From the very first class, I felt genuinely welcomed, supported, and comfortable. Claudia is without a doubt an exceptional instructor. She has an incredible ability to read the room, adapt the class seamlessly, demonstrate each movement with clarity, and challenge students with care. Her corrections are always gentle yet precise, and you truly feel seen and supported in her classes. Honestly, I wish I could be permanently enrolled in her sessions. The overall atmosphere is calm, motivating, and deeply positive. Claudia, along with the students in each class, creates a peaceful and encouraging energy that makes the experience both grounding and uplifting. Her creative use of equipment adds variety and depth to every session, while her constant attention to posture and individual needs reinforces a strong sense of safety and personalization. What truly sets her classes apart is the consistent focus on technique, safety, and individualized progression. Each exercise is thoughtfully adapted to respect your body, limitations, and personal goals. The variety of equipment allows for dynamic, ever-evolving workouts that build strength, flexibility, and body awareness without feeling repetitive. After just a few Pilates sessions, I experienced noticeable, life-changing improvements: better sleep, significant relief from lower back and calf pain caused by long hours of driving, and an overall feeling of being lighter, stronger, and healthier. I used to wake up in the middle of the night thinking my mattress was the problem, only to realize that my body simply needed the right care and guidance. After some months my life really changed with Pilates Claudia has positively transformed both my body and mind. If you feel tired, heavy, or disconnected from your body, I cannot recommend her classes highly enough read more

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Our Home Away From Home my two young children and i have been training at thrive for three years now, and it has truly become our second home. as a 47 year old mom who started this journey alongside my kids, i can honestly say that thrive has exceeded every expectation. professor OJ is the heart and soul of this place. he's not just an exceptional jiu jitsu instructor, he's a mentor who guides us both on the mat and in life. he creates an environment where everyone, of all ages, feels valued and supported in their individual journey. what sets thrive apart is the genuine family atmosphere professor OJ has cultivated. the other professors, coaches, and fellow students aren't just training partners, they're a community that celebrates each other's victories and provides encouragement through challenges. my children and i have grown not just in our technique, but in confidence, discipline, and respect. whether you're a beginner or experienced jiu jitsuka, young or older, you'll find your place here. three years in, we're more committed than ever. thrive isn't just where we train, it's where we belong. if you're looking for a place to learn, grow, and become part of something meaningful, this is it. read more

Thrive Jiu Jitsu - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Near Me - Pacifica, California

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My kids are badasses! I have two children, 6 years and 8 years old, who have trained at Thrive since they were 5 years old. Not having grown up performing martial arts myself, this was a foreign concept to me. But wanting to address my young daughter's insecurities and give her opportunities to build her confidence, we started our journey at Thrive in 2021and wow, do I love the journey we've had. My kids are not only learning about the BJJ art itself, they are making friends, learning respect and discipline, and learning how to defend themselves against any perceived violence- all MUCH NEEDED skills for their future. And my 8-year-old daughter can take down my 240-lb husband, so there's that... We love Prof OJ and the awesome coaches that we entrust our kids with every week. Much love and respect to them all. Thank you for giving my kids the opportunity to thrive at Thrive and in life!! read more

