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May 21, 2019

Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Belt Promotions Seminars & Ceremony | Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC


Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Belt Promotions Seminars & Ceremony | Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC

Twice each year our Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program holds a series of seminars, followed by sparring, belt promotions and a short ceremony. We hold these event at the original location in Alexandria, VA.

PayPal or Venmo $30 to Jeremy—at—CapitalMMA—dot—com, or see the front desk. Please pre-register for this event by May 30, 2019.

Event Date

June 1, 2019

Itinerary

10-10:30AM = Whole Class Seminar with Beau Horner
10:30-11:15AM = Seminar 1 with Chad Malone and John Perry
11:15-12:00PM = Seminar 2 with Chad Malone and John Perry
*White through blue belts in Room A and purple and up in Room B. The instructors will rotate between the rooms.
12:00-2:00PM = Sparring Rounds
2:00PM = Promotions; Gauntlet; Group Picture

Etiquette

Members should wear a laundered Capital branded white training kimono.

What does the navy blue “rank bar” symbolize?

Royce Gracie honors Grandmaster Hélio Gracie’s life and legacy by wearing a navy blue belt like what Grandmaster Hélio wore. Going forward Royce is asking his representatives to wear a navy blue bar.

Early on in the history of Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, belts were not awarded based on fighting skills. Instead belt colors were awarded to distinguish instructors from students. At this time instructors wore a light blue belt and head instructors — who completed the professor’s course — wore a navy blue belt. Furthermore, the founding fathers wanted to separate themselves from the Judo instructors of the time because they were concerned that Judo had become a sport for competition, and was no longer a complete martial art.

When the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation was created in 1967 by Elcio Leal Binda, Judo’s belt system was then adopted. Additionally, sport Jiu-Jitsu rules were created. While Grandmasters Carlos and Hélio Gracie were opposed, they felt a great deal of pressure from students who believed that tournaments would have no ill effect on the art.

Later in his life Grandmaster Hélio realized that, like Judo before, Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was becoming a sport for competition, and was no longer a complete martial art. Also, red belts were being given to individuals who were not red belts themselves. To protest, Grandmaster Hélio put on his blue belt.

How should I put a navy blue bar on my belt?

The blue rank bar should start 1″ from one end of the belt, and be 4″ in length. The easiest thing to do is to purchase navy blue athletic tape to wrap around your belt. Another option is to bring your belt to a tailor and they can sew it on for you.

Promotions At Capital*

Your Path to Sparring
15 Classes = Your First Stripe (“Sparring Stripe”)

Your Path to Blue Belt
Minimum Years Training = 1+
Average Years Training = 1.5

Your Path to Purple Belt
Minimum Years Training = 3+
Average Years Training = 5

Your Path to Brown Belt
Minimum Years Training = 5+
Average Years Training = 7

Your Path to Black Belt
Minimum Years Training = 7+
Average Years Training = 10

Three Considerations for Being Promoted
Time on the Mat (see above)
Toughness
Technique

*More to come in a future article.

Shoutout to Musa Visual Media, LLC for the amazing picture!

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