Gain confidence and fitness as you learn to defend yourself.
Good People Great Jiu Jitsu
Gain confidence and fitness as you learn to defend yourself.
You have questions, we have answers.
Jiu-Jitsu, which literally means the gentle art, is a famous form of self-defense that does no rely on physical strength and power., Using techniques of strikes, holds, locks, chokes, throws, and evasions, it employs mechanics though leverage and knowledge of human anatomy to overcome any attacker with minimal effort and strength. Jiu-Jitsu teaches self-confidence, improves self-esteem, relieves stress, and increases the ability to focus.
Including the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to your routine can help you get in shape, gain confidence, and release stress, all while forming a network of like-minded people sure to motivate and inspire you. The Gracie Humaita LOTO Academy not only excels in this great martial art, but offer a safe, friendly, and family-style atmosphere that many of our students consider their second home.
Any fitness level is welcome to the classes. What we emphasize in our classes are hard work; therefore, everyone is welcome and we will make our best to accommodate you. As lessons progress so will your fitness and lessons will become easier. Our team will ensure a progressive and gradual plan to help you acclimate to our programs while achieving your fitness goals.
We have students of all ages, each with different goals in mind. Whether you are 7 or 89, our classes and programs are designed to provide results at any age and are enjoyed by both younger and older students.
The gi game obviously has a lot more to it. Everything that can be done without the gi can be done with it, making it a more complex game. Additionally, taking away the gi allows physical attributes such as size strength and slipperiness to come to play with greater effect due to the lack of levers and friction. Working with the gi is generally considered more of a thinking man's game. Not that no-gi isn't, it's just that the gi removes many physical advantages and ads more techniques. For now, you should view your kimono as a set of training wheels. As you develop a higher level of proficiency, you will learn to perform Jiu-jitsu techniques both with and without a kimono. For now, the kimono will add a level of sophistication to your game that will result in you as a student becoming a more advanced and technical fighter.
We begin class with some light calisthenics and stretching. Following our warm-up we then begin drilling technique. These drills when done over and over help form muscle memory and help our students retain technique. After our drilling is completed then we begin to spar (or roll). Rolling is when students are able to put their techniques to the test with training partners who can resist and counter just as they would in an actual fight, providing valuable real-world experience should the techniques ever need to be applied in an actual fight.
Competition is encouraged for those who wish to do so but it is NOT a requirement. While there are many positive reasons for competing in tournaments, you will never be forced. However, over the years we have noticed that students who compete make huge improvements in their BJJ.
Women are welcome to take part in any of the classes we run.
Have other questions? Ready to start?
Check out all the available group classes!
Private lessons are available, contact instructors to schedule them.
Don't take our word for it! Ask our students!
Where to begin with the love you have for your jiujitsu family! You welcomed our grandson with open arms in a desperate time of all of our lives through the pandemic. You welcomed Jayden to your gym and classes beyond measure with open arms. He loves your (his) gym both for the trainers as well as his teammates! Hoping to be able to train again this spring and summer with y'all again! Has learned a lot of different between trainers at both places.
We are very lucky to have a real Gracie BJJ school in our community. Many people may not know that the owner Dave Vinson (Black Belt) has spent many years traveling around the country training directly with the Gracie family. I did not fully realize how close the relationship was until I was able to have lunch with Royler Gracie and Dave a couple of years ago. It was obvious that the Gracie's really like and respect Dave. This school is the real deal!!
Dave and Joey are awesome! They have such patience with the younger ones. We look forward to every class. They do such a wonderful job of instilling confidence in these kids; I only wish that we would have had our kiddo join sooner!
Parent
The teachers and the students are all really nice. Great place to learn and get better. Meet new friends that help each other grow in the sport and in life!
Student
If your child really wants to try out martial arts and you are afraid that they may punch or kick someone at school or home then this is the perfect place for you! Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a self-defense system that enables the people who practice it to defend themselves by using leverage to submit opponents. This is done without throwing punches or kicks. Using our proven techniques your child will be able to defend themselves from bullies even though we do not teach them how to strike. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a fantastic way to promote an active and healthy lifestyle for kids of any ages. Parents of our students often find that their children gain self-esteem through athletic achievement and learn how to carry themselves better in situations that require them to deal with pressure. If your son or daughter is acting overly aggressive in school, lacks focus and or discipline then we at Gracie LOTO recommend you start them out with a private lesson to introduce them to the sport and class structure. They will learn that Commitment, Respect, Focus, Self-Discipline and effort always make a rewarding experience and bring positive results.
Besides self defense skills that will give children a high degree of self confidence. Our Kids and Juniors programs will also work on:
What makes Gracie Jiu-Jitsu so effective for kids is the fact that instead of learning moves through katas or prearranged set of movements carried out on a cooperative training partner, they will learn how to apply grappling techniques on a resisting training partner who's not cooperating and is counteracting with his own moves, much like as what you'd see on the streets.
Meet some of the instructors that will help you on you jiu jitsu journey.
Lake Area Gracie Jiu-Jitsu was founded by Dave Vinson in 2016. Dave is a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, training directly under Professor JW Wright with St. Louis Gracie Humaita, Master David Adiv with Gracie Jiu-Jitsu New Jersey and Master Royler Gracie. Dave has actively taught at Lake of the Ozarks since 1994, and also holds black belts in four other martial art styles.
Joey has had over 40 amateur MMA bouts with 8 titles. He's had 4 professional MMA bouts and a 1-0 Pro Kickboxing record. He's had over 100 combat sports matches across MMA, boxing, kickboxing, and jiujitsu. 2017 White Belt Fuji State Champion, 2019 Blue Belt State Silver and 2020 Purple Belt State Silver.
If sport Jiu-jitsu and advancement within a traditional belt system are not things you are interested in but you still want to know how to defend yourself then this is the program for you! Gracie Self Defense focuses on the self defense aspects of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu so that you learn the most effective techniques to protect yourself and your family in real-life scenarios. Taking the Self defense Course will enable you to feel in control of potentially threatening situations and make your self confidence grow! We will help you to build up your self-confidence, technique, strength and conditioning so that you reach all of the goals you have set for yourself. The self-defense course is a great introduction to the principles of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, upon completion most students transition to our group classes to continue their training. We invite you to do the same, learn techniques that can save your life one day and if you love it like we know you will continue on with a sport that will have a long lasting positive impression on your life.
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