 5.2 percent.
Raising the minimum wage will hurt small business. Not only has a higher minimum wage worked in cities across the United States, but a 2006 study by the Center for American Progress and Policy Matters compared small business performances and found that the small businesses who paid the higher wages were more profitable.
Mostly teenagers work minimum-wage jobs. Again, this is false. Half of minimum-wage workers are 25 years old or older. Most minimum-wage workers support their family on this income – and 28 percent of these individuals have children.
Raising the minimum wadge
The minimum wage is not sufficient to uphold and support an individual, especially individuals with families. I've often heard: "It isn't fair that someone working in a fast food restaurant will get paid the same as a college professional!" If we raise the minimum wage to, let’s say, $11 an hour, it would still be a lower amount than that of a college professional. Even so, someone not having a college degree doesn't make their worth any less valuable. Nobody deserves to live in poverty. Nobody living in one of the most influential nations in the world should be worried about making ends meet. We are a nation of equality and opportunity – it's time to let some of that opportunity flow.
What is the current minimum wage at the federal level?
Federal minimum wage is currently $7.25 per hour. Many states also have minimum wage laws, and the employee is entitled to the higher of the two minimum wages. (U.S. Dept. of Labor)
What are the benefits of raising the minimum wage?
A higher minimum wage means less workers living below the poverty line, more workers being able to make ends meet and potentially spend beyond that, and workers would be more productive upon the increase.
What are the states that have set a $15/hour minimum wage?
California is at $15.50 per hour, Washington is at $15.74, and Massachusetts is at $15. These are the only states to have a $15 minimum wage as of Jan. 1, 2023. (The Economic Policy Institute Tracker)
Trending Topics
Trending Stories
Best of Wellbeing
