Who teaches BJJ at Gracie Barra Highland Village?

The instructional team at Gracie Barra Highland Village is comprised of highly experienced, certified black belts who are dedicated to the “Jiu-Jitsu for Everyone” mission. The academy operates as part of the premier Gracie Barra network in North Texas, ensuring that the technical standards and professional environment are consistent with the highest levels of the organization.

The following professors and coaches are the primary leaders on the Highland Village mats.

 PROFESSOR SIRILO SANTIAGO

Professor Sirilo Santiago is the head instructor and a central figure in the North Texas Gracie Barra community. He is widely respected for his technical depth and his ability to translate the complex physics of grappling into simple, actionable steps for beginners.

 Technical Pedigree: As a high-level black belt, Professor Sirilo has years of experience in both competitive and academic Jiu-Jitsu. His instruction focuses heavily on skeletal alignment and the efficient use of leverage.

 Leadership Style: He is known for fostering a “zero-ego” culture, ensuring that every student—from the local professional to the young child—feels safe and supported while learning the Art of the Tap.

 Certification: He is a fully certified Gracie Barra professor, meaning he completes the annual Instructor Certification Program (ICP) to maintain the latest standards in safety and pedagogy.

 PROFESSOR DIONATHAN SANTOS

While also a key leader at the Frisco headquarters, Professor Dionathan Santos plays a significant role in the technical oversight and curriculum management of the Highland Village location.

 Curriculum Expert: He is a master of the 16-week rotating fundamentals cycle. His teaching ensures that all students develop a strong “Vocabulary of Movement” and a solid foundation in self-defense.

 Global Influence: His experience in contributing to the official Gracie Barra curriculum used worldwide brings a unique level of professional expertise to the local Highland Village mats.

 THE HIGHLAND VILLAGE COACHING STAFF

The professors are supported by a team of dedicated coaches who specialize in specific areas of the curriculum.

 Youth Program Mentors: These coaches are specifically trained to lead the Future Champions program. They focus on building the “focus muscle” and “Panic Inoculation” in children through Jiu-Jitsu based games and Anti-Bully drills.

 Competition Mentors: For those looking to represent the Red Shield in Texas tournaments, the coaching staff provide specialized guidance on the modern “meta” of the sport and tournament strategy.

 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CERTIFIED INSTRUCTION

At Gracie Barra Highland Village, the person teaching the class is more than just a skilled grappler. They are trained educators.

 Safety First: Every instructor is trained to manage the intensity of a class to prevent injury. They ensure that every partner follows the Art of the Tap and maintains respect for their teammates.

 Standardized Learning: Because the instructors are certified, a student at Highland Village receives the same world-class education they would find at any flagship headquarters. This consistency is a hallmark of the Red Shield.

 Character Development: The instructors take time to discuss the Word of the Month, such as integrity or brotherhood, ensuring that the martial arts education benefits the student’s life outside the academy.

In summary, the BJJ programs at Gracie Barra Highland Village are led by Professor Sirilo Santiago and Professor Dionathan Santos, supported by a professional team of certified coaches.

🥋 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

Who teaches BJJ at Gracie Barra Highland Village?