Reilly is selling yummy and useful stuff fir her school! If you would like to help, check out her catalog on Tuesday and Thursday nights at GBS!

Hello Gracie Barra Students and family. Some things to keep in mind this weekend and to save the date this September!

Monday September 6th is Labor Day and we will be closed. Happy Labor Day!

September 4-5 Students will be competing in Chicago! We wish you the best in success and an all around great time! You have worked hard on the mats and are sure to meet some new friends and cheer on your Gracie Barra Team members!

September 17th at 6 PM MOVIE NIGHT! Attention Kids and kids at heart, bring your family members, pillows and your belt!

Thats right there will be a proper belt tying contest! The movie is The Tooth Fairy and is rated PG. Parents should preview the movie before but it is a family film. Popcorn, special treats and a night of family fun awaits you! We so look forward to seeing you at Gracie Barra Springfield for this great EVENT!

Welcome early birds to the newest class to welcome in fall and winter! Starting August 25th we will open the doors to invite you and several Instructors to a 6:30 AM Open Mat. Many of you showed interest on the sign up sheet at the academy and we are encouraged to help you meet your training goals!

WE WILL SEE YOU AT 6:30 AM On Thursdays!

Gracie Barra Instructor candidates Jason and Kathy!

Click on the photo below to see more photos at our school gallery!

Jeff Peter

John Mohan

Machine and Jessie hard at work!

Professor Marcos and Jamie Barros

Kory going for it!

More photos on our gallery page! Click on the first photo!

Today eleven Instructors and students traveled to Chicago and invested their time to learn how to referee under IBJJF.

They really enjoyed the class, their time in Chicago and of course they all succeeded in gaining their certification!

Organized like a team,fighting like a family and learning with the best! Great job Gracie Barra Instructors, students and Professor Marcos!

Closing class tradition, Professor Marcos Barros and students shake hands and encourage each other until the next time they train!

Hello Gracie Barra Springfield Family! We would like to post in an effort to keep you up to speed on the many events happening this August and September! Please check the website or give us a call often to stay current on all the new classes and changes the fall and winter will bring!

This Saturday August 21st in Chicago the IBJJF will be hosting a  referee course  for anyone interested to attend. Professor Marcos as well as several of your Instructors will be attending this certification in order to help serve YOU ALL better.  The IBJJF is an excellent resource to learn the skills and knowledge for BJJ rules, points and performance as a referee. We appreciate the Instructors that will be taking advantage of this opportunity to serve the students even better as they prepare for future competitions and training.  Following the Referee course on Sunday August 22 is the IBJJF Chicago OPEN! Details below!

REFEREE COURSE

On Saturday, August 21st, prior to the Chicago International Open IBJJF Championship, the IBJJF will be giving a Referee course. 

Time: 
12PM – 3PM

Fee – 30 dollars

Symmetry Fitness Center & MAT
401 W. Ontario Suite 400
Chicago, IL 60610  

For more info email to regras@cbjj.com.br

On Sunday August 22, 2010 many students will take on a new uniform, the one of a competitor. Its very different from a student’s Gi. It is filled with confidence and maybe a little excitement. An ounce of fear but loads of team encouragement and of course a blanket of training and preparation. We are really proud of all the support that has come to many students even attending on that day and local GBS Families, businesses and friends that have even sponsored many competitors with train tickets, competition fees, meals and lodging. We would like to thank Hickory River and Ryan Louis, Gracie Barra Springfield students, Wendy and Family, Fitness Together, Gracie Barra The Loop, Sabrina Barnett, Gracie Magazine,Gracie Barra Korea and Gracie Barra Store for all your support! God Bless you in your generous giving for the competitors!

There will only be one class scheduled for Saturday August 21st due to so many of your Instructors attending the referee course and competition in Chicago. Come to Chicago and support your school! Its a great excuse to take a trip and really see the premium competition only IBJJF can offer!

On Saturday August 21st ONLY  all levels 10 AM class will be in session.  Woman attending the 9 AM Woman’s class are welcome to join in the 10 AM all levels class on this day.

Adult Students who would like a 6:30 AM class added to the schedule are welcome to put in their suggestion for any particular day except Monday on the sign up sheet at the front desk. We will be adding this class if enough students show interest.

Gage and Professor Marcos

Back to School for our Future Champions and Juniors will again return us to our previous two day schedule. Saturday classes will not be in session for the fall and Winter on Saturdays after August 28th.

