Intellect + Sport: Brazilian jiu-jitsu in Southeast Missouri

Christi Foutz is a veterinarian in Cape Girardeau. She is also a mother that holds a black belt in taekwondo and a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. She has practiced Mixed Martial Arts for five years, and in August 2018, she took first place in her division at the Jiu-jitsu World Master Championship. To say she has been bitten by the jiu-jitsu bug would be an understatement. But it hasn't always been easy. She's just learned to stay on the mat.

"I got into jiu-jitsu because I wanted to learn self-defense, but I also really liked the sport aspect," says Foutz. "I wanted to compare my skills with other people, and competition gave me the incentive to train extra hard."

And training for Foutz is a daily practice. A practice that has left her feeling strong, confident and focused, not only during class, but off the mat, as well. It's the reason the sport of jiu-jitsu, also known as "the gentle art," has become popular among the masses, with many celebrities taking an interest. Celebrities like Ed O'Neill of "Married with Children" and "Modern Family" fame, as well as Keanu Reeves, Demi Lovato and the late Anthony Bourdain all practice the distinct art of Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

While Gracie is a family name, this form of self-defense originated from the samurai art of jujitsu. Wanting to distinguish themselves from others practicing Mixed Martial Arts such as karate and taekwondo, the Gracie family changed the name. Though students practice and train in a gi, or loose jacket and drawstring pants, the skill set is completely different. Rather than kicking and punching your opponent, participants are taught a series of body mechanics to help them overcome any attacker with minimal effort and strength.

"It's about leverage, not violence," says Brian Imholz, instructor and owner of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu of Southeast Missouri in Jackson. "It's about controlling the environment and putting your opponent in a position where you are dominant and they are not."

Which is why jiu-jitsu is a great tactic for law enforcement professionals like the Cape Girardeau and Jackson Police Departments, the FBI and Highway Patrol, who train at the Gracie jiu-jitsu facility in Jackson. By training as a group, they learn defensive tactics to keep a suspect from getting away so there is less chance of an officer or a suspect being injured.

Though most people who train in Jackson are not law enforcement.

"We have policemen," says Imholz, "but we also have nurses, construction workers, teachers and students of all abilities and ages. We are a diverse group, and jujitsu unites them."

Young or old, weak or strong, male or female, it doesn't matter. The strategy lies within the brain, and as the brain gets smarter, the body gets stronger. It's a sport of problem-solving and muscle memory, which is why anyone willing to stay on the mat can do it.

And the facilities and resources happening around jiu-jitsu right here in Southeast Missouri are impressive. Imholz, a black belt who has studied under J.W. Wright, black belt and jiu-jitsu pioneer in the Midwest, has been leading the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy of Southeast Missouri since 2013. Since that time, he has provided leadership and training to anyone who wants to learn the sport. And while he is an avid competitor with a number of medals including Missouri State Championships, Extreme Grappling Open, Naga, Submission Challenge, two time International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJFF) Worlds medalist, and Respect 3 Pro Card competitor and champion, most of his work is now tied to his students.

One of those students is 9-year-old Lani McGuire, who has practiced jiu-jitsu for the last three and a half years. Her mom, Amanda, brought her to class because she was always into "ninjas and fighting" and was hoping it would build her self-confidence. It wasn't long before they began to notice changes, both physical and mental.

"I know I am getting stronger," Lani says. "I don't cry when I get hurt in the little things. I give up less and try harder. I used to be too nervous to enter my school's talent show, but this year I finally did it."

And while Amanda is thrilled about the positive changes jiu-jitsu has brought out in Lani, she is also on a personal journey of her own. A journey that began when she decided to join her daughter on the mat.

"I was out of shape. I had exercise-induced asthma. I wasn't good at making friends," Amanda says.

But she kept showing up, and it was through her training she began to accept who she was, take responsibility for her actions and practice humility. She started seeing results in the size and shape of her body, which encouraged her to eat healthier. As she began to eat healthier, she increased her water intake. As she increased her water intake, she was able to train harder. As she was able to train harder, she became more confident and capable of making life decisions regarding her passions and career.

Which is really the lesson behind the lesson, when it comes to jiu-jitsu.

"Coming to class will make you a better fighter, but the ultimate goal is to make you a better person," says Imholz.

But stepping on the mat for the first time is difficult for anyone. For some there is fear. Others, it's anxiety. Within a series of strikes, holds, locks and chokes, a person who stays on the mat becomes stronger. Which means somewhere between stepping and staying, there is a connection that occurs between the mind and body. When they get knocked down, they will stand back up. And when they step off the mat into their daily life, they will be more confident, more focused and less stressed. It's the best of both worlds. It's physical and mental. It's jiu-jitsu.

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What does each belt mean?

The Brazilian jiu-jitsu ranking system signifies a person's increasing level of technical knowledge and practical skill within the sport. Colored belts are worn as part of the uniform and are awarded to the participant as they are promoted throughout varied levels of training and competition.

~White

This rank is held by anyone new to the art and has no prerequisite. Though seen as a beginner or lower-level belt, it is often viewed as the most important belt since it is the one that begins the jiu-jitsu journey.

~Blue

At this level, students undertake hundreds of hours on the mat, gaining a wide knowledge of technique and body mechanics. Students must be over the age of 16 to qualify for a blue belt.

~Purple

At this intermediate level, the student has gained a large amount of knowledge and is now qualified to instruct lower-ranked students. It is recommended the participant has spent at least two years ranked as a blue belt to be eligible for purple.

~Brown

Progressing from a white belt to a brown belt typically requires at least five years of dedicated training, and participants must be at least 18 years old. It is at this stage students are refining learned techniques.

~Black

Black belts are often referred to as professor, and it is recommended students spend a minimum of one year ranked as a brown belt. The black belt has six different degrees of expertise.

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Learn the Lingo

~Gi

Heavy cotton jacket and drawstring pants worn as part of the martial arts uniform.

~Grappling

Technique or style of martial arts resulting in close quarter contact used to improve position, submit or injure the opponent.

~Armbar

A joint lock performed by placing your legs across the opponent's chest with one of his arms between your thighs and elbow joint against your hips.

~Submission

The action of yielding to a superior force or authority of another person.

~Rolling

The practice of wrestling for position and submission.

~Dojo

School or academy for martial arts.

~Tap Out

The signal you are caught in a position you cannot escape from, used to end the match.