Gracie Humaitá SEMO
SEMO Jiu-Jitsu – Good people, Great Jiu-Jitsu
Welcome To
Gracie Humaità SEMO
Welcome to Gracie Humaitá SEMO – a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu academy in Jackson, MO! We are a family-based academy that welcomes everyone to train. Whether you’re a beginner, a hobbyist, a competitor, or a female looking for self-defense; you’ll find a second home where instruction is tailored to your needs and cleanliness is prioritized! Our Gracie Jiu-Jitsu training can help enhance strength, flexibility, endurance, and coordination while helping you gain confidence in yourself through self-defense skill acquisition and personal development. This all happens in our community-first culture where camaraderie blossoms and provides support to every student. Come join us at Gracie Humaitá SEMO to take on your goals and join a community that has your back!
Sign up for a FREE Jiu-Jitsu class!
Make sure to take advantage of this special offer to join Gracie Humaitá SEMO. Sign up now to have a Jiu-Jitsu class on us!
Who we are at
Gracie Humaitá SEMO
Our School
Here, we believe in the idea of continuous improvement and forward motion. Gracie Humaitá SEMO is a place where you don’t need to be scared of judgment or exclusivity. This is a welcoming, comforting, and inclusive academy that is here for everyone. No matter your reason for stepping on the mat, our instructors can help you reach your goals and keep you supported. Is your goal to get in shape? Are you a competitor looking to improve your skills on the mat? Do you want to equip your kids with skills on the mat, at home, in school and life, or are you a female just wanting to gain confidence in your ability to defend yourself? If you connect with any of these situations, we can help you! We are proud to provide an all-around Gracie Jiu-Jitsu experience to help each student be their best self!
History
We have been highly invested in the Jackson and SEMO community ever since opening our doors in 2013. Owner and head instructor Brian Imholz founded Gracie Humaitá SEMO to spread the knowledge of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and self-defense to all those searching for it. He began his own Jiu-Jitsu journey in 2006 after starting martial arts in 1994. Ten years after starting, Brian earned his Jiu-Jitsu black belt under JW Wright, Royler Gracie, and David Adiv. Still, he wasn’t the only one who was marking his path. Our two other professors – Curtis Ackman and Kyle Thompson – started Jiu-Jitsu under Brian in 2013. They worked hard to transition from students to instructors, with Curtis earning his black belt in 2022 and Kyle in 2024. While we have a team of seasoned competitors who have brought home outstanding accomplishments throughout their Jiu-Jitsu journeys, they are continuously working to improve as instructors as we strive to make Gracie Humaitá SEMO a home for all.
What Sets us Apart
Our Jackson Jiu-Jitsu academy has continued to improve and provide the best experience possible to everyone in SEMO for over a decade. The amount of care and knowledge put into each day on the mat has created a special atmosphere. Take a look at what we pride ourselves on and how we strive to be!
Our lessons are deeply rooted in our lineage under Royler Gracie, and the self-defense teachings of his Father Hélio Gracie. The experience will offer numerous physical and mental benefits, providing a rewarding experience for all types of students.
Gracie Humaitá SEMO is a home for everyone to train. Kids and adults have specialized classes including our focus on being a home for women’s Jiu-Jitsu. Each student can feel seen and heard in a comforting environment.
It is our mission to make our Jiu-Jitsu training the highest quality possible. This includes our elevated foamboard floor which keeps students safe and maximizes their time rolling.
We have been in the community for over a decade – bringing new life to the Jiu-Jitsu community. As the first SEMO Gracie Jiu-Jitsu academy and having the first instructor black belt, our contributions and commitment to the area have never wavered.
Sanitation is incredibly important to us. Our academy is kept clean and tidy so you don’t need to worry about general hygiene and safety. This keeps our facility safe, welcoming, and aesthetically warm.
Our main goal is to help the community. While that is often through Jiu-Jitsu, we help Jackson and SEMO any way we can. We hold food and toy drives during the holiday seasons and spread hope and positivity to everyone we can.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art and self-defense system developed by the Gracie family in Brazil. It focuses on ground fighting and submission holds, emphasizing leverage, technique, and timing over brute strength. This style of Jiu-Jitsu is designed to empower practitioners to defend themselves effectively against larger and stronger opponents by using techniques such as joint locks and chokeholds. It is not only a competitive sport but also a practical self-defense method that promotes discipline, confidence, and physical fitness.
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu offers numerous benefits, both physical and mental. Physically, it enhances strength, flexibility, endurance, and coordination through rigorous training and technique practice. Mentally, it boosts confidence, discipline, and focus, providing tools for stress management and problem-solving. As a self-defense system, it equips practitioners with the skills to protect themselves effectively in real-life situations. Additionally, the social aspect of training fosters a sense of community and camaraderie among practitioners, contributing to overall well-being and personal growth.
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is for everyone! Whether you’re a 4-6 old child getting into their first sport or retired and looking for a hobby to keep you in shape, Jiu-Jitsu is for you and everyone in between!
In your first class you will be partnered with an experienced practitioner who will help guide you through the warm-up drills and will stay with you through the technique portion of the class to ensure you have guidance the entire time! Our classes offer the ability to self-regulate your pace to ensure the experience is best for your skill and fitness level!
For your first class, we recommend you come in athletic attire including a t-shirt and gym shorts or athletic pants.
You can sign up for your FREE trial by hitting “Book Now” anywhere on our website or clicking here!
Classes range broadly in price depending on the length of agreement, and the number of family members. Regular prices start at $129 monthly for individuals. We do offer a significant First Responder Discount, please contact us for those rates! If you’d like to find out pricing options for your specific scenario, please contact us here!
Our Academy Schedule!
Go take a look at our class schedule. You can come in and find the right time for you to get on the mats with classes seven days a week!
Check out our SEMO
Jiu-Jitsu classes!
Words from Our Community
We pride ourselves on creating an environment for every single student to thrive on and off the mat. Our level of expertise, attention to detail, supportive community, and passion for the art makes us a home for you. And don’t just take it from us. Read some of our community testimonials to hear from our customers about what makes us special!
“Everyday I train is absolutely a better day filled with amazing people. I highly recommend this gym to everyone regardless of age or fitness level!”
“Whether you’re seeking self-defense techniques, physical fitness, or simply a fun and engaging experience, this academy has it all. Don’t hesitate to join this fantastic community.”
“Really can’t say enough good things about this place. Really lucky to have a World Famous Gracie Gym in Southeast Missouri.”
Reach out about membership options!
Be sure to contact us about membership options. We have different prices for plenty of different options, from monthly to a year paid in full!
Foundations we support
Contact Us!
We are proud to provide Jiu-Jitsu to everyone in the SEMO area – such as those in Jackson, Cape Girardeau, Oak Ridge, Marble Hills, Scott City, and Benton, among others. You can find us on Old Cape Rd just off Jackson Blvd!