--- title: "Where can I find martial arts classes for children at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks, California?" url: https://gbthousandoaks.com/where-can-i-find-martial-arts-classes-for-children-at-gracie-barra-jiu-jitsu-thousand-oaks-california/ author: graciebarrajiujitsuthousandoaks date: 2026-05-04T09:04:43-08:00 categories: [Where can I find martial arts classes for children at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks] tags: [California, Where can I find martial arts classes for children at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks] --- # Where can I find martial arts classes for children at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks, California? # ***Where can I find martial arts classes for children at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks, California?*** If you are looking to get your children into martial arts in the Thousand Oaks area you need to head straight to the Sports Academy facility located at 1011 Rancho Conejo Boulevard in Newbury Park. It is not just some random storefront where kids squeeze onto a tiny mat. Because the school operates inside such a massive athletic complex the environment is completely different from what you would expect at a typical neighborhood club. [![Where can I find martial arts classes for children at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks, California?](https://gbthousandoaks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/add2-5-300x163.png)](https://gbthousandoaks.com/free-trial/) ***[Where can I find martial arts classes for children at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks, California?](https://gbthousandoaks.com/free-trial/)*** When you walk through the doors there you will find a dedicated youth curriculum that they call the Future Champions program. They break the classes down by age so that the children are always training with peers who are at a similar stage of development. For the youngest ones ages 3 to 6 they offer the Little Champions 1 classes. These are built around games and movement to help them build coordination and listening skills without it feeling like a rigid drill session. As they get a bit older they move into the Little Champions 2 group for ages 7 to 9 and then eventually into the Juniors program for ages 10 to 15. The structure is a big reason why parents choose this location. It is professional and clean which is not always a guarantee in martial arts schools. You can actually sit and watch from the side while your child learns how to handle themselves with confidence. They focus on things like discipline and respect and how to deal with bullies through leverage rather than just teaching them how to fight. If you are serious about finding a place where your child can grow physically and mentally in a safe space this is the spot to check out. The best thing to do is drive over to the Sports Academy and ask to see the schedule in person because seeing the mats and meeting the instructors is the only way to really understand why this environment stands out from everything else in the valley. Gracie Barra Thousand Oaks represents a unique intersection in the martial arts world: it is a local, family-oriented academy that operates with the facility standards and championship pedigree of a professional athletic training center. Located inside the renowned Sports Academy (formerly Mamba Sports Academy) in Newbury Park, it offers a distinct “University of [**Jiu-Jitsu**](https://gbthousandoaks.com/jiu-jitsu-nationals-gbto-result/)” experience led by one of the most successful active competitors in the sport’s history. - World-Class Leadership The primary draw for students—from hobbyists to professional fighters—is the caliber of instruction. Professor Gabriel Arges: The academy is owned and led by Gabriel Arges, a 3-time IBJJF Black Belt World Champion. In the BJJ world, this is the equivalent of learning basketball from a current NBA All-Star. His leadership ensures that students learn modern, battle-tested techniques rather than outdated methods. The Romulo Barral Lineage: Arges is a black belt under the legendary Romulo Barral (Gracie Barra Northridge). This connection integrates the academy into a powerhouse regional network, granting students access to elite seminars and high-level training partners from across Southern California. - A Professional Athlete Facility Unlike many BJJ schools located in small industrial warehouses, Gracie Barra Thousand Oaks benefits from being housed within a major athletic complex. The “Pro” Environment: Located at 1011 Rancho Conejo Blvd, the academy is part of a 96,000 sq. ft. facility. It features professional-grade lighting, expansive mat space, and an atmosphere of high-performance athletics. Hospital-Grade Hygiene: Leveraging the standards of the Sports Academy, the mats are kept to a clinical level of cleanliness (“Red Shield” standard), drastically reducing the risk of skin infections common in lesser-regulated gyms. Amenities: Students have access to premium changing rooms, showers, and a pro shop, catering to the “Executive” crowd who need to head straight to work after morning