However, with Demonstrations ( TBA), Awards and appreciation night (TBA), Corn Maze (TBA), FAMILY Movie Nights (9/17/10), GBS in house Tournaments, GBS Messy Relay and BJJ in the park (9/25/10) still to come… we encourage you to check the website for events and we will see you on Monday and Wednesdays for your Training!

Lahne and Professor Marcos

Girls Class. A serious bunch.

guess who this little guy is?

This is in response to the request for stories of the life saving benefits of the jiu-jitsu training I have received at Gracie BarraSpringfield. Goodness! How many times have I used that phrase when I come into class that night (my morning, as I work 3rds). First off, my job is not as glamorous as police or military, as I work nights in the emergency room of a psych hospital doing admissions.

All of my calls involve either: someone psychotic and trying to hurt themselves or someone else, someone under the influence of street or the abuse of prescription drugs, or a combination of all the above. Jiujitsu has enabled me to subdue a 5′2″ 260 lb. girl who was combative at time of admission and had hit me in the jaw (the hardest I have EVER been hit in my life). I was able to secure her in the safe clinch, take her down and secure her with knee on the belly for about 3 minutes while she was thrashing about violently until help could arrive and she could be sedated. My supervisor at the time stated that I did what it usually took 4 staff to accomplish.

Jiujitsu allowed me to subdue a male who had been punching himself in the throat (I watched his throat instantly bruise) and was also banging his head to the point of bleeding. When I attempted to talk to him and verbally intervene, he lunged at me and attempted to bite me in the neck. I intercepted him in the safe clinch and took him down with O-uchi-gari (inside trip) and secured him in side mount until nursing staff could take care of him. Jiujitsu helped me deal with a female 2″ taller and about 40 lbs. heavier than me (and I am not a small guy either) who had been cutting herself with a scalpel and was bleeding profusely. She attempted to punch me in the face, when I safe covered and secured her in the rear safe clinch and transported her (while she was fighting) about 50 yds. into a safety area where she could be monitored and treated.

These are just a few of the instances that immediately come to mind (There are many, many more.) Jiujitsu at Gracie Barra Springfield has provided me with the physical conditioning to deal with violent encounters, the spiritual serenity to remain mentally and physically composed during these events, as well as the awareness to intervene and prevent situations from escalating violently. Gracie Barra Springfield teaches jiujitsu, the humane martial art, ideal for handling serious situations quickly and resolving them with the least amount of violence possible while teaching physical methods that are easy to learn and easier to implement.

I have had several incredible moments in my life. One of them was when I walked in the doors of Gracie Barra Springfield and started my journey in jiujitsu. God bless you and thank you for all that you do.

Tim Morenz

Consumer Reports magazine: July 2010

Here are the average amounts of metals we found in three servings of these protein drinks. The maximum limits for them in dietary supplements proposed by the U.S. Pharmacopeia are: arsenic (inorganic), 15 micrograms (µg) per day; cadmium, 5 µg; lead, 10 µg; mercury, 15 µg. Amounts at or exceeding those limits are in bold. Experts said three servings a day is common.

Hello Future Champions and Gracie Barra Family!

You are invited to a great cookout and event next to Knights Action Park on this Saturday  August 7th beginning at 5 PM.

Please sign the RSVP paper at the front desk or give Jamie a call at 217-698-9549 so we can include you in our party  and admission!

We would like to serve you and have you as our guests for this event. The proceeds will benefit Lifetime Pregnancy Help Center ! We hope to see you there to celebrate a great day and just enjoy your company! Rock on!

With warm thanks for all you do in our community and as our students!

Jamie and Gracie Barra Staff

Its not everyday you walk into a school and hear the words,” BJJ saved my life last week!” However at Gracie Barra its not really that uncommon!  When Professor Marcos and the GBS Instructors are not on the mats they are living their everyday lives.  Some of our very own serve in the US military, SS, Security and the Police force.  Its thrilling to hear those words and certainly proves that BJJ is more than just a great lifestyle and sport! It can save your life. Just ask some of your team members. If you have a testimony about the way BJJ has helped you please submit your story to jaminikole@yahoo.com. We would love to post it and encourage everyone to gain confidence and give BJJ a try. If you would like to remain anonymous please indicate so in the email, thanks!

Professor Marcos spreading BJJ in South Korea at Gracie Barra Cheoung Moo

Gage and Willow stretching before a match

Teaching our friends in China some basics and triangles

Professor Marcos trains soldiers in the Level one combatives at Camp Lincoln in Springfield

Bjj in pink! Woman are really taking greater interest and gaining greater confidence. Amy Mesa in white takes her first class!