Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz

  • Overview
  • Class Schedule
  • Program Pricing
  • 10 Questions
  • Instructors
  • Video Tour
  • News/Events

Certified Gracie Jiu-jitsu Training Centers (CTCs) are martial arts schools that are authorized to teach the proprietary self-defense programs developed by Gracie University Headquarters in Torrance, California. Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is one of the fastest growing martial arts on the planet, but the success of your jiu-jitsu journey will rely heavily on the culture of the school you attend and instructional methods utilized by your teachers. Even though all CTCs are independently owned and operated, we are very proud to inform you that all of certified instructors have undergone extensive training directly under the Gracie Family to ensure that you are provided with the best possible learning environment on your path to jiu-jitsu mastery.

Click around to learn more about schedule, pricing, and programs offered at this Certified Training Center, and then contact the school today to get started on your 10-day free trial!

Structured Learning
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is for everyone, but only if taught correctly. While most BJJ schools have taken a “one-size-fits-all” approach to teaching the art, Gracie University has gone to great lengths to create specific programs for each demographic: Gracie Bullyproof for kids (ages 3-12), Women Empowered for the ladies, Gracie Combatives for beginner adults, and the Master Cycle for advanced practitioners. Each program adheres to a set curriculum, so students know exactly what they will learn before they come to class. Every student is issued an attendance card on which we track daily progress, so they can see how much they’ve accomplished and exactly what it will take to move on to the next level. In a martial art where confusion and frustration are extremely common, we’ve gone to great lengths to ensure that you will enjoy the highly-structured and encouraging approach only found at Certified Gracie Jiu-jitsu Training Centers.

Safe Training Environment
At our CTCs, safety is the number one priority. In far too many BJJ schools, the classes are structured to meet the needs of the most elite students. If you are a beginner student, you are expected to serve as a “grappling dummy” for those above you. The thought process is, if you avoid injury, and stick around long enough, you will eventually figure it out. At our CTCs we take the opposite approach. Firstly, there is no competitive sparring in our beginner programs. As a result, you’ll have a chance to learn all the beginner techniques in a fully-cooperative environment, with like-minded training partners, for 8-12 months. Once you move on to the advanced program, and you begin sparring, you will have the benefit of working with training partners, of every skill level, who are working with you rather than against you. This culture of collaboration and mutual benefit is extremely rare in jiu-jitsu, and we go to great lengths to make sure it is upheld at all of our CTCs.

Street Readiness
When it was originally founded by Grand Masters Carlos and Helio Gracie in the early 1900’s, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu only had one purpose – effectiveness in real fights. Several decades later, when sportive competition was introduced and popularized throughout Brazil and the US, there was a distinct shift in training objectives at most BJJ schools causing them to neglect the self-defense aspect of jiu-jitsu, such that students could train for many years without ever learning how their grappling skills would apply against a striking opponent in a real fight. At all Certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Training Centers, street self-defense remains the top priority throughout all of our training programs. From your very first class, every technique you learn was specifically chosen due to it’s like likelihood of being used, and proven effectiveness, in real combat. Our belief is that only once a student learns all the necessary skills to stay safe in a real fight, should he or she begin exploring the sportive aspects of jiu-jitsu.

Free Online Access & Satellite Training Privileges
Upon enrolling at this Certified Training Center, you will receive a free subscription to Gracie University Online. Through our interactive online platform, you will have access to detailed video instruction on every technique you’ll be learning so you can study the lessons on any computer or mobile device 24 hours a day! Furthermore, as an active student at this Certified Training Center, you’ll qualify to train for free at any other Certified Training Center on the planet (for up to 30 consecutive days per year). Since the curriculum is the same at all Certified Training Centers, you will receive credit on your attendance card back home for every lesson you complete during your travels!

10-Day Free Trial
Enough talking, it’s time for you to give it a try! Contact the Certified Training Center to start your 10-day free trial. You’ll have the opportunity to speak directly with a certified instructor or team member to answer any questions you might have before you begin. They will work with you to schedule your introductory class, and then you’ll be given free unlimited access to all beginner group classes for 10 consecutive days to make sure they provide exactly what you’re looking for!

Click here to start your 10-day free trial at this CTC today!

Gracie Combatives®
  $180.00 8x/month

Gracie Combatives is our beginner program for adults. In this program, you will learn the 36 core techniques of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in a fun, safe, and cooperative environment. Each one-hour lesson addresses one standing and one ground self-defense technique. You can start the program at any time and participate in any class without previous experience and, since safety is our number one concern, there is no competitive sparring in this program. Upon successful completion of the Gracie Combatives program, you will qualify for advancement into the Master Cycle advanced jiu-jitsu program! Watch Intro

Learn more about Gracie Combatives.

