Kauan Gracie: Life in Motion
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Time to read 8 min
Brazilian Kauan Gracie carries more than just an emblematic surname: she brings with her a deep knowledge about the body and its powers, and has dedicated herself to disseminating this wisdom.
For Kauan Gracie , a better world begins in each of us' bodies. Heir to a tradition that is already a century old, the Brazilian learned at home the powerful principles of movement and the use of the body as an instrument of defense and struggle.
Armed with all the blessings and teachings of the legendary Gracie family, she found her own way of sharing everything she knows and wants to teach people how to live a long and full life through the powers that inhabit each person.
Living in idyllic New Zealand since 2020 (by chance or by the cosmos), Kauan found the country the best refuge from the pandemic. And in that time, he was able to put into practice much more than common sense would think possible.
Here, she tells how she manages, simultaneously and with great authenticity, to be and propagate the transformation she desires for the universe.
FERTTIL: When you landed in New Zealand, did you already have a plan? Did you see the potential to establish a new base there or did this perspective only open up later?
KAUAN GRACIE:
I landed in New Zealand on January 1, 2020, with the intention of spending a month traveling and getting to know the country. I had never been here before and didn't really know what to expect. Initially, I was going to go through Australia, but a friend suggested I go straight to New Zealand, guaranteeing that I would be surprised.
All said and done: I traveled from Oakland, in the north, to Queenstown, on the South Island, stopping in several cities along the way and meeting different people. I had scheduled my trip to go from Queenstown to Tanzania, an island between Australia and New Zealand. However, upon arriving in Queenstown, I was completely enchanted. The country was stunning, with pure, crystal clear water everywhere, vibrant greenery and everything working perfectly.
I then decided to extend my stay until my visa expires, at the beginning of April. I bought another ticket, this time from Oakland to Melbourne, with departure scheduled for March 29th. However, upon discovering that an American friend was in Oakland, I opted to stay at his house and use the place as a base to explore other places. Subsequently, I requested a new type of visa, the work partnership visa, which has a longer validity.
I like to flow with what's happening in life and I plan to stay as long as I feel good here. I currently live in an area of Oakland called the North Shore. I use a small boat to get to the city, where public transport is exceptional. I've been to many places around the world, but I feel a deep gratitude for New Zealand, a truly special country.
FERTTIL: What have you learned from living in this country that seems to be an island of prosperity and harmony in relation to the rest of the world, and how has this affected you? What projects do you hope to carry out there?
KAUAN GRACIE:
I got a job teaching High Intensity Interval Training Pilates and since then my journey has been non-stop. Not only do I teach this method, but I also started offering workshops on different topics, such as longevity, self-defense for women, and movement.
My passion extends to teaching jiu-jitsu to children and teenagers, as well as kickboxing for adults and flexion classes, which I call "scientific stretching". I love keeping busy and sharing the knowledge I have. It is extremely rewarding to help people discover themselves through their own bodies, gain confidence and realize that they can achieve everything they want in life.
My goal is to sow that trust in people and meet as many individuals as possible. If it were in my life plan, I would love to have children here. I believe New Zealand is an exceptional place to raise a family. I am convinced that things happen for a reason. I needed to come here and fall in love with this country.
FERTTIL: These changes in direction that are beyond our control – like the pandemic – can teach a lot and promote powerful transformations. How did you deal with the consequences of COVID-19 and how did your personal background influence your perspective on all of this?
KAUAN GRACIE:
I am very privileged to be here during the pandemic. COVID-19 didn't spread in New Zealand and I was in an amazing place during the two lockdowns we had. This allowed me to not suffer any negative effects personally.
It was a period of considerable reflection: I learned a lot here about my scars, reviewed difficulties and managed to promote personal healing. My experience with my boyfriend has been very good too, something very different from any other relationship I've ever had.
A positive outlook on life helps me in difficult times because I truly deeply believe that we can do anything we want, that we have the ability to manifest everything we need. I often say that not every fighter is a martial artist, but every martial artist is a fighter. I feel like a warrior.
