Carlson Gracie Napa Valley Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self Defense
Carlson Gracie Napa Valley, 901 Trancas Street, Napa, CA 94558
About
Carlson Gracie Napa Valley Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self Defense offers classes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, self-defense, No-Gi, Judo, MMA, and defense tactics. Kids ages 4–7 take part in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and self-defense through interactive games and activities, while youth classes for ages 7 and above focus entirely on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and self-defense after the playful phase.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Schedule: Kids 4–7 classes meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00 pm to 5:45 pm; youth Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self Defense for ages 7 and above meets on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 5:00 pm to 5:45 pm
The academy is described as clean and welcoming, with a high-quality Fuji mat and ample parking space. Classes are described as catering to all skill levels, from beginners to experienced practitioners, and are offered for children, youth, and adults of all ages. Kids 4–7 classes highlight fundamental principles of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu through interactive games and activities and aim to foster motor coordination, cardiovascular fitness, focus, reasoning, courage, self-defense, bullying prevention, respect, and discipline. Youth classes for ages 7 and above incorporate games that stimulate reasoning, physical conditioning, focus, and strategy and are described as entirely dedicated to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and self-defense after the playful phase.
Professor “Marinho” Vauvenargues Vicentini leads the program as a 6th-degree Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Master Carlson Gracie. He earned his black belt directly from Master Carlson Gracie in April 1999, which is described as a rare honor reserved for only a select few athletes. He taught at the Carlson Gracie Club in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, from 1993 to 2000 and served as the Head of Defense Tactics and Jiu-Jitsu at the Federal Police Academy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 1999 to 2015. He has 30 years of expertise in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, self-defense, Judo, and MMA, and 16 years of experience as a head instructor at the Federal Police Academy. Both the academy and Professor Marinho state a commitment to fostering a positive learning environment for students of all ages, emphasizing self-empowerment, family values, and a homage to authentic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Marinho has been residing in Napa for the past four years and is described as delighted to contribute his martial arts expertise to the Carlson Gracie Napa Valley Academy as part of the Napa community. A trial class is available for first-time visitors who are local residents, by appointment only via email.
Last updated June 7, 2026.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Schedule: Kids 4–7 classes meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00 pm to 5:45 pm; youth Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self Defense for ages 7 and above meets on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 5:00 pm to 5:45 pm
The academy is described as clean and welcoming, with a high-quality Fuji mat and ample parking space. Classes are described as catering to all skill levels, from beginners to experienced practitioners, and are offered for children, youth, and adults of all ages. Kids 4–7 classes highlight fundamental principles of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu through interactive games and activities and aim to foster motor coordination, cardiovascular fitness, focus, reasoning, courage, self-defense, bullying prevention, respect, and discipline. Youth classes for ages 7 and above incorporate games that stimulate reasoning, physical conditioning, focus, and strategy and are described as entirely dedicated to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and self-defense after the playful phase.
Professor “Marinho” Vauvenargues Vicentini leads the program as a 6th-degree Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Master Carlson Gracie. He earned his black belt directly from Master Carlson Gracie in April 1999, which is described as a rare honor reserved for only a select few athletes. He taught at the Carlson Gracie Club in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, from 1993 to 2000 and served as the Head of Defense Tactics and Jiu-Jitsu at the Federal Police Academy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 1999 to 2015. He has 30 years of expertise in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, self-defense, Judo, and MMA, and 16 years of experience as a head instructor at the Federal Police Academy. Both the academy and Professor Marinho state a commitment to fostering a positive learning environment for students of all ages, emphasizing self-empowerment, family values, and a homage to authentic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Marinho has been residing in Napa for the past four years and is described as delighted to contribute his martial arts expertise to the Carlson Gracie Napa Valley Academy as part of the Napa community. A trial class is available for first-time visitors who are local residents, by appointment only via email.
Last updated June 7, 2026.
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