My First Experience To Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

In the Academy, many family heirlooms and records
are showcased....i just couldn't help myself there.

Come on in! Today I'll show you my first experience to Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and how I got to learn from the masters of the US in GJJ; My tour of the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Torrance, California from my Sophomore year summer vacation.

Immediate bloodline of the Gracie Family
 in display at the Torrance museum.

My exposure to the art began much before this, something I'll explain in another blog post through my training in Kajukenbo, but as a summer trip, my brother decided to surprise me and take me to the US headquarters of the GJJ Academy in Torrance, a mere 40 minute drive from West Covina. There we were astounded. As we we walked in, we felt like we were in the house of Gods, Jiu-Jitsu Gods. We tour the family museum, which held archives of the art's roots, relics like the first UFC championship trophy, which was won by the Grandmaster's son, Royce Gracie and much much more. The family timeline, which was too grand to fit in the proper honor it should is confined to a tiny frame. In fact here it is to the right. Then after having our historic minds boggled, as we leave we get confronted by two men, older men that looked like Jiu-Jitsu fanatics, little did we know that these two men were 3rd generation GJJ masters, Ryron and Ralek Gracie. In disarry, we were taken aback even more when an invitation to get lessons from them followed after quick small talk about where we train and our martial art background. We then followed in amazement, we were about to get a one hour lesson from masters, all in a day we only expected to take a couple of pictures and buy some souvenirs in...The lesson began, every moment a blur for us as we were amazed at this opportunity and when the lesson was over the memory was even more a blur... Afterwards both the brothers and us stood in the lobby, talking, enjoying our presence with them and asking them questions that our instructor at home couldn't answer with such a perspective. It was a good day, and a day I will never forget.

My brother, Ryron Gracie, and 10th grade me

My brother, Ralek Gracie and 10th grade me

Now the reason for this blog post wasn't to reminisce on a past adventure but grow from it. From that trip, I have advanced to a 3rd stripe white belt only one stripe away to become a Blue belt and be able to learn through the Master Cycle, and advanced GJJ training program. I have learned through experience and continue, everyday I train, roll with my peers and try and learn from every sparring session. I know that I can't achieve perfection in a year, but through the research I am doing, my understanding of Grandmaster Helio's theories, and my continual growth of Jiu-Jitsu through my Senior Project, I will be, in all, a better fighter than with any year I could've dedicated without this project. I was to go to the Torrance Academy again with peers from my Center in La Puente but I unfortunately wasn't able to go thus I shared with you my story of when I last went.

One last thing I will say...When my brother and i left the Academy that day, the Gracie brothers gave us both car stickers bearing the GJJ insignia, a symbol of brotherhood and family in our system. This week we put it on our family car and it looks great but besides that fact, I will leave you with a video posted from the Gracie Academy featuring Rener Gracie, the brother of the other brothers we met, showing how to place this decal on the window of your car. We used this to properly place ours, but, this isn't just a tutorial on placing a window sticker. Instead i show this to you because i found this comical, if you analyze the video you'll find a lot of what I say on my project to reflect his mindset, it's all the Gracie way and overall this video is one I find to give of Jiu-Jitsu humor. Again, if you don't get the humor...Do some Jiu-Jitsu you'll get it then. Enjoy.