Breathe: A Life in Flow

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The book’s title, “Breathe,” hints at the role breathwork played in Rickson Gracie’s legendary capacities for enduring, flowing, and keeping his head in seemingly unfavorable situations. Everyone should be able to take one or two lessons from the strange and incredible life of Rickson Gracie. With that being said, this book is an amazing tell all speaking on a little bit about Rickson’s private history, his emotions, his thoughts, his upbringing and a very vivid recounting of his relationships within his family. It reminds me of how I felt after reading BJ Penn's book, an individual who lacks self awareness and has a particular level of naivete.

Traditional Japanese Jiu Jitsu was developed for armed combat on the battlefield, but Judo was created in the late 1880s by Jigaro Kano as a safer, more sporting, weaponless alternative. At certain moments it is inspiring to learn how Rickson had overcome obstacles and his dedication and commitment to the art of Ji Jitsu. While the book is overwhelmingly about a life in Ju Jutsu, Cani’s influence plays a crucial role as the yogi taught Rickson about breath control, and, among a huge pack of skilled Gracie fighters, that ability was pivotal in Rickson’s rise to the top. Rickson, and all the others are truly special people their accomplishments, work, and faults speak for themselves clearly and honestly in this book.Both sports forced me to reinvent myself as a much more physical fighter who relied on strength and speed rather than intelligence or technique. Breathe is an autobiography of Rickson Gracie, a former jiu-jitsu champion and one of the best martial arts practitioners in the world today.

As jiu-jitsu’s allure grows—a proposed police-reform bill in Michigan would require all officers in the state to hold at least a blue belt (or have equivalent martial-arts experience), as though a scrap of fabric is a surefire way to avoid the use of excessive force—Gracie-style hype becomes even more important to avoid. In the decades since, Brazilian jiu-jitsu has exploded in the United States, and not just under Gracie leadership; every day, thousands of devotees head into humid, rank basement academies across the country, hoping to … well, what are we looking for?And as an antidote to our distracting, screen-driven lives, you can’t beat the true absorption and slow grind of jiu-jitsu. From legendary Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA master Rickson Gracie comes a riveting, insightful memoir that weaves together the story of Gracie’s stunning career with the larger history of the Gracie family dynasty, showing how the connection between mind and body can be harnessed for success both inside and outside the ring.