Professor Thadeu Vieira is a 4th generation martial artist with lineage back to Grandmaster Helio Gracie, the creator or Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, also known as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). He has followed in the steps of his teachers by devoting his life to sharing the knowledge, skill, and versatility in martial arts with others. He studied and mastered the art of BJJ from his master, Paulo Wesley Lopes, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He later traveled the world as teacher, and competitor, and settled in Sarasota, FL in 2005. Professor Vieira has long excelled in his quest for knowledge and skill. He is one of the few BJJ instructors in Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education.
Professor Vieira opened his first school in 2000 in Brazil. All of the knowledge acquired and passed down through the Gracie family for the past hundred years is at the disposal of Vieira Academy students. There are very few schools in the world that can offer this pedigree of excellent lineage and we are proud to continue the tradition of martial arts that the Gracie Family began near 100 years ago.
WHAT IS BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU?
BJJ is very different from many other martial arts. Unlike other martial arts that involve punches and kicks, BJJ’s main focus is on grappling and ground fighting. BJJ’s eminently practical nature is why it has dominated the world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and is an essential tool for UFC competitors.
The essence of BJJ is to take a standing aggressor, bring him to the ground and then control or submit the aggressor while on the ground. Since being on the ground is unfamiliar territory for most people, BJJ’s emphasis on ground fighting provides a major advantage in that it greatly diminishes any size, weight and strength advantage an aggressor may have while standing. History has shown that martial artists that practice stand-up based techniques find themselves completely at a loss when a fight moves to the ground. BJJ has its roots in Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, which was developed for common people to defend themselves against a larger and stronger opponent. As such, the moves are practical and intuitive, as is the training. There is no need to weaponize parts of your body for striking and kicking. The training is direct and informal, focusing on actual self-defense situations so that the discomfort and panic typically associated with a confrontation is channeled into an appropriate course of action.
COMPARISON TO OTHER MARTIAL ARTS
Why pick BJJ over another martial art? There are several key reasons. The first is that most other martial arts rely on strikes (punches and kicks) from a standing position to injure the opponent. This is a daunting proposition for a smaller person fighting a larger, stronger person. In contrast, BJJ generally avoids forceful strikes and instead focusing on practical movements that can be easily used by anyone of any size against a larger and stronger opponent. In short, BJJ focuses on technique and strategy instead of brute strength and body-part weaponization. This is particularly important for females having to defend themselves if attacked by a larger, stronger male.
Also, in this day and age, striking someone – even if in self-defense – may not be advisable. Many self-defense situations require a proportionate response, such as controlling a person without hitting them, or rendering a person unconscious without actually hurting them. A well-trained BJJ martial artist knows how to apply appropriate self-defense solutions for a given situation.
There is a saying in BJJ: You will fight like you train. Most other martial arts involve training that has little or nothing to do with how they will actually fight to defend themselves. The “Brazilian” aspect of BJJ departs from the Japanese aspects of jiu-jitsu in that BJJ has stripped away the rigid formality and replaced it with a less formal and highly practical training philosophy focused on actual self-defense applications in a relatively informal setting.
At the same time, the Brazilians imposed strict requirements on rank promotions, which come far more slowly than in other martial arts. You will never see children or teenagers wearing black belts at a BJJ school. In BJJ, there is very little in the way of instant gratification. The BJJ process is deep and rewarding and the rank promotions reflect this. Vieira Academy maintains the established BJJ rank schedule, which imposes discipline and promotes humility in a manner consistent with ancient martial art philosophies. Vieira Academy offers all the benefits of a contemporary martial art with ancient martial art roots that provide an unbeatable path for self-improvement and a complete way of life for those that desire to be a true martial artist.
IS BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU A GOOD WORKOUT?
BJJ is physical sport that involves exertion and contact with others. Because the application of force is measured and intelligent, the contact is not high impact and the exertion is intended to be moderate because the movements use leverage rather than brute strength. Much of BJJ training involves the physical and intellectual challenge of learning to relax and stay calm when faced with adverse conditions. In this regard, BJJ is often likened to a game of human chess. The workout is as much mental as it is physical. The high level of concentration combined with the physical movements and working with others in a cooperative and social setting provides an excellent workout without the boredom often associated with solo gym workouts. Vieira Academy has seen many students realize substantial weight loss simply through regular class attendance and adopting a sensible diet. And unlike other forms of working out, there is the benefit of learning invaluable self-defense skills.
THE VIEIRA JIU-JITSU COMPETITION TEAM
Athletics at Vieira Academy is represented by a sport Jiu-Jitsu competition team known as VIEIRA SHARKS. Athletics within Vieira Academy builds community and pride through the engagement of students, staff, parents, and friends, and creates a portal through which everyone can enjoy the Vieira Academy experience. Successful athletic performance generates a unique excitement across the Vieira Academy and community, help strengthen bonds among the various arms of our school, build students loyalty in a healthy manner, and give Vieira Academy members yet another reason to be proud to represent the legacy of Professor Thadeu Vieira and defend the Sharks Team.
Athletic participation helps Vieira Academy students grow, learn, and enjoy themselves while developing their body, mind and spirit. Our competition team, values the lessons that have long been taught by sport Jiu-Jitsu competitions: the pursuit of excellence through personal development and teamwork, ethical and responsible behavior on and off the mats, leadership and strength of character, and sportsmanship – respect for one’s opponents, acceptance of victory with humility, and acknowledgement of defeat with grace. By embracing these values, VIEIRA SHARKS members create habits which will lead to a better lifestyle and well-being. While winning is not an end in itself, at Vieira Academy we believe that the efforts by our athletes to be their best will lead them to succeed throughout their lives.
THE SHARKS EXCELLENCE
Our team symbol is the Great White Shark, our team mascot is the Black Belt Great White Shark. The Vieira Great White connects the Vieira Academy community, our students taking their first class, our Black Belts graduating, our athletes in battle, our instructors teaching, our Schools keeping the legacy alive.
The Vieira Great White was created by Professor Thadeu Vieira with the purpose of unifying all of those who represent Vieira Jiu-Jitsu, defend the Vieira Great White patch and pass forward the legacy transferred down from Professor Thadeu Vieira, and other Jiu-Jitsu legends such as Master Paulo Wesley Lopes and Grandmaster Hélio Gracie.
The Vieira Great White’s credibility was built over the years through hard work and excellence shown by the Vieira Academy students, athletes and instructors involved in sport Jiu-Jitsu competitions, teaching programs and community work. The Vieira Great White patch is one of the most recognized symbols in Jiu-Jitsu today and all of those who carry it feel a deep sense of loyalty and commitment to Professor Thadeu Vieira, Vieira Academy and the Jiu-Jitsu movement.
Check our medal count on Smoothcomp Tournament platform: MEDAL COUNT