Gracie Bullyproof®
  $180.00 8x/month

Gracie Bullyproof is a confidence and character development program for children (ages 3-12). This program is broken up into four groups based on age and skill level (Mat Munchkins, Little Champs, Jr. Grapplers and Black Belt Club) and no experience is necessary to get started. Your child will learn verbal assertiveness skills as well as non-violent self-defense techniques to stay safe if physically assaulted. We don’t teach the children how to punch or kick; instead, we use leverage-based control holds to neutralize threats without violence. Bottom line: we will prepare your child to neutralize bullies without becoming one! Watch Intro

Learn more about Gracie Bullyproof.

Women Empowered®
  $180.00 8x/month

Women Empowered is our official self-defense program for women. We will provide you with the physical and psychological tools to defend against the 15 most common threats against women. You can start the program at any time and participate in any class without previous experience. Unlike most self-defense systems that rely heavily on strength, speed, and coordination, the techniques in the Women Empowered program employ leverage, technique, and timing, so anyone, regardless of age or athletic ability, can learn and apply the techniques with ease. Once you successfully complete the Women Empowered program, you will be awarded your pink belt! Watch Intro

Learn more about Women Empowered.

Master Cycle®
  $180.00 8x/month

The Master Cycle is a clearly defined, systematic advanced Gracie Jiu-Jitsu program designed to take you from blue to black belt. By organizing all of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu into seven positional chapters (Mount, Side Mount, Guard, Half Guard, Back Mount, Leg Locks, Standing), you will be able to fully commit to the study of the intricacies and nuances of each position for several weeks, before moving on to the next chapter. If you've achieved the rank of Gracie Combatives belt or higher in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and you would like to continue on the path to BJJ black belt in a safe, structured, and friendly learning environment, the Master Cycle is for you! Watch Intro

Learn more about The Master Cycle.

Master Cycle
December - January Schedule
Gracie Bullyproof
December Schedule
Women Empowered
December Schedule
Gracie Combatives
December Schedule
Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun
Gracie Combatives
8:00 PM -
9:00 PM
6:00 PM -
7:00 PM
6:00 PM -
7:00 PM
9:30 AM -
10:30 AM
10:30 AM -
11:30 AM
Reflex Development
7:15 PM -
8:15 PM
10:30 AM -
11:30 AM
Master Cycle
6:00 PM -
7:30 PM
7:15 PM -
8:45 PM
9:00 AM -
10:30 AM
Women Empowered
6:00 PM -
7:00 PM
Little Champs (Ages 5-7)
4:30 PM -
5:30 PM
4:30 PM -
5:30 PM
12:00 PM -
1:00 PM
Jr. Grapplers (Ages 8-12)
4:00 PM -
5:00 PM
4:00 PM -
5:00 PM
12:00 PM -
1:00 PM
Black Belt Club (Advanced Kids)
5:00 PM -
6:00 PM
5:00 PM -
6:00 PM

5:00 PM -
6:00 PM
Class schedule subject to change. Additional notes below:
  1. Open Mat, RD and above

Adon Newman
Drew Gornall
Shelley Mc Neal
Stephen Walker


The world is falling in love with jiu-jitsu because it works! If you're still on the fence, here are the answers to the 10 most common questions asked by first-time students:
Jiu-jitsu is designed to empower the weak against the strong and there are no physical prerequisites to get started. Literally ANYONE can learn jiu-jitsu especially when taught the Gracie way!
No problem! Our beginner programs are specifically designed, from a structure and a safety perspective, for first-time jiu-jitsu practitioners, which is why we have the most successful jiu-jitsu schools in the world.
No, we love you exactly how you are. You don't get in shape to learn jiu-jitsu, you do jiu-jitsu to get in shape!
Just show up in comfortable workout attire and we'll provide everything you need. No special training equipment or protective gear is required.
No. Most of our schools operate on a first-name basis and a handshake.
Yes, you can bring a water bottle and store it near the edge of the mat.
As a first-time student, we will pair you up with a slightly more experienced student who can answer your questions and help guide your learning throughout the class.
If you get injured or embarrassed you won't come back. Everything about our beginner programs was specifically designed to make the classes as safe and encouraging for new students as possible.
Yes. Referrals are our number one source of business. Jiu-jitsu is so fun and addictive that people can't help but talk about it to their friends. Feel free to bring a friend to any beginner class you attend!
It will be the best class of your life. Watch the video for a detailed breakdown of what to expect.
If any of your questions remain unanswered, contact us and we'll be get back to you right away. Otherwise, click here to sign up for your 10-day free trial today!