Jiu Jitsu is a martial art that is synonymous with the UFC. Our practice involves learning how to strike, throw, strangle people unconscious, and manipulate joints that have dire consequences on life. Every night we come to class, and we learn the art of combat and how to do it effectively and efficiently. Within the […]
We’ve been delving into the dark arts of breaking legs and popping lower leg joints lately at the HJJ. There’s a rich history of technique, and also thoughts and opinions about leg locks and their effectiveness. While other martial arts have practiced breaking legs for years in the likes of Japan, Russia, and the world […]
If you’re anything like me, you hesitate when people ask you what you do. I run a jiu jitsu academy. True. I teach people how to grapple. Also true. But the benefits of the Higher Jiu Jitsu Experience extend far beyond this. You see, it all started on a beautiful, sunny day on the 12th […]
There’s something special brewing just outside of the Sydney CBD. It’s been almost 10 years of solid work to get us here. And we’re now firing on all cylinders. Higher Jiu Jitsu is not a stone throw from St Mary’s Cathedral. Legit, throw a rock from the top of the Cathedral and you’ll hit us […]
I stumbled across this saying recently and here I reflect on it’s meanings in jiu jitsu. Like in all areas of life, Shiny Object Syndrome is definitley a thing in jiu jitsu. The prevalence of the internet has afforded us the ability to access millions of hours of footage, from thousands of different instructors, on […]
Guest post by HJJ student AJ Bhardwaj. — 3 weeks ago, I hurt my ribs. Quite badly. A grade 2 cartilage tear. Yesterday, however, I was back to rolling albeit at sub maximal intensity in the advanced classes fairly pain free. Let me show you how. What Happened: We have been lucky to […]
It’s with great sadness that I post today to let you know that we’re not continuing with HJJSydenham beyond 2022. How We Got Here It was Oscar that let me know in early 2022 that Barbanera Smash Repairs level 2 was vacant, and prime real estate for a Higher Jiu Jitsu in the Inner West. […]
You open your eyes from sleep in the morning. No one watches and your phone is there, so you jump on and have a look. Your thumb moves to Instagram, and then to Facebook, and then your emails. You mindlessly scroll for a few minutes, and you’re ready to jump out of bed. Not much […]
Lots of debate abounds about the most effective way to learn – is it concepts or techniques? Our priority is learning, and we say it’s both!
I was born in Earlwood, Sydney. I went to Earlwood Public for my primary school years. Then after a couple years at a high school in unlucky St George Dragons territory :) I relocated and spent my best schooling years at Casimir Catholic College Marrickville. The first time I moved out of my parents’ house, […]
There is something serious brewing on the Higher front, and I can’t help but get it out to you, so please read on! How it all Started It was February of 2014 when I walked into PCYC City of Sydney for the first time ever. A catch up was in order with my new mate […]
This week, HBO aired a story on the Gracie Academy’s GST program for law enforcement in the US. The 17 minute video highlights one main problem of policing- not enough training to do their job effectively. Officers with limited training and resources are more likely to feel threatened or angry and use excessive force. Brazilian […]
Jiu jitsu is many things to many people. Considering the exploding popularity of competition BJJ, the strategy and techniques of jiu jitsu for self defence are becoming more elusive and almost forgotten. But not here at Higher! The fact that our lineage includes the likes of Master Pedro Sauer, GM Rickson Gracie, and GM Helio […]
Brad came to Sydney from Perth in 2018 looking for a place to learn jiu jitsu, and a community to grow with. He intended to look around and try a few different gyms across the Sydney CBD. He did one class with Higher Jiu Jitsu at the legendary PCYC City of Sydney, and immediately signed […]
Jiu jitsu is self defence, even when it isn’t. In a standard jiu jitsu class room you see people of all shapes and sizes learning the art of jiu jitsu. Lots of the time this means learning moves to grapple against another practitioner who also knows how to grapple. When the art is practiced like […]
Here is a drill we do at Higher Jiu Jitsu during guard and armbar practice. It involves a partner acting like a table top. It is best to have your wrists a little further apart than shoulder width, and ideally your fingers are inward facing so that your elbows are outward facing. From the bottom […]
You gi up and tie your belt. Then a few hip escapes into the warm up and your basic belt tie is unravelling. Time after time after time after time you need to stop what you’re doing and tie up your belt, yet again. So annoying! Well time for that is up :) Mr Panza […]
So there’s a nasty virus lingering around the world having come from bats or from labs and it’s yuck and the government gets worried and now we’re in a lock down and it’s all weird and we can’t train jiu jitsu. Covid or not, life is full of curve balls and this is another one […]
We did a survey asking our students what they wish they knew before starting jiu jitsu. Matty and I come together to record a discussion based around these responses. Novan Pradhika “As a beginner I wish I knew that not all schools approach jiu jitsu the same way. And that not all schools teach […]
They say pressure makes diamonds. So are the joys of jiu jitsu locked in competition, now and forever? Or can we enjoy jiu jitsu and learn and flourish on the mats and off, without the rigours of competition? This article discusses the pros and cons of competition and how you can think about it to do it better.
Not everything will go your way. Sometimes there’s nothing to do but accept this, move on, and try again, no matter what. So never mind getting choked. Enjoy jiu jitsu, stay on the mats, and learn for life.
