Jiu-Jitsu, which translates into "Gentle Art", is one of the oldest forms of martial arts. It originated in India and spread through China, eventually settling in Japan.

In 1914, Japanese Jiu-Jitsu champion Esai Maeda arrived in Brazil to help establish a Japanese immigration colony. He was aided by Gastao Gracie, a Brazilian scholar and politician of Scottish decent. To show his gratitude, the oriental master taught the basic secrets of the ancient fighting style to Gastao's son, Carlos Gracie.

Carlos taught Maeda's techniques to his brothers: Oswaldo, Gastao, Jorge and Helio and in 1925 they opened the first Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Helio, the youngest brother, who due to his frail health was forbidden from doing any kind of physical activity, became involved in Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 16 when he began to act as a substitute teacher for his brother Carlos. In spite of his small frame and weight of only 140 pounds, he became the mastermind behind the development of the style. Helio created an art that depended entirely upon technique rather than strength and speed.

Helio and his brothers were driven to find effective ways to deal with the very possible danger of a real fight. This led the Gracies to break away from the traditional Japanese style. They began experimenting, modifying, and perfecting simple techniques that would be effective regardless of stature.

Though Jiu-Jitsu was originally a Japanese style, the differences that the Gracies brought to the art made it uniquely Brazilian. Many of the Japanese facets of the art which depended on physical prowess and stiff motion were discarded, leaving only pure technique.