Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Classes in Ottawa!

Yes! Our program teaches you how to use your body and it’s capabilities to ward off attacks and stay cool in tense situations. It is designed to help people who might be smaller than their attackers to defend themselves, so it’s an ideal self-defense method for women to learn. You’ll feel prepared to handle anything that comes your way!

YES! Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is an excellent choice for women, especially for how it contributes to one’s self-defensive ability, sense of community and belonging, and of course, mental and physical fitness. Regarding self-defense, it is a fantastic skillset to have (and practice) because, when an “opponent’s” physical size exceeds our own, jiu-jitsu trains us to utilize leverage and specific techniques that work to fill that gap. Outside of self-defense, the jiu-jitsu community is widespread and actively growing; passionate people with a shared passion come together to practice, make mistakes, and learn from one another. Lastly, unlike other popularized martial arts, jiu-jitsu does not include over-aggressive attacks, punches, or kicks that leave people unconscious. Rather, jiu-jitsu is quite the opposite. It is a more fluid, almost graceful-looking martial art that will challenge you both physically (get ready to increase your cardiovascular endurance!) and mentally, as you think logically to apply learned techniques and movements during training