Meet the Instructors at Gracie Barra Highland Village

The quality of a martial arts academy is defined almost entirely by its leadership. In the case of Gracie Barra Highland Village, the instruction is not just “certified”—it is world-class.

Unlike many suburban academies run by hobbyist black belts, this school is led by a legitimate legend of the sport who is still active on the global competitive scene.

Here is a detailed look at the instructors and leadership team.

1. The Head Instructor & Owner: Professor Gabriel Arges

The primary reason students travel from surrounding cities to train at this specific location is Professor Gabriel Arges. Having him as a local head instructor is the martial arts equivalent of having an NBA All-Star coaching your high school basketball team.

 The Pedigree: Gabriel Arges is a 3-time IBJJF Black Belt World Champion (2016, 2017, 2019). This is the highest achievement possible in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

 The Lineage: He received his Black Belt from Romulo Barral, one of the most respected competitors and teachers in history. This places Highland Village students directly in the lineage of: Carlos Gracie Sr. > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Jr. > Draculino > Romulo Barral > Gabriel Arges.

 Teaching Style: Despite being a fierce competitor known for his “invincible” closed guard and precise back-takes, Professor Arges is known for a calm, technical, and patient teaching style. He specializes in breaking down complex world-championship techniques into simple steps that beginners and children can understand.

 Role: As the owner and Head Professor, he oversees the curriculum, belts promotions, and the culture of the school.

2. Regional Leadership: Professor Dionathan Santos

While Professor Arges is the face of the Highland Village location, the school is also supported by Professor Dionathan Santos, a key figure in the expansion of Gracie Barra in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.

 Role: Professor Dionathan often oversees the standards and operations of multiple schools in the area, ensuring that Highland Village maintains the strict quality control required by Gracie Barra Global.

 Background: A Black Belt under Professor Flavio Almeida, Dionathan has extensive experience in teaching women’s programs and developing instructor teams.

3. The Assistant Coaches & Staff

Because Gracie Barra Highland Village is a premier academy, the support staff (Program Directors and Assistant Coaches) are not just volunteers; they are trained professionals.

 ICP Certified: Every instructor who steps on the mat has passed the Gracie Barra Instructor Certification Program (ICP). This means they are trained in:

 CPR and First Aid.

 Risk Management (how to prevent injuries during training).

 Pedagogy (how to teach different learning types).

 GB Anti-Bullying Systems.

 The “Legacy” Team: You will often see upper-belt students (Brown and Purple belts) assisting in the Future Champions (Kids) classes. These are typically aspiring instructors who are being mentored directly by Professor Arges to become the next generation of professors.

4. What This Means for You

 Direct Access: In many large organizations, the “famous guy” puts his name on the door but never teaches. At Gracie Barra Highland Village, you get direct exposure to Gabriel Arges and his methodology.

 Modern Jiu-Jitsu: Because the leadership is still active in the sport, you aren’t learning outdated techniques from 1995. You are learning the modern, high-efficiency Jiu-Jitsu that works in current competitions and self-defense scenarios.

 Safety: The high level of technical knowledge means the instructors know exactly how to keep you safe. They can spot a dangerous movement before it happens and correct it immediately.

🥋 Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Highland Village: A Comprehensive Profile

Gracie Barra Highland Village is a top-tier martial arts academy located in Highland Village, Texas, serving the communities of Highland Village, Flower Mound, Lewisville, and Lantana. As an official franchise of Gracie Barra (GB)—one of the largest and most respected Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) organizations in the world—this academy adheres to high standards of instruction, safety, and curriculum.

Here is a detailed breakdown of everything you can expect from this specific academy.

1. Philosophy and Mission

The academy operates under the global Gracie Barra motto: “Jiu-Jitsu for Everyone.”

This means the school is not an intimidating “fight club” for professional cage fighters. Instead, it is an educational center designed to make BJJ accessible to toddlers, teenagers, working professionals, and seniors alike. The goal is personal development through martial arts, focusing on:

 Self-Defense: Real-world protection.

 Wellness: Physical fitness and mental health.

 Community: Building a positive social environment.

2. Program Structure

Gracie Barra Highland Village utilizes a standardized, week-by-week curriculum. This means a student knows exactly what they are learning, and if they visit another GB school, the instruction remains consistent.

