Gracie Barra Mona Vale - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self defence

That was my problem with a lot of the BJJ gyms. They all trained for competition and they were absolutely great places but they lost a lot of self defence aspect of it. It's why I stuck to Muay Thai over BJJ in the long term because I felt like input vs output ratio was at least matched. I felt I learnt how to defend myself and run away. BJJ always scared me if I was in a fight and if it went to the ground I was literally get jumped by the guys mates. When people brawl in pubs and clubs its never even or they care to respect you because if they did they wouldn't be fighting that environment. I source, 2024 ↗

positive

I am dog BJJ rather then judo per se but am a massive fan of judo as both a sport and for self defence and I plan to do the white to yellow belt foundations short course as UTS (I’m in Sydney Australia…). I asked my BJJ teacher a similarly related question to yours: why does Khabib who is a **white belt** in BJJ… absolutely and utterly destroy almost all his opponents in the UFC. Answer? He’s only technically a white belt: but has been learning wrestling since he was a kid. So my teacher made the point that Khabib, whilst technically a white belt in BJJ, is well and truly advanced at grappl source, 2024 ↗

neutral

I know the head instructor at Gracie Barra St Peters, and he's a really good guy. The atmosphere he tries to cultivate isn't one of "I'm just here to make profit". He actually cares about the art. He actually put me onto the school I now attend; GB Liverpool, where I train with Prof. Gustavo. I know they are very good at prepping people for comps too. (Disclaimer: I did attend GB Wetherill Park some time ago, and it was the biggest example of a 'McDojo' I could give you. It was all about the money. So, the attitude and environment is goin to differ greatly depending on the school). source, 2024 ↗

positive

I trained at 2 Gracie Barras until know, the first one was stricter regarding the uniform rules, however due to the fact that I was doing BJJ full-time while living in my car they just gifted me several kimonos and rashguards in exchange for me doing the kids class once a week which i thought was fair. The academy I am right now does not really mind other Gis except for bigger seminars. They also do not follow the official curriculum. Both had a big hobbyist group and also a very successful competition team, which I like about GB. All in all I think it greatly depends how big the GB associati source, 2024 ↗

positive

Here’s some of my favourites to visit in different cities: Melbourne: Absolute MMA (St Kilda & CBD), Immersion Ringwood, Mustang Sports Centre Sydney: myBJJ Westside (Lidcombe), Gracie Jiu Jitsu Sydney, (Sydney Wrestling Academy is on my list for next time) Queensland: Full Metal Jiu Jitsu, Base Gracie Jiu Jitsu Outside of that if you’re going through Perth you’d be crazy to not visit William Dias’ gym, he recently got silver at AJP beating Tommy Langaker (controversially), but regardless has an impressive resume. And if you’re driving between Melbourne and Sydney then feel free to st source, 2022 ↗

neutral

To answer your question u/22022004 YES THERE IS, you are *not fucked if you are alone.* Let me explain, as a someone who's trained & competed & coached in multiple martial arts (over a decade), concealed pistol shooting and is a huge skeptic. I've also been a victim. First - Don't believe any technique/ method will work if someone tells you. You must have 100% confidence in anything you use to defend yourself. (including me!) Second- You can't take 1 self defence class and expect results. You must make an investment in yourself, to develop skills over time. This is the most worthw source, 2022 ↗

positive

Personally train at alliance, have been to open sparring, sjja, gracie humaita and higher jiujitsu. Any gym will do if you find the right vibe for you so do some trial classes. Come on down to Alliance source, 2021 ↗

neutral

I would recommend Higher Jiu Jitsu in the CBD. They were formally Pedro Sauer, now Gracie Jiu Jitsu so the element of self defense that you are looking for is there. Excellent fundamental instruction. John the head instructor is a beast. I stopped by there in December while I was visiting Sydney and was not disappointed. First class was free. source, 2018 ↗

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