Gracie Barra Review

[sword69]

Quote:
"BJJ came from Brazil, but the art itself and the few traditions that still exist come from Japan. Kano taught judo to the Gracies, and BJJ came from judo. The Gracies still do harbour some of the culture and tradition of the art that was taught to them by Kano."

No Gracie was bowing back in the day (early 90's). Nor were they requiring students to call them professor or master. All of this stuff is a more recent phenomenon. Classes always started with a smile, handshake or simple a nod of acknowledgement. We were always on a first name basis no matter who was teaching. Even when Helio was present there was no requirement to call him professor or Grand Master. I, like most students, usually just addressed him as sir. The same as I would anyone of his age. I find it quite puzzling that BJJ schools would add all of this stuff.

 

[dallas405]

So Kano taught the Gracies now?

 

[TriangleMan]

premium schools don't have adult green belts nor do they have/charge for belt tests.

...I never said they did... not sure where you got that implication from.

 

[Commissar]

Quote:
"BJJ came from Brazil, but the art itself and the few traditions that still exist come from Japan. Kano taught judo to the Gracies, and BJJ came from judo. The Gracies still do harbour some of the culture and tradition of the art that was taught to them by Kano."

No Gracie was bowing back in the day (early 90's). Nor were they requiring students to call them professor or master. All of this stuff is a more recent phenomenon. Classes always started with a smile, handshake or simple a nod of acknowledgement. We were always on a first name basis no matter who was teaching. Even when Helio was present there was no requirement to call him professor or Grand Master. I, like most students, usually just addressed him as sir. The same as I would anyone of his age. I find it quite puzzling that BJJ schools would add all of this stuff.

BJJ started in 1903 or whatnot; the clubs you may have been at in the early 1990's may not have bowed, but according to the stories I've been told by legitimate people suggest otherwise.

 

[sword69]

BJJ started in 1903 or whatnot; the clubs you may have been at in the early 1990's may not have bowed, but according to the stories I've been told by legitimate people suggest otherwise.

Do me a favor. Ask these legitimate people which Gracie was practicing these Japanese traditions back in the day. I'd really like to know.

 

[lechien]

Quote:
"BJJ came from Brazil, but the art itself and the few traditions that still exist come from Japan. Kano taught judo to the Gracies, and BJJ came from judo. The Gracies still do harbour some of the culture and tradition of the art that was taught to them by Kano."

No Gracie was bowing back in the day (early 90's). Nor were they requiring students to call them professor or master. All of this stuff is a more recent phenomenon. Classes always started with a smile, handshake or simple a nod of acknowledgement. We were always on a first name basis no matter who was teaching. Even when Helio was present there was no requirement to call him professor or Grand Master. I, like most students, usually just addressed him as sir. The same as I would anyone of his age. I find it quite puzzling that BJJ schools would add all of this stuff.

Do you a link to your quote because maeda taught Carlos Gracie? Kano never taught the Gracie's. Therefore I can't take your post seriously.

 

[sword69]

Do you a link to your quote because maeda taught Carlos Gracie? Kano never taught the Gracie's. Therefore I can't take your post seriously.

No I'm not linking to the quote because I think Kano taught Carlos Gracie. I linked to the quote to respond to the idea that the Gracies carried over the Japanese tradition of bowing. Where in my comment do you see me endorsing the idea that Kano taught the Gracies? That original quote is from Kommissar. I was responding to it. I never mentioned anything about Kano. The original poster did.

 

[The Apostle]

At the Carlson Gracie Sr. school in Lahaina, Maui, HI they bow to a picture of him. And I get it. Dude was a legit bad ass and is up there for me as far as the Gracie clan goes.

And about bowing, no idea if this is true or not but thought I had heard that historically it was to show the other person that you weren't hiding anything behind your back. And has since evolved into a respect thing. But if you think about it, it was always about respect.

Can anyone confirm or deny?

I leave it up to whatever gym I'm at and follow suit. If they bow, I bow. We used to bow at the start/end of class and leaving/entering the mats for bjj. Now it's just to begin and end. The judo players still do it all the time though.

 

[TriangleMan]

Bowing before entering the mats and leaving it definitely built a habit. As I train at CSW, I still find it weird to step on the mat without bowing... it's just some form of respect, I guess. But at the same time, when I bow at GB. I try my best to avoid it since I find it a bit much (especially during water breaks, I mean, come on, I understand when you're about to go to war, but not bowing because you want to get your water bottle for 5 seconds... bow in, bow out).

 

[paul_db]

Bowing before entering the mats and leaving it definitely built a habit. As I train at CSW, I still find it weird to step on the mat without bowing... it's just some form of respect, I guess. But at the same time, when I bow at GB. I try my best to avoid it since I find it a bit much (especially during water breaks, I mean, come on, I understand when you're about to go to war, but not bowing because you want to get your water bottle for 5 seconds... bow in, bow out).

we bow regardless for whatever reason... i have no problem with it... i actually like alot of the enforced tradition in GB because it is part of what builds that family like/respectful atmosphere.

 

[Colossal Squid**]

http://www.graciebarrawear.com/store/belts
http://www.jiujitsuprogear.com/category-s/56.htm

Gracie Barra belt: $29.99 /

 

[MonkeyNuts!]

The belts did get better in quality, the old GB ones were flimsy paper thin karate looking belts.

New ones are thicker, wider, similar to Koral.

Still would probably be a 20-25 dollar belt.

 

[MonkeyNuts!]

ewwww y u resurrect this