How We Incorporate Gracie Barra’s Values into our Training
Gracie Barra has 3 core values around which we centre our teaching and treatment of each other on. Below, we discuss how we apply these core values: Brotherhood, Integrity, and Development, at Gracie Barra Harrogate.
Community (Brotherhood & Sisterhood)
Definition: An association or community of people linked by a common interest, religion, or trade.
Community, or brotherhood and sisterhood is a principle we cherish here. Training regularly with the same group of people creates tight friendships and connections, and the nature of such a physical sport naturally builds trust and comradery. We pride ourselves on how we support one another every day, whether it's drilling specific techniques in open mat, providing feedback and support to lower belts after sparring, or encouraging each other to push to the next level, be it competing or training - we always have each other’s backs. Much like any community, ours sees friendships created that go beyond the mats and training room.
When we compete, we compete as a team, fully supporting each other in every aspect of the preparation; from everyday drilling through to competition training, gameplans, ruleset education, and of course, the day itself.
Integrity
Definition: The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.
Brazilian Jiu jitsu in itself cannot help but be honest. There is no lying, and you can’t fake it. Everyone must learn to accept defeat, adversity, and work daily on their character traits to work toward the ultimate goal - being our best selves through Jiu Jitsu.
We pride ourselves on our integrity at Gracie Barra Harrogate. Head Instructor Lewis, along with a carefully chosen team of coaches and assistant coaches, are dedicated to providing a safe, unbiased and fair training environment to all students of all ages and genders. Due to the nature of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and martial arts overall, it's imperative that coaches and students alike display integrity and respect for one another at all times. This is from how we drill techniques together, how we roll together, and how we treat each other on and off the mats.
We’re also passionate about practising integrity through educating students on the traditions of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and honouring our predecessors including founder of Gracie Barra, Master Carlos Gracie Jr.
Development
Definition: An event constituting a new stage in a changing situation.
An ever-present Gracie Barra motto is ‘Jiu Jitsu for Everyone’, and we’re dedicated to encouraging as many people as possible not just to try Jiu Jitsu, but to thrive with it. For some people, taking up Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can be truly life changing, and for many it will be a hugely positive influence on their everyday life and overall well being. Spreading this message and seeing people embrace this is not only a core value for us, but also a pleasure and privilege to see.
We want to develop Jiu Jitsu itself, but we also want our students to develop their skills, game and mindsets around the sport, too. Embracing the importance of constant self-development is key to improving all areas of our Jiu Jitsu, and this is something we share with our students on a regular basis. We encourage the mindset of: if we aren’t developing, we are being left behind. Our ethos is always to be working to improve ourselves in some way - Jiu Jitsu is a great vehicle for self discovery and growth!
Training behaviours such as not relying on strength, not being afraid to tap and leaving your ego at the door are all things we encourage here to create a safe and friendly training environment for all of our members.
If Brazilian Jiu Jitsu sounds like something you could be interested in, why not book a free trial class? Register your interest online or call us on 07391 020858.
