Helio Gracie was born with a frail physique, but he was determined to find a way to defend himself against larger opponents. At a young age, he learned traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu techniques from his older brother, Carlos. Over the course of the late 1920s, Helio modified these techniques to suit his body type, resulting in a system that enabled him to defeat larger and stronger opponents, some of whom outweighed him by as much as 100 pounds.
Helio Gracie's innovative approach to Jiu-Jitsu spread quickly throughout Brazil, revolutionizing martial arts around the world. His techniques were so effective that they allowed a smaller person to triumph over a much bigger opponent. Through his brilliant modifications, Helio Gracie laid the groundwork for a new and improved version of Jiu-Jitsu, one that even those with a frail physique could practice with confidence.
Helio Gracie's legacy lives on today in the form of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, which has become a popular martial art and self-defense system practiced by both adults and children around the world. His achievements are a testament to the power of determination and creativity, showing us that even with a small frame, greatness can be achieved.
In the Gracie Bullyproof program, our goal is to instill in your child unshakable confidence so they can overcome bullies without violence. Due to the non-violent nature of the techniques, CNN, ABC, NBC, and Oprah have featured the Gracie Bullyproof program as one of the few effective counter-measures to bullying for children between the ages of 5 and 13.