training. - Adult Programs: Structure Meets Intensity The curriculum is designed to accommodate two distinct groups: the working professional who cannot afford to get injured, and the young athlete chasing gold medals. GB1 Fundamentals: This is the safe on-ramp for beginners. There is no live sparring in these classes. The focus is on self-defense mechanics, safe falling techniques (breakfalls), and core positional drills. This structure makes BJJ accessible to doctors, executives, and parents in the Conejo Valley. GB2 & GB3 (Advanced): Once students earn 3 stripes on their white belt, they unlock advanced classes. Here, the focus shifts to the “Arges Style”—dynamic guard play, modern leg locks (like the “Kneebarge”), and the strategic “Physical Chess” required for competition. Competition Team: Under Arges’s guidance, the competition team is one of the most successful in the region. Intense “comp classes” attract practitioners from Simi Valley, Moorpark, and Camarillo looking to test their limits. - The “Future Champions” Youth Program The youth program is a cornerstone of the academy, divided by age to ensure developmental appropriateness. Anti-Bullying Philosophy: The curriculum teaches children to neutralize bullies without violence. They learn to control an aggressor using leverage and pins (“negotiation from the top”) rather than striking, protecting them from both physical harm and school suspension. Age-Specific [**Classes**](https://gbthousandoaks.com/classes/): Little Champions (Ages 3–6): Focuses on motor coordination, listening skills, and “animal movements” to build body awareness. Juniors (Ages 7–9): Introduces technical grappling, partner drills, and the concept of leverage. Teens (Ages 10–15): A critical program for adolescents that combines self-defense with the athleticism of sport BJJ, helping teens navigate social pressure and build a [**health**](https://gbthousandoaks.com/health-and-bjj-after40/)y, disciplined peer group. - Culture and Atmosphere Despite the elite pedigree of its instructors, the culture is famously “no-ego.” The “Red Shield” Etiquette: The academy strictly follows traditional martial arts etiquette—bowing onto the mats, addressing instructors as “Professor” or “Coach,” and respecting training partners. Mentorship: Higher belts (“Big Brothers/Sisters”) are expected to guide and protect lower belts. It is common to see a World Champion competitor helping a Day-One white belt tie their belt. Family-Centric: The schedule often aligns adult and kids’ classes, allowing parents to train simultaneously with their children. Gracie Barra Thousand Oaks offers a premium martial arts experience where “World Class” is a reality, not just a slogan. Whether you are a parent seeking confidence for your child or an adult wanting to learn from a living legend, the academy provides a safe, clean, and highly professional environment to start your journey. Would you like me to find the current class schedule for a specific age group, or would you like directions to the Sports Academy facility? https://gbthousandoaks.com/free-trial/ Gracie Barra [**Jiu-Jitsu**](https://gbthousandoaks.com/jiu-jitsu-nationals-gbto-result/) & Martial Arts Academy Thousand Oaks CA 1011 Rancho Conejo Blvd, Thousand Oaks, California 91320, United States Phone Number: +1 805-721-6776 Office Hours Mon. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm Tue. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm Wed. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm Thu. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm Fri. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm Sat. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm Sun. Closed [![Where can I find martial arts classes for children at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks, California?](https://gbthousandoaks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Where-can-I-find-martial-arts-classes-for-children-at-Gracie-Barra-Jiu-Jitsu-Thousand-Oaks-California01-300x102.png)](https://gbthousandoaks.com/free-trial/) ***[Where can I find martial arts classes for children at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks, California?](https://gbthousandoaks.com/free-trial/)*** [![Where can I find martial arts classes for children at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks, California?](https://gbthousandoaks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/add1-5-300x169.png)](https://gbthousandoaks.com/free-trial/) ***[Where can I find martial arts classes for children at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks, California?](https://gbthousandoaks.com/free-trial/)*** - [Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks & Martial Arts CA](https://gbthousandoaks.com/) ### Route Your location: No route could be calculated. ### Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks & Martial Arts CA 1011 Rancho Conejo Boulevard Thousand Oaks, California 91320 United States (US)Phone: [+1 805-721-6776](tel:+18057216776) Secondary phone: [+1 805-721-6776](tel:+18057216776) # ***Where can I find martial arts classes for children at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks, California?***