ARE YOU DOWN?
At Down by Nature we believe that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a lifestyle, not just a sport. At Down by Nature, we’re down with Nature. We believe that we are part of Nature; not superior to her and certainly not in opposition to her. As a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu apparel brand, we draw inspiration from the beauty, power and infinite lessons of Nature. We believe in the Art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as just that: an artform. We have a deep passion for traditional Martial Arts principles and a love of the aesthetics and philosophies of Old Japan. Down by Nature was born to address what we saw as an under-represented voice within the BJJ market; a brand that promotes the underlying principles of Martial Arts. Down by Nature attempts to capture, reflect and convert to imagery fundamental Martial Arts principles: humility, balance and self discipline, and adherence to the laws of Nature.
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Hit the mats. Roll hard and roll often. Get humble, be humble, and stay humble. Through humility comes great strength. Strength of character, strength of generosity and strength of heart.
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Your opponent is to be respected. Your opponent is there to highlight your weaknesses in order for you to address them. Improve yourself and improve others.
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Respect the mats. Bow to the mats. Acknowledge those who are your coaches, teachers and mentors. Acknowledge those who have gone before you, whose sweat and blood and life force have produced this beautiful Martial Art.
Down by Nature is the brainchild of Aaron Hill.
Aaron has a background as a practicing Visual Artist specifically in drawing and Lithography. He is an Educator working as the Director of Student Wellbeing at a specialist High School: a heavily pastoral role concentrated on supporting at-risk youth. Aaron is a devoted practitioner of the Art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He is an avid bodysurfer, camper and hiker and engages in the outdoors at every chance. Nature is his great love and grounding force.
All things Down by Nature start their life in one of Aaron’s numerous sketch books.
He then collaborates with partner Georgina Cullum to develop these into designs ready for print. Aaron creates the artwork and Georgina takes care of the typography and digital aspects. It’s a back and forth process with Aaron as the driving force and Georgina as the catalyst for the brand and business, shaping it to take form.
On social media you will be chatting to Aaron. On email you will probably be speaking to Georgina. We are a grass roots business who believe in the development of community through the production of quality goods. We support Australian owned and local business where ever possible and use the most ethical and sustainable materials and processes we can.
Down by Nature collaborates with Proscreen screen-printing, a long standing and innovative owner-operated business. Similar to Down by Nature, Proscreen operates on the notion that a local small business can offer a level of personalised quality and service that larger businesses cannot; an elevated service based on attention to detail and years of expertise.
“There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When meeting with a sudden shower, you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road. But doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet. When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed, though you still get the same soaking.”
