Gracie Barra Mansfield | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Tag: Gracie BJJ

Gracie Barra 30th Anniversary Promotion!

If you ever needed a reason to begin your Jiu-Jitsu journey…
your search ends today.

For the past 30 years Gracie Barra has been delivering Jiu-Jitsu excellence to local communities all around the world. This month Gracie Barra is celebrating 30 years of Jiu Jitsu and GB is giving you not one but THIRTY reasons to start training today.

Want to try out a class for free? Fill out the form below or call (817) 453-5858.

[contact-form-7 id=”2360″ title=”30th Anniversary Promotion”]

30 Reasons To Start Training Jiu-Jitsu

1 – Get in the best shape of your life!
2 – Surround yourself with great people who will help you accomplish your goals!
3 – Have a mentor that will walk you through your success as a martial artist!
4 – Get inspired to achieve more!
5 – 30% OFF – After all we are celebrating 30 years!!!!
6 – Free Intro Class – Get started the right way.
7 – Jiu-Jitsu is a journey for a lifetime.
8 – Gracie Barra is a family that we choose, and a place where we respect and help each other.
9 – You will always find a good friends on the mats.
10 – Focus – The first skill you will improve in your Jiu-Jitsu life.

[expand title=”Click here to learn more about the other 20 reasons why JJ will change your life for better!!”]
11 – Everyone should learn Self-Defense.
12 – Confidence – Day-by-day you will learn to trust your body and see yourself becoming more confident.
13 – Mindset- Jiu-Jitsu will also help you improve your mind.
14 – Gracie Barra is a place for a everyone, including you.
15 – Philosophy – Find a new way to live your life. The Jiu-Jitsu philosophy is contagious.
16 – Tradition – Be part of something bigger than you and make history with us.
17 – Gentle Art – Jiu-Jitsu focuses on grappling and controlling your opponent rather than striking. It is substantially less violent and injurious than other forms of combat or martial arts.
18 – Self Esteem – Training Jiu-Jitsu will help you accept yourself and love yourself just the way you are.
19 – Greatness – Find your greatness thought jiu-jitsu is something possible and mensurable.
20 – It’s Challenging – You will learn something new every day and the learning never stops.
21 – GB Environment – You will never know if you never try. Gracie Barra is the right place for you and your family!
22 – It’s Fun – We promise that you will never get bored doing jiu-jitsu.
23 – GB Method – Gracie Barra developed an amazing curriculum that will help you learn Jiu-Jitsu in the right way.
24 – Discipline – To make it happen.
25 – White Belt – Jiu-Jitsu is a journey and being a white belt is the first step.
26 – Blue Belt – Being a blue belt in Jiu-Jitsu is an awesome feeling and means that you have the power of perseverance and you didn’t give up.
27 – GB1 – Fundamental Class. Gracie Barra has created a structure that condenses an immense diversity of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu into core fundamental moves combined intelligently and safely to optimize your learning.
28 – Purple Belt – Hard Work is how we describe a purple belt and in this phase Jiu-Jitsu has already became a part of you.
29 – Brown Belt – Patience and dedication. The word that we use to describe the brown belt is patience as we are dreaming a lot about becoming a black belt.
30 – Black Belt – The journey doesn’t end for those who have reached this level. If you want to be a black belt, be ready to serve. We believe that the knowledge should not die with you. It should be passed on as a legacy.[/expand]

Gracie Barra Mansfield
(817) 453-5858

January 28, 2016
Valentine’s Day!
That time of the year is upon us and we at GB Mansfield invite you to bring your Valentine to train with us on Feb. 14th!

Many of us are constantly having to maintain a healthy balance between spending time at Jiu Jitsu and spending time with our significant other. Gracie Barra believes in JIU-JITSU FOR EVERYONE and we would like to give you and your S.O. the opportunity to train together!

