Programs

Classes Ranging from Beginner to Advanced

At the heart of the Gracie Barra Family’s extraordinary success over the years is our strong philosophy and mission as a group, a foundation which our masters laid many years ago, but is constantly being reinforced by the great people that make our community. Jiu-Jitsu is a beautiful art, and we have a vision of how it should be taught as a means for individual development going beyond the competitive realm. To achieve this vision, we must remember to come together as a family, always putting the team in front of individual. For that, we will fight to the end for what we believe is right.

Kids And Teens

Our Kid’s Program supports children ages 3-15 years old. Classes are offered 6 days a week and are structured based on age to support the best curriculum considering physical and mental development. We believe in and maintain the highest Instructor/Coach to Student ratio in San Diego. This allows us to focus more of our time helping each individual child. Jiu-Jitsu classes for children begin with the building blocks that are needed to teach the fundamentals of Jiu-Jitsu. Our lead Instructors are all certified black belts with years of Jiu Jitsu training and teaching experience. Instructors and Coaches are trained to interact and offer gentle correction for children and teens who practice the art of Jiu-Jitsu. Kids are encouraged to make effort in every class and learn the benefits of respect, cooperation, teamwork, and play.

At GBE, through dedicated practice of Jiu-Jitsu, children learn valuable skills that will serve them well throughout their lives:

  • increased focus and concentration
  • fitness
  • self-defense
  • confidence
  • goals setting
  • coordination

Practicing Jiu-Jitsu at GBE helps children and teens release their energy in a healthy and productive way. Our certified instructors teach kids to focus their attention on one task at a time, honing their abilities and developing critical thinking skills. And the GBE Kid’s Program provides kids and teens with a sense of community. We host regularly scheduled social events and community outreach activities. We are organized like a team, but train together like a family. This philosophy helps our students build trust and leadership skills with every class. When children learn how to do this, they establish skills they can apply both on and off the mats for a lifetime.

Adaptive Jiu-Jitsu Classes:
Our Adaptive Jiu Jitsu classes are designed to create an environment rooted in inclusion, empowerment, and accessibility. Each session is tailored to meet the unique needs and abilities of every student, ensuring that all participants can learn and thrive at their own pace. Through modified techniques, personalized instruction, and a supportive community, we make Jiu Jitsu approachable for individuals with physical, cognitive, or developmental differences. Our mission is to celebrate each student’s strengths, build confidence, and provide a truly inclusive martial arts experience where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and capable.

 

GB Encinitas kids jiu jitsu ages:

  • TINY CHAMPIONS : 3-4 YEARS OLD
  • LITTLE CHAMPIONS 1 : 5-6 YEARS OLD
  • LITTLE CHAMPIONS 2 : 7-9 YEARS OLD
  • JUNIORS :10-12 YEARS OLD
  • TEENS :13-15 YEARS OLD

Women’s Program

The techniques and training prepare women to defend themselves against a larger opponent. Drilling and repetition are a core part of the training curriculum, to help build automatic responses to common types of aggression. And having a positive, safe environment is key to supporting regular and consistent training. One amazing added benefit? The GBE classes are an awesome way to improve overall health and fitness levels. The longer students train, the greater their strength, conditioning, confidence, and mental focus. 

We also hold several, Women’s Only Self Defense Seminars yearly, that always have huge participation. These Seminars are attended by many of our current members and many non-members from our community. The classes are always taught by our most experienced black belt Instructors and supported by many GBE coaches to give students the focus they need. 

Perhaps the best part of the Women’s Program is the level of energy the students bring to the school! The friendship in the Program is really something special. These ladies become friends on AND off the mats! Get togethers, social activities, class pictures…it’s pretty much happening all the time! Something you’ve got to experience. So contact us or just come on by and try a FREE Intro Class!!

Adults

GB1, Fundamentals. This course can be thought of as Jiu Jitsu for beginners. The course teaches the fundamentals and principles of BJJ as well as the skills you need to grow personally in a Jiu Jitsu lifestyle. And our Fundamentals classes are attended and enjoyed by all belt levels!

GB2, Advanced. Advance your Jiu Jitsu game with this course. Take your training beyond the fundamentals and begin to hone the principles you need to succeed against any level opponent. This course incorporates more advanced techniques, strategy, and combinations into the training. And as your skill level grows, the Gracie Barra philosophy of discipline and respect is further emphasized as an important quality of the students’ personal mindset. 

GB3, Expert. This course is designed to help students achieve Black Belt excellence. Jiu Jitsu skill-sets are applied in training as the student reads their opponents game. Training becomes much like a chess match. Countering each-others moves, setting traps, and anticipating opponents game plans. Students who achieve this level will tell you it doesn’t get any more fun than this! At this point in the students’ training, what is learned in Jiu Jitsu is applied to everyday life.   

