Lesson 7: Founding Principles

Lead Instructors:  Eve Torres GracieRener Gracie
 Access:  Public   Status:  Active   Lesson:  Part of Course
In this discussion you gain a deeper understanding of the founding principles Grand Master Helio Gracie used to create this incredible system of self-defense. This will help you when you need to modify and adapt techniques for your students.

Lesson Specs

Lesson Goals

  1. Understand the Course Topic
  2. Refine your ability to execute the techniques presented in the Course
  3. Become familiar with the drills that can be used to develop your skills
  4. Achieve significant proficiency in the material

Instructions

  1. Watch the lesson in its entirety.
  2. Take notes on essential details.
  3. Bookmark key points in the video for future reference.
  4. Ask questions in the Forum if you need help.
  5. Review the lesson multiple times to build confidence.
  6. Pass the Lesson Quiz with 100% accuracy in order to move on to the next lesson.
  7. Once you pass, you will not need to retake the Lesson Quiz.

Lesson Slices

  1. Founding Principles

Lead Instructors

Eve Torres Gracie

Women Empowered Chief Instructor

Eve Torres Gracie is the head instructor of the Women Empowered self-defense program at Gracie University Headquarters. Many know her from her successful career in WWE where she was 3-time champion and performed weekly on Raw and SmackDown. After transitioning into film and television, Eve worked on some amazing projects, including Skiptrace with Jackie Chan, and CW’s Supergirl. Realizing that her truest passion is sharing jiu-jitsu, she committed herself fully to refining and developing the Women Empowered program. Through her efforts, the program is now empowering women all over the world. When Eve isn't teaching or training, she is spending fun time with her husband Rener, her sons Raeven & Renson, and her Australian Sheppard, Tioki.

More...

Rener Gracie

Gracie University Chief Instructor

Ryron and Rener Gracie are the eldest grandsons of Grand Master Helio Gracie, the creator of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Their father is Rorion Gracie, one of the world’s foremost experts in self-defense. In 1993, Rorion created the Ultimate Fighting Championship to showcase the supremacy of the family’s self-defense system in a realistic “no holds barred” confrontation against all comers. Rorion’s younger brother, Royce, won 3 of the first 4 UFC tournaments proving that the leverage-based techniques of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu provided the most reliable way to defeat a larger, more athletic opponent. Ryron and Rener were born into this family tradition of testing the art against all challengers.

Rorion introduced his sons to the art as soon as they could walk. As children, they watched him teach private classes in their garage in Southern California. But, it wasn’t until they observed their father and uncles – Royce, Rickson, and Royler – easily winning challenge matches that they began to comprehend fully the effectiveness of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Even more important, Ryron and Rener recognized the profound impact the family’s art had on all who studied it. The life changing transformations of Gracie University students motivated the brothers to teach the art. While constantly perfecting their physical techniques, they worked equally hard to master the powerfully effective instruction methods developed by their forbearers. In 2003, Grand Master Helio Gracie awarded Ryron and Rener black belts in recognition of their mastery of his unique techniques and teaching methodologies.

More...


Other Lessons in This Course

Free (Registration Required)

Lesson 1: Introduction

Eve and Rener welcome you to the program and make sure you understand what it will take to succeed.

Lesson 2: The System

In this lesson, Eve and Rener discuss what sets WE apart from other women’s self-defense or jiu-jitsu programs, and why it works.

Lesson 3: GracieUniversity.com

This lesson covers how GracieUniversity.com is the catalyst for our instructor certification, and how we use it to ensure quality control.

Lesson 4: Card + Calendar

In this video Eve and Rener cover how our structured curriculum has revolutionized the Gracie University learning experience, and how it is imperative for student learning and retention.

Lesson 5: Group Class Outline

In this discussion, you will learn the minute-by-minute breakdown being used to orchestrate Women Empowered group lessons all around the world.

Lesson 6: Attire

Eve and Rener cover the suggested attire for Women Empowered classes, and how it promotes pride, hygiene, and safety.

Lesson 7: Founding Principles

In this discussion you gain a deeper understanding of the founding principles Grand Master Helio Gracie used to create this incredible system of self-defense. This will help you when you need to modify and adapt techniques for your students.

Lesson 8: The Most Common Questions

Your students will have questions, but chances are they have already been asked before. In this video, we explain the five most common questions of all time, and the problem-solving principles for each, so that you can handle the “what-ifs” with ease.

Lesson 9: Slice Presentation Formula

Handed down over three generations, the Gracie Slice Presentation Formula is what separates the Gracie University instructors from the rest. Learning the formula will make you a better teacher in all fields of study.

Lesson 10: SPF (Full Demo)

Eve will demonstrate a full run through of the Slice Presentation Formula for a Women Empowered lesson.

Lesson 11: Essential Presentation Skills

Learning the Slice Presentation Formula will instantly make you a good instructor, mastering these essential presentation skills will make you great!

