Tao Jiu Jitsu Academy: routine and calm on the mat in Dubai

Black belt Alexandre Altenburg Odebrecht, head coach of Tao Jiu Jitsu Academy in Dubai, believes keeping a training routine is one of the best ways to get through uncertain times. In an interview with VF Comunica, he explained how Jiu-Jitsu helps his students look after their mental health, on and off the mat.

Alexandre has taught in the United Arab Emirates since 2014 and has watched the sport grow across the country, where Jiu-Jitsu is now part of the school curriculum. His academy is in Arjan, near Dubai’s Miracle Garden, and runs classes every day for adults, women and children.

A fixed point in the day

For Alexandre, the first benefit of training at a time like this is having something predictable.

“Jiu-Jitsu gives people something during uncertain times which is a fixed point in the day they can count on. When life circumstances feel chaotic and unpredictable, having a routine where you show up to the mat at the same time, with the same people, following the same warm-up, creates a sense of familiarity,” he says.

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The second benefit comes from the demands of rolling itself.

“It also keeps you present in the moment, you cannot think about what’s happening outside the mats while someone is trying to pass your guard. That forced presence is almost meditative. And physically, the exertion itself regulates the nervous system in ways that just ‘thinking through’ stress never does.”

Time away from the stress

Asked whether training becomes an escape when there is a lot of stress outside the academy, Alexandre doesn’t hesitate.

“I definitely think so. I see Jiu-Jitsu as a way for people to switch off from everything happening outside. When you’re on the mats, you can’t really be thinking about work, bills, or everything else going on in your life. You have to be present,” he says.

“I think that’s one of the best things about training. It gives people a couple of hours where they can focus on themselves, release some stress, and just enjoy being there. Sometimes people walk in carrying a lot and leave feeling much lighter.”

Community when times are hard

Alexandre sees the people around you as a central part of what an academy offers.

“I think community is one of the biggest parts of what makes an academy special. It’s not just about coming in, training, and going home. You build relationships with people you might not have otherwise met, and over time, they become part of your everyday life,” he says.

“Especially during difficult times, having somewhere to go where people know you, check in on you, and genuinely care makes a big difference. Sometimes you don’t even need to talk about what’s going on. Just showing up, training with your teammates, and being around good people can be enough.”

What the mat teaches about fear and anxiety

Beyond fitness, Alexandre points to a lesson every practitioner knows: keeping your composure in a bad spot.

“Jiu-Jitsu teaches you a lot about staying calm when things aren’t going your way. There are plenty of moments when you’re stuck in a bad position, you’re tired, and everything feels overwhelming. But if you panic, you usually make things worse,” he says.

“You learn to breathe, slow down, and figure out your next move rather than reacting straight away. I think that carries over into everyday life. You start to understand that you can’t control everything, but you can control how you respond to it.”

For him, that is what stays with people the most.

“For me, that’s one of the biggest lessons Jiu-Jitsu teaches. You don’t always have to have the whole answer. Sometimes you just need to stay calm and take the next step.”

A message for people in the UAE

Alexandre closes with a message for anyone in the country looking for stress relief and some normalcy, whether they train or not.

“I would say try to keep some routine in your life, especially when things around you feel uncertain. Come train, go for a walk, spend time with people you enjoy being around,” he says.

“Training isn’t going to make everything happening outside disappear, but it gives you time to focus on something positive and be around people who support you. Sometimes just having that one hour for yourself can make a bigger difference than you realise. And you don’t have to be a Jiu-Jitsu practitioner to understand that. Just find something that gets you moving, keeps you grounded, and gives you a bit of normality.”

Has Jiu-Jitsu ever helped you get through a difficult time?

Read also

• Jiu-Jitsu as a National Movement: The Growth of Tao Jiu Jitsu Academy in the UAE
• Jefferson Goteu: “The World Pro is among the biggest competitions in Jiu-Jitsu”
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