Gracie Humaita Cedar Crest - NM

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Empowering, Humbling, and Full of Purpose As a woman in my 40s just beginning her journey in martial arts, I honestly didn’t know what to expect walking into Gracie Humaita Cedar Crest. What I found was a place that’s not just about technique or physical strength—it’s about character, community, and lifting each other up. The culture here is something special. There’s no ego, no intimidation—just a genuine focus on growth, respect, and helping others. Watching how they teach the kids really stood out to me. It’s not just about submissions or stripes—it’s about showing up for your teammates, doing hard things with humility, and becoming a better person on and off the mats. I’ve come to really appreciate what Gracie Humaita stands for: legacy, discipline, respect, and service. These aren’t just words on a wall—they’re lived every day by the instructors and the students alike. Training here has pushed me outside of my comfort zone in the best way possible. I leave every class feeling stronger—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too. This isn’t just a gym. It’s a place where people grow, together. I’m grateful to be part of it.”

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ More Than Just Jiu-Jitsu – A Second Home for Our Family Gracie Humaita Cedar Crest has been such a huge part of our family’s life. Our kids have grown up on those mats, and the impact that Professor Kati and Professor Terry have had on them goes far beyond jiu-jitsu. They’ve helped shape our children into confident, respectful, and strong young people. The kind of people who don’t give up when things get hard. Who know how to work as a team. Who believe in themselves. This place isn’t just about martial arts, it’s about legacy, discipline, and real community. Professor Kati teaches with so much care and strength, and Professor Terry is always there with encouragement and guidance. You can tell they truly want every student to succeed, not just as athletes, but as people. They teach that it is not always about winning, but about growing. We’re proud to be part of the Gracie Humaita Cedar Crest family. Our kids will carry what they’ve learned here with them for the rest of their lives. If you’re looking for a place where your kids will be challenged, supported, and truly cared for, this is it. Thank you, Kati and Terry, from the bottom of our hearts.”

“This place is a literal gem. The owners take such great pride in their business and take such good care of the facility and the people that attend. If you're in the east mountains looking for a place for BJJ or judo or women's self defense, this is the place. It's amazing and you can feel the care and passion they have. And it just feels safe and inspiring here. My kids went and unfortunately their school changed release time, so we unfortunately haven't been in a while but we hope they change it because we can't wait until we can get back there. I highly recommend Gracie Humaita Cedar Crest.”

“Met Terry, Katie, Jared and Shelby at a jiu jitsu retreat in Costa Rica last year and enjoyed their company during classes and at meal time. So when we found ourselves passing through New Mexico this week, we made sure to stop in and roll at their school. What a beautiful school! Huge glass front, vaulted ceilings with wood beams, spring loaded floor under the mats and a warm atmosphere with lots of joviality and great jiu jitsu. Grateful for their hospitality and instruction. Can’t wait to stop in again on our way home!”

“We started our 4 year old at Gracie this past summer and she loves it! Professor Kati is incredible with the little tigers (ages 4-6). She instructs them in a way they understand and engage with and understands their focus and attention spans, adapting each class and injecting “games” and movement to keep them interested. We love Jiu Jitsu at Gracie because it’s really physical and instructive but taught in a way that isn’t aggressive or intimidating. Professors Kati and Terry are gracious, friendly, and professional. They’ve created a family friendly environment over flowing with peer support and respect that goes far beyond the mat. I’m so glad they’re part of our Cedar Crest community and our family.”