we are gracie barra
the gracie barra way:
Brotherhood, integrity, and development.
In a lifetime dedicated to the growth and development of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Master Carlos Gracie Jr. has always guided his efforts and actions by the values of brotherhood, development, and integrity.
The values and principles that build Master Carlos Gracie Jr.’s personal philosophy have defined to a great extent the culture of Gracie Barra Gloucester.
“My life is dedicated to Jiu-Jitsu. My goal was simply to build a brotherhood to lead the expansion of Jiu-Jitsu while respecting the essence of our art”.
“My students are an extension of my family. I want each one of them to achieve their personal best while helping spread Jiu-Jitsu. We must do that honoring the traditions and efforts of those who came before us.”
- Master Carlos Gracie Jr.
Excellence.
Our team color is red, our team flag is the Red Shield. The Red Shield connects the Gracie Barra community, our students taking their first class, our Black Belts graduating, our athletes in battle, our instructors teaching and our Schools keeping the legacy alive.
The Red Shield was created by Master Carlos Gracie Jr. with the purpose of unifying all of those who represent Gracie Barra, defend the Red Shield and pass forward the legacy transferred down from Grandmaster Carlos Gracie, and other Jiu-Jitsu legends such as Hélio Gracie & Rolles Gracie.
The Red Shield’s credibility was built over the years through hard work and excellence shown by the Gracie Barra students, athletes and instructors involved in sport Jiu-Jitsu competitions, teaching programs and community work. The Gracie Barra Red Shield is one of the most recognized symbols in Jiu-Jitsu today and all of those who carry it feel a deep sense of loyalty and commitment to Master Carlos Gracie Jr, Gracie Barra and the Jiu-Jitsu for Everyone movement.
gratitiude, appreciation, legacy.
We all should learn from our past to educate the future. The pictures on the walls of every Gracie Barra School tell our story from the early twentieth century to today. First in line, Mitsuyo Maeda, the Japanese with unparalleled skill who brought the gentle art to Brazil.
Next, Carlos Gracie Sr., Maeda’s first student and the first Gracie to ever learn Jiu-Jitsu. Third, Hélio Gracie, Carlos’ brother and the best Gracie fighter of his time. Fourth, Rolls Gracie, a true jiu jitsu innovator and champion of Brazilian jiu jitsu philosophy.
Finally, Carlos Gracie, Jr., the founder of Gracie Barra, and the visionary of the Jiu-Jitsu for everyone project. It’s our tradition of recollecting the lives of great Masters and practitioners, both as a mark of gratitude and appreciation, and as a source of inspiration from which we may still learn.
unity and pride.
How we dress identifies us as a group and sets, for many people, the values we represent. What we use transmits to the others an idea about who we are. Wearing the red shirt is representing the GB Family.
“I’m proud to be part of this GB Family” is signified by wearing the Red Shield. And have you ever wondered why the red color?
“I want red because it represents heart, blood, and love; All my students fight with heart, have GB Jiu-Jitsu in their blood, and they love our team… Gracie Barra!” – Master Carlos Gracie Jr.
Wearing the red shirt is saying it loudly to the world: I believe in Gracie Barra.
The red shirt seeks to promote a sense of unity among the members of the GB team around the world. It promotes unity, support, equality, identity, philosophy and proud of being part of Gracie Barra. Wearing the red shirt is saying: I am a Gracie Barra Gloucester Team Member.
The red shirt shows respect, brotherhood, friendship, loyalty and love for the GB Team. Wearing the red shirt is having it on your chest: I am Gracie Barra!
“When I put the red t-shirt on and drive to the tournament…I automatically become someone stronger, faster, and unbeatable…because I know that, there will be hundreds of GB brothers and sisters wearing the same t-shirt, representing the same values, and supporting me on the battlefield by either competing alongside with me, or cheering from the stands. That’s Gracie Barra!”- Prof. Philipe Della Monica
Around the world people are faced with the GB red sea. They identify our uniform and know that there exists a family member from Gracie Barra defending our mentality, representing our philosophy and our values. Wearing the red shirt means keeping our legacy alive.