For ONE DAY ONLY we will be offering both you and your Valentine a gift for training with Gracie Barra Mansfield:
- Free Class for your Valentine.
- Free Gi for the Valentine when they sign up for Jiu-Jitsu.
- Free Month for you when your Valentine signs up for Jiu-Jitsu.
This is a great opportunity for you to show your loved one why Jiu Jitsu is so important to you.

Offer valid only for current GB Mansfield students.
January 23, 2016
Do You Want To Start Learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? How To Get Started!

When January 1st rolls around many potential students think about getting started training BJJ.

Here are 5 Tips for Getting Started in BJJ:

1. You don’t need to “get in shape before I start”.

This is a common statement by people who are apprehensive about getting started in bjj. Part of it likely originates in the (understandable) wish to avoid “paying your dues” and getting tapped a lot at first.
Truth is the Gracie Barra warm up and drills will build the type of fitness that bjj requires without being overly exhausting. When you focus on the techniques you are being taught and attend class 2-4 times per week your body will adapt to the new demands.

GB warm up

2. Expect to be the “nail” early on.

Jiu-jitsu legend Renzo Gracie famously said “Sometimes you are the hammer and sometimes you are the nail!” When you start any new skill, there is that initial step learning curve.

You are not alone in feeling like the proverbial “nail”. I have witnessed well conditioned competitive fighters from other martial arts flounder when they first started. It isn’t only you!

3. You don’t need to buy every piece of training gear in the pro shop to start

Some students of bjj are “gear heads” and have every piece of training aid and fashionable rash guard and spats, limited edition kimono… the truth is you need to spend hundreds of dollars to get going. read also: 7 Things To Keep In Your BJJ Gear Bag

A kimono and rash guard are really all you need to get started. Usually your gb school has kimonos in stock in the pro shop and can fit you properly.

4. Being fit to start helps, but your body will have to adjust to the sports specific requirements of ground grappling.

This is related to #1
You might have a six-pack and have great “guns” from all of those concentration curls at the gym, but you will find out quickly that the conditioning required for grappling is different! Forget the beach muscles and think more about core strength, abdominal’s and muscular endurance.

There is a principle of sports science known as “specificity of training” which means the closer the exercise is to the specific demands of the sport, the greater the carry over benefit.

5. Go watch a class before signing up

Gracie Barra recommends that you seek a legitimate gb school with classes run by a black belt instructor. It isn’t always possible to find a black belt where you live but it should be your first choice. Remember, any martial arts school can put “brazilian jiu-jitsu” on their sign, but it is no guarantee that the instructor is qualified to teach beginners!

If there are numerous bjj schools in your area drop by and ask to observe a class. You will get a feeling as to the culture and vibe of the school.

The Gracie Barra mission is striving to put a qualified instructor and school in your city. Look for a Gracie Barra bjj school near you here!

Credits: Mark Mullen

January 23, 2016
Set a Goal – Get a Deal. 2016

Looking for an exciting new goal for the New Year?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the fastest growing Martial Art around the world. Everyday tens of thousands of practitioners come together to get fit, release stress, and gain confidence by learning this amazing art.

Testimonial 1: “Gracie Barra has changed my life! Training here is so encouraging and humbling! The challenges we all overcome on the mats together have empowered me to better deal with my daily challenges off the mats”

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu will change your life forever! If you are looking to get started on a new activity that will help you achieve your fitness goals while keeping you motivated and enjoying a more balanced routine, look no further!

Gracie Barra is your place! The Blue Belt is Your Goal!

Testimonial 2: “I have tried every gym and fitness program in town. Nothing seemed to get me off my couch when I came back from work. All that is part of the past now! I lost 10 pounds since I joined GB last then 3 months ago!”

Gracie Barra believes in Jiu-Jitsu and what it can do for you! Let’s work together to bring out the best version of yourself in 2016.

The first month is on us 🙂

Contact us now!

December 30, 2015
The 6 worst white belt rolling mistakes

The 6 worst white belt rolling mistakes

August 3, 2015

Renzo Gracie, one of the most successful and respected black belts famously said “Sometimes you are the hammer, and sometimes you are the nail!”

