• GRACIE BARRA HISTORY


Professor Carlos Gracie Jr. is the founder and head instructor of the Gracie Barra Academy, the largest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school in the
world, located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The son of Carlos Gracie, the pioneer of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Carlos Gracie Jr., has produced well
over 200 black belts in his tenure, which today includes numerous world class instructors and athletes.

At the heart of the Gracie Barra mission statement is the goal of training both the body and spirit, going beyond the 'winning-losing' or
'contest' philosophy present in other martial arts. Instead, Professor Carlos Gracie Jr. emphasizes the fundamental principle of Jiu-Jitsu:
"Minimum effort for maximum efficiency," a method of utilizing strength through gentleness, an expression exemplifying both the mental
and physical aspects of Jiu-Jitsu. In Professor Carlos' mind, Jiu-Jitsu was in fact a method of education, which could be used to foster
one's personal development. Professor Carlos considered the goals of Jiu-Jitsu to revolve around three aspects: physical education,
personal achievement, and ethical growth. In other words, through the practice of Jiu-Jitsu, one would complete their personal
development through the training of body and mind, becoming a person better able to contribute to society and the world. Recognizing
the never-ending quest for self-perfection, even today Professor Carlos continues to study these techniques and principles with his
students. The constant development of techniques demonstrates Professor Carlos' adherence to these principles, continuously striving
for further progress and knowledge.

In spreading the values of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Professor Carlos is also the head of the IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation -
www.ibjjf.org) the largest international organization for overseeing the growth of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The IBJJF is the organizer of the
largest competition tournaments in the world including the World Championships of Jiu-Jitsu ("Mundials"), held in Rio every July, the Pan-
American Championships held in Dominguez Hills, California, the European Championships held in Portugal, also held annually. This
year also marks the first Asian Championships to be held in Japan.
  • HISTORY OF JIU-JITSU   

Some historians of Jiu-Jitsu say that the origins of "the gentle art" can be traced back to India, and was practiced by Buddhist Monks.
Concerned with self-defense, these monks created techniques based upon principles of balance and leverage, and a system of
manipulating the body in a manner where one could avoid relying upon strength or weapons. With the expansion of Buddhism, Jiu-Jitsu
spread from Southwest Asia to China, finally arriving in Japan where it developed and gained further popularity.

In the last days of the 19th century, some Jiu-Jitsu masters emigrated from Japan to other continents, teaching the martial arts, as well
as competing in fights and competitions.Esai Maeda Koma, also known as "Conde Koma," was one such master. After traveling with a
troupe which fought in various countries in Europe and the Americas, Koma arrived in Brazil in 1915, and settled in Belem do Para the
next year, where he met a man named Gastao Gracie. The father of eight children, among them five boys and three girls, Gastao
became a Jiu-Jitsu enthusiast and brought his oldest son, Carlos, to learn to fight from the Japanese master.

For a naturally frail fifteen-year old Carlos Gracie, Jiu-Jitsu became a method not simply for fighting, but for personal improvement. At
nineteen, he moved to Rio de Janeiro with his family and began teaching and competing in the martial arts. In his travels, Carlos would
teach classes, and also proved the efficiency of the art by beating adversaries in competitions who were more physically strong. In
1925, he returned to Rio and opened the first school, known as the "Academia Gracie de Jiu Jitsu." Since then, Carlos started to share
his knowledge to his brothers, adapting and refining the techniques to the naturally weaker characteristics of his family. Also, Carlos
taught them his philosophies of life as well as his concepts of natural nutrition. Eventually, Carlos became a pioneer in creating a
special diet for athletes, "the Gracie diet," which transformed Jiu-Jitsu into a term synonymous with health. Having created an efficient
self defense system, Carlos Gracie saw in the art a way to become a man who was more tolerant, respectful, and self-confident. With a
goal of proving Jiu-Jitsu's superiority as well as to build a family tradition, Carlos challenged the greatest fighters of his time, as well as
managing the fighting careers of his brothers. Fighting opponents fifty or sixty pounds heavier, the Gracies quickly gained recognition
and prestige.

Attracted to the new market which was opened around Jiu-Jitsu, many Japanese practitioners came to Rio, but none were able to
establish schools as successful as the Gracies. This was due to the fact that the Japanese stylists were more focused on takedowns
and throws, and the Jiu-Jitsu the Gracies practiced had more sophisticated ground fighting and submission techniques. Carlos and
his brothers changed the techniques in such a way that it completely altered the complexion of the international Jiu-Jitsu principles.
These techniques were so distinctive to Carlos and his brothers that the sport became attached to a national identity, and is now
commonly known as "Brazilian Jiu Jitsu," practiced by martial artists all over the world, including Japan.

With the creation of a official body overseeing the administration of the sport, the rules and the ranking system started the era of sport
Jiu-Jitsu competitions. Today, Jiu-Jitsu is much more organized, with an International and National Federation, founded by Carlos
Gracie Jr. Through his work with the Confederation of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Carlos Gracie Jr. contributed to the growth of the sport by
holding some of the first organized competitions. Currently, the Confederation holds competitions in Brazil, the United States, Europe,
and Asia, realizing Carlos' original dream to spread Jiu-Jitsu around the world.

- By Steve "Sakuriba" Kim



GRACIE JIU-JITSU PHILOSOPHY   

The application of traditional Gracie Jiu-Jitsu transcends the practice of chokes, joint locks immobilizations, throws and strikes. A true
Gracie philosophy prepares men, women and children for life, showing them paths to a healthier life and the most effective use of
physical, mental and spiritual strength. Eating well is Jiu-Jitsu, taking care of your body is Jiu-Jitsu, saying no to cigarettes, alcohol and
drugs is Jiu-Jitsu, as well as keeping a close bond with relatives and friends. This philosophy, which can be called a “way of life”, has
been propagated by Grand Masters Carlos and Helio Gracie for almost a century.
COMMON QUESTIONS:
  1. WHAT DO I WEAR TO START CLASSES - AT FIRST JUST WEAR LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING IE.. SHORTS AND T-SHIRT.  ALL
    JIU JITSU CLASSES ARE PRACTICED IN THE GI OR KIMONO (THE PRESCRIBED UNIFORM FOR BJJ).  IF YOU CONTINUE
    TO TAKE CLASSES YOU WILL NEED TO PURCHASE ONE.
  2. OTHER EQUIPMENT - AN ATHLETIC SUPPORTER WITH CUP AND MOUTHPIECE ARE ADVISED.
  3. WHAT DO WE DO WITH BEGINNERS? -  REGULAR BJJ CLASSES ARE OPEN TO ALL LEVELS.  WE TREAT EVERYONE
    WITH RESPECT AND STRIVE TO MAKE SURE ALL OF OUR STUDENTS ARE SUCCESSFUL IN REGARDS TO LEARNING
    TECHNIQUES.  OUR GYM HAS A GREAT ATMOSPHERE FOR LEARNING.
  4. CAN I TRY OUT A CLASS BEFORE I COMMIT? - YES, YOUR FIRST CLASS AT HE FIGHT CLUB IS FREE.  YOU MAY ALSO
    OBSERVE A CLASS BEFORE DECIDING TO TAKE PART.
GRACIE BARRA JIU-JITSU