Lesson 12: One-on-One Retention

Ryron, Rener, and Eve explain how retaining a student is based on human to human connection, and how you correct a mistake could become your biggest mistake as an instructor.

Lesson 13: Group Class Orchestration

Eve and Rener share all the secrets on how to successfully manage a large group class, even when you have students of all of varying skill levels.

Lesson 14: Assistant Instructor Considerations

Your ability to make an impact in your community will be greatly enhanced once you have created a passionate assistant instructor. In this video we teach you what to look for in an assistant, and what they need to know in order to support your instruction of Women Empowered.

Lesson 15: The 10-Minute Intro (Breakdown)

Everyone knows that the first impression is a lasting impression. In this lesson Eve and Rener teach you, in the first 10 minutes of someone’s class, how to introduce them to Women Empowered in the most effective, passionate, clear, and safe way possible to maximize their excitement to continue learning.

Lesson 16: The 10-Minute Intro (Full Demo)

In this video Eve and Rener demonstrate a full 10-minute intro for a new student.

Lesson 17: Group Class Mastery

Eve and Rener walk through the “Slice Manual” and every group class in the Women Empowered program, with considerations to make when teaching to students of varying skill levels.

Lesson 18: WE Group Class (Live)

Watch Eve and Rener teach a live group class (Class 5) to Women Empowered students at Gracie University Headquarters.

Lesson 19: Reflex Development Class Outline

Qualifying for Reflex Development Classes is the first major milestone for all Women Empowered students. Eve and Rener discuss the structure and purpose of the Women Empowered Reflex Development Classes.

Lesson 20: RD Group Class (Live)

Eve teaches a (Standing Focus) Reflex Development class to Women Empowered students at Gracie University Headquarters.

Lesson 21: Private Class Outline

Private classes are the fast pass to Women Empowered mastery. In this video Eve and Rener discuss the difference between private classes and group classes, and how to structure private classes with students.

Lesson 22: Teaching Terminology

This lesson discloses how the words you use when teaching women’s self-defense could either be empowering language or unintentionally disempowering for your students. You will learn the most important words to avoid.

Lesson 23: Ethics of Women's Self-Defense Instruction

In this video Eve and Rener cover the most important ethical and safety standards for Women Empowered. If an instructor does not uphold these, their certification may be revoked.

Lesson 24: Owning the Energy

If a class is not a positive and empowering experience, students won’t come back. This lesson addresses how to keep the energy in class high, and keep students returning for more.

Lesson 25: A Trauma Informed Approach to Instruction

In this video, Anna Pirkl, MFT and Eve share information on how trauma may affect your students, and how you can support them in their training as a tool for healing.

Lesson 26: Women Empowered Psychology

In this video Eve and Rener discuss some of the big picture benefits and barriers regarding women learning self-defense, so you can confidently address these when promoting the program in your community.

Lesson 27: Cyclic Retention Secrets

At Gracie University HQ, we teach this program in a cyclic format. In this lesson Eve and Rener explain how to adapt your teaching methodologies based on what cycle of learning your student may be in Women Empowered.

Lesson 28: The WE Kickoff Seminar

Eve and Rener discuss how the best possible way to start Women Empowered in your community is with a free kickoff self-defense seminar. In this video they cover the exact format for teaching this seminar to ensure the most excitement, safety, and impact for its participants.

Lesson 29: Assistant Instructor Prep Meeting (Live)

In this lesson you can watch behind the scenes as Eve and Rener prepare their assistant instructors for the free Women Empowered kickoff seminar.

Lesson 30: The WE Kickoff Seminar (Live)

With over 250 women in attendance, Eve and Rener teach a live 150-minute kickoff seminar. Watch this video and take notes before teaching any community seminars!

Lesson 31: WE Marketing + Admin

In this video Eve and Rener discuss some of the marketing initiatives and admin procedures that have proven most successful for our programs, and how you can piggyback off of the marketing content created at Gracie University HQ.

Lesson 32: Student Testing

When your students finally test for their Pink Belt, this is when our quality control process comes full circle. By submitting your students’ tests through GracieUniversity.com, we can verify your teaching proficiency, and you can gain invaluable insight into how you can grow as an instructor.

Lesson 33: The Modified WE Curriculum

Depending on the teaching circumstances, student profile, location, or time restrictions, you may need to modify the delivery of the program. In this lesson we cover what modifications are encouraged, and what modifications are not allowed.

Lesson 34: Teaching Proficiency Videos Guidelines

Eve and Rener provide detailed specifications for each of the five videos that you will need to upload in order to be considered for advancement to the live evaluation at Gracie University Headquarters in Torrance, CA.

Lesson 35: What's Next?

Now that you’ve completed the online Women Empowered ICP, Eve and Rener discuss the next steps, as well as the endless possibilities the future may hold.