Jiu-Jitsu, which means "gentle art", is the world's oldest form of martial art. It originated in India more than 2000 years before Christ. The style was created by monks who could not use any weapons to defend their lives against barbarian attacks. The art spread through China and eventually took root in Japan, where it became their first martial art style.

The Samurai clans of Japan adopted Jiu-Jitsu as their own traditional style to defeat an opponent regardless of the situation (striking, throwing, or grappling). In 1914, Japanese Jiu-Jitsu champion Mitsuyo Maeda (aka: Conde Koma) migrated to Brazil, where he was instrumental in establishing a Japanese immigrant community. His efforts were aided by Gastão Gracie, a Brazilian scholar and politician of Scottish descent. As an expression of his gratitude for Gracie's assistance, Maeda taught the Brazilian's oldest son Carlos the essential secrets of the ancient martial art. Carlos taught Maeda's techniques to his four brothers, and in 1925, they opened the first Jiu-Jitsu academy in Brazil. One of the four brothers, Helio Gracie (only 16 years old then), paid special interest to the use of the techniques.

Helio was of small frame, light weight (only 62 kg), and frail health when he began learning Jiu-Jitsu. Being unable to participate in classes, he would sit and watch his older brother teach every day. One day when Carlos was unable to make it to class, Helio was asked to instruct. Because of his size and stature, he began to work with and adapt the basic rules of Jiu-Jitsu. He introduced the application of leverage to the art, making it possible for a smaller opponent to defeat a larger one. He began experimenting, modifying and enhancing the basic techniques to make them more effective for a person regardless of his or her physical stature.

Thus began the development of a new and more effective martial art Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). Helio's skills eventually enabled him to beat some of the world's greatest fighters. Helio's feats include the longest fight in recorded history (3 hours and 45 minutes, nonstop) and the historic match against Masahiko Kimura, who was probably the greatest fighter Japan ever produced. Helio was able to utilize the same Jiu-Jitsu techniques which he helped to develop until his death at the age of 95. Helio's quest became today's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a martial art that is continuously evolving as a result of input from practitioners throughout the world.