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Our son is on the spectrum. He has so much energy that we were hoping to find a martial arts class that he could join. The owner, OJ, was nice and friendly. Before the class, I tried to explain to him how our son is a bit wild and has certain sensory issues and a hard time with impulse control and attention. When explaining to him the troubles we're having with our son he just sort of brushed it off saying "that's all kids." During the next 45 minutes I watched my son try as hard as he could to keep up. He was never given a tutorial as to how to do things. He was just thrown into all of this with the expectation that he would pick it up immediately. My son is 4. I guess this is the type of class where you hit the ground running. Meaning you're just supposed to look at what your peers are doing and follow their lead. I felt anxious watching my son because I could tell even though he was having fun, he was not taking the class serious the way everyone else was. He was constantly screamed at to look him in the eye when he was being talked to. He was constantly being yelled at to repeat after him, to stop, and to stay in place. He was separated several times because he couldn't sit still. I'm not complaining that these things happened. I went into this class knowing that these things would present a challenge. If anything, I felt hopeful that maybe this could help my son. What upset me is that before the class started I tried to express the issues that my son faces. But rather than listening to me, I was overlooked. Then when the problems came up, the instructordidn't seem able to handle it. My son never stopped trying. There was even one point where he was sparring one on one with another child and my child never backed down. He listened when the instructor told him not to kick and even though the other child had been there for 2 months longer (16 classes), my son never gave up trying. After class I went up to OJ to ask him how he felt about my son being in his class. He had this look of uncertainty on his face and he shrugged. The look on his face said it all. My partner reached out to him a couple times to try to talk to him and he left a message telling him that our son really enjoyed the class. We never received a response back. I feel saddened by this because what this experience says to me is that this is an establishment that isn't all inclusive and that isn't cool. It's messed up. There are a ton of children out there with developmental disabilities that could strongly benefit from this type of martial arts. I don't believe this instructor knew about autism because if he had he would know that it is widely common for children on the spectrum to be speech delayed. So maybe instead of yelling at someone to keep repeating what you are telling them, listen to the parent that's trying to tell you about their child. Maybe that child is unable to repeat what you're saying because they can't speak or they're still learning to use their voice. Things like eye contact, being able to stand in one place, and many other things can also be difficult for children on the spectrum. It's not to say these things can't be learned, but not everybody learns at the same pace. I feel it important to mention that children and adults with developmental disabilities often want to be included in the same things their peers are doing. They shouldn't be limited to the very limited services for the developmentally disabled. This doesn't help them in the real world. Nobody is expecting you to take it easy on them, but instead to educate yourself and to understand that some children need a little more help, a little more understanding, and a little bit more patience to help them reach their potential. I feel saddened because it didn't feel like my son was trying the class out to see if he liked it. It felt more like my son was trying out the class to see if the instructor liked him. I could see how this class could do wonders for children with all sorts of developmental disabilities. It could obviously teach them a valuable form of martial arts but even more important, it could help them to have a deeper understanding of respect, discipline, and teamwork. It could teach them skills like coordination, problem-solving, focus, and mindfulness all while helping to build confidence. Being able to take classes like this could improve their lives in countless ways. It could be an amazing service to thousands of children and their families if the services could be just a little bit more accommodating and understanding. Maybe one day you can consider a class that moves a bit slower to help these children receive the same benefits. I feel confident that a lot of these children would excel in ways that you can't even begin to imagine. read more

Pilates with Claudia at Thrive BJJ is a total game changer! I've been taking her classes for about 3 months now and I am blown away by how much my body has transformed. I've lost weight, built strength, become more flexible, and just feel amazing overall. Claudia is truly something special she's kind, uplifting, and brings the most positive energy to every class. Her vibe is infectious in the best way, and she makes you feel so supported while still pushing you to grow stronger. On top of her killer Pilates classes, she recently started Latin Mix Dance and Built by Brazil and OMG, they're a blast! Latin Mix is like a full-on dance party where you sweat without even realizing it, and Built by Brazil targets all the right places (hello, glutes ). If you're looking for a fun, empowering workout that actually delivers results, Claudia is your girl. Thrive BJJ Studio is lucky to have her, and so am I! SAY SI! read more

Thrive Jiu Jitsu - Getting ready to start Latin Mix Dance Class - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Near Me - Pacifica, California

Quite literally my second home. When I walk through Thrive's doors I know for the 2-2.5 hours that I'm there I get to focus on just me. No matter what kind of day I've had, I know I'll leave Thrive with a clearer mind, a good sweat and definitely a better mood. Professor OJ, Professor Deb and all the coaches are welcoming and take time to really teach you no matter what level or age you are. My son started when he was 11 yrs old and is now 18. Not only has he learned great physical skills, he's also learned valuable life skills as well. As a 46 yr old mom, I feel better now than I did in my 20s - with more self confidence too! I've also met a great group of people that I feel safe training with. They've become like my second family! read more

My son started going to Thrive Jiu Jitzu Academy last summer and we saw immediate improvements in his self confidence and disipline. He no longer gets bullied in school and now enjoys his time at school. The instructors are kind professional and really care about every kid enrolled. I highly recommend Thrive for both adults and kids of all levels. Sincerely- Chase Maclennan read more

