Gracie Barra Yorba Linda Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
18551 Yorba Linda Boulevard, Yorba Linda, CA 92886
About
Gracie Barra Yorba Linda Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu offers Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and self defense training. Classes follow the Gracie Barra method, which embodies the teachings of Master Carlos Gracie, Sr., and Gracie Barra programs reflect more than thirty years of Master Carlos Gracie Jr.’s teaching experience. The program includes hands-on expertise from Professor Carlos Guimaraes, a two-time World Master Champion and 4th degree black belt.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Class options Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at various times between morning and evening
The leadership team includes Head Instructor Professor Carlos Guimaraes, a Black Belt, 4th Degree, and World Master Champion in 2014 and 2015, who started training at age 13 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, received his black belt at 21, taught in Germany for over three years, and was invited in 2009 to join the team at the Gracie Barra Yorba Linda school. The team also includes Professor Lester Galam, a Black Belt who runs the GBKids program, teaches Fundamentals classes, began coaching kids and Fundamentals as a blue belt, received his brown belt in 2016, and was promoted to black belt and “Professor” status in December 2018. Professor Alec Newlands is a Black Belt who started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at age 32 at Gracie Barra Long Beach, earned his black belt under Professor Otavio Sousa after 10 years of training, and joined the Gracie Barra Yorba Linda team in February 2024, assisting and teaching in all classes from Kids GBK1 and GBK2 to Adults GB1 and GB2. Professor Jae Lee is a Black Belt who began Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2012 under Professor Carlos Guimaraes and was promoted to black belt and “Professor” status in December 2018. Professor Chris Rodriguez is a Black Belt under Professor Carlos, has been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for 10 years, serves as program director, helps coach the Little Champs and Juniors program, and teaches Fundamentals classes. Professor Derek Johnson was introduced to No Gi Jiu-Jitsu in 2007 and joined Team GB at the Irvine school in 2008.
The mission statement for the program is: “We seek to train body, mind and spirit through the highest level of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instruction. We envision it as a vehicle for individual development and the strengthening of the family spirit, going beyond the winning-losing or contest philosophy.” At Gracie Barra Yorba Linda, programs are offered for all ages with classes for ages 3 and up, and GB BJJ is for anyone who wants to learn how to defend him or herself in combat. The Barra family promotes defense, not offense, and teaches lessons of respect and civility to build students' character and courage. Gracie Barra Yorba Linda states that it builds champions for life through a combination of expert technique and personal growth, and that at GB, students are part of an extended family and join a team that will support them in their quest for self-improvement. Those who join Gracie Barra Yorba Linda receive free access to the school’s events and special classes.
Last updated July 26, 2026.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Class options Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at various times between morning and evening
The leadership team includes Head Instructor Professor Carlos Guimaraes, a Black Belt, 4th Degree, and World Master Champion in 2014 and 2015, who started training at age 13 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, received his black belt at 21, taught in Germany for over three years, and was invited in 2009 to join the team at the Gracie Barra Yorba Linda school. The team also includes Professor Lester Galam, a Black Belt who runs the GBKids program, teaches Fundamentals classes, began coaching kids and Fundamentals as a blue belt, received his brown belt in 2016, and was promoted to black belt and “Professor” status in December 2018. Professor Alec Newlands is a Black Belt who started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at age 32 at Gracie Barra Long Beach, earned his black belt under Professor Otavio Sousa after 10 years of training, and joined the Gracie Barra Yorba Linda team in February 2024, assisting and teaching in all classes from Kids GBK1 and GBK2 to Adults GB1 and GB2. Professor Jae Lee is a Black Belt who began Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2012 under Professor Carlos Guimaraes and was promoted to black belt and “Professor” status in December 2018. Professor Chris Rodriguez is a Black Belt under Professor Carlos, has been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for 10 years, serves as program director, helps coach the Little Champs and Juniors program, and teaches Fundamentals classes. Professor Derek Johnson was introduced to No Gi Jiu-Jitsu in 2007 and joined Team GB at the Irvine school in 2008.
The mission statement for the program is: “We seek to train body, mind and spirit through the highest level of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instruction. We envision it as a vehicle for individual development and the strengthening of the family spirit, going beyond the winning-losing or contest philosophy.” At Gracie Barra Yorba Linda, programs are offered for all ages with classes for ages 3 and up, and GB BJJ is for anyone who wants to learn how to defend him or herself in combat. The Barra family promotes defense, not offense, and teaches lessons of respect and civility to build students' character and courage. Gracie Barra Yorba Linda states that it builds champions for life through a combination of expert technique and personal growth, and that at GB, students are part of an extended family and join a team that will support them in their quest for self-improvement. Those who join Gracie Barra Yorba Linda receive free access to the school’s events and special classes.
Last updated July 26, 2026.
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