Gracie Barra River Oaks in Houston, TX, provides structured training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).
The facility is designed to accommodate individuals across all skill levels, from beginners with no prior experience to advanced practitioners.
Facility and environment!
The Gracie Barra River Oaks facility maintains an environment conducive to focused martial arts practice. Training occurs on matted areas that prioritize safety during techniques and sparring. The academy’s design includes amenities required for regular training, such as changing rooms and storage areas for gear. The location within River Oaks makes the academy accessible for residents in surrounding areas of Houston.
Gracie Barra River Oaks: Experience a new beginning on your Jiu-Jitsu journey!

Curriculum and programs!
The core of the instruction at Gracie Barra River Oaks is the Gracie Barra Curriculum. This is a standardized system that divides training into structured phases and programs.
Beginner programs (Fundamentals): For new students, the focus is on mastering foundational BJJ techniques. This includes basic positions, escapes, submissions, and defensive movements. The structure emphasizes repetition and understanding the core principles of leverage and timing.
Advanced programs: Students progress to more complex techniques and strategies. Training intensity increases, and live sparring (rolling) becomes a more integrated component of the classes, allowing students to apply learned techniques against resisting opponents.
Kids and teens programs: Separate classes are offered for younger students, adapted to focus on discipline, coordination, and physical fitness alongside BJJ instruction. The teaching methodology for these groups is age-appropriate.
The role of Brazilian jiu-jitsu!
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, as taught at the academy, is a martial art and combat sport centered around grappling. The primary premise of BJJ is to control an opponent and utilize joint-locks and chokes to submit them. The instruction at Gracie Barra River Oaks emphasizes the technical aspects of BJJ, promoting a methodical approach to ground fighting.
The training involves developing physical attributes such as strength, endurance, and flexibility. Simultaneously, it requires significant mental engagement to understand and execute complex sequences of movements and counter-movements.
Attendance and progression!
Student progression at the academy is marked by the official BJJ belt system. Advancement from one belt rank to the next is determined by the instructor staff based on demonstrated technical proficiency, consistency in attendance, and accumulated experience during training. Consistent class attendance is necessary to ensure continuity in learning and technical development within the structured curriculum.
Getting Started at Gracie Barra Is Easy: SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CLASS!
Gracie Barra River Oaks: Effective martial arts programs for kids of all ages!
Gracie Barra River Oaks: A Premier Martial Arts Academy in Houston!
Gracie Barra River Oaks is a premier martial arts academy located in Houston, Texas. Founded by Professor Ulpiano Malachias, a world-renowned Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner, the academy offers top-notch training in Jiu Jitsu and mixed martial arts. Professor Malachias has been involved in athletics and martial arts from a young age, beginning with Judo at the age of 4 and then transitioning to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at 17.
Under the leadership of Professor Malachias, Gracie Barra River Oaks has grown and expanded to a new, larger 10,000 sqft location in 2016. The academy offers a wide range of training programs to suit students of all levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners.
One of Professor Malachias greatest achievements is his success as a black belt competitor in the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) competitions. He has won multiple championships and medals, including the Asian Championship in 2006, American National Championship in 2004, 2005, and 2008, and Pan American Championship Silver Medal in 2010, among others. He is also the 2022 IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship Open Gold Medalist.
Gracie Barra River Oaks: Experience a new beginning on your Jiu-Jitsu journey!
Professor Malachias is committed to continuously improving his teaching skills and his own knowledge and skill in Jiu Jitsu. He is a certified IBJJF referee and has served as a referee in countless IBJJF tournaments, including some widely watched finals.
At Gracie Barra River Oaks, students have access to over 700 Gracie Barra Schools worldwide, professional-quality Jiu-Jitsu gear, and online resources to further their training. The academy promotes a holistic perspective to Jiu-Jitsu, including physical and mental wellness. All GB Schools are supervised by a Gracie Barra certified instructor, who supports students and helps each one achieve their potential through challenging training programs. Each class at Gracie Barra River Oaks is customized to offer maximum benefit for the students in attendance.
In summary, Gracie Barra River Oaks is a world-class martial arts academy with a strong commitment to excellence and dedication to Jiu-Jitsu. With Professor Ulpiano Malachias at the helm, students can expect top-notch training and support in their journey to becoming skilled practitioners of Jiu Jitsu and mixed martial arts.
Gracie Barra River Oaks: Effective martial arts programs for kids of all ages!
From couch to dojo: Martial arts classes in Houston, TX | Phone: +1 (281) 974-2544


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Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in River - Oaks Texas
Email: info@gbriveroaks.com
URL: https://gbriveroaks.com/
| Monday | 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:30 AM - 9:00 PM |
| Thursday | 6:15 AM - 9:00 PM |
| Friday | 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM |