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Area fitness enthusiasts have a chance to learn the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
from the highest-ranking BJJ black belt in the greater Houston area.
Leonardo Xavier, a third-degree black belt, Pan American Champion and multiple
time world medalist, maintains the headquarters of his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Association in the First Colony area of Sugar Land. Other schools are located
in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.
Xavier was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he studied under
Royler Gracie and Rolker Gracie, sons of Helio Gracie, founder of the sport
Developed in the 1920's by brothers Carlos and Helio Gracie, the art of
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a self defense system adapted from traditional Japanese
Jiu Jitsu that emphasizes the proper use of leverage and well-executed
technique over speed and power. This enables a
smaller and weaker person to defend himself from larger attackers.
Royler Gracie, World Champion of Submission Wrestling for three consecutive
years, visited the Sugar Land LX Jiu-Jitsu facility last November to present a
seminar to Xavier
’s students.
Among other self-defense techniques, Gracie demonstrated how to fend off an
assailant that grabs someone from behind by using natural body movements and
weight adjustments to hoist the attacker on the back taking away his
leverage and strength and allowing the victim time to get into a better
position. Forty-eight pound, 7-year-old Grayson Dekanich of Edmond, Okla.,
demonstrated the technique by lifting Gracie off his feet and onto Grayson
’s back.➝
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Health Benefits
According to Xavier, the proper practice of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu will greatly
improve cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, metabolic and social-cognitive
functioning, forcing the body to improve oxygen consumption in the metabolic
process.
“Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners who lead a balanced lifestyle can expect an
increase in their blood vessel diameter and flexibility, which facilitates the
amount of work the heart must undertake in order to function properly, while it
becomes stronger through time as opposed to weaker,
” Xavier said.
No Flying Kicks and Spinning Punches
Based on his 20-year experience in martial arts, Xavier has developed a
curriculum that provides instruction for individuals of all ages and experience
levels. This allows each student to progress at his or her own pace, get into
shape, gain self-confidence, relieve stress and learn to defend themselves and
their family, all while having fun at an exciting pace.
Although BJJ is a martial art, it focuses on balance. “Students do not punch and kick each other in our-class,” Xavier said. “Jiu Jitsu’s goal is not to teach you how to fight, it is to teach you balance, and within
that balance lies the ability to defend yourself.
”
Through BJJ men and woman of all ages can achieve their goals for personal
fitness and incorporate the lessons learned in training to the other aspects of
their lives.
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