Ribbon Cutting Welcomes Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu To Newtown

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA ? The Newtown Business Association on Saturday officially welcomed Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Self-Defense to Newtown with an official ribbon cutting.

The new 5500 square foot studio, located at 105 Terry Drive in the Newtown Business Commons, is the third self-defense studio for Gracie Barra, which also has locations in Lawrenceville and Princeton, New Jersey.

?We?re happy to welcome Gracie Barra to Newtown,? said Newtown Business Association board member Greg Kramer of All State Insurance. ?We love being able to help support and help grow any business that is part of the Newtown fabric.?

With more than 900 locations nationwide, Gracie Barra provides world-class Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Self-Defense and Mixed Martial Arts instruction to kids, adults, military personnel and first responders.

Using the tagline, ?Transforming Lives through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu,? Gracie Barra bills itself as the world?s number one name in self-defense.

?In this day and age with so much going on in this world, with screen time, sedentary behavior and a lot of social division, here it feels like something totally different where all genders, sizes, races and religions come here with something in common and it?s really inspiring,? said Mike Leonardi, one of the owners of the new school.

The school offers classes for kids and adults starting at age three up to age 75 and older

?We provide Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Self-Defense. We provide women?s self defense. We provide kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu,? said Leonardi.

?In both our adults and in our kids class we are also very cognizant of building in life lessons. This is one of the best vehicles to deliver and reinforce life?s most important lessons and skills for kids all the way through adults.?

Owner Mike Leonardi, right, with members of the Gracie Barra Newtown team.

The school uses an evidence-based curriculum built by Angela Duckworth and has just added a new fitness and wellness program in health and lifestyle coaching.

?It?s not just about self-defense but it?s about building a strong body, eating the right foods, and managing your mental health,? said Leonardi.

?At the end of the day it?s not just about the Jiu Jitsu it?s about living that holistic healthy lifestyle and we just happen to use Jiu Jitsu as the vehicle,? he said.