Self-defence seminars for your team, school or group
Practical, hands-on self-defence from Johannesburg's first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu® Certified Training Center®. We run Women Empowered® and Gracie Combatives® seminars for corporate events, companies, schools and groups.
Book a seminar with us Chat to us with your requirements
Who we run seminars for
- Corporate events and wellness days. Women's Month, 16 Days of Activism, wellness weeks and staff events.
- Companies and teams. Small teams to big groups, at your offices or at our academy.
- Schools. Learners aged 13 and up. For younger children, ask us about Gracie Bullyproof®.
- Groups. Community groups, clubs and private groups.
Why book a Gracie seminar
- Hands-on, not a talk. Everyone learns by doing, practising each technique with a partner. We don't do lecture-only talks.
- Technique, not strength. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu uses leverage and timing, so a smaller person can defend against a bigger, stronger one.
- No experience or fitness needed. It's built for complete beginners.
- Two certified instructors at every seminar. Our instructors are certified to teach the official Gracie University curriculum.
- Safe and cooperative. Real-life scenarios, practised calmly and with zero aggression. Anyone can sit out a technique at any time.
- The learning doesn't stop on the day. Every participant is offered a free calendar month of training at our academy.
Our seminars
Women Empowered® seminar
For women. Female-led, with a male instructor supporting.
Women Empowered is the Gracie University women's self-defence programme. It focuses on real-world boundary setting and self-defence. In the seminar, our instructors explain the types of attacks women face, the warning signs of a potential attack, what real boundary setting looks like, and the difference between a stranger and a non-stranger attacker. Then they demonstrate real scenarios, and everyone practises the solutions with a partner.
What we cover: the Triangle of Victimization (an attack needs a predator, a target and an opportunity, so take away one and it can't happen), and the Four Phases that most attacks follow, whether from a stranger or from someone you know. Then we show what to do at each phase.
On the day, participants learn how to:
- Thwart potential attacks
- Break free from an attacker who grabs them
- Avoid being taken to the ground
- Escape chokes and strikes
- Set verbal and physical boundaries
Gracie Combatives® 101 seminar
A self-defence seminar for adults. Co-ed, for men and women.
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu 101 is our hands-on introduction to real self-defence. Book it for your company, school or group, and we'll bring the same seminar we run at the academy to your team.
- Designed specifically for beginners.
- Street self-defence focused techniques.
- The safest training environment possible.
What makes this seminar unique?
The Gracie Combatives® programme uses leverage-based techniques. That means anyone, regardless of age or athletic ability, can make them work against larger, stronger opponents.
What will your team learn?
A few foundational techniques that let you neutralise specific threats from a larger, more aggressive attacker. Everyone learns several simple, highly effective techniques from the Gracie Combatives programme.
Who is it for?
Anyone aged 13 and up. Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult. For school groups, a teacher counts as the accompanying adult. No experience is needed, and it isn't strenuous, so it suits all ages and fitness levels.
- A supportive community. A culture of cooperation, where everyone learns without fear of injury or embarrassment.
- Beginner friendly. Safe, structured and fun.
- Real-life self-defence. Leverage and timing, not just punches and kicks.
What to wear: comfortable workout clothes. A T-shirt, and sweats or shorts that cover the knee.
After the seminar: every participant is offered a free calendar month of training at our academy.
Every seminar can be tailored. Tell us about your team and we'll put together a bespoke Women Empowered or Gracie Combatives 101 seminar to suit your group, venue and time.
Both, or bespoke
Running a mixed event? We can run Women Empowered for the women and Gracie Combatives for everyone, or both back to back. Need something specific, such as a focus on escaping grabs or staying safe on the way home? Tell us what you need and we'll build a session around it. Every bespoke session stays hands-on.
Where
Choose the option that suits your group: we come to you, or you come to us.
At our academy (recommended)
Train in our safe training environment, built for self-defence. Crash pads cover the floor and the walls are padded, so we teach both standing and ground techniques here. The most important part of a seminar is often what happens when a fight goes to the ground, and here everyone can practise that properly and safely. Your team also gets a change of scene away from the office, plus change rooms, showers and secure, boomed parking.
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Fourways
Pineslopes Boulevard, corner of Witkoppen and The Straight, Lonehill, Sandton, 2191 (next to RocoMamas)
At your venue
We come to your offices, school or venue. Travel is free within 50 km of our academy. Beyond that, travel costs apply. We need a large open floor with the chairs moved aside. Participants wear comfortable clothing and train barefoot or in flat shoes. We generally don't bring mats, though we may for some group sizes. At a venue without mats, we teach standing techniques only, with no ground techniques. The size of your space decides how many people can train at once, so tell us about the venue when you enquire.
