Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was made popular in the U.S. by the Gracie family.  It is now the fastest growing martial art in the world.  The art is comprised of four components: self-defense, vale tudo (anything goes), sport jiu-jitsu, and takedowns.  The techniques of Jiu-Jitsu help a smaller and weaker person defend against a larger, stronger opponent of greater physical attributes.  Students will get a great strength and conditioning workout while learning one of the world’s most effective martial arts.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu will take you deep into the world of grappling and you will begin to understand the intricisies of ground grappling.  Each move and technique must be done with precision and proper timing.  The emphasis of base and leverage is to enable the smaller, weaker, person to take a bigger, stronger, more aggressive opponent out of his element and submit him.  Jiu-Jitsu was created so that the small guy can survive and even win against the size and strength of any opponent.  It invloves using every element of the body and mind to win.  Leverage, technique, timing, endurance, strategy, sense of touch, element of suprise, sight, sensitivity of weight, balance and feeling the intentions of your opponent.  We can thank the ones that came before us that made this art great!

A message to freinds from Royce Gracie,

Helio Gracie
October 1, 1913 – January 29, 2009.

Friends,

Today my father, Helio, at the age of 95 passed on. I am honored to be the son of such a great man! He was an inspiration to me throughout my life. As a Grandmaster of Jiu-Jitsu and the father of “Vale Tudo” he brought Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to the forefront of martial arts. He was a man of small stature but his heart was that of a giant. He proved with Gracie Jiu-Jitsu that even a small man could overcome a bigger stronger opponent by using leverage and technique. He was truly an innovator. Just look around and you can see how his success gave birth to the sport of mixed martial arts that we all enjoy today.

Many of you may think that the greatest thing my father ever gave me was Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. But I want all of you to know that I will remember him most for what he taught me off the matt. He taught me how to be a man, a husband and a father. He showed me how to be honorable, respectful and diligent. He taught me how to be a whole person.

I ask that together we celebrate the remarkable life of my father, Helio Gracie. The greatest tribute you can to pay to my father is to continue to train and share Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, remembering to never lose sight of the fact that what you do off the matt counts more than what you do on the matt. Face life’s challenges with confidence, dare to pursue your dreams and live to the fullest just as my father did.

God bless us all!

Royce