Our GBE Adult Program is designed with each students’ personal achievement and skill level in mind. In addition to the regularly scheduled classes above, GBE provides monthly specialty classes and Seminars including: Specific technical seminars, pure self-defense classes, competition classes, women’s-only classes, MMA/striking with Jiu Jitsu seminars, strength and conditioning classes, and more. Whether your personal goals are fitness, self-defense, MMA, or more social connections, our Adult Program provides the classes and social activities you want to be successful. And GBE students see improvement not only athletically, but also mentally as they incorporate Gracie Barra’s proven principles into their lives. Jiu-Jitsu classes at Gracie Barra are perfect for any adult who wants to learn a new skill in a safe, challenging, and family friendly environment.   

Contact us today for a free class to get started! 

Private Training

The individual attention and approach that a 30 or 60-minute session with one of our instructors provides can and does lead to significant improvement in a student’s Jiu-Jitsu game flow. 

It is highly recommended that all students take at least one private lesson per month to review techniques and address specific challenges in his or her Jiu-Jitsu game flow. 

Some of the benefits are: 

  • Gain a better understanding of specific areas of your Jiu-Jitsu game flow 
  • Set goals and work towards them  
  • Get individual attention 
  • Gain access to a customized curriculum 
  • Enjoy sparring with your instructor 
  • Rise above your training plateaus 
  • Speed up your learning 
  • Make up for missed classes 

ABOUT RAFAEL

Professor Rafael started training at the age of 13 , under legendary Master Carlos Gracie Jr. at the original Gracie Barra School in Rio de Janeiro , Brazil. Under Master Carlos tutelage Rafaelʼs extensive knowledge of the “gentle art” was formed at the same mats of the best BJJ instructors and fighters ever known. As a competitor Rafael won and placed in the biggest events, including multiple Brazilian Nationals, Rio de Janeiro State Championship, Brazilian Team, Pan American. Today, Rafael Ramos assumes, as his main mission, the task of passing on to students the teachings and techniques accumulated over a life of arduous training under the tutelage of Master Carlos Gracie Jr. And he maintains close ties to the Gracie Barra academy, to which he is grateful for his apprenticeship, and for the family values he learned that are so important to him. 

 

As he puts it: “This sport is too damn fun not to go as much as your life permits!!!” 

ABOUT NELSON

Professor Nelson Monteiro was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, the birthplace of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He started training when he was 13 years old under the direct tutelage of Master Carlos Gracie Jr. at the world-renowned Gracie Barra Academy. With unrivaled dedication, Professor Monteiro trained diligently until he was awarded the black belt in 1989; and in the same year, he received a bachelorʼs degree in physical education from Gama Filho University. Professor Monteiro is one of the original pioneers of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the United States. After receiving his black belt and graduating from college, Professor Monteiro moved to San Diego in 1990 and began teaching Jiu-Jitsu out of his garage in Encinitas. After steady growth in enrollment, Professor Monteiro moved to a larger space in Del Mar, where the academy continued to prosper. After the 1993 debut of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu experienced a meteoric rise in popularity. The world had now witnessed the effectiveness of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as the unassuming Royce Gracie used leverage and technique to defeat his larger and stronger opponents. People from all walks of life began to search for qualified instructors. As a result, the academy experienced even greater growth. 

 

In 1995, a new student arrived at the academy. This new student would soon have a profound effect not only on Professor Monteiro but also on the future of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The new arrival was Sheik Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nayan, a prince of the United Arab Emirates. Bin, as his friends would call him, became a dedicated private student of Professor Monteiro. After training for 8 months, the prince invited Professor Monteiro to come to the UAE to become his private Jiu-Jitsu instructor. Professor Monteiro accepted. 

While training the prince and other enthusiasts in the UAE, Professor Monteiro helped to form the Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC), which would evolve into the most prestigious grappling tournament in the world, the Abu Dhabi Submission Wrestling Championships. During this four-year period, Professor Monteiro also trained many champions in Vale-Tudo, MMA, and sport Jiu-Jitsu. With many accomplishments resulting from his stay in the UAE, Professor Monteiro decided to make his way back to Brazil. 

In 2000, he and his family moved back to Rio de Janeiro. While living back in Brazil, Professor Monteiro opened a health club and continued his education in the field of sport physiology. In addition, Professor Monteiro continued his efforts in spreading Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by traveling around the world conducting seminars. After four years in Brazil, Professor Monteiro and his family decided to come back to San Diego. 

In 2006, Professor Monteiro opened Gracie Barra Encinitas. Since its grand opening, the academy has become one of the most respected Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu schools in the San Diego area. Professor Monteiroʼs positive attitude, charismatic personality, and passion for Jiu-Jitsu have been an integral part of the academyʼs success. Professor Monteiro is still an active athlete, competing in many of the major Brazilian Jiu-jitsu tournaments worldwide. With over 25 years of experience, Professor Monteiro is one of the most knowledgeable instructors teaching today.