Gracie Jiujitsu was trademarked and stands separate from Brazilian jiu jitsu, though naturally there are many similarities. Aside from certain martial art techniques that have been developed by the Gracies over the years, the main thing that separates Gracie jiujitsu from all the other Brazilian jiu jitsu disciplines out there, is the philosophy that goes hand in hand with the training. This philosophy is the foundation of jiu jitsu according to the Gracies and accepting it is the first step if you want to train in their schools.

The first principle of Gracie Jiujitsu is about control. In a fight, this involves being the one who will dictate what happens during the fight. Part of this is in physically controlling your opponent and restricting his movements to what you want him to do; the other part is the self-control that you need to impose upon yourself so that you can make the best choices to win the fight. This is personal training at its best, and it is part of a healthy lifestyle. It is expected that you are able to exercise enough control to eat properly and take care of your health.

The next principle of Gracie Jiujitsu involves patience. This is particularly important for a fighter, since so much that occurs in a fight can depend on timing and whether enough patience has been used. Patience is often rewarded, as opportunities are more likely to appear. For those who rush, bad decisions are more likely to occur. This philosophy is instilled from the beginning and it is expected that if you can be patient on the mat, then you will display the same quality in your life outside of the dojo.

The final of Gracie Jiujitsu principles is efficiency. This is particularly important for a fight, since the foundation of this discipline is built on the assumption that you will be fighting someone stronger and bigger than yourself. Jiu jitsu schools will often promote the idea that you drain your opponent of his or her energy while conserving your own strength in order to finish the fight. This applies to daily living as well, with the idea that you are able to maximize your results through an efficient application of effort, whether it is in business or social situations.

Jiu jitsu schools that teach Gracie jiujitsu tend to be full of serious students and serious instructors. That doesn't mean that they don't have fun while they train; it just means that they usually fully embrace the Gracie philosophy and training and fighting occupies a large part of their lives. If you are able to do the same, and are truly interested in performing to the best of your abilities, then you may be a candidate for this form of jiu jitsu.

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