#154 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Public Schools, BJJ Research, & More From the Helio Gracie Ceremony in Torrance
February 22, 2009

Gracie family members from the Gracie Academy in Torrance, from left to right: Rener, Reylan, Rorion, Ralek, and Ryron.
A few weeks ago I get an email:
I’m a big fan of the show been listening for a while now and have just recently started mt Jiu Jitsu journey. I was wondering if you could ever see Jiu Jitsu becoming a High School sport? I know that it could be a little dangerous but so is any sport. Just wanted your thoughts.
Thanks
Josh
So, in a recent episode I answered the question to the best of my shallow knowledge about public education. Shortly afterwards I find out that there actually is already formalized Brazilian jiu-jitsu classes being taught in California! In this episode we will speak with Esaul Viramontes, the physical education teacher and Brazilian jiu-jitsu purple belt who teaches jiu-jitsu at Highland High School in classes that count toward students’ physical education requirements!
Speaking of Brazilian jiu-jitsu’s growing presence in popular culture, we will also speak with Bryan Hogeveen, a sociologist at the University of Alberta in Canada. Hogeveen is initiating research on Brazilian jiu-jitsu culture that will culminate in a book. His goals are to answer some basic questions about Brazilian jiu-jitsu that we think we know but have never been formally investigated.
Part of Hogeveen’s research will be based on information provided by BJJ practitioners out there, and he invites you to participate by filling out the surveys here:
- Male BJJ practitioners click here
- Female BJJ practitioners click here
Finally, we’ll round out this episode with some audio that I have from the Helio Gracie Ceremony in Torrance that took place on February 7. Throughout this past week I have posted a few BJJ videos from the event, but I had some extra audio that I thought you’d enjoy as well. In the clip that is in this episode of our BJJ podcast, you’ll hear from Rener Gracie, who share memories of his grandfather Helio Gracie.
Don’t forget that we still have the gi patch photo contest underway! Entries must be provided to us by February 25th!
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Comments
4 Responses to “#154 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Public Schools, BJJ Research, & More From the Helio Gracie Ceremony in Torrance”
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HELLO CALEB
these two links are related to very afordable judo gi , that the high school bjj teacher could get.
Hatashita sport are very cool also.
https://www.hatashitasports.com/product-description.php?PID=87&CategoryID=34&source=
https://www.hatashitasports.com/product-description.php?PID=72&CategoryID=34&source=
take care
Franck
they also have a whole sale pricing , wich might get the gi prices even lower.
congratulation to the teacher.
https://www.hatashitasports.com/hatashita-wholesale.php
Franck.
I’m part of the class taught at Highland in Palmdale California, and it’s basically the best choice I’ve made for P.E. requirements. There’s actually going to be an open tournament April 18th at Highland High School in Palmdale California, if anyone is interested.
[...] the positive effects that training jiu-jitsu has on a person. Like fellow BJJ researcher Bryan Hogeveen, Rosenstein’s important work will help us understand why jiu-jitsu is so good for people. [...]