How booking works
- Send us your requirements using the form below, or by phone, WhatsApp or email.
- We chat. We'll talk through your group, goals, venue and dates, then send you a quote.
- Lock in your date. We're busy, so the earlier you tell us your preferred dates, the better.
- Seminar day. Two certified instructors run a hands-on session for your group.
- Keep going. Every participant is offered a free calendar month of training at our academy.
We recommend 1.5 to 2.5 hours; a 1-hour session is also possible.
When: We run seminars Monday to Friday, ideally 08:00–12:00, outside our regular classes. Friday mornings are great.
Trusted by leading companies
Companies including Vodacom, Old Mutual and BASF have booked our self-defence seminars for their teams. We've run seminars for groups of up to 300 people.
Frequently asked questions
Do participants need any experience or fitness?
No. Our seminars are built for complete beginners. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu relies on technique and timing, not strength, speed or athleticism.
Is it a talk or a hands-on session?
Hands-on. Our instructors demonstrate each technique, then everyone practises with a partner. We don't offer lecture-only talks.
What should people wear?
Comfortable workout clothes: a T-shirt, and sweats or shorts that cover the knee. At our academy we train barefoot. At your venue, barefoot or flat shoes.
Who runs the seminar?
Two certified Gracie instructors run every seminar. Women Empowered seminars are female-led, with a male instructor supporting.
Is it safe? What if someone finds it difficult?
Everything is taught step by step, in a calm and cooperative way, with zero aggression. Self-defence can bring up difficult feelings for some people. Anyone can sit out any technique, no questions asked.
Is the Women Empowered seminar only for women?
Yes. Women Empowered is for women. Gracie Combatives 101 is co-ed, for men and women, so it suits mixed groups.
Who can attend the Gracie Combatives 101 seminar?
Anyone aged 13 and up. Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult. No experience is needed, and it isn't strenuous, so it suits all ages and fitness levels.
We're a school. Who counts as the accompanying adult?
A teacher counts as the accompanying adult for learners under 18.
Is Gracie Combatives 101 hard work physically?
No. It's designed for beginners, and the techniques rely on leverage and timing, not strength or fitness.
What happens after the seminar?
At the end of both seminars (Women Empowered and Gracie Combatives 101), every participant is offered a free calendar month of training at our academy.
How many people can you take?
There's no fixed maximum. Every seminar is bespoke, and the size of the venue is what matters. We've run seminars for groups of up to 300 people. Tell us your numbers and your venue, and we'll suggest the best format.
How long should we book for?
We run 1.5-hour, 2-hour and 2.5-hour seminars, and we recommend booking within that range so everyone has time to practise properly. A 1-hour session is possible, but it only allows a short introduction.
Can you come to us?
Yes. Travel is free within 50 km of our academy. Beyond that, travel costs apply. We need a large open floor with the chairs moved aside. Most outside venues don't have mats, so there we teach standing techniques only. Or come to us: our academy in Lonehill is a safe training environment with crash pads and padded walls, where we teach standing and ground techniques.
Do you bring mats?
We generally don't, though we may bring them depending on group size. Without mats, we teach standing techniques only, with no ground techniques. For the full seminar, including ground techniques, book at our academy.
When can you run a seminar?
We run seminars Monday to Friday, ideally between 08:00 and 12:00, outside our regular classes. Friday mornings are great.
Do you run seminars for schools?
Yes, for learners aged 13 and up. For younger children, ask us about Gracie Bullyproof®.
How much does a seminar cost?
We quote on request. The price depends on the number of participants, the length, the venue (and travel beyond 50 km) and whether the session is standard or bespoke. Send us your requirements and we'll send you a quote.
Can participants keep training afterwards?
Yes. Every participant is offered a free calendar month of training at our academy.
How far in advance should we book?
As early as you can. Our diary fills up, especially around Women's Month (August) and 16 Days of Activism (late November to early December).
Book a seminar with us
Chat to us with your requirements.
Seminar enquiry
Thanks! We've received your seminar enquiry and will be in touch shortly with a proposal.
Prefer to talk?
Call us on
072 412 1221 or email
info@graciefourways.co.za.
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Fourways · Pineslopes Boulevard, corner of Witkoppen and The Straight, Lonehill, Sandton, 2191 (next to RocoMamas)