Testimonials

John Winner, Blue Belt

"Signing up for Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu was one of the best decisions I have ever made. On both, a mental as well as a physical level, there is not a more effective martial art. Upon departing every training session I attend, I feel great and have a very clear head...i have met more interesting people the 18 months I've been enrolled at Gracie Barra than the entire 20 years I have lived in the San Diego region. Gracie Barra is a true brotherhood, i sense it in class and it only instills confidence in myself and feels GREAT!!! Both Nelson and Rafael are incredible instructors of which their unique teaching styles only compliment each other. With 8 years of wrestling experience under my belt prior to signing up for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, I considered myself a good grappler. Then upon rolling/training with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners at Gracie Barra, I was humble to say the least. My ground skills, standing skills as well as core strength have vastly improved, not to mention the great fun and stress reducer training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu truly is."

Curtis Hesselgrave, Blue Belt

I started working out at Gracie Barra Encinitas a little over a year ago, three months before my 60th birthday. I have been active all my life, surfing and doing various martial arts, but the level of fitness that I have reached doing Jiu-Jitsu at Gracie Barra with Nelson and Rafael is very high; particularly my core fitness. This core fitness makes everything I do, surfing, taking out the trash or getting out of bed in the morning , easier. The creakiness of being 60 has gone away. As I learn to relax, Jiu Jitsu just gets easier and more fun.