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1166 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

415-552-4777

Located on Valencia Street in San Francisco, the Ralph Gracie Academy is legendary for it's toughness and technique. Ralph Gracie himself splits his time between this and his other Bay Areaacadamies. Kurt Osiander provides daily instruction and has worked with hundreds of students over the year. Carlos "Sapao" Oryzune has proven to be one of the most technical competitors on the circuit today. In addition, the academy regularly sees top talent both from with the Ralph Gracie family acadamies, and visits from black belts from Brazil. The Academy also features a boxing ring with instruction from George.

About Ralph Gracie

Ralph Gracie has been a champion fighter for over ten years and has been called one of the best ground fighters in the world. He has fought in major events including Extreme Fighting and Pride Bushido. He was born into and has studied Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for over twenty years. Anyone of his competitors can tell you Ralph is here to do one thing – WIN! Ralph has dedicated his life to teaching the incredible fighting system known today around the world as Gracie Jiu Jitsu. He currently has 7 academies in California in which all are run by Black Belts directly under him.

Along with spending time with his family, Ralph frequently trains and spends time at all of his academies. He also visits his brother’s academy; Renzo Gracie in New York from time to time. Ralph’s focus on his teachings consist mainly of learning the techniques, executing them correctly, training and more training. He has said more than once “It’s better to die, than not train.” His fighting style backs this theory as well as his teaching delivery.

Gracie Jiu Jitsu History

In 1914, Japanese Jiu-jitsu champion Esai Maeda migrated to Brazil, where he was instrumental in establishing a Japanese immigrant community. His efforts were aided by Gastao Gracie, a Brazilian scholar and politician of Scottish decent. As an expression of his gratitude for Gracie’s assistance, Maeda taught the Brazilian’s oldest son Carlos the essential secrets of the ancient martial arts tequnique, Carlos taught Maeda’a techniques to his four brothers, and in 1925 they opened the first Jiu-Jitsu academy in Brazil. For the Gracie brothers, teaching the art was more than an occupation. It was their passion.

One of the brothers, Helio Gracie, paid special interest to the use of leverage within the art, making it possible for a smaller opponent like himself (135 lbs) to defeat a larger one. He and his brothers began experimenting, modifying and enhancing the basic techniques to make them effective for a person regardless of his or her stature. Thus began the development of a new and more effective art – Gracie Jiu Jitsu.

Over the years in Brazil and now in the US there have been many Gracie affiliated schools that have also tried to modify and enhance the techniques of the sport and in turn the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has evolved very quickly.

Today’s Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is as popular as ever as the family continuously strives to teach and spread the art throughout the world. Much has been learned since the beginning when the Gracie’s began developing the sport. With 7 schools in California, Ralph Gracie continues the loyalty, strength and wisdom that has been passed down to him from his father, grandfather and family members.