Gracie Barra
Lakeland, Florida
Jiu-jitsu for everyone®
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Self-Defense
Experience the world’s most effective martial arts system in a family-oriented environment. From self-defense to high-level competition, we provide a structured path for your personal growth. Join the legacy.
how to book your trial class
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Introducing
More Than Just a Martial Arts School
Gracie Barra is one of the world's largest and most influential Jiu-Jitsu organizations, leading the way in excellence, discipline, and community. Founded in 1986 by Master Carlos Gracie Jr., Gracie Barra has grown to over 1,000 schools worldwide, empowering hundreds of thousands of students—including numerous World Champions.
About
Social Proof & Facility Highlights
State-of-the-art facility | Highly qualified Black Belt instructors | Family-oriented environment
MEET OUR FOUNDER
Daniel Calil
Founder of Gracie Barra Windermere, Gracie Barra Winter Garden, Gracie Barra Lakeland, and now Gracie Barra Lutz in Tampa, Professor Daniel Calil has built his legacy through over 30 years of dedication, discipline, and unwavering commitment to the Gracie Barra philosophy.
Throughout an extraordinary career, he has become an IBJJF Grand Slam Champion, earning multiple titles in both Gi and No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu over the past eight years. Every medal represents far more than victory on the competition mats—it reflects a lifetime of sacrifice, perseverance, and an enduring passion for the art.
Yet, his greatest achievement extends far beyond competition.
Married to Juliana Calil for 25 years, Daniel is the proud father of three children and grandfather of two young grandchildren, ages 3 and 2. The entire family shares the same passion for Jiu-Jitsu, actively training and serving as coaches and assistants, carrying forward a legacy that spans generations.
For Professor Daniel, Jiu-Jitsu has never been just a martial art—it is a way of life. It is a powerful tool for building character, strengthening families, developing leaders, and transforming entire communities.
Throughout his journey, he has had the privilege of witnessing the transformation of thousands of students. He has seen children grow into confident adults, families become stronger, individuals overcome fear, regain self-confidence, and discover a new purpose through Jiu-Jitsu. Those life-changing moments continue to fuel his passion and inspire him to expand his mission, reaching more people every year.
His path has been shaped by the teachings of Master Carlos Gracie Jr., the lifelong friendships forged with his teammates from Brasília, and the guidance and mentorship of Professor Alexandre Café, whose influence helped shape his leadership, loyalty, and commitment to preserving the true essence of Gracie Barra.
Today, Professor Daniel Calil’s mission is greater than producing champions. His mission is to develop better people. Through every academy he leads, he remains dedicated to preserving the Gracie Barra legacy while inspiring families, empowering communities, and demonstrating that Jiu-Jitsu, when practiced with the right values, has the power to transform lives forever.
“My greatest trophies are not the medals I’ve won, but the lives I’ve had the privilege to transform through Jiu-Jitsu.”
Leadership
Community
Our Programs
Choose your path to mastery with our comprehensive curriculum
GB1 Fundamentals
Master the essential techniques of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Perfect for beginners looking to build a solid foundation with basic positions, escapes, and submissions.
GB2 ADVANCED
Take your training to the next level with advanced techniques, combinations, and strategic concepts. For students ready to deepen their practice.
GB3 COMPETITION
High-intensity training for competitors and advanced practitioners. Focus on competition strategies, conditioning, and championship-level techniques.
GB KIDS PROGRAM
Character development through Jiu-Jitsu. Building confidence, discipline, and healthy habits for the next generation of champions on and off mats.
PRIVATE CLASS
Personalized instruction tailored to your specific goals. Accelerate your learning with one-on-one attention, detailed technical corrections, and a customized training schedule.
The Legacy Wall
Honoring Our History
The Gracie Barra Legacy Wall pays tribute to Jiu-Jitsu pioneers whose contributions shaped our philosophy and methodology.
Mitsuyo Maeda
The Japanese Jiu-Jitsu master who mentored Carlos Gracie in the 1900s, bringing the art to Brazil.
Carlos Gracie Sr.
First Gracie family member to ever learn Jiu-Jitsu. The visionary founder whose dedication laid the foundation for a martial arts legacy.
Helio Gracie
The man who proved a smaller person could defeat a bigger and stronger opponent through technique and leverage.
Rolls Gracie
The link between traditional Jiu-Jitsu and modern Jiu-Jitsu. Main instructor for Carlos Gracie Jr.
Carlos Gracie Jr.
The founder of Gracie Barra and the visionary of the Jiu-Jitsu for Everyone project.
"The strength of our Jiu-Jitsu lies not only in the techniques we practice but in the lineage, philosophy, and values we uphold. Through unity, discipline, and continuous learning, we honor the past while building the future."
– Master Carlos Gracie Jr.
Schedule - Coming Soon
SCHEDULE AT GRACIE BARRA Lakeland
Find the perfect class for your level and lifestyle.
At Gracie Barra Lakeland, we offer a full range of classes for kids, teens, and adults from beginners taking their first steps on the mat to advanced students refining their techniques. Our structured curriculum ensures consistent progress, safety, and fun for everyone.
Introducing
A Family That Welcomes You
At Gracie Barra Lakeland, you don't train alone. You are part of a global family that celebrates every achievement—whether it’s your first class or your first stripe. Here, every person matters, and every journey is respected.
Belonging
You’re never alone on your journey. Our community supports you every step of the way, fostering friendships that go beyond the mats.
Evolution
We believe in constant improvement. Every training session is an opportunity to be 1% better than you were yesterday.
Respect
The foundation of our school. We treat everyone with dignity and honor, from the newest white belt to the most seasoned black belt.
