As defined by BusinessDictionary.com, a method is an established, habitual, logical, or prescribed practice or systematic process of achieving certain ends with accuracy and efficiency, usually in an ordered sequence of fixed steps. This definition really encompasses the direction and strategies that are integral to what we call the Gracie Barra Method.
The Gracie Barra Method: Developed Over Time
If you consider some of the greatest organizations, businesses, or even works of architecture or industry, they have a common thread: they developed over time, with thoughtful consideration, and through testing, trying, and reevaluating. Gracie Barra has followed this similar process. Although founded in 1986, already almost three decades ago, the organizational practices that we see today are not exact duplicates of those implemented in the early years. The organization, under the leadership of Master Carlos Gracie Jr., has evolved through the decades and those leaders within the organization have strived to build a culture where teamwork is the means by which we achieve Jiu-Jitsu goals.
As the organization grew, so did Master Carlos Gracie Jr.’s influence as a leader in the gentle art of Jiu-Jitsu. He developed his own teaching techniques, tools, and practices that he instilled in those who were learning and teaching with him. He also understood the value of the institutionalization of Gracie Barra, and consolidating the aspects of his teaching into systems, standards, and procedures.
As he did so, the individuals working with him were then able to take their lessons from Master Carlos Gracie Jr. and move forward to lead their own classes and even open their own Gracie Barra schools. Thus, the teaching style of Master Carlos Gracie Jr., was integral to the platform for the Gracie Barra Method.