Our Method

At Gracie Barra we strive to help students get the most out of their training. For students with consistency and dedication, Jiu-Jitsu becomes a life-style and students can readily enjoy all the benefits Jiu-Jitsu or the “Gentle Art”.

Working from the assumption that Jiu-Jitsu must be embraced as a lifelong journey, Master Carlos Gracie Jr. has designed an effective learning plan or program of study that allows for students to naturally progress from the White Belt to the Black Belt. Thus, classes and their respective curriculum at Gracie Barra are not isolated from one another, but elements of a larger structured learning plan called “GB Programs”.

Gracie Barra Programs are comprised of six (6) main elements:

1. Curriculums: Set of coordinated techniques organized in the best possible way to facilitate students’ learning processes. All Gracie Barra curriculums are 16 weeks;
2. Pre-requisite: The minimum level a student must possess or have accomplished in order to enroll in a specific program;
3. Class: The defined period of time during which the student learns the techniques that comprise the curricula using several different training methods or appropriate instructional techniques;
4. Training Methods: Specific drills and training practices designed to convert the knowledge represented in the curricula and taught by the instructor into knowledge and skills, insuring that the student is able to apply their knowledge and techniques under real circumstances (or under authentic conditions);
5. Minimum Attendance: minimum attendance required from the student so him or her can progress and be updated with the GB Curriculums;
6. Belt System: Hierarchical rank structure designed to represent students’ progress, according to their own potential.

All Gracie Barra students have the dream of becoming a Black Belt. However, this is not an easy goal and a lot of consistency and dedication is required. To fulfill the promise of facilitating students’ learning, Gracie Barra Programs are structured logically to keep students motivated to learn, practice and perform.

A typical Gracie Barra student starts with an introductory class, where he or she will learn the overall self-defense strategy of Jiu-Jitsu and afterwards enroll in the GB¹ Program – Jiu-Jitsu Fundamentals. After four (4) months of training and learning all the techniques comprising the GB¹ curriculum, the student will be recommended to join the GB² Program – Advanced Jiu-Jitsu. With eight (8) months of training and experience, the student will have the maturity level and enough knowledge to enroll on the GB³ Program – Expert Jiu-Jitsu. It is in the GB³ Program – Expert Jiu-Jitsu where he or she will be exposed to all kinds of training dynamics, including MMA, No-Gi and high level Gi, so that the student develops his or her own Jiu-Jitsu game, strategy and techniques.

Jiu-Jitsu is a beautiful art and everyone is capable of learning it and enjoying its many benefits. Gracie Barra Programs reflect more than thirty (30) years of Master Carlos Gracie Jr‘s teaching experience and have succeeded in improving the quality of life, self-esteem, discipline and health of tens of thousands of individuals around the world, as well as building some of the best Jiu-Jitsu fighters ever known.