Famous family son teaching jiu-jitsu

Famous family son teaching jiu-jitsu

Reylson Gracie wants to teach Las Vegas, and the whole world, a few things.

As the owner of Reylson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, a new school in northwest Las Vegas, the 59-year-old Brazilian grandmaster hopes to dispel the myths surrounding his famous family and the martial arts.

First of all, the translation of jiu-jitsu is "the gentle art," which means what Gracie plans on teaching has nothing to do with the violence and brutality commonly associated with the form of self defense originated by his father.

"Most people have heard the name Gracie because of the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) fights and they think Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is about showing one's supremacy and holding exhibitions to watch men breaking each other," he said. "This is the worst kind of advertising for our schools. People have offered big money for us to host fights or prepare fighters, but I am the only one in my family who is doing what my father intended. He told me, `Don't challenge others to fight. Don't make money from fighting. That is the short way to success. To open a school is the long way, but you give something to the people.' It is more difficult, but you give people power, moral character, responsibility and high self esteem."

Reylson's father, Carlos Gracie, originally learned jiu-jitsu from Mitsuyo Maeda Koma, who served in the government cabinet under Japanese Prince Hirohito. The first Brazilian to learn jiu-jitsu, Carlos Gracie had 21 children, 98 grandchildren and 146 great grandchildren. All 10 of his sons became black belts. Carlos Gracie died at age 94.

Reylson Gracie started training with his father at age 4. He became the youngest grandmaster ever at the age of 37 and has opened several Gracie Jiu-Jitsu academies in Brazil in his 44 years of teaching.

He opened his Las Vegas school in November at 1928 Rock Springs Drive, at the corner of West Lake Mead Blvd. just west of U.S. Highway 95. In his attempt to spread the lessons of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu around the world, he decided Las Vegas would be a great location because so many people from all over the globe regularly visit.

"Everyone is born with power," Gracie said. "But not all know how to develop it. We help people succeed. We give something to people that medicine, science, therapy and money could not achieve. There is a genius inside all of us, you just have to wake it up."

Gracie offers training programs for men, women and children that focus not only on physical development and self defense but also strengthening the mind and personal confidence. He said the lessons learned at his school can help in any person's professional and personal life.

"A lot of people have returned and told him that there's no way they can thank him for what they have learned," said Christine McCabe, a veteran member of Gracie's staff. "We have had businessmen who say what he has given them has allowed them to run their businesses and their families better."

So far the response to the school has been strong, but not strong enough for Gracie. He said people's misconceptions about the benefits of jiu-jitsu can be easily corrected.

"My door is always open to people who want to succeed in life," he said. "No matter what it is you do, you can do it better. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is not about proving anything, it's about investing in yourself. The system speaks for itself."

The school will be holding its first Las Vegas seminar, conducted by Gracie and his instructors, from noon to 4 p.m. May 25 at the conference center in the MGM Grand. Advance tickets are $100 and the event is open to martial arts enthusiasts and beginners alike.

For more information, check online at www.reylsongracie.com or call the school at 243-2300.


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