I've been coming to Pilates for over a month because I had back pain from having a sitting job. Before starting, I tried stretching and working out consistently, but the pain kept getting worse, and I began to develop more soreness. I was recommended to try a free first class with Claudia, and for the first time in years, I felt relief. Since then, I've been attending her classes consistently and have seen significant improvements in my body especially in my core strength. Definitely worth it. read more

Pilates at Thrive Jiu Jitsu has really changed my life in so many ways. Claudia is an amazing, fun, and very knowledgeable instructor. Her energy and positivity make not only our classes fun and enjoyable but also give us an amazing view of life and gratitude! Every program at Thrive Jiu Jitsu brings us confidence, self-awareness, positivity, and so much knowledge. From Jiu-Jitsu to Muay Thai to pilates... everything connects and helps you create better healthy habits and learn how to defend and stand up for yourself. read more

I have been a student and an instructor here with Professor OJ since 2017. Since the first day I walked in I was made to feel like family. The welcoming atmosphere combined with the stellar instruction makes Thrive by far the best academy I've trained in since I began my Jiu Jitsu journey over 20 years ago! Men, women, kids, adults, moms, dads, if you're looking for an aloha spirit on the mats this is the place read more

I came to Thrive in late 2022, after taking a three year break from Jiu Jitsu. I was nervous coming back with a colored belt and was unsure how I would be received by other students. I met Professor OJ and was immediately accepted into the Thrive Family with open arms. This is a great, safe, fun, and clean location to come and learn the Gentle Art. The kids program is awesome too. I plan on staying at Thrive for the long haul and proud to call it my home gym. All of the coaches and students are super friendly and I could ask for a better place to advance my jiu jitsu. read more

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I was excited about this place. I'm from out of town looking to move to Pacifica and on the look out for a Bay Area BJJ home. Got a call to set a day for a trial class. Signed the waiver, was told I could wear a visitor gi, and I was even 15min early so I could meet people on the mat. Not a single soul acknowledged me the entire time I was there. They started the class I was supposed to try out and I walked out. Super unprofessional to not acknowledge people even if you're not sure what they're there for. I have jiu jitsu experience and have a black belt in another discipline. The first impression is important and should be welcoming. Very disappointing for a nice looking place with a great location. Truly a shame. read more

It is difficult to find anything negative to say about Thrive Jiu Jitsu. Professor OJ Domingues really sets the standards for everyone to follow. Mutual respect, care and support are key attributes that keep me coming back. The team is great and members are all really wonderful people. It is a very positive learning environment for everyone. OJ is wonderful with smaller kids, stern and yet kind and friendly. In my experience this has been a very positive experience for our child. Try out a free class if you are considering. It will be a good experience, I am quite sure. read more

Thrive is not just the name here, it's Professor OJ's philosophy. It's a family. My (now 9 yo) son has found a passion for jiu jitsu he will likely take with him for life. It's inspired a confidence and drive that we always knew he had, but hadn't found until Thrive. We're grateful for our new jiu jitsu family. There are kids classes every day of the week. Strong Mind. Strong Body. Unbreakable Spirit. Thank you, Thrive and Professor OJ! read more

Cannot say enough great things about Thrive Jiu Jitsu. Thrive focuses not just on self defense but teaches kids about self confidence and respect for themselves and others - especially their parents. My daughter started when she was 5, took a break during covid, but is back at it (she's 10 now) and still loves it. Professor OJ and Coach Isaac are amazing! read more

To say that Thrive is fantastic is an understatement! From the moment we walked in the doors the first time, we were welcomed like family. And our daughter has learned so much from Professor OJ. He is strict, but fair, and for our kids, it's all in the name. Thrive is exactly what you and/or your kids will do at Thrive! read more

I started my Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey along with my daughter 5 months ago at Thrive Jiu Jitsu. The last 5 months here have been amazing. The people here are all genuine and great people. I feel like my daughter and I have learned a lot here and we are continuing to progress, thanks to Professors OJ and Debra and the coaches here at Thrive. If you are looking for a family oriented place to train, train at Thrive! read more

Our family loves Thrive Jiu Jitsu! We have an 8 year old who's been doing classes for over a year and he loves it. Classes are fun and the kids learn respect and discipline... it's awesome. If you are looking for a wonderful experience for your child, I recommend checking out Thrive. I believe they let kids try it out before officially signing up... but reach out to them direct to confirm. read more