1. Future Champions (Kids Program)

This is a cornerstone of the Highland Village location, given the family-oriented demographics of the area.

 Little Champions I (Ages 3–6): Focuses on “mat awareness,” coordination, following instructions, and basic body movements. It is heavily game-based to keep toddlers engaged.

 Little Champions II (Ages 7–9): Introduces technical Jiu-Jitsu. Students learn escapes, controls, and the Gracie Barra Anti-Bullying system (verbal de-escalation and non-violent control).

 Juniors & Teens (Ages 10–14): A more mature curriculum that prepares students for the adult program. It focuses on fitness, discipline, and complex problem-solving.

1. GB Adult Program

The adult curriculum is split into tiers to ensure safety and proper progression.

 GB1: Fundamentals (White Belts): The entry-level program. It focuses on self-defense, safety, and the core principles of BJJ (base, posture, leverage). There is usually no full-contact sparring (rolling) in the first few weeks to prioritize safety.

 GB2: Advanced (Blue Belt & Up): Once the basics are mastered, students move to GB2. This class involves more complex techniques, combinations, and live sparring (“rolling”).

 GB3: Black Belt Program: Designed for advanced practitioners to refine their style, flow, and transitions.

1. Private Training

For students who want to accelerate their learning or work on specific weaknesses, the professors at Highland Village offer one-on-one private lessons.

3. The Class Experience

A typical 60-minute class at GB Highland Village follows a rigid structure:

1. Line Up: Students line up by rank (belt color) and bow in to show respect.
2. Warm-up: 10–15 minutes of calisthenics and BJJ-specific drills (shrimping, breakfalls).
3. Technique: The Professor demonstrates a technique (e.g., an escape from the mount) and explains the leverage points.
4. Partner Drills: Students pair up to practice the move.
5. Specific Training | Rolling:

 Beginners: Positional training (starting from a specific spot and resetting).

 Advanced: Free sparring.

6. Bow Out: Class ends with a formal dismissal and handshake line.

4. Facility and Standards

Gracie Barra Highland Village maintains the “Premium School” standards required by the franchise.

 Hygiene: The mats are sanitized professionally every day. Personal hygiene (clean Gi, trimmed nails) is strictly enforced.

 Uniforms: Students are required to wear the official Gracie Barra Uniform (Gi). This fosters a sense of equality and team unity—on the mats, a CEO and a student are equals.

 Atmosphere: The facility is designed to be bright, clean, and welcoming to families. It typically includes a lobby for parents to watch their children train.

5. Instructors and Lineage

The instructors (Professors and Coaches) at GB Highland Village are certified through the Gracie Barra ICP (Instructor Certification Program).

 This ensures they are not just good fighters, but trained teachers who know how to handle safety, first aid, and pedagogy.

 The Texas region of Gracie Barra is historically very strong, influenced heavily by high-level Brazilian professors who settled in the Dallas/Houston areas. The instruction at Highland Village reflects this high-level lineage.

6. Benefits for Highland Village Residents

 Community Connection: It serves as a “third place” (outside of home and work/school) for residents of Highland Village and Flower Mound to socialize.

 Bully Prevention: For local school-aged children, the program provides confidence and tools to handle social and physical aggression.

 Stress Relief: For working adults, the intense focus required in BJJ acts as a form of “moving meditation,” clearing the mind of work stress.

7. Getting Started

The enrollment process at Gracie Barra Highland Village is standardized:

1. Free Introductory Class: New students are almost always offered a free trial class to experience the culture.
2. Introduction: You will likely meet with a Program Director who will give you a tour, explain the schedule, and discuss membership goals.
3. The “Red Shield”: Upon signing up, you receive your uniform and are welcomed into the team.

Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Highland Village is a structured, safe, and family-centric martial arts academy. It combines the rigorous physical training of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with a supportive community atmosphere, making it a popular choice for families in the Denton County area.

Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Highland Village

Informations

ADDRESS

200 Marketplace Ln, Suite 205, Highland Village, TX, United States, Texas

PHONE

+1 (972) 439-7411

Meet the Instructors at Gracie Barra Highland Village