About
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Durham offers Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes through programs such as Gracie Combatives, Gracie Bullyproof, Master Cycle, and Women Empowered. The program includes Mat Munchkins kids martial arts classes for preschoolers, Little Champs Kids Martial Arts, Jr. Grapplers Kids Martial Arts, Adult Martial Arts Co-Ed Classes, Women's BJJ Beginner Classes, and Advanced BJJ Classes for Adults. Training includes a full range of scalable self-defense solutions, from verbal de-escalation and gentle control to high force scenarios, with an emphasis on technique, distance management, and leverage over strength and athleticism.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
At this Certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Training Center, the staff are certified instructors who are certified to teach the Gracie University curriculum, and the center is independently owned and operated. The mission states that Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is for everyone, regardless of age, gender, athleticism, or ability, and that the center is continuing the legacy of Grandmaster Hélio Gracie by offering structured martial arts curriculums for beginner adults, women, and children. The mission also states that the center takes pride in creating a safe, comfortable, and welcoming learning environment for all students and family members in Durham and that it is passionate about its work because it believes confident humans make kinder humans.
The program offers beginner-to-advanced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes for men, women, and children, with no experience necessary and zero fitness requirements to start beginner Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes. It offers a 10-Day Trial and access to an online platform featuring detailed, interactive videos of every technique in the curriculum. Demographic-specific specialized programs include Gracie Bullyproof for kids, Gracie Combatives for adults, Master Cycle advanced Jiu-Jitsu, and Women Empowered, which is described as real-life self-defense for women by women.
Mat Munchkins kids martial arts classes for preschoolers use fun games and simple techniques, and the stated objective of Mat Munchkins is to build the child's confidence and prepare them for the transition into the Little Champs classes. The Little Champs program infuses kids with powerful self-defense skills as well as respect, discipline, and focus to help them in school and life. Jr. Grapplers is described as building unshakable confidence so that the child can overcome bullying without violence. In the Gracie Bullyproof program, children are not taught punches or kicks but are taught to neutralize, defend, control, and negotiate if possible, and the Rules of Engagement teach children to avoid the fight if at all possible by first using their words, and then telling an adult. Parents are encouraged to watch their children in their kids martial arts lessons.
Adult martial arts classes are described as structured and providing a safe learning opportunity for students with no previous experience, and students learn the 36 core techniques of BJJ in a fun and cooperative environment. Women Empowered teaches how to use Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to defend against the most common threat scenarios and is described as providing empowerment, fun, and fitness in a safe and supportive environment. Master Cycle is described as a clearly defined, systematic curriculum for hundreds of advanced techniques from blue belt to black belt.
Training is self-paced in a safe and structured environment, with a focus on consistency over time as the path to mastery. There is an emphasis on slowing down to absorb each lesson thoroughly while reducing cognitive overload and improving safety, and on maximum efficiency by refining movements to achieve the greatest impact with the least effort. The community is described as one that values feedback, built on mutual trust with a mindset of helping each other.
Upon arriving for the first jiu-jitsu class, a uniform called a gi is provided, and it is recommended that students wear comfortable undergarments or leggings and a t-shirt or rashguard under the gi. Training attire is available for purchase after class.
Last updated April 25, 2026.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
At this Certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Training Center, the staff are certified instructors who are certified to teach the Gracie University curriculum, and the center is independently owned and operated. The mission states that Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is for everyone, regardless of age, gender, athleticism, or ability, and that the center is continuing the legacy of Grandmaster Hélio Gracie by offering structured martial arts curriculums for beginner adults, women, and children. The mission also states that the center takes pride in creating a safe, comfortable, and welcoming learning environment for all students and family members in Durham and that it is passionate about its work because it believes confident humans make kinder humans.
The program offers beginner-to-advanced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes for men, women, and children, with no experience necessary and zero fitness requirements to start beginner Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes. It offers a 10-Day Trial and access to an online platform featuring detailed, interactive videos of every technique in the curriculum. Demographic-specific specialized programs include Gracie Bullyproof for kids, Gracie Combatives for adults, Master Cycle advanced Jiu-Jitsu, and Women Empowered, which is described as real-life self-defense for women by women.
Mat Munchkins kids martial arts classes for preschoolers use fun games and simple techniques, and the stated objective of Mat Munchkins is to build the child's confidence and prepare them for the transition into the Little Champs classes. The Little Champs program infuses kids with powerful self-defense skills as well as respect, discipline, and focus to help them in school and life. Jr. Grapplers is described as building unshakable confidence so that the child can overcome bullying without violence. In the Gracie Bullyproof program, children are not taught punches or kicks but are taught to neutralize, defend, control, and negotiate if possible, and the Rules of Engagement teach children to avoid the fight if at all possible by first using their words, and then telling an adult. Parents are encouraged to watch their children in their kids martial arts lessons.
Adult martial arts classes are described as structured and providing a safe learning opportunity for students with no previous experience, and students learn the 36 core techniques of BJJ in a fun and cooperative environment. Women Empowered teaches how to use Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to defend against the most common threat scenarios and is described as providing empowerment, fun, and fitness in a safe and supportive environment. Master Cycle is described as a clearly defined, systematic curriculum for hundreds of advanced techniques from blue belt to black belt.
Training is self-paced in a safe and structured environment, with a focus on consistency over time as the path to mastery. There is an emphasis on slowing down to absorb each lesson thoroughly while reducing cognitive overload and improving safety, and on maximum efficiency by refining movements to achieve the greatest impact with the least effort. The community is described as one that values feedback, built on mutual trust with a mindset of helping each other.
Upon arriving for the first jiu-jitsu class, a uniform called a gi is provided, and it is recommended that students wear comfortable undergarments or leggings and a t-shirt or rashguard under the gi. Training attire is available for purchase after class.
Last updated April 25, 2026.
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