But there is more than simple effectiveness that goes into a martial art, and some people might wonder which of the two is the better choice for them, and this article will steer them in the right direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Is BJJ?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu<\/a> is a grappling martial art focused on dominating a fight on the ground through leverage, superior positioning, and submission holds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n First created as a self-defense system, BJJ today is more popular as a grappling-only combat sport with a very well-developed competition scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The roots of BJJ lie in Japanese jiu-jitsu, modified by the creator of Judo, Jigoro Kano. Then a student of Kano and master catch wrestler named Mitsuyo Maeda traveled to Brazil in the early 20th<\/sup> century, where he started teaching students, including brothers Carlos and Helio Gracie. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Gracie family and other schools began developing their own version of the martial art, which gradually became a distinct style focused more on the ground fighting rather than the throws like Judo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Gracies traveled to the USA to popularize their style, and their immense success came with the first UFC events in the 1990s, won by Royce Gracie. Since then, jiu-jitsu has exploded as part of MMA and a separate sport. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The constant competition and ever-growing scene continuously evolve the style making it better and more complex as time goes by.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aikido is a Japanese martial art created in the 1920s and 1930s by Morihei Ueshiba, affectionately known as “Osensei” by Aikido practitioners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ueshiba studied various Japanese martial arts, including Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu, Judo, and Kenjutsu swordsmanship, which he implemented into his new style, which was formally recognized in 1942.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Morihei Ueshiba was heavily influenced by the neo-Shinto religion, which teaches non-violence, and the ideas laid the foundations of Aikido. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ueshiba emphasized mastering the technique of receiving an attack and harmlessly redirecting it, with the ideal outcome being not only protection for the receiver but also leaving the attacker uninjured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aikido spread worldwide and is now taught in over 140 countries. Like many other Japanese martial arts, it has split into sub-styles, versions, and organizations, each altering some aspects based on their beliefs and understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The philosophy of Aikido is perhaps more important than anything else about it. Unlike all other martial arts, Aikido is a way of peace and harmony. It aims to prevent the practitioner from harm and neutralize the attacker inflicting minimal damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All Asian martial arts have a strong spiritual backbone and are physical and mental practices, but in Aikido, the mental part is equal to the physical one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The whole idea of Aikido is to be a way of harmony and peace and defeating opponents without causing them harm while cultivating a strong and noble spirit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BJJ may be translated as the gentle art, but it’s very far from it. While the submissions hold and positions can be used to subdue an opponent without causing him damage, each of the moves can lead to a serious injury, unconsciousness, or even death. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Jiu-jitsu was conceived as a self-defense system and a style to fight other styles and, as such, is drastically more violent than Aikido.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aikido techniques primarily use various throws to counter specific strike patterns. The majority of throws end in a joint lock or pin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Wrist manipulation and redirecting the attacker’s energy are the main principles used in Aikido throws to cause the defender to throw the attacker into an impressive-looking flip and finish with some form of wrist or arm lock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All of the techniques in Aikido aim to blend with the attacker’s energy and control him with minimal effort. The techniques aim to harmlessly deflect the attacks rather than to hurt the opponent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BJJ focuses almost entirely on ground fighting, and most techniques reflect that. A key concept is positioning, meaning you must first assume a dominant position that allows you to control the opponent and then look for a submission. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The most distinct positions in jiu-jitsu are the guards, which allow you to fight effectively from your back, something not found in any other grappling martial art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BJJ also employs the most extensive repertoire of submissions, including numerous joint locks like the armbar, heel hook<\/a>, and Kimura lock<\/a> and strangulations like the guillotine, rear naked choke, and triangle choke<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Is Aikido?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Key Differences Between BJJ And Aikido<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Aikido](\"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Aikido-vs-BJJ.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPhilosophy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Techniques<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Competition<\/h3>\n\n\n\n