History of The Relson Gracie Academy of Jiu Jitsu
The Relson Gracie Academy of Jiu Jitsu has a rich history. In 1993, our academy's head instructor, Joshua Lauber, was watching the UFC and saw Royce Gracie utilizing Jiu Jitsu to defeat many oversized and physically stronger opponents. He saw that it was similar to Newaza (ground fighting in Judo), a martial art that he had been studying in his teens and early twenties, but also distinctly different. This was the spark that ignited his passion for the sport, leading him to move to Oahu, Hawaii, to study with Relson himself in 1996. Joshua then returned to San Antonio in 2007 and opened his first academy. Over 17 years later, we continue the Gracie legacy with The Relson Gracie Academy of Jiu Jitsu, where our mission is to provide not just a self-defense system but a lifestyle to anyone interested. Regardless of your age or physique, we would love to have you.