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Like most martial arts, Jiu-Jitsu roots trace back to ancient Japan where the Samurai developed the gentle art into a well-rounded self defense system. In 1914, a Japanese Jiu-Jitsu champion named Mitsuyo Maeda migrated to Brazil. There he shared his art with the Gracie Family who had themselves migrated from Scotland many years earlier. 

In 1925, Carlos Gracie opened the first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Brazil and the Gracie Dynasty was born. Carlos Gracie's younger brother, Helio, weighed only 135 pounds. He was so small and frail that doctors advised him not to participate in athletic activities. When young Helio began training, he found that he needed to adjust the techniques he had learned so that they would work for someone smaller or weaker than their opponent. As time went on, Helio became a national hero as he challenged and defeated many of the world's top fighters.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, several of Helio's sons migrated to the United States and introduced Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to any who wanted to learn. At the time, American's had quite an obsession with the flashy martial arts styles seen in Hollywood movies, each one claiming to be the most effective. Following in the steps of his father, Rorion Gracie issued the now famous Gracie Challenge: Rorion would fight any person, of any style, and any size. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu began to make its mark in America as stylists from all over the United States accepted the challenge and were defeated by the gentle, effective art.

In 1993, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu exploded onto the world scene as Rorion's 170 pound brother, Royce Gracie, entered the first Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC). At the time there were no gloves, no time limits, and almost no rules. As the smallest fighter in the event, most gave young Royce no chance of defeating his much larger and more athletic opponents. As had happened so many times before, this small Gracie fighter defeated each and every opponent by submission. Almost overnight, a world-wide demand for instruction in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu emerged.

In 1990, Pedro Sauer moved to California to help the Gracie family introduce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to the United States. He had grown up in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As a young man Pedro had trained in several martial arts, but when he was 15 years old, his friend Rickson Gracie invited him to train at the Gracie Academy. His first encounter with Gracie Jiu-Jitsu convinced him that it was the most effective martial art ever created. Years later, in 1985, he was awarded a black belt under Rickson and Helio Gracie. 

Shortly after moving to the United States, Pedro Sauer moved to Utah and began teaching as one of only two Gracie Jiu-Jitsu instructors that were not part of the Gracie family. Professor Sauer quickly became known for his kindness,meticulous approach, and eye for detail. His name has become synonymous with fluidity and technical precision. He is frequently mentioned on television and featured in martial arts magazines. On May 17, 2005, Pedro Sauer was voted "Best of the Best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor" in a worldwide poll. He is currently an eighth degree black belt under RIckson and Helio Gracie.

In August, 2000, a local martial arts instructor from Idaho Falls moved to Provo, Utah to attend BYU. Like most martial arts instructors, Jared Emfield had heard about Pedro Sauer and seen what Royce Gracie had done in the early UFCs. He wondered if Gracie Jiu-Jitsu was everything it claimed to be. Jared made arrangements to visit the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu academy in Orem. By the end of his first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu class, all skepticism was gone and the passion had begun. Jared continues to train under the guidance of Pedro Sauer and Matt Strack, one of Pedro Sauer's top black belts.

After finishing grad school, Jared moved back to Idaho Falls and brought Gracie Jiu-Jitsu with him. With the approval of Pedro Sauer, Jared introduced Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to The Academy of Martial Arts in 2003 where he continues to share it today. In East Idaho, the Jiu-Jitsu developed by Helio Gracie continues to allow students to defeat stronger, more athletic opponents.