A Balanced Approach to Martial Arts

There are many different styles and variations across the world for martial arts instruction. Lexington Taekwondo Jiujuitsu (LTJ) believes in offering a balanced approach and making these styles available. LTJ has certified instructors for some of the most popular styles available to let you balance out your martial arts training.

Taekwondo

Translated as "the way of the foot and fist", this ancient Korean martial arts style began over 2000 years ago. It emphasizes effective kicking as well as many basic strikes. It is regarded as the world's most popular martial art, as measured by the number of practitioners. One source has estimated that taekwondo is practiced in 123 countries, with over 30 million practitioners and 3 million individuals with black belts throughout the world. It is now one of only two Asian martial arts (the other being judo) that are included in the Olympic Games.

Brazilian (Gracie) Jiu-Jitsu

Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art and combat sport that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting. It teaches that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend against a bigger, stronger assailant by using leverage and proper technique—most notably by applying joint-locks and chokeholds to defeat the other person. Jiu-jitsu is known as more than just a system of fighting, it is also a sport; a method for promoting physical fitness and building character in people both young and old.

Jiu-Jitsu came to international prominence in the martial arts community in the 1990s, when Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expert Royce Gracie won the first, second and fourth Ultimate Fighting Championships. Gracie fought against often much-larger opponents who were practicing other styles, including boxing, shoot-fighting, karate, judo and tae kwon do. It has since become a staple art for many MMA fighters and is largely credited for bringing widespread attention to the importance of ground fighting.