I first came here when I was eleven years old and absolutely loved it here I even met the love of my life here since she trained here as a kid as well. I just recently moved back nearby and am super excited to start again. I have so many happy memories here as a kid and I can't wait to make more. The classes are super fun and you learn a lot and it is overall the best martial arts academy I have ever been to. read more

Thrive Jiu Jitsu has been great for our children (ages 6 & 8). My wife and I were looking for an activity that instilled a level of discipline, promoted positive habits and was physically challenging. We found it in Thrive. The classes typically start with a warmup where the kids run forward, backwards, do bear crawls and all sorts of other cardiovascular movements. The kids break into a nice sweat as a result and are primed for whatever the days has in store for them. Next, the instructors do a great job in making the jiu Jitsu activities fun rather than overly technical. At the end of a lesson, my kids were spent. Throughout the months in training,, their jiu Jitsu knowledge increased. They now have a better understanding of their own capabilities and at least have a plan in the event they need to defend themselves. I highly recommend Thrive as a jiu Jitsu gym. read more

Was in the area and dropped in! We went over an arm bar sequence and it just showed how knowledgeable the instructor were. People in the class were also kind and helpful! Great rolls! read more

My daughter and I LOVE it here so much. It really feels like family. My kid was struggling with bullies at school and it was breaking my heart seeing her so defeated and defenseless. I said "That's it Jiu-Jitsu here we come." I came here for the women's defense class previously so I already knew it was great but after seeing the transformation in my daughter I was blown away. Her confidence grew, she was not as easily intimidated by others and she had a sense of pride about her I haven't seen before and she was confident enough to stand up to her bullies and is no longer getting picked on. They teach respect, love and how to be humble along with the tools to defend yourself. All the professors are AMAZING. They are fun, they keep the kids engaged and always bring such a dope energy to the mat. Honestly, you will not regret coming here whether it's for yourself or your kid. And it's right by the beach, that's double kick A$$! P.S The kids get a lot of one on one time with each other throughout the class to roll on the mat and they switch partners which is great to do in Jiu-Jitsu because everyone has a different technique so it gives them the ability to learn something new every time. read more

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My husband and I have been attending Thrive Jiu Jitzu for about 2 months. The instructors are amazing.! They explain things well and connect the moves to real life situations. They are patient and have made us feel comfortable and have welcomed us into the Thrive family whole heartedly. I HIGHLY recommend anyone and everyone to join the Thrive Family!! read more

My husband has been taking jiu jitsu here for a couple of years and we recently signed one of our kids up for jiu jitsu as well. Professor OJ is incredibly professional and as a parent, I can tell he truly loves what he does and he is so great with the kids. I appreciate OJ's gentle heart but firm discipline with the children. Growing up in martial arts myself (at a different school), one thing I really feel Thrive and Professor OJ do that sets them apart from other schools, is that OJ teaches them life skills along with jiu jitsu. Our son is learning how to be respectful to others, his family, his school/teachers and more importantly, learning how to respect and be confident in himself - and I love that! Raising your kids to have respect and a strong sense of self is so important because it is something that they will carry with them on and off the mats. Therefore, I am so glad professor OJ instills this type of mentality in all of his classes and students that attend. I am excited for all of our kids to join Thrive and I can't wait to join the adult classes as well. I highly recommend signing your kids up at Thrive with Professor OJ! read more

My son and I first began our Jiu Jitsu journey at Thrive a few months ago. Having zero martial arts training prior we were both apprehensive and nervous not knowing what to expect. The professors, coaches, and other practitioners made us feel like we were part of the family from the very beginning. Their knowledge and patients is truly remarkable. read more

Professor OJ is a professional Martial Artist.I'm a former world champion of grappling and I own my own dojo here in the Bay Area.Professor OJ taught and trained at my dojo.I'm a 4th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a Jiu-Jitsu professor.I strongly recommended professor OJ as a Jiu-Jitsu expert and a martial artist professor.He is done so much for our community in the Bay Area with help for seminars and workshops.Pacifica is lucky to have a such a gem like Thrive Jiu-Jitsu Academy and professor OJ Dominguez. Osssssss read more

Professor OJ and the staff are amazing! Great for all ages, and I love the gym...Super clean! read more

Thrive Jiu Jitsu - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Near Me - Pacifica, California

Incredible team. Well rounded program for all ages and an amazing community of people. The best jiu jitsu experience in the Bay Area by far.

