About Us

Gracie Barra Calgary

The Gracie Barra Association (pronounced Gracie Ba-ha) is a global organization of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academies that hold the mission of providing the highest level of BJJ instruction in the world. Under the leadership of Master Carlos Gracie Jr., Gracie Barra has evolved from one small school in the suburb of Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro in 1986, to more than two hundred schools all around the globe today. Gracie Barra academies value brotherhood, co-operation, discipline, and respect.

Gracie Barra Calgary is led by Professor Josh Russell, a 1st degree black belt under Master Carlos Gracie Jr. In the year 2000, Professor Russell’s passion for Jiu-Jitsu took him all the way to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he then earned all of his belts from white to black at the founding GB academy in Barra. While in Brazil, Professor Russell had the opportunity to learn from, train beside, and compete against some of the most highly decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners in the world. Now back home in Canada, Professor Russell has brought all that he has learned to Calgary where you too can now learn the gentle art.

We offer instruction for people of all ages and from all walks of life. Our class schedule includes Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Fundamentals, Advanced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Submission Grappling, Youth Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Open Mat training as well as private 1 on 1 lessons. If you have any questions or would like to try a free introductory class, please feel free to contact us by phone at (403) 899.2880 or by e-mail at gbcbjj@gmail.com.

See you on the mat!