I'm very independent, I go after what I want, I accomplish everything I need and this has only become stronger lately. I can already see the roots and fruits of what I planted here, I see the transformations in people. I love what I do, I'm very happy.
Everything we go through, live and learn prepares us for other things that will come ahead. I don't believe in luck, but in the cosmos, in the connection between things. My perspective on life is one of joy and great gratitude.
FERTTIL: Your family spans generations investing in the body as our primordial structure – an instrument of transformation, struggle and protection, among many other potentialities. How do you personally express this heritage when you are fighting and teaching?
KAUAN GRACIE:
The most obvious legacy for me is the relationship with food and body knowledge, which very few people have. My father, Rickson Gracie, was truly a man who shared many teachings and life philosophies, ways of being and thinking.
I learned self-defense in depth, in addition to acquiring a base of jiu-jitsu that few have. Over time, I began to realize that these are unique and intrinsic characteristics of my family. I seek to disseminate this martial arts mentality, the warrior mentality – one who is capable, helps others, loves himself and everyone. This manifests itself in my dancing, but even more so in my classes.
My outgoing personality has been a powerful tool in helping many people. Today, I understand that when they see me, they see the entire trajectory of my family: my father, my grandfather, my brother. It's a challenge to separate my identity from the Gracie family legend. I respect and honor this connection, but I seek to maintain my authenticity. I recognize that many see in me the image of my lineage. If I wish to avoid this immediate association, I avoid mentioning my surname. However, I am a product of my parents, that is in me, and I am immensely grateful for that.
I seek to pass on the lessons I learned as a child to everyone who crosses my path. I have such a deep understanding of the body that, sometimes, I forget that many do not have this same level of knowledge about its entirety – encompassing the physical, mental and spiritual dimensions. This is my difference and it is what I seek to share with others.
FERTTIL: Live Long Life is the name of the workshop you are preparing for Ferttil. How did you come up with this idea and what can people expect from this experience?
KAUAN GRACIE:
I've been practicing dance and jiu-jitsu for a long time. Based on these experiences, I began to conduct a movement workshop, based on the idea that the better you know how to move, the more effective you will be in your activities. However, I felt there was more to be shared, especially on topics like love, breathing, flexibility, and mobility. And this is where we address longevity.
I wanted a platform where I could share more about what I consider essential. Movement, jiu-jitsu and dance are fundamental, but the main objective is to maintain health throughout life. I see "Live Long Life" as an ongoing discussion about health and well-being. Through it, I seek to teach people how to breathe, relax and understand the importance of these practices.
Flexibility and movement lead to mobility, and mobility, in turn, leads to longevity. It's not enough to live for many years if you don't have the ability to perform basic everyday tasks, such as taking a shower or preparing your own food. Alignment, posture and nutrition are crucial. There are many people who, even though they look healthy or are athletes, do not know how to breathe or eat properly.
I formatted the first workshop recently, and that was when Igor (founder of Ferttil) invited me to develop this in partnership. I hope to constantly improve this project. The approach is fluid and open, valuing the exchange of experiences. After all, I recognize that I do not have all the knowledge.
FERTTIL: Ferttil was born with the purpose of connecting people and practices that are contributing to generating more life on Earth. How do you perceive your participation in this sense? What are the most natural ways of contributing and exchanging in your personal life?
KAUAN GRACIE:
I firmly believe in a virtuous spiral: when a person starts physical activity, they naturally start to eat better. With a balanced diet, you start to feel happier, sleep better and, consequently, develop a desire to help others. In short, when someone is good about themselves, that positivity expands to everyone around them.
My contribution is manifested in helping someone adopt healthy eating habits, promote health and pursue happiness. This way, I generate more cycles of health and happiness that extend to others. I seek a natural, personal and close approach, something that, nowadays, has become rare. I want to rekindle in people the desire for closeness, the desire to help others and strengthen their confidence and security in themselves.
The important thing is to recognize that each individual is unique and irreplaceable. As I often say: "You are the best 'you'. If you don't embrace your essence, at best, you will be the second best version of any other ideal you try to follow." We must value our qualities and share them, so everyone around us will notice our authenticity and benefit from it.
