Gracie Barra Champaign — Attraction in Urbana

I signed up for the 8-week women's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu course at Gracie Barra Champaign and I've ALREADY BENEFITED SO MUCH from just one class! I can now get myself out from underneath somebody, to on top of them, and then away... 2 hours ago I could not. That one maneuver hit harder than anything (though I learned quite a lot more in the same class). I immediately demonstrated it to my husband once I got home and was able to do it successfully on my first attempt, how impressive! Details which I loved about my first class: I was paired with another woman similar to my size and I practiced with the same partner throughout the entire session which reduced many of my anxieties about getting started. The instructors were focused on everybody's safety and remained ever aware of each individual's comfort level. Their instructions were clear, easy to follow, and made sense. I felt safe the entire time and was constantly encouraged to ask questions, I was never made to feel unintelligent, uncomfortable, or triggered. That was monumental as I am an absolute beginner, easily intimidated, and female. Overall, this gym has a very inclusive and welcoming vibe from the moment you walk through the door and everybody seemed to enjoy being there. Their commitment to teamwork and maintaining a safe space was so evident in their etiquette toward one another as well as toward the individuals they were instructing, everybody had fun. Icing on the cake: between classes it was incredibly inspiring for me to actually SEE another woman rolling on the mat with a much larger man, and completely holding her own. I happy-cried about it on my drive home, I'll definitely be sticking around after these 8 weeks are over -- I am so excited for this new burst of empowerment and am looking forward to learning and building more confidence, thank you GB...

I met the current owner of the gym, Josh Cadenbach, in September 2013, which was right when he took over the Dragonz Lair MMA gym in Champaign on 1st Street. At the time, he was a two-stripe blue belt with a strong background in wrestling. Along with Coach Josh, there were several other instructors that taught Muy Thai, MMA, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Fast forward to May 2016, my time at school and GB Champaign had come to an end. I left as a two-stripe blue belt. Coach Josh now has a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and at least a level two teaching certification in Commando Krav Maga. This is a testament to his dedication to BJJ and his school. Coach Josh continues to expand his BJJ knowledge by regularly traveling to various GB gyms around Illinois, such as the ones in Springfield and Downer's Grove. He delegates some of the teaching to his purple belts as well. I really enjoyed training at GB Champaign over the 2.5 years that I spent there. It's a smaller gym with a great atmosphere and a lot of friendly people that share a common goal: to get better at BJJ. There's a handful of people that consistently show up to training, but the gym continues to grow. There is a handful of blue belts and a couple of purple belts that help out the more inexperienced people. In my final months at the gym, I noticed many new people signing up, and the school has grown every year since I joined. My only regret that I didn't sign up sooner! Classes offered at the school include BJJ Fundamentals Class, BJJ Advanced Class, No-Gi BJJ, Competition Class, and the Commando Krav Maga Classes. Coach Josh has done very well with this school and he really cares about the development of students. He's just an awesome guy and he works really hard. Check this place out, you definitely...

LADIES! (and everybody!) - I first began learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu about a year ago when GB Champaign hosted a women's only 8-week self defense course and I've been hooked ever since. Sometimes I go twice a week, and other times I go twice a day! No joke - conveniently enough, they offer both morning and evening classes. I never imagined getting through 8 whole sessions of [lovingly] "exposure therapy" hah, let alone being physically and mentally capable of safely performing the things that I have learned in Gracie Barra's classes so far... and I've only just dipped my toes in. Recently I surprised myself by tapping out a less experienced but much larger man during a live roll, fairly calmly and quickly... it took us both by surprise, WOW! I consistently find this gym's environment to be safe, welcoming, inclusive, respectful, supportive, and fun. The instruction is very effective, realistic, and strictly based on consent. I love this school so much that I've regularly been attending the co-ed classes and learning with all of the various Professors, Coaches, and students as much as I can. This school truly feels like home/family. Before and after classes I often overhear instructors anwering real-life questions and giving very meaningful advice appropriately to children and teenagers, as well as adults of every age and type (even myself). Each day I walk out of class feeling a little wiser, stronger, safer, and more sure of myself. I'm so empowered to continue growing at this school and I can't wait to learn more! Thank you...