Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ/Gracie Jiu-Jitsu) is a grappling style of martial art and self-defense that concentrates on how to control an opponent on the ground and use submission holds to finish the fight.  Introduced to the Gracie family in Brazil in the early 1900's by a Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and Judo practitioner, this style took the world by surprise in 1993 when the Gracies started the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).  Taking on and all styles with almost no rules, Royce Gracie won his matches with submission holds having barely thrown any punches or kicks.  Since then Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has become one of the most popular Martial Arts in the world and is sought out by law enforcement and military personnel and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters all over the world.

As a competitive sport, BJJ does not include any striking in it's curriculum.  Instead the focus is to gain superior positioning over an opponent then apply leverage to submit them with choke-holds and joint locks.  While the majority of focus in a BJJ class will be on ground work,  competitive matches start standing so throws and takedowns are covered as part of the curriculum.

The Yamasaki Academy is registered with the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF).  We follow the ranking guidelines and the class curriculum generally follows the guidelines as defined in the IBJJF rule book.  That being said, we also welcome techniques from other styles including Judo, wrestling and Sambo as long as they are "legal" moves as defined by IBJJF standards.  We encourage our students to be as well rounded as possible.

Our classes are run by highly experienced BJJ practitioners in a friendly and respectful training environment.   All levels of students, from brand new to experienced Black Belts are welcome in the Academy.  Most classes will include live sparring to allow students to practice and test their techniques in a realistic situation against a resisting opponent.