Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Introduction

In 1914 Mitsuo Maeda, a Japanese Judo and Jiu-Jitsu master came to Brazil. In return for help from the Brazilian politician Gastao Gracie, Maeda taught Judo and Jiu-Jitsu to Gastao's son Carlos, who in turn taught the art to his brothers. Helio Gracie, the youngest of the brothers was unable to train according to doctor’s recommendations as he was naturally weak and frail. Therefore Helio gradually developed Brazillian Jiu Jitsu or Gracie Jiu Jitsu as an adaptation from Judo as he was unable to do many of the moves which relied on strength, athleticism, and physical conditioning. He was able to overcome the obstacles of greater size, strength and aggression by utilizing superior leverage, grip and position upon his opponents. The Gracie family went on to further refine the art via constant no-rules competition.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art system which focuses on grappling primarily on the ground. It teaches that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend against a bigger, stronger opponent by using leverage, proper technique, joint-locks and chokeholds to defeat the other person. One may train BJJ for sport grappling tournaments (with or without a kimono) or self defense. Through training BJJ students will gain a deep understanding of the workings and limits of the human body.

Why Gracie Barra

Gracie Barra Is One Of The Biggest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Associations In The World, Among Its Ranks Are Over Four-Hundred Black Belts And One-Hundred And Fifty Different Schools Or Affiliates. Spearheading The Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Movement Is Carlos Gracie Jr, Who Is The Son Of Carlos Gracie, The First Gracie To Ever Learn Jiu-Jitsu From Japanese Emigrants That Arrived In Brazil In 1914.

Lanna MMA Is Excited To Be The Only Gracie Barra Affiliate In The Greater Toronto Area.

The Gracie Barra Mission:

We Seek To Train The Body, Mind, And Spirit Through The Highest Level Of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Instruction. We Envision It As A Vehicle To Individual Development And The Strengthening Of The Family Spirit

Carlos Gracie Jr. And 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, 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.