Gracie Barra Programs

Programs

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

Working from the assumption that Brazilian 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 Pasadena are not isolated from one another, but elements of a larger structured learning plan called “Programs”.

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

Curriculums: Set of coordinated techniques organized in the best possible way to facilitate students’ learning processes. All Gracie Barra curriculums are 16 weeks;
Pre-requisite: The minimum level a student must possess or have accomplished in order to enroll in a specific program;
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;
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);
Minimum Attendance: minimum attendance required from the student so him or her can progress and be updated with the GB Curriculums;
Belt System: Hierarchical rank structure designed to represent students’ progress, according to their own potential. The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) ranking system is used for all Gracie Barra Programs.

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 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and afterwards enroll in the Gracie Barra Fundamentals Program. After four (4) months of training and learning all the techniques comprising the Fundamental’s curriculum, the student will be recommended to join the Gracie Barra Advanced Program. With eight (12) months of training and experience, the student will have the maturity level and enough knowledge to enroll on the Gracie Barra Black Belt Program offered in Pasadena. It is in the Gracie Barra Black Belt Program where he or she will be exposed to all kinds of training dynamics, including MMA, BJJ No-Gi and high level BJJ-Gi, so that the student develops his or her own Jiu-Jitsu game, strategy and technique(s).

Brazilian 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 ’s teaching experience and have succeeded in improving the life quality, self-esteem, discipline and health of thousands of individuals around the world, as well as building some of the best BJJ fighters ever known.

Fundamentals

The Gracie Barra Fundamentals Program is designed to teach the overall self-defense strategy of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Within 32 classes, you will learn the 60 Gracie Barra Fundamental Technique Groups, which include more than 200 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques.

After four months, you will develop the physical and mental skills to successfully apply BJJ techniques that could literally save their lives during a confrontation. Along with learning practical self defense skills, you will discover huge improvements in your discipline, confidence, and self-esteem, the benefits of which will last a lifetime.

Pre-Requisite Courses:

Intro Lesson

Uniform:

Gracie Barra Official Gi

Advanced

Once you earn the 3rd stripe on your white belt, you can move up to the Advanced Program, in addition to continued study in the Fundamentals Program. The 6 month Advanced Program curriculum focuses exclusively on learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with the Gi, and will allow you to further your study of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu grappling techniques.

In conjunction with the ground techniques, you will learn the major and most effective throwing techniques which will enable you to transition from the feet onto the ground. In addition, the Advanced Program is more than a series of isolated techniques – the curriculum includes a unique approach, which allows you to understand the links, combinations, and transitions between techniques, improving your reaction time and refining your skills. During the Advanced Program, you will discover strengths and weaknesses of your technical mastery, and begin to create your individualized Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu game.

Pre-Requisite Courses:

Completion of the Fundamentals Program / 3 Stripe White Belt

Uniform:

Gracie Barra Official Gi

Black Belt

With the experience, knowledge and skills built over 1 year or more of training, you will be ready to join the Gracie Barra Black Belt Program. Every Gracie Barra student’s goal, no matter their age or technical level, is to join this program because it is the final path for them to become a Gracie Barra Jiu jitsu Black Belt.

The Black Belt Program is designed to expose the student to several different classes and a variety of training experiences, allowing you to develop a unique style of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and to further your mastery of the art. As a result, in the Black Belt Program, more advanced techniques are taught, the pace of the class is faster and more intense, the level of training partners is higher, and last but not least, the focus on little details and timing is what will assist you to take your progress to the next level.

The Black Belt Program includes three different classes:

Gi Brazilian Jiu jitsu classes
No Gi Brazilian Jiu jitsu classes
Mixed Martial Arts – Advanced Self Defense classes

A brief description of these classes follows:

Gi BJJ: The class is 60 minutes long, and includes practicing takedowns, ground techniques, specific training and sparring(live training).
No Gi BJJ: The class is 60 minutes long, and includes a set of different submissions and takedowns from the standing position, as well as No Gi BJJ ground techniques.
MMA – Advanced Self-Defense: The class is 60 minutes long, but is focused on developing the student’s approach to MMA through the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu perspective. Fighting stance, motion, basic strikes, clinches, ground control and submissions are the core concepts included in this class.

Pre-Requisite Courses:
At least 12 months of training at Gracie Barra Pasadena / Blue Belt or Higher.

Uniform:
Gi Classes:

Gracie Barra Official White Gi.
Gi top and pants must be the same color.
Every student must wear a rash guard underneath the Gi.

No Gi Classes:

Gracie Barra Gi pants or fight shorts
Gracie Barra rash guard.

MMA – Advanced Self Defense Classes:

Gracie Barra Gi pants
Gracie Barra Rash Guard or T-Shirt.
MMA gloves and mouth piece.

Kids & Juniors

Discipline, self-confidence, respect, integrity, teamwork and responsibility are some of the core principles for personal success. These values, however, are rarely taught to children in schools. At Gracie Barra Pasadena, the practice of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is seen as a means to individual growth, and our Kids, Juniors and Teens Program emphasizes development of charcter.

The kids, Juniors and Teens Jiu-Jitsu programs are designed to:

Teach a complete self-defense system that will give children a high degree of self-confidence.
Teach children how to intelligently cope with bullying and peer pressure.
Teach positive social values such as respect, honesty, humility, and dignity.
Help children get along with others and to treat others with respect.

We offer fun and instructional classes for kids. The kid’s program integrates sport and self-defense techniques with conditioning and skill oriented games aimed at improving your child’s coordination, motor skills, agility and flexibility.

Belt System

belt-system_GBA

IBJJF-belt-system-kids

Etiquette

Bow to the center of the mat when you enter.
Bow to the centre of the mat when you exit.
Keep a respectful posture on the dojo.
Classes begin with a formal bow to the instructor with students lining up in descending grade order.
Classes end with a formal bow to the instructor and then to the picture of Carlos Gracie Senior.
During Class, when the instructor is demonstrating the techniques, every student must sit in seize.
For safety reasons, if you are late sit by the side of the mat and wait for the permission from the Professor.
For safety reasons, if you need to leave the mat or leave earlier you must ask permission from the Professor.
Bow to your partner before and after practice.
Talking should be kept to a minimum level and should relate to the class subject.
Absolutely no foul language inside the school.
Do not belch inside the dojo.
Keep finger and toe nails short for everyones safety.
All students must wear the official Gracie Barra uniform. The uniform pants and top must be the same color.
It is mandatory to wear a t-shirt or rash guard underneath the Kimono.
The Kimono must be washed at least once a weekly. A dirty kimono is a sign of disrespect.
The Kimono must be worn at all times.
When tying the Kimono, face the wall.
The belt is represents your progress. Keep it on.
Refer to Black-Belt Instructors as “Professor” and to Carlos Gracie Jr. as “Master”.
All metal objects, jewelry, piercing, neckless or other such items should be removed.
No shoes, food or drink on the mat.
No Cell Phones in the dojo area.