Gracie Barra Ballard is in the House!

Seattle, Washington will be another addition to the continuously growing schools of Gracie Barra. The affiliates program offered by Gracie Barra enables all budding school owners to be a member of one of the most elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu organizations in the world.

The addition of Prof. Micah Anthony Reyes continues to echo the message Jiu-Jitsu for everyone. Professor Micah shares his thoughts about Jiu-Jitsu and how it changed him. Gracie Barra Ballard is now in the house.

GB.com: Tell us how you got into BJJ?

Prof. Micah: I had never done any martial arts prior to starting BJJ in 1996. I originally started BJJ to become a fighter. Within the first 6 months I could care less about the fighting aspect and fell in love with the art of BJJ. I already knew this was my calling. I was in a crew (gang) and when I stared training.  When I stopped hanging out with them, I got jumped, and knew I had to get out of L.A. I rented a truck and moved to Seattle, not knowing anyone, there was only 2 Bjj schools back then, I picked one and that’s all I did.

GB.com: Tell is about how your lineage in BJJ. We’d like to hear to whom you owe your training to.

Prof. Micah: I started at the Gracie academy only a few months before I moved from L.A. at the age of 21. The team in Seattle  always stayed together but the business owner/teacher conflict kept making the owner change teams and instructors. The school I started at in Seattle was a Machado affiliate after about 2 years I received my blue belt from Bob Bass. Purple belt was from Alex Candido Puertas Cia Paulista. Brown and black belt from Marcio Mamazinho Lauder and my connection to the GB family.

GB.com: How about your personal philosophy about Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu?

Prof. Micah: It is the only thing I’ve come across that tests you every day, at every movement. How you live is a direct reflection on how you are on the mat. It is the best way to make your personality shine, or know how to deal with your negative actions and change them to positive. You will learn a lot about yourself, if your willing to face it and make the change. I started bjj to be a fighter, 6 months in to training I figured out the daily fight, and daily therapy I got from so much technique and movement. It is a big part of my mental and physical therapy.

GB.com: For those thinking of joining and starting out BJJ, tell us what you think is the best way to learn BJJ.

Prof. Micah: The best way to learn BJJ is to start knowing this is a life style change (eating , attitude, friends). Knowing every new move you see is going to be weird, but you will be able to it with a lot of practice and like minded partner. BJJ is not an instant gratification sport. Knowing all your hard work and all the times you’ve tapped out will pay off down the road… some roads are longer than others.. try to enjoy the ride.. find an academy where you feel comfortable… the instructor makes the vibe of the school, some people just go to the closest school, some people shop around to find where they feel the best.

Visit the GB Ballard website for more info!