No where is that more true than when you are first starting out in bjj. Everyone has more experience than you and when you begin live rolling, the match is happening so fast and usually with the new person on the bottom.

read also: 3 Pieces of Advice for White Belts

This is where the new student is feeling like the proverbial nail. Without the technical experience and more accurately – the correct understanding of strategy, the new whitebelt is prone to making some tactical errors in trying to “survive” the roll and avoid being submitted.

Here are the 6 worst white belt errors:

1) Mistake: Give the back to escape mount / bottom

The rear mount is the most dominant position in bjj and the rear naked choke is the most successful submission in the UFC. Giving your back is a HUGE No No!
All of your weapons are turned away from your opponent and all of his weapons are turned towards you! It can be very difficult to escape once your opponent has secured rear mount with hooks. Correct: Bridge escape or elbow to knee escape.

2) Mistake: Trying to submit within the opponents closed guard

When any attempts to pass your opponent guard are stopped, it becomes tempting to try to cross choke or otherwise choke the opponent from inside their closed guard. This gives your straight arms to the guard player and more often than not results in tapping to straight arm lock from the bottom.
If you are the guard player, this is exactly what you want your opponent to do!
Correct: Instead of trying to submit, look to pass your opponent before any submission attempts

3) Mistake: Straight arming / pushing to escape mount

When mounted by your opponent it is instinctive to push them off (bench press!) to get the weight off of you. However, you are literally giving them the straight arm bar by extending your arms. Merry Xmas, here is your present!
Secondly, it requires a lot of muscle power to push someone’s bodyweight off of you and you quickly get fatigued.
Correct: Correct defensive posture and framing with arms; bridge escape or elbow to knee escape

4) Mistake: Trying to collar choke from the bottom of mount

This happens typically after the beginning student has seen a “Helio Gracie” cross collar choke from the guard. Not correctly understanding the position difference between mount and guard, they try to cross choke and mounted opponent. Ironically, this attack results in them getting arm locked!
Correct: Understand that you attack from guard or mount: NOT inside the guard or from bottom of mount

5) Mistake: Grabbing fingers to avoid choke
It might be understandable that when you feel your opponent snaking his arm around your neck for a choke, to grab whatever you can to prevent being choked. But grabbing the fingers and twisting is against bjj rules (small joint manipulation) and is very likely to cause a sprained or even broken finger.
A painfully broken digit could cause you to miss work and not able to make your living. To someone like a dentist, this injury would be disastrous!
Correct: The correct defence is to grab the hand or control the sleeve of the attacker

6) Mistake: Not tapping when caught in submission

Part of this is that the beginner student doesn’t understand the limitations of their own body. How far can a shoulder be twisted in kimura before something has to give?
Secondly, many students measure their progress by whether they tap or not in a 5 minute roll. They will resist too long after being caught in a submission. The unfortunate result is usually a sprained / twisted shoulder or popped elbow and a painful lesson.
Correct: Tap early and often. It is better to tap and then live to roll another day!

Credits: Mark Mullen
Gracie Barra Black belt based in Taipei, Taiwan
Twitter: @MarkMullenBJJ

August 4, 2015
Greetings from The Dojo Diva

Greetings from The Dojo Diva—Mistress of Mats & Collector of Soles. “Soles”, “feet”, get it? I crack myself up.

And THIS, Kiddies, is why you don’t let a writer “check her Pinterest page” on your computer. Next thing you know, she is starting a BLOG. Ha! Ha! Professor!

Y’all don’t tell him I’m here, ‘kay?

*runs with glitter*

My real name is Kristen Lamb and I’m a professional blogger, the author of three #1 best-selling books, a part-time evil scientist and amateur sea monkey trainer. But when I’m not plotting global domination using genetically enhanced brine shrimp, I practice Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu (with a heavy emphasis on the word “practice”).