The Upa, or Bridge & Roll The Upa is an incredibly powerful and useful technique. Sometimes it feels like we need all our strength to escape a mounted opponent. If we break down the mechanics, we will see that one little movement will make a big difference. The major movement of the Upa is the […]
~Discomfort is not caused by weight, it is caused by Pressure.~ If I want my opponent to be so focused on the discomfort I’m causing that they forget they own a neck and arms, I need pressure. Pressure (P) is defined as Force (F) divided by Area (A). A bed of nails doesn’t kill people due to […]
Gracie Jiu Jitsu is a Martial Science Jiu- Jitsu a bit of both art (mistranslated from technique) and science. Gracie jiu jitsu applies one thing that separates it from most martial arts: The Scientific Method. Source Wikipedia Via: Thebiologyprimer.com The scientific method is the single most important methodology for improving, well just about anything. Start with a […]
The Spark Program is Higher Jiu Jitsu’s way of providing the life skills of jiu jitsu to the underprivileged kids of our community.
With a few pointers your visit to another school doesn’t need to ruffle any feathers. Here is how you can travel to different schools and have fun, and learn and be nice to everyone around you.
Counting how many submissions happen per class is one way to measure progress. But it’s definitely not the only way, or the best way. Here are some other more relevant ways to measure your progress on the mats.
Im amongst all the resources to learn jiu jitsu, there is one elusive trait that’s needed throughout the journey to getting better at jiu jitsu. Practice this, and you’re on course to being at your best.
If the end crowns the work, then the beginning sets the tone for the work. Think carefully where you start your jiu jitsu journey as this will have big ramifications on your path!
Why do we regularly discuss jiu jitsu from a standpoint of violence? It’s known as the gentle art for a reason, and you like it because you don’t need to get hurt while doing it.
Jiu Jitsu mats are a big world of beautiful mechanics, and technique, and fun. Beyond these moves is the strategy that is required to make it all work. Are you the hunter or the hunted?
We know you’re a good guy. But there’s some things some people do on the mats, and it’s very annoying. Make sure you’re not a culprit of one of these!
I was a few classes into my jiu jitsu journey. I was fit, and strong, and gladly accepted an invite into a jiu jitsu tournament. Before I knew what an armbar was I was being armbarred, and I only knew one way out of it. I’d like to think my knowledge and skills have improved […]
You never wanted people to choke you, and you never thought it’d be so fun to practice self defence. And here you are.
There’s been many ups and downs on the path to the present. But we wouldn’t have it any other way. This is Higher Jiu Jitsu and this is for life.
When you learn jiu jitsu you lose weight, feel good, and have fun all at the same time. Whatever you want to do, with jiu jitsu you can do it better.
Join Coach John and Matty as we discuss the perils of injury, and what to do in order to minimise the risks of them, on the mats and off.
As you learn, you improve. At some point, it goes full circle, and you see the common trends inherent in our martial art. These are the basics of Gracie Jiu Jitsu, and they’re not just for beginners.
John and Brad discuss how they got involved in jiu jitsu and what they wanted to get out of it. Fast forward numerous years for both of them, they’re obsessed, they’ve got the bug, and they’re now hooked. Highlights, Takeaways, Key Points: How jiu jitsu can change how you spend your time, and choose your […]
What’s the difference between Gracie Jiu Jitsu or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu? Aren’t they the different names for the same thing? That’s what I thought too. Then I met some problems, and great teachers, and now there’s no going back.
We all love jiu jitsu. For some people the short game of jiu jitsu is where it’s at. Others prefer to play the long game. Here’s how to do it for the long term.
If you’re playing the long game, burnout is not an option, and rest is a necessity. From this year onwards, we introduce the Sabbatical.
Gracie Jiu Jitsu means self defence via leverage where smaller, weaker people can defend themselves against bigger, and stronger aggressors. So then why are the everyday people doing jiu jitsu predominantly men?
The students of Higher Jiu Jitsu have banded together to create a scholarship for women who want to learn but may lack the finances. Supported solely by the community of students, the scholarship includes 3 months of their Women’s Only program and a uniform.
Your instructor calls you out and you’re the dummy of the class. It’s your turn to shine as uke. Here’s how to do it well.
Just because you’ve never been in a fight, doesn’t mean you don’t need self defence. The skills we learn in jiu jitsu are there to help you if ever the situation came about. It’s not paranoia, it’s preparation. And so much fun along the way!
How do you prepare? Have a shower, and clip your nails. Pack some water, flip flops, and a change of clothes for after class. Men- Wear a comfortable, fitted, older t-shirt, and shorts without pockets. Women – Wear a fitted t shirt and tights. Show up 15 minutes before your first class. Remove all piercings, […]
So you want to train jiu jitsu… Find Your Third Place. Your academy is like your second home. Here’s an article about the third place. The people that make up that community become like family to you, and it’s important you find the right one to kickstart your journey. Which one is right […]
It’s been an amazing year. We’ve worked hard, and we’ve achieved lots. Before we embark on a new one, it’s time to reflect and be grateful for the good times that have happened in 2018.
Rolling with a monster like Burak Sarman has it’s perks. And so does being under the tutelage of Master Pedro Sauer. In Melbourne I had the opportunity to do just that. I survived. This is my story.