It is a great environment for who wants to lean how to fight and get in shape!! Amazing location and very knowledgeable coaches and trainers!!! ‍‍ read more

Professor Oj and his staff are wonderful! I started here almost a year ago and very quickly my husband and our 4 kids started. I love the skills and strength that we have all learned and most of all how much Oj and his staff have become like family. His commitment to his community and students is very inspiring and I look forward to continuing for years to come. read more

Thrive Jiu Jitsu - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Near Me - Pacifica, California

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I have learned soo much in learning to focus on my self, how to stay focused on moves, & feeling good! Great people to grapple with, & most of all, AMAZING Professors & coach! read more

I've been here a bunch of times and love the energy and people. The community and instructors are both tight knit and welcoming at the same time. read more

Best kids class ever! I've taken my 5 yo daughter to all kinds of classes and tried out the Jiu Jitsu class at Thrive today. I expected the kids to just play games and be silly since they are so young. I was blown away. The teacher was amazing and had all the kids in line. You could hear a pin drop with the exception of the teacher talking and all the kids responding in unison about how important it is to listen to their parents and always tell the truth. They practiced grappling from an anti-bullying and self defense perspective and had the kids practice using their words to manage conflict as well as describe events to an adult. If you have a wild child like mine and think they'll never succumb to such discipline, I promise they will fall in line fast. In addition to the structure there's also an emphasis on respect and kindness. This is going to be such a valuable experience for my girl. :) read more

Both our 8 year old daughter and now our 5 year old son enjoy practicing Jiu Jitsu at Thrive in Rockaway Beach. Our daughter has attended for the past 2 1/2 years and it has helped develop her confidence, respect for our family, and Jiu Jitsu skills. Professor OJ is a big part of what keeps us in the program and recently introducing it to our son. He strikes a great balance of discipline, importance of family and understanding that they are kids and need to be kids when appropriate in the class. We highly recommend Thrive and hope the community continues to support it! read more

Love this place. I take the adult classes in the evening and my daughter started training here recently as well. We noticed an increase in her confidence almost immediately and are grateful she'll learn self-defense techniques that actually work. Highly recommend for both children and adults! read more

This place is awesome. Throughout the years, I have been a member of 6 different martial arts schools (3 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu), and Thrive is by far the best. Professor OJ is structured and consistent, but still has a warm, welcoming personality. My 8 year old son has been training at Thrive since he was 5. My 9 year old daughter and I have been training there for a couple years. I'm 42 years old and I don't like getting injured. The instructors and students at Thrive do a great job of respecting a persons limits. You can fight (roll) as hard or as easy as you want. I'm actually surprised that there are not more reviews on Yelp about Thrive. Maybe because the students feel "at home" there. It may feel a little awkward leaving a review on Yelp about your home. read more

It seemed like my kids spent roughly half their time doing things like jumping jacks. Expensive jumping jacks so I cancelled. They acknowledged they owed me a refund yet 8 weeks later, despite numerous promises on their part to pay, no refund. At best they're incompetent. At worst dishonest. Starting to think it's the latter. read more

Hi my name is Stenio duarte the thrive give me one free day and that's all I expected I love the gyn I love the people there are really nice and friendly totally recommend read more

We love Thrive! The instructors are excellent and so good with kids. My son has been going here for a few years now and we have never had a bad experience. They are very family oriented, welcoming, and provide a great learning forum. The sessions are well structured and taken seriously. My son has made friends through jiu jitsu classes and the instructors have provided a great environment to foster and encourage kids to succeed. read more

Beach Boot Camp with Coach Holly is such a feel good, energetic, uplifting workout that you can't stop going to! She puts her all into everyone of us and truly cares about her class and workouts. She listens to suggestions and changes her class workouts everyday. She targets the whole body and every time I leave there I feel amazing! If you have ever considered participating in a boot camp class, this one applies to every fitness level. read more