Learning Jujitsu online via Gracie University?

I was first introduce to this site by Mr. Alvin Chong of Borneo Combat Gym which I think is worth a share for everyone to know about.

We all heard of the term "video warrior"; which is a person that learns his martial art techniques online like youtube and calls himself a practitioners of that art. This can be a dangerous thing when that person does not understand the fundamental of the forms correctly; he may cause injury to himself and to others.

(Check out what Hitler has to say about people learning BJJ via youtube.)

However Gracie University uses this same media to reach out to more student; with the exception that they want to grade you online as well. The concept: you learn GJJ (Gracie Jujitsu) online, learn about their philosophy, send them a video of you doing those techniques, they watch and they grade you (in a nutshell atleast).

This might be a good approach for those living in slightly more remote areas that have a proper BJJ school like say the interior part of Sabah. All you need is internet and a mail service. Even if there is a BJJ school, Gracie University will tell you that there is a difference between the 2: GJJ & BJJ. (FightBah takes no stand to any side and leaves this to the readers discretion on the GJJ vs BJJ debate).

But what if I need a partner to learn this with? The conclusion is that you can do so with both you and a partner learning it together, or click on the Gracie University website and look for a "Gracie Garage".

The New Gracie Garage
We created the Gracie Garage branch of our learning network to serve communities that lack a Certified Training Center.  Derived from the original garage concept, the new Gracie Garage is an unofficial training facility at which people gather to practice Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.  Since Gracie Garages have no certified instructors, we expect members to use the Gracie University curriculum or the instructional DVDs as their primary source of instruction.  And although they are unofficial establishments, we expect and demand that safety and teamwork remain the most important priorities of a Gracie Garage, just as they are here at the Gracie Academy.

Prerequisites
There is no fee to apply for Gracie Garage status – it is 100% free.  As long as you meet the minimum qualification requirements below, you can apply for Gracie Garage status at no charge.

• Dedicated Leader: You must be dedicated to mastering the art; however, we do not require you to have any experience in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu prior to opening a Gracie Garage.
  
  
• Instructional Source: You must have access to the official Gracie Academy curriculum through Gracie University or the Gracie Combatives Instructional DVDs.
   
  
• Training Area: Your facility must have at least 100 square feet of grappling mats. (Click Here to purchase Gracie Garage Grappling Mats)
  
  
• Free Training: You are not allowed to demand or accept any type of payments or donations from members, this includes donations for the operation of the Gracie Garage.
  
  
• CTC Distance:  Your facility must be outside a five mile radius of any existing Certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Training Center (or operate with the written permission of the CTC owner). Click here to view the list of all Certified Training Centers.
  
  
• Grand Master Recognition: If it wasn't for Helio Gracie's lifelong dedication to the practice, perfection and perpetuation of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, none of this would be possible. In recognition of his life's work, all Gracie Garages must hang the original Grand Master Helio Gracie Poster in the training area. 

- Extract from Gracie University

From the above info, you technically can start your own Gracie Garage if you meet all the prerequisites. 

The site is also pretty interesting with other infos like Gracie Diet. Kids & even a Women empowerment program. FightBah hope this share is worth your read and we would like to thank Mr. Alvin Chong of Borneo Combat Gym for this great share!