Thing is, maybe you’re here because you know what Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu is. Maybe you want to learn more. Maybe you misspelled the name of your favorite take-out place and Google sent you here. It doesn’t matter how you got here, only that you are here.

*turns on loud party music*

I’ve been practicing some form of martial arts most of my life and there are so many lessons that we take from the dojo and into the world. The benefits of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are too many to count, though on this blog, we will try.

Why?

Because, even if you aren’t part of our ~~cult~~ um, dojo…we believe in Jiu-Jitsu for everyone.

By the way, we don’t make you dance with snakes until blue belt.

Kidding!

Wow, are you stressed? You’re a little tense. Might I recommend some herbal tea or a triangle choke?

Anyway, if you want the real history of Jiu-Jitsu and Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, go HERE namely because my version involves advanced alien technology…

Come on! Have you watched Rhonda Rousey? She is a seriously good argument for my Ancient Aliens BJJ theory, but…moving on.

Even if you aren’t yet practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, you can still enjoy a Gracie State of Mind (without the snakes because um, hellooo? Where is your blue belt? Thought so.)

In the spirit of Jiu-Jitsu for everyone, I ~~hacked into the website~~ started this blog so we can chat about the trials of everyday life and maybe work through them together.

Kidding aside, I work as a full-time author and am C.E.O. of my own company. I homeschool my son and wasn’t exactly a spring ferret when I started practicing BJJ.

As a slightly-less-fluffy 41 year old woman, I am probably the last person one might think of as a fine-tuned machine of destruction.

I have to admit, though I’ve enjoyed success as a speaker, teacher, author, and blogger, I was more than a bit intimidated by the idea of starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as an over-forty female. At almost a year into this journey, I can say it’s been one of the best decisions of my life. I hope you sign up for a free class here or even at another Gracie Barra studio, but in the meantime?

Let’s chat about beginnings.

The starting line can be the scariest place. We stand there in the company of our fears, our insecurities, and our failures. Even if we can overcome those negative voices in our own heads, often we get resistance from the world, from culture, from expectations and the pressure can paralyze us.

Anytime we try anything remarkable, there will be pushback.

I use this story with my writers. Did you know that those who catch crabs simply toss them in a bucket? No lid. No cage. Just a bucket. And the weird thing is that the crabs never escape.

But why?

Because if one crab gets the idea to climb out, the others will drag it back down in the bucket.

I’ve seen this play out so many times in my own life. When I decided to ditch sales to become an author, my friends and family heard something akin to, “Blah blah blah, writer, throwing away $50,000 education blah novels, blah cult.”

Though many years later most of them are now my biggest fans (now that I am successful), a lot of them tried to talk me out of my madness. At the time, they thought they were being good, being kind, and they didn’t see themselves as crabs in the bucket. They couldn’t SEE that eventually I would be successful.

They could only see me writing bad haiku in front of Starbucks in between panhandling for food.

All they could say was, “Don’t you want a job that PAYS?”

Over a decade later, I’m still doing crazy things…like rolling around on the mat choking people. But the crabs in the bucket are still there.

Aren’t you too old?

What if you get hurt?

Why don’t you do yoga? What about Jazzercise? Girls like Jazzercise, right?

Thus, today I want to challenge you to think in a new way. Be brave and begin. Begin that novel. Begin that financial plan, that savings plan, or even that Brazilian Jiu Jistu class because nothing great has ever happened in the comfort zone.

What are your thoughts? Do you have a hard time “beginning”? Does it seem too easy to procrastinate, make excuses, or put off something you want to do for yourself? Do you find it hard to ignore the opinions of others? Do you lean too much to the people-pleasing side? Have you overcome that and achieved something you’re proud of? Tell us about it!

For our Gracie peeps, was starting BJJ scary? What propelled you forward? Did others try to talk you out of BJJ because they were afraid you might get hurt? Or you were too old, too young, too female, too whatever? What did you do? Do you enjoy a Gracie State of Mind?

April 16, 2015