Programs at Gracie Charlottesville
We offer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Wrestling, Sambo, Judo, Kali, and Yoga!Programs
What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Gracie Jiu-Jitsu) is a standing-and-ground self-defense system built on leverage, so smaller people can defend against larger attackers. Refined by Grand Master Helio Gracie, it emphasizes realistic positions, control, and technique over strength. It’s also a serious, enjoyable workout for adults and kids of any athletic background.
Who can train? Almost anyone age 3+. Adults often train into later decades. Sparring and competition are always optional, and no prior experience is required.
What is Muay Thai?
Muay Thai (Thai boxing) is Thailand’s traditional stand-up striking art, the “art of eight limbs,” using fists, elbows, knees, and shins, plus clinch work. It’s practical self-defense on the feet and a perfect partner to our Jiu-Jitsu. At Gracie Charlottesville we teach traditional Muay Thai for kids and adults in a welcoming, technique-first room led by KRU Kristen DeBruycker and KRU Daniel Nelson.
Who can train? Kids and adults are welcome, and beginners are too. No prior experience required. Intensity scales to your level; sparring is optional.
Kids Programs
Ages 3-12. Teens ages 13+ train in Adult & Teen Jiu-Jitsu Fundamentals.
Spider Monkey & Me (ages 3+ with a parent)
A parent or guardian joins the child on the mat for movement, partner drills, and games. It builds attention span and a first feel for Jiu-Jitsu positions.
Mini Grapplers (ages 3-4)
A short, structured introduction to Jiu-Jitsu. Children learn to line up, listen, move, and play through basic grappling positions with a coach. No hard sparring.
Little Grapplers (ages 5-6)
Kids Gracie Jiu-Jitsu for ages 5-6: focus, listening, basic positions, and partner drills. It is the step between Mini Grapplers and Junior Grapplers.
Junior Grapplers (ages 7-12)
More technique and drilling for ages 7-12, plus character lessons: eye contact, respect, how to handle a bully, and how to avoid fights. Some schedule sessions are Lil & Junior Grapplers (ages 5-12). On Sundays, Kids Jiu-Jitsu (Ages 5-12) meets from 10:00 to 11:00 am on Mat 2.
Kids Muay Thai
Lil Muay Thai (ages 4-6) is the Tue/Thu class: balance, simple punches and kicks, and safe partner work. The Friday Kids Muay Thai class is for ages 4-12. Kids Muay Thai Foundations (ages 7-12) adds stance, combinations, and pad work. Sparring is not required.
Adult Programs
Adult classes are open to students 13 and older. We pair training partners by age and size whenever possible.
Jiu-Jitsu Fundamentals
The starting point for new students. Pedro Sauer Gracie Jiu-Jitsu: standing and ground self-defense, in the gi, coached step by step. No experience needed. Teens ages 13+ train in the Adult & Teen Fundamentals sessions. Blue Belt is an adult rank, and students can earn it starting at 16.
No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu
The same leverage-based grappling without the gi, in a rash guard and shorts. Beginners are welcome; live rolling is optional until you are ready.
Open Rank & Advanced Jiu-Jitsu
Gi and no-gi classes for students with a grappling base who want more detail, drilling, and live rounds. We recommend about 6 months of Fundamentals first.
Competition Training
Competition positions, pace, and match habits for students who already train. Competing is always optional. The Sunday Competition Class is open to all ages.
Adult & Teen Jiu-Jitsu Open Mat
Open practice time for adults and teens (13+): the weekday morning open mats (Mon and Wed 7am, Fri 7:30am) and Adult Open Mat.
Women’s Only Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in a women-only room: escapes, control, and self-defense using leverage. New students can start here.
Muay Thai & Dutch Kickboxing
Traditional Muay Thai, the art of eight limbs, plus Dutch-style combinations and low kicks. Start in Foundations, then move to Open Rank and Sparring & Drilling. Adult Muay Thai Foundations is open to students 13 and older. A Women’s Only Muay Thai class is also on the schedule.
Cardio Kickboxing
A fitness class built on kickboxing technique: combinations, kicks, and pad work at a steady pace. No sparring and no experience required.
Takedowns (Judo, Sambo & Jiu-Jitsu)
Throws, grips, and entries drawn from judo, sambo, and Jiu-Jitsu, taught by Serhiy Vitko, a black belt in Judo, Sambo, and Jiu-Jitsu.
Yoga
Mobility, breathing, and recovery work that complements Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai. No flexibility or experience required.
Women’s Only Muay Thai
Traditional Muay Thai in a women-only room: stance, punches, kicks, knees, elbows, and pad work. Beginners are welcome, and sparring is optional.
MMA (Mixed Martial Arts)
MMA training is open by approval to experienced members who already have a base in Jiu-Jitsu and striking. If you are interested, ask a coach.
Weapons Defense (Kali/JKD)
Filipino Kali and Jeet Kune Do concepts for defending against sticks, knives, and other weapons, with footwork and hand skills that carry over to the rest of your training. Ask us about current class times.
Kids, Teens & Adults
Jiu-Jitsu Open Mat (All Ages)
Open practice time for all ages: the Mon and Thu 8pm evening open mats and the FREE Sunday open mat, which is free for non-members.
Wrestling (Ages 7+)
Stance, level changes, takedowns, and mat control. Older kids, teens, and adults share the class, and coaches match partners by size and experience.
Days and times for every class are on the schedule. Start a free week.