Get a Free Class!

    Gracie Jiu JItsu West County

    Gracie Jiu Jitsu near Maryland Heights, MO

    Gracie jiu jitsu near Maryland Heights, MO is a self-defense martial art unlike any other. We at Gracie Barra West County are privileged to bring the skills and teachings of Carlos Gracie and Gracie jiu jitsu to men, women, and children in the Maryland Heights, MO area. Our top-notch team of skilled Gracie jiu jitsu instructors teach the best programs in the Maryland Heights area. If you want to learn Gracie jiu jitsu technique and skill as well as the spiritual and mental attributes of a master Maryland Heights, MO Gracie jiu jitsu martial artist, join us today. Sign up for a free class or learn more by calling us now at 636-544-36550

    What is Gracie Jiu Jitsu?

    The term jiu jitsu has historically been used to describe a wide range of grappling-centered practices but generally refers to the grappling-style martial art based in Japan. Out of traditional Japanese jiu jitsu came Brazilian jiu jitsu, which became popular over time after Carlos Gracie and his family got involved. The Gracie family produced several of the most skilled Brazilian jiu jitsu athletes and eventually founded the Gracie Barra school, trademarking the Gracie jiu jitsu name.

    Today Gracie Barra schools near Maryland Heights and throughout the United States teach the practices of Gracie jiu jitsu to children, teens, and adults}. Gracie jiu jitsu in Maryland Heights, MO focuses on practical and graceful self-defense, including the ground grappling moves of jiu jitsu, judo throws, wrsetling take-downs, and muay thai kick boxing.

    Gracie jiu jitsu allows for successful self=defense, even when you are much smaller than your larger, heavier opponent. The focus is on leverage, timing, and natural body movements, often using your opponent’s weight against them}. Gracie jiu jitsu differs from other martial arts taught in Maryland Heights, MO in that it does not rely on striking movements, but instead on locks, chokes, and takedowns.

    Besides the techniques and types of moves used in Gracie jiu jitsu, the martial art is also distinct in its philosophy and as it relates to competition. The purpose of Gracie jiu jitsu is primarily for self-defense. Competitions are not about “beating” your opponent as much as it is about besting yourself and demonstrating maturity and confidence. Carlos Gracie Jr. impressed upon the students of Gracie jiu jitsu the importance of a spiritual practice and other significant internal traits like confidence, humility, and self-improvement.

    Carlos Gracie Senior 12 Commandments

    To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind
    Speak to every one of happiness, health and prosperity
    Give all your friends the feeling that they are valuable
    Always look at events from a positive point of view, and turn positive into a reality in life
    Think always in the best, work solely for the best and expect always the best
    Always be as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own
    Forget about past mistakes and concentrate your energies on the victories ahead
    Always keep your fellow men joyful and have a pleasant attitude to all that address you
    Spend all the time you need in perfecting yourself, but leave no time to criticize the others
    Become too big to feel unrest, too noble to feel anger, too strong to feel fear and too happy to tumble in adversity
    Always have a positive opinion about yourself and tell it to the world, not through words of vanity but through benevolence
    Have the strong belief that the world is beside you if you keep true to what is best within you

    Our other programs include:

    A History of Gracie Jiu Jitsu

    Gracie jiu jitsu has a long and fascinating history that spans generations and reaches across the globe. It starts with jiu jitsu. Jiu jitsu is a martial art form with ancient roots. The exact origins are not known, though many believe it began in India. However, components of jiu jitsu have been observed in the ancient cultures of Greece, China, Rome, and other regions. A combination of such elements and a the refining efforts of the Japanese are responsible for the practice we recognize as jiu jitsu today.

    Gracie jiu jitsu, though, does not develop until after jiu jitsu moves from Japan to Brazil by way of one exceptional student of the art named Mitsuyu Maeda (who eventually came to be known as Count Coma). Count Coma traveled the world, finally making his way to Brazil. In 1914 Coma performs a jiu jitsu demonstration in Brazil, where Carlos Gracie first sees him. Carlos Gracie, who was a small-built boy of only 14 years at the time, became a jiu jitsu student under Count Coma.

    Young Carlos Gracie trained under Count Coma, became a skilled martial artist, and eventually began his own school – the first Gracie jiu jitsu school. Carlos Gracie included his younger brothers and began teaching them Brazilian jiu jitsu through his school. This became known as Gracie jiu jitsu, and the family continued the tradition of teaching Gracie jiu jitsu and raising champion athletes throughout the next generations. As Carlos grew older, his younger brother Helio began taking over the Gracie jiu jitsu school, and subsequently, their sons started their own Gracie jiu jitsu schools and teachings.

    In 1983, Carlos Gracie Jr. became Head Instructor of the Gracie Jiu Jitsu school. He was attending school in nutrition when his brother, Rolls, suddenly passed away in an accident. Carlos Gracie Jr. decided to move his school to a new neighborhood called Barra de Tijuca, which is where the name Gracie Barra jiu jitsu comes from. Gracie jiu jitsu goes from local to national to international, being introduced to countries like the US by 2000. In 2005, Master Carlos Gracie Jr. moved to the United States, bringing the Gracie Barra headquarters with him. We are privileged to have Head Professor Mike Buckels with us at Gracie Barra West County, who trained under Master Carlos Gracie Jr.

    Gracie Jiu Jitsu Near Maryland Heights, MO

    Gracie jiu jitsu is an excellent martial art perfect for every age, gender, body type, and skill level. Try Gracie jiu jitsu in Maryland Heights, MO on for size with Maryland Heights Gracie jiu jitsu classes at Gracie Barra West County. For more information or to sign up for your first class, check out our schedule or give us a call at 636-544-36550. See you on the mat!