Just changed locations! Still in South Pasadena with the same great staff & coaches. Coach Brian…read moreteaches the 4 year class and is so great with the kids. There's ample parking out back & new paint job outside with the same familiar clean black & white design. Inside has nice lighting and is surprisingly very cool on a hot day. Excited to see what changes come with this location compared to the last one.

the real deal elite knowledge, elite standards, and a genuine passion for making every student…read morebetter. The coaches and professors across the board are phenomenal: technical, patient, and deeply invested in your growth on and off the mats. If you want real BJJ, clean technique, intelligent training, and an environment that pushes you to improve every single day, this is it. Kaizen offers some of the best technical Jiu-Jitsu in South Pasadena, and honestly, one of the best schools in all of LA.

We've been bringing our kids here for a little over a year, and I can't say enough good things…read moreabout Professor Rich, his team, and the community they have built. Rich is incredible with kids. He has a great balance of being patient, encouraging, and supportive while also knowing when to be stern, set expectations, and hold them accountable. He teaches so much more than just jiu-jitsu, he teaches discipline, respect, confidence, perseverance, and important life lessons that carry far beyond the mats. One of the biggest things we've noticed is how much our kids' confidence has grown since they started training here. It has been amazing to watch them become more comfortable in themselves, more resilient, and more willing to take on challenges. His entire team is also fantastic. You can tell they genuinely care about the kids and are committed to helping them learn, grow, and become better both in jiu-jitsu and in life. The community here is something special as well. There's a welcoming, positive atmosphere among the coaches, kids, and families that makes this place feel like much more than just a jiu-jitsu academy. We're incredibly grateful for Professor Rich, his team, and the guidance and positive influence they've had on our kids. We truly cannot recommend this place highly enough!

We've been coming for about 3 months. Since training here, our little one has gained confidence in…read morehow she moves, gaining core and lower body strength. The social-emotional aspect, including teaching kids how to play fair and treat each other with respect in how they move and interact physically is awesome.

I recently visited Cosmic BJJ and had a great experience. I'm a brown belt in BJJ, but I hadn't…read moretrained for almost eight years, so I was a bit hesitant about visiting a new BJJ academy. However, after meeting the head instructor, Joseph, and experiencing the welcoming atmosphere, it felt as though I had never stopped training. Everyone was friendly and welcoming, and I had some great rolls. Overall, it's a great BJJ school to train at.

Updating my review after a handful of years. My family's experience at Cosmic has continued to be…read morepositive. My kids have been with the program for many years now and I am very pleased with their progress. Coach Joseph can be strict with the kids during training, but he cares deeply about them. He not only wants them to continue to build on their jiujitsu skills, but he also wants them to grow into strong, resilient individuals who can overcome any obstacle. He teaches the kids to be respectful to their parents, instructors, and peers. Discipline is one of the core attribute of martial arts and it's great to see that in every class. Some coaches may seem tough on the outside, but they're also fun and extremely nurturing because many of them are dads of the kids that train there. The best way to find out is to try out a class!

Enrolling my two kids in Master Machado's Jiu-jitsu class was one of the best decisions we've made…read more His experience, patience, and genuine kindness shine from the moment you walk in. My kids were initially nervous, but as soon as they met Master Machado, it felt like they'd known him their whole lives. He's engaging, warm, and incredibly approachable, which made all the difference for my beginner kids. Whether you're a complete newbie or looking to hone your advanced techniques, this is the place to be. For those who know about BJJ, the Machado family are foundational pioneers of the sport in the U.S.--they truly represent the cream of the BJJ world. Parking can be a bit tricky depending on the time of day (street parking), but it's worth a small effort for the class experience. Highly recommend for families and anyone seeking a supportive, top-tier BJJ environment.

Roger Machado is a rare expert from the original Gracie Baja gym. Learning from him these past two…read moreyears has been a privilege. Master Machado emphasizes safety, technique, and moves that work. For both hobbyists and competitors, you'll find your niche here. It is rare to be able to learn directly from someone like Master Machado and he is a great teacher.

Amazing dojo: clean, friendly, and incredible for learners of all levels. My son has been attending…read morefor 6 months and he loves both Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu classes. The instructors are extremely mailable, able to adjust to the vast personalities that children offer.

Our kids started jiu jitsu at Silanoe earlier this year, and they absolutely love it. They attend…read moreclasses 1-2 times a week and look forward to every class. The coaches Ivan and Lisa are amazing - incredibly kind, patient, and so good at working with young kids. They create such a positive, encouraging environment that our girls have grown more confident each week. Their front desk, Maria, is also fantastic. She's knowledgeable and super thorough in answering questions. One of the best part is that she often jumps into class to interact with the kids and participates in activities. It shows how invested she is in the program and the kids. We're so grateful to have found Silanoe. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a supportive, well-run martial arts studio!

