Self Defense Training Programs
GRACIE COMBATIVES®
By far the most popular program, Gracie Combatives is comprised of 36 techniques that have been applied more times by a GJJ practitioner during a real street fight than all other techniques combined. These 36 techniques are divided into 23 one hour long classes, and can be taken in any order. This course is designed to give anyone the skills necessary to survive an attack against a larger, stronger and more athletic opponent. You will receive a combatives card to track your progress along the journey so that you know where you stand at all times. Finish each class twice and you are ready to participate in the reflex development program, after you complete 20 classes you will receive a stripe. After all 36 techniques have been completed three times, and you feel ready, you may test for your combatives belt. Upon completion of the curriculum and earning your combatives belt you will be allowed into master cycle to earn your official blue belt and continue growing as a practitioner of Jiu Jitsu.
REFLEX DEVELOPMENT®
Reflex development is a program designed to enhance your instincts with combatives. After completing each combatives lesson twice you will be allowed into this program. We combine multiple techniques from the combatives lessons to simulate what may occur during a real attack. These lessons are practiced at a higher speed and with more intensity to hone your instinctual ability to use the moves you have already learned. These classes are a necessary part of ensuring that you will be able to defend yourself in real life situations, while still maintaining a safe atmosphere. The speed and intensity at which you train is decided by each individual and can be increased or decreased depending on each individuals comfort levels.
MASTER CYCLE®
Beyond Gracie Combatives belt, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) consists of hundreds of advanced techniques organized into a clearly defined, systematic curriculum called the Master Cycle. The Master Cycle’s unique structure simplifies the journey to black belt by organizing all of BJJ into into seven positional chapters (Mount, Side Mount, Guard, Half Guard, Back Mount, Leg Locks, Standing), each of which is studied for several months before moving on to the next chapter.
If you’ve achieved the rank of Gracie Combatives belt or higher in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and you would like to continue on the path to BJJ black belt in a safe, structured, and friendly learning environment, the Master Cycle is for you!
GRACIE BULLYPROOF®
This program is designed by the Gracie’s to teach children the beginning stages of Combatives, how to deal with bullies and how to have some fun. This program consists of 10 Gracie games that kids absolutely love! Each game has movements that build the foundation to the Combatives techniques. They will also learn “The Rules of Engagement.” This is important so that every student knows when and when not to use the techniques they have learned. Many children even after learning the techniques featured in GRACIE BULLYPROOF®, will not take a stand against bullies. Fear of punishment, from school administrators and from parents, is so strong, that most children will do nothing in response to persistent verbal or physical harassment from a bully. By teaching your child the Rules of Engagement, not only will you ensure that they do not abuse their power, but you will give them a step-by-step plan to follow any time they are targeted by a bully and the assurance that you will support them in the event that they are compelled to stand up for themselves. Upon completion of Gracie Bullyproof® your child will be allowed into Jr. Combatives where they will focus deeper by learning 33 techniques that pave the way to the Combatives Program.
WOMEN EMPOWERED®
Women Empowered is the official Gracie self-defense program for women based on the techniques of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). In this 10-lesson program, we will teach you how to neutralize the 15 most common attacks ranging from having your hair grabbed to being pinned to the ground by a weapon-bearing assailant. Each one-hour Women Empowered lesson addresses two techniques. You can start the program at any time and participate in any class without previous experience. Unlike most self-defense systems that rely heavily on strength, speed, and coordination, the techniques in the Women Empowered program employ leverage, technique, and timing, so anyone, regardless of age or athletic ability, can make them work against larger opponents. Once you complete the Women Empowered program, you may test for promotion to pink belt!
Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is the perfect self-defense system for women, but only if it is taught correctly. If you’re unsure about learning BJJ for fear of injury, embarrassment, or any other reason, then the Women Empowered program is perfect for you! If you’ve tried BJJ at another school and had a negative experience, give Women Empowered a chance, and we guarantee it will win you back to the mat!
15 Essential Techniques
Law enforcement officials and survivors of sexual assault helped us identify the 15 most common attack strategies that a male assailant is likely to use on a woman. From hair-grabs and choke-holds, to bear hugs and weapon defenses, the Women Empowered program covers it all.
Step 1: Learn the Techniques
We have divided the 15 Women Empowered techniques into 10 one-hour classes so that you can complete the course at your own pace. We designed each lesson so that you can start at any point in the course. As a result, you can start the program at any time and complete the 10 lessons in any order. Upon enrolling, we will issue you a Women Empowered attendance card on which we will track your progress every step of the way.
Step 2: Develop Your Reflexes
Once you complete each of the 10 Women Empowered lessons once, you will qualify to participate in the Reflex Development (RD) classes where you will learn how to combine the 15 techniques to address the most common occurrences in a real self-defense situation.
Step 3: Earn Your Pink Belt
Once you complete each of the Women Empowered lessons four times, and you’ve completed at least four Reflex Development Classes, you are eligible to test for promotion to pink belt! During this 15-minute test, we will assess your execution of all 15 essential techniques. If your performance meets Gracie University standards, you will qualify for promotion to pink belt. As a pink belt, you will be more than ready to move on to the Gracie Combatives program should you choose to continue the jiu-jitsu journey!
What is the Pink Belt?
As with every program in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (Gracie Combatives, Master Cycle and Gracie Bullyproof) awarding belts is the traditional way to acknowledge progress and accomplishment. With the development of the Gracie Women Empowered program, the course featured so many unique strategies, objectives, techniques, and psychology tailored to a special set of circumstances, that the standard Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu belt system did not apply. So, we decided to add an entirely new belt, and since pink was one of the only colors not used in the existing BJJ belt system, we introduced the Women Empowered Pink Belt! It not only symbolizes dedication to the techniques of the program, but also an understanding of the philosophy that is essential for survival in life-threatening scenarios. We hope that this reflexive understanding of both the philosophy and techniques will instill a confidence in women that reduces their risk of ever becoming a target in the first place. Since the program was created we have watched women dedicate countless hours to earning their pink belt, and with every pink belt earned, the value and prestige of this belt has become undeniable.
TEAM INNER STRENGTH MMA®
Exclusive for Gracie Apple members only but a separate affiliation is our Team Inner Strength MMA expansion section. Open from 6am-9pm daily you can come and go as you please. Access via digital key allows you to lift weights, hit bags or train with your favorite partner at your convenience. MMA classes are held 2 times a week and free to anyone with access to this section. Team Inner Strength is contracted with SparStar MMA out of LA for those who wish to take things to a different level. For the rest of us, having open access to a fun and friendly environment is unparalleled.

CONTACT US TODAY!
Secretary: (442) 327-6900
Owner/Instructor: (760) 964-3474
Follow Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Apple Valley
TEAM INNER STRENGTH
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Apple Valley
Team Inner Strength
13470 Manhasset Rd. #9
Apple Valley CA 92308
Phone: (442) 327-6900
Owner/Instructor: (760) 964-3474
Email:
