You can train directly with Rener and
Ryron Gracie down in Southern California, or through their online
distance program called Gracie University. My situation is sort of
half way in between.
I train at one of their Certified
Training Centers.
All of their programs are great, but
their system of rank progression has left a lot to be desired.
Most martial arts award their
practitioners a Black Belts after about five years of training. Down
in LA, it is possible to earn a Gracie Black Belt in about 11 years.
It's a long road.
Being away from the center meant an
even longer journey. To earn a Black Belt took 24 years. That isn't a
typo.
The program, however, is only five
years old. The Gracies chose to err on the side of progression that
is too tough, rather than too easy. They've now had a chance to see
things in operation for a while, and have decided to change the
process somewhat. Rank progression has become more in line with what
happens at the main academy.
Under the new system, a distance
Black Belt can be earned in about 14 years. This is still longer than
if one can train directly with the Gracies, but is much closer than
it was.
My rank was Blue Belt Stripe One
under the old system. Under the new rules, I was already qualified to
receive a second stripe. I received this promotion earlier this week.
I am now a Blue Belt Stripe Two. This leaves two stripes left to go,
and then the jump up to Purple Belt.
Under the old system, a Purple Belt
was so far off as to seem unattainable. Now I can see it waiting for
me about three years away.
The big jump from Blue to Purple, or
from Purple to Brown does have one new requirement. They can only
awarded after an in-person evaluation by the Gracies, or any of their
authorized Black Belts.
This would have to occur at a seminar
somewhere, at the Gracie Academy in California, or by bringing an
evaluator in specially for the purpose. This is no biggie for me as
Helen and I often visit the Los Angeles area.
A much improved system, in my
opinion.
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