We all know that Jiu-Jitsu is a powerful tool to make anyone’s life better and healthier.

Showing up to train is basic, but you can apply the BJJ lifestyle to your overall daily routine.

If you do that, it’s certain that the results will come quicker and they will also be more profound.

So, here are 15 basic principles you should follow to get the most of the BJJ way of life.

1. It’s a beautiful day to die – Every day the samurai repeats this thought upon awakening. He will do his best to see if it doesn’t happen, but if you are always prepared for the worst, you will be better prepared to face whatever life throws your way.

2. “I’ve never had a headache” – Grandmaster Helio Gracie used to brag that he had never been sick his entire life. He would credit that to his rigorous dietary methods created by his brother Carlos. Healthy eating is one of the basis of the Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle. Always prefer natural foods and avoid excess.

3. Work is not splitting stones – The essence of Jiu-Jitsu is to use the least force to the greatest effect. In the field of business, this principle means productivity, in life it means happiness.

4. Any exercise is better than no exercise at all – Injuries are a common thing in practitioners’ lives. However, few justify stopping exercising altogether. Rest the injured spot, but find other ways to keep the rest of your body in action.

5. A black belt is a white belt who never gave up – We’re sure you read that one many times. Consistency counts much more than talent in the long run. The worst feeling we can have in life is to wonder what we could have become if only we had applied ourselves more.

6. Diversify! – Even Jiu-Jitsu, when it becomes an obligation, can feel like a bore. Try to include other activities in your routine of training so you don’t feel worn out.

7. Don’t be a slave to the clock – Master Carlos Gracie Jr. is known for stopping whatever he is working on to go work out or train Jiu-Jitsu. Never allow yourself to skip doing what is good for you. Make time and have a good time.

8. Have enough money so it won’t be a problem for your quality of life – You don’t have to be rich, but should have a dignified life. The pursuit of survival should not get in the way of your lifestyle.

9. Love what you do and you won’t have to work a day in your life – Life is short, so you should not waste it with something that does not speak to your heart. Be creative and find a way to make a living out of one of your passions.

10. The horse to arrives early drinks the cleaner water – Don’t be late. It’s disrespectful to others and prevents you from taking the most of what life offers.

11. Never forsake meals – An empty bag cannot stand by itself, so be sure to eat properly and at the right interval. Whenever you skip a meal, you are hurting your own body for no reason.

12. Sleep is a priority – The body and the brain need at least 8 hours of quality sleep every day to recover and be at their best. Pulling all-nighters will only make life less productive.

13. Enjoy your family – Most of Jiu-Jitsu’s driving force in the early days in Brazil came from Helio’s and Carlos’ worry with the well being of their family. That same feeling has spread all over the world and the gentle art community is nothing but a huge global family today.

14. If you build, they will come – Be a good host! Be kind, generous and welcoming at your academy or your house. Invite others to experience what you know is a great way to live life.

15. Win with grace, lose with class – A pedantic winner has the same value of a sore loser. Welcome victory showing respect for your opponent and accept defeat and learn with your mistakes.

Gabriel Medina won this Saturday the first ever world professional surfing championship for Brazil.

One year ago, Caroline Gracie’s Lifestyle show was talking about the relationship between Surfing and Jiu-Jitsu.

The episode interviews three-time world champion Marcus Buchecha and also US Open Surfing winner Alejo Muniz.

Muniz was decisive for Medina’s win, when he defeated Mick Fanning in the fifth stage and secured the countryman’s title.

Watch the episode and celebrate Medina’s title.

At the 2014 Ericeira Jiu-Jitsu Camp, you can surf, train Jiu-Jitsu and Judo, as well as explore the coast of Portugal.

The camp will be taught and led from Sept. 18-21 by Ze Marcello, Sergio Vita, Vineicius Constantino, and GMA member Anderson Pereira of Icon BJJ Swiss.

The training will consist of both BJJ and judo for two hours a day. There will also be two surfing lessons with the wetsuit and surfboard included.

You can reserve your spot for this adventure 220 euros via bank transfer.

Contact zemarcello@mac.com for more information and to register.

Marcus Buchecha and Kelly Slater after training. Promotional photo.

A surfing god and BJJ blue-belt, Kelly Slater knows full well the benefits of practicing the gentle art. Last week he talked and rolled with Marcus Buchecha and the Mendes brothers in Costa Mesa, Calif.

Slater learned a great deal as he exchanged experiences with the black-belts, and later left this piece of advice:

“I advise all parents to put their kids in Jiu-Jitsu classes before any other sport.”

Jiu-Jitsu is something so simple and harmless that any kid can practice it.

But it’s also a powerful tool to educate the young citizen. Follow Slater’s tip and sign your kid up for BJJ.

And if you want to learn about the art in all of its depth and beauty, subscribe to GRACIEMAG.

Marcus Buchecha, Kelly Slater reading GRACIEMAG

Marcus Buchecha met Kelly Slater today, and for a good reason.

The two-time black belt absolute world champion proudly showed to the 11-time professional surfing champion this month’s GRACIEMAG issue.

The magazine covers Buchecha’s amazing performance at the 2013 Worlds and also portraits Buchecha surfing in Abu Dhabi in the Intro session.

When he first saw it, Buchecha was really thrilled with the image and today he was able to show it to the guy he considers “the best athlete ever”.

Here’s what Buchecha wrote about the encounter: “Today I had the big pleasure to meet Kelly Slater. Since I was 11 years old I watched videos of him and in my opinion this guy is the best athlete ever. I’ve never seen what he has done in any sport, 11 times World Champion , and he’s a really funny and nice guy! Thanks!”

GRACIEMAG is proud for being the link between two amazing athletes.

