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Ralph Gracie Jiu-Jitsu San Jose & Santa Clara had a strong showing at the BJJ Tour Santa Cruz, bringing a large group of youth and adult competitors to the mats and coming home with 16 medals. 16 Medals for the Team The Santa Cruz tournament was another opportunity for our students to test their jiu-jitsu under competition pressure, support their teammates, and represent Ralph Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Across the day, our competitors earned 16 medals in gi and no-gi divisions. Compet

The Limits in Learning an Infinite Art The other day, I was teaching a kids’ class covering headlock escapes at Ralph Gracie San Jose, Ca. I had Josh, my uke (the person you do the move on), place me in a headlock, and I demonstrated one of the escapes I knew. The kids loved it. Later in the class, a young 9-year-old boy, particularly fond of the technique, asked me, “How much jiu-jitsu do you NOT know?” I found this to be profoundly thought-provoking. Two students sparing at

A Shared Journey Between Parents and Instructors The growing popularity of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) among children has brought countless benefits to young practitioners, from improved physical fitness to enhanced self-confidence. However, as more families join the BJJ community, it’s crucial to understand that developing a disciplined martial artist requires a partnership between instructors, parents, and students. Purple belt competitor Josh Tuman shares techniques from the

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions can trigger intense anxiety — not just about losing, but about the fear of disappointing you, their coach, and their teammates. When your child steps onto those mats, they’re carrying more than just their own expectations; they’re carrying the weight of everyone watching, the hours their professor invested in training them, and the silent question: “What will my parents think if I lose?” This is where your mental and emotional preparation beco

Every Instructor Has Their Limits! A few weeks ago, I found myself a bit frustrated with myself as an instructor. I saw some students (in the youth and adult classes) not paying as much attention to detail as I would have preferred. While recognizing my own lack of focus at their ages and stages, I was scared. Scared for the consequences of their inattentiveness if they ever need to protect themselves or someone they love. Adisa explains how BJJ is a LIVING martial art, unlik

Are you ready to give your child a summer that goes beyond traditional day camps? Summer boredom is real, but at Ralph Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, we have the ultimate antidote. We are thrilled to announce that registration for our highly anticipated 2026 Youth BJJ Summer Camps is officially LIVE!

Our updated San Jose schedule is effective March 11, 2024! We are constantly taking in feedback from students and as a result adjusting class availability and times.

Today, I went to lead the nogi class at Ralph Gracie in Santa Clara, CA. Not long after I got in RGJJ Prof. Dorian Cartwright told me 10th Planet black belt Stan Myaskovskiy (pronounced mee-yaah-skov-ski) would be dropping in. I was instantly excited before even meeting him.