Coming Soon: Gracie Barra York

As you might have seen on our social channels, we’re really excited to be opening a brand new academy this month!

We’ll be opening the doors to Gracie Barra York for our official launch day on the 31st of August, before classes officially begin on the 1st of September.

Speaking to The York Mix, Co Founder and Coach Mike Bush said “York is home for me, so when the opportunity came up for us to open somewhere, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. It’s my city, it’s my home!”

The new Monks Cross based academy becomes our third, following the success of Gracie Barra Harrogate, and more recently, Gracie Barra Apperley Bridge. As with our first 2 academies, training at Gracie Barra York will be included in your membership, allowing you to train at any of our academies whilst you have an active membership with us!

“There’s this lovely culture in Harrogate that I want to continue here in York,” Mike told YorkMix. A familiar face and popular figure at Gracie Barra Harrogate, Mike began training at the Harrogate Gracie Barra in 2018, “I had just finished university and moved back home. I was struggling a little bit and not really feeling too happy with where I was in my life. I came across Gracie Barra Harrogate and thought, “I’ll give that go.”

What began as a hobby, soon became where Mike has been spending the majority of his free time.

“It grew to the point I was doing it more or less every day. As well as loving the sport itself and really enjoying the challenge of it, the culture of what we have at Harrogate is what kept me there. It’s a real tight knit family, I’ve made some of my best friends for life there.”

Mike explained to YorkMix that people are often put off by martial arts because they perceive them as aggressive, but Gracie Barra aims to change that.

“For people who want to spar and get some hard rounds in, that’s easy to do as it’s part of the sport. But for people who want to try something new, learn a skill, and not be pushed too far outside their comfort zone, that’s also who we cater for.”

Gracie Barra York is open to all ages and abilities, and will offer tailored classes for different groups, all led by expert instructors.

“There’s really young children who come and try it out, and people in their sixties too!” Mike told YorkMix.

Find out more about Gracie Barra York here, and check out the full YorMix feature here!