What about you? A GRACIEMAG subscriber yet? Do it now HERE!

Alana Blanchard is considered one of the best female surfers in the world at the age of 22. Had she claimed her expertise on the mats in Jiu-Jitsu, she’d be at the forefront of women’s competition today with a black belt around her waist. But even though she chose her path on the water instead of the mat, it doesn’t mean she can’t extend her interests from here on out.

Watch this video below at 3:07 to see Alana and her friends visit the academy of Bruno Ewald, a black belt under Royler Gracie, in Kauai, Hawaii. Bruno is no stranger to teaching surfers, as his first students in 1991 were all surfers themselves. In 2010 Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu also paid the Gracie Humaita black belt a visit where he developed life-long friendships on the island. You can read it here.

A surfing world champion 11 times over, icon of the waves Kelly Slater drew comparisons between his sport to the martial art. Addressing who counts among his Twitter followers, Slater named UFC president Dana White, and discussed the similarities between the two sports.

“I didn’t used to like MMA, and now I love the sport. Truth is, surfing is like a martial art,” said Slater. “Good martial artists use the most efficient moves for getting the body to produce more energy. In surfing you have to master the same things – base, balance on your feet, the act of turning, bend and extend your legs. I love watching two guys fighting. It’s like human chess,” concluded Slater, who is known to train with Kron Gracie, Ricardo Arona, BJ Penn and Vitor Belfort.

Check out Slater rolling, with Vitor as ref and BJ Penn as judge.

On January 21, 2012, Jiu-Jitsu and surfing lovers will get to participate at the International Jiu-Jitsu and Surfing Open in the Miraflores and Punta Hermosa neighborhoods of Lima, Peru.

Promoted by Ricieli Santos and black belt Marlon Ribeiro, the event will go till the 23rd and will include children, teenager’, adult and master divisions for males and females. Fighters and surfers from Brazil, Peru, Chile, Uruguay, Ecuador, Argentina and Venezuela will converge on the city for the event.

Ricieli, who has promoted events since the days of Rickson, Renzo and Wallid, was the first the promote a one-hour Jiu-Jitsu challenge, and now he’s aiming to draw more people to the sport, mainly in Peru.

“I’d always come to the country with my son, Phillip Santos, who always liked the sport a lot. I put the competition together so the sports will remain together in the country,” he says.

The news for the 2012 installment of the event is that there will be longboard and standup categories, as well as a tribute to Master Carlson Gracie.

The 21st will feature a seminar and workshops. Now on the 22nd the Jiu-Jitsu tournament will be held. On the final day, surfing.

“On the 23rd everyone will take to the water to see who finishes who,” joked Ricieli. Trophies, medals, kits, gis and boards will be handed out as prizes. For further information, contact Ricieli Santos by email (ricielifightingnews@hotmail.com) or by phone (55 21) 7754 4029 / 55*91*36454.

Zé Mario has been training at the Nogueira brothers' gym. Photo: Carlos Ozório.

Thursday, late night in Barra da Tijuca, and the two opponents in the unprecedented supermatch set for the September ADCC in England are near each other, but they don’t even know it.

At a restaurant in the neighborhood, Renzo Gracie, 44, just had dinner with Kyra Gracie and family, catching up with old fans in the neighborhood and other old acquaintances. Zé Mario Sperry, also 44, is right nearby, hanging out with Breno Sivak and crew, the organizers of the black belt surfing tournament that’s set to shake things up on Prainha Beach this Sunday following UFC Rio.

“I ran smack dab into Zé Mario,” recounts Renzo over the phone early this morning, at GRACIEMAG.com’s request. “It was funny. I still won’t miss a chance to make fun of him, of course.”

They greeted each other, and the Gracie let out:

– Dude, we’re the same age and here I am with black hair and yours is all white. Explain that to me!

– Renzo, I work so much I can’t even train right… That’s why my hair is so white. You’re living large, training every day, you don’t have to stress about anything – retorted Sperry.

– Following an amicable farewell, two questions were left hanging: Which of the two aces will win their No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu supermatch come September 25 in Nottingham? And might Renzo and Sperry first face off in Rio, in the surf at Prainha Beach?

– “I was invited, but I’m really not sure if I’ll go,” said the Gracie in doubt. “Man, I think it’s been more than ten years since I last stepped on a board. I’m afraid I’ll put in a shamfeful performance.

Renzo in Rio / Photo by Junior Samurai

Jiu-Jitsu, always lots in common with the waves / Photo: Gustavo Aragão

UFC Rio will be going down the evening of August 27 in Barra da Tijuca, and fans, the curious, event staff are asking:

What’s there to do during the day?

Rio has a number of attractions to offer, but one of them is truly promising. On August 27 and 28 at Prainha beach, one of the hottest spots in Rio, Bintang Fight Surf Black Belt World Challenge will be holding an event to unify surfing and martial arts.

On the beach, event promoters Breno Sivak and Rosaldo Cavalcanti promise to gather some of the most stalwart fighters in world Jiu-Jitsu and MMA.

In the water, some of the best Jiu-Jitsu black belts around will take to competition on the waves. What could be better to do than that?

“As it’s an event dependent on ocean conditions, our window of opportunity is Saturday and Sunday – but we’d like to get it going on Sunday, seeing as a lot of the guys invited have commitments on Saturday, with the UFC,” explains Breno Sivak. “The black belt surfers in the contest have been invited but we’re still contacting and inviting people, prioritizing those who are relevant in the sport. By the opening ceremony, the day before the event at Sportv Point, we’ll have all the competitors ready.”

Find out more about the Jiu-Jitsu world here, on GRACIEMAG.com.