When you enter your Jiu-Jitsu academy today to train, know where it all came from.

This video shows you how things were in the fifities, in Rio de Janeiro.

Brothers Carlos Gracie and Helio Gracie were working hard to promote the martial art they formatted after learning it from Mitsuo Maeda.

Watch the video and know your roots.

Learn now!

Ralek Gracie taught a seminar at Mauricio Zingano’s academy on Oct. 26. Photo: Mauricio Zingano

Professor Ralek Gracie, grand son of Grandmaster Helio Gracie visited GMA academy Zingano BJJ in Broomfield, Colorado on Oct. 26 for a seminar. There was a huge turn-out of participants.

As an interesting backstory, Professor Zingano during his days as a blue and purple belt was an instructor at the Gracie Academy and taught many of the kids classes. For a period of time Ralek, Ryron and Rener Gracie were his students. Zingano says, “Interesting how the Jiu-Jitsu world goes around and around.”

Ralek is expected to return sometime in 2014 for another seminar. Stay tuned!

For more information regarding Mauricio Zingano and Zingano BJJ visit www.zinganobjj.com

Prince Jackson earns blue belt. Photo: TMZ

Online celebrity gossip site TMZ has reported that Michael Jackson’s son Prince is a blue belt in Jiu-Jitsu. He has been training at the Gracie Academy in Beverly Hills, CA and earned his new colored rank last week.

Many other celebrities have made their way through the belts including Ed O’Neil, Guy Ritchie, Paul Walker.

With Prince practicing Jiu-Jitsu, it’s safe to say that the benefits of training extend to just about anyone.

Check out the article and the photos here: http://www.tmz.com/2013/07/08/prince-jackson-jiu-jitsu-belt/

Bird's eye view of Central Park, where Jiu-Jitsu again saved the day, and two German tourists' vacation. Publicity photo.

Gaston Cavalleri, 32, was poor, got rich when his mom won the lottery back home in England, wrote a book, and even so you’ve probably never heard of him.

Thanks to Jiu-Jitsu, though, Gaston the tourist became the hero of the day in New York last Thursday.

Upon witnessing a purse snatching in Central Park, the Gracie Academy England student intercepted local thief Charles Williams, dragged him to the ground and pinned him there until police arrived on the scene. And the German tourists were pleased as punch to get their possessions back.

Thank you, Gaston. Thank you, Jiu-Jitsu.

But remember, Jiu-Jitsu should only be used as a last resort, as reacting to an assault can be very dangerous.

Check out the original “New York Post article here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_6cRbenwv4