Gracie Jiu Jitsu Pasadena exceeded all my expectations…read more Training has genuinely changed the way I see myself--building not just physical skills, but confidence and resilience that carry over into everyday life. One of the most meaningful parts of the experience has been the community. I've met incredible people here, and some have become my closest friends who support and motivate me both on and off the mats. The instructors are truly exceptional. They treat every student with respect, patience, and genuine care, regardless of experience level. You never feel out of place or overlooked--everyone is supported and nurtured every step of the way on their jiu jitsu journey. GJJP has shown me that jiu jitsu really is for everyone, and I'm so grateful I took that first step to walk through the door.

I've been at Gracies Combatives for a month and a half and its been a great experience. The…read moreinstructors and staff are amazing, professional and super friendly.

I cannot stress how much I loved my time at Fight Academy Pasadena. I had been training for 5 years…read moreat different gyms (jiu jitsu) before finding Fight Academy and I stayed there for the last 2 years I was based in LA. EASILY the best training, community, vibes, and biggest improvement in my fitness and combat sports training was here. Savant leads an amazing team of coaches!

Been coming here 4 years and it feels like my home away from home. They are welcoming from day one…read moreand the coaches are high level. The owner Savant was a top 10 featherweight in his prime and always pays close attention to each student. Coach Chris though is light work every time

Alex and Sally run a really great school here. They've somehow come up with a way to cater to…read moreevery experience level and every type of practitioner. They have gi and no gi classes including fundamental classes for both for beginners and the advanced. I say advanced as well because they go over fundamentals but with incredible detail and nuance that even if you've been practicing for years (I'm a purple belt writing this), you're going to pick up details youve never seen before. they're like advanced fundamentals. I describe Alex as a Danaher-lite version. they have membership plans strictly for beginners and also advanced memberships where you can take leg lock classes, takedowns, and MMA classes all the classes taught are from a curriculum curated from Alex's decades of experience. every class builds on each other and it's amazing how much Alex can teach with so much detail. and of course the environment and people here are really friendly if you're hesitant just drop in for a trial class

Came into this with zero grappling experience. Alex and Sally have been a Godsend. Made my first…read morebeginner blueprint session fun and enjoyable. They instill confidence and ensure you're understanding everything being taught. Looking forward to my next lesson.

Over the past year, our son has been attending Eagle Rock Jujitsu, and the experience has been…read morenothing short of incredible. Through the art of jujitsu, he's learned so much more than just self-defense--he's gained confidence, discipline, focus, and resilience. It's been amazing to watch his growth both on and off the mat. The coaches (Edson, Tristan and, Ethan) at Eagle Rock Jujitsu have played a huge role in this journey. Their dedication to the development of each child is evident in every class. They're patient, supportive, and always push the kids to be their best--not just as athletes, but as individuals. Professor Carrão has created a warm, welcoming environment that extends far beyond the training mats. His academy is a place where children and families feel seen, supported, and part of a larger community. It's a rare and special thing. I see you, Bobby! We feel incredibly lucky to have such a top-tier jujitsu academy right here in Eagle Rock, bordering Highland Park. Our hope is that our son continues his jujitsu journey well into adulthood under the guidance and mentorship of Professor Carrão and his amazing team!

We've had such a positive experience with this academy and highly recommend it to any parent…read moreconsidering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for their kids. What makes this place special is the culture the coaches have created -- it's encouraging, respectful and very warm. Coaches Edson, Ethan, and Tristan are outstanding with the kids. They are patient, attentive, and truly invested in every student's development. My child really looks forward to class because the coaches make it a fun environment. The academy teaches kids how to stay calm under pressure, work through difficult moments, and keep trying even when something feels hard. Those lessons carry far beyond the mats and will make a difference in the real world. Sometimes, we even have Professor Carrao teach the kids a move or two so it's a real treat! The instruction is excellent, the environment is positive, and the sense of community is amazing! This academy is doing a fantastic job developing strong, respectful, and confident kids while teaching high-level Jiu-Jitsu. We're incredibly grateful for this amazing academy!

Love Love Love Valor BJJ Coaches and Community!…read more Prof. David and Coach Jando hold high standards for their school. All the coaches are excellent educators of their craft. Class is always ran very intentionally from warm ups, instruction, drilling, live rounds , stretching and questions. They place members safety in high regard for all men and women training. They nurture a fun, positive learning environment and community Training space is well maintained and clean. There are separate women's and men's changing rooms with showers. I also highly recommend Valors Women's Self defense class to all ladies. Coach Marnie, with support from Prof. David and Coach Jando truly are invested in empowering and equipping women with practical self defense skills. They focus on situational awareness, posture, voice, evade, escape, striking and take downs. Coach Marnie is very intentional with class instruction making sure that it engages and builds skills of all students of varying levels . This class is a non negotiable for my daughter and I. Our confidence grows as we work on developing skills to give us a fighting chance if called for (hopefully never). Hope to see ya on the mats @ Valor BJJ !

Best gym I've found by far. Super cool group of people. Always helpful and supportive.read more