Gracie Barra Kirkland
Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Wrestling in Kirkland
- Price
- from $100 a month
- First visit
- Paid trial from $10
- Beginners
- Beginner class
Gracie Barra Kirkland splits its Brazilian jiu jitsu evenly between the two formats: the academy runs as many NoGi classes as gi classes, so students build a well-rounded game. Head instructor Prof. Joshua Bacallao, a third-degree black belt who earned his brown and black belts under Prof. William Murphy, leads the NoGi program, which brings in leg locks and lots of standup. He holds IBJJF No-Gi titles, among them American Nationals, and still competes in no-gi and submission-only events. Prof. Solange Reyner, a black belt and the academy's program director, is an IBJJF No-Gi World Championship silver medalist at purple belt.
Three classes a week are for women only, a program that grew out of Take The Back, the nonprofit Prof. Reyner founded to make jiu jitsu affordable for women and girls. NoGi meets on Wednesday afternoons, fundamentals on Friday evenings with Prof. Reyner, and NoGi again on Sunday mornings with coach Laura Hendrickson. Young girls can join these sessions too, and women whose partner or child is a member train free one day a week.
Newcomers are encouraged to attend two or three fundamentals classes a week for at least their first six weeks. Fundamentals meet on Monday at 11 am, Tuesday at 6:30 pm (NoGi), Wednesday at 5:30 pm and Saturday at noon, and the 11 am classes on Tuesday and Thursday and the 6:30 am class on Wednesday are beginner friendly as well. Beginner adults can join any class except the two sparring sessions, Wednesday at 6:30 pm and Friday at 6:30 am, which open once a white belt has two stripes. Advanced jiu jitsu meets on Monday and Wednesday evenings, a wrestling class runs on Thursday at 6:30 pm, and the academy holds frequent open mats.
The trial class is paid, and the fee is credited toward a membership for anyone who joins. The academy welcomes all ages, body types and experience levels, “including zero.” What to wear to a first class isn't listed, so it's worth asking when you book the trial. Kids from age 3 and teens train in their own programs.
- As many NoGi classes as gi classes each week
- Three women's-only classes a week, open to young girls too
- Kids competition class on Fridays for two-stripe white belts and up
Kids and juniors at Gracie Barra Kirkland
Tiny Champs (ages 3 to 7) is the youngest group, built on age-appropriate games, drills and activities that introduce basic movements and techniques. Children need to be potty trained, and classes run 45 minutes. Little Champs (ages 8 to 11) puts a strong emphasis on positional sparring, technical development and teamwork. Juniors (ages 12 to 15) work on focus, problem-solving and self-control, and some of them help out in the younger kids' classes.
Kids who want to compete can join the Friday 4:30 pm competition class once they reach white belt with two stripes and have Prof. Bacallao's approval. The youth membership covers three classes a week. Kids move through five belt colors, each split into three sub-belts, and switch to the adult belt system at 16. Parents can also stop by and watch a class before a child starts.
Classes at Gracie Barra Kirkland
| Class | Who | Ages | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiny Champs | kids | 3-7 | |
| Little Champs | kids | 8-11 | |
| Juniors | teens | 12-15 | |
| Adults (gi, no-gi) | adults | not listed | |
| Fundamentals | beginners | not listed | fundamentals |
| Advanced | adults | not listed | advanced |
| Wrestling | adults | not listed | |
| Women's Only (no-gi, gi) | women | young girls also permitted | |
| Kids competition class | competition | not listed |
When classes meet
Days and part of day as of November 2026. Exact times are on the school's schedule.
Instructors at Gracie Barra Kirkland
What training at Gracie Barra Kirkland costs
| Plan | Price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Adults Unlimited | $200 | not stated |
| Youth Unlimited, 3 classes per week | $200 | not stated |
| Punch card, never expires, shareable with family | $300 | 10 classes |
| Family Unlimited | $500 | not stated |
| Drop in | $32 | day |
| Women's-only class, free for women whose household has a member | $10 | session |
| Women's-only unlimited sessions | $100 | month |
Prices as of November 2026, from the school's website.
Facts from gbkirklandbjj.com, checked November 2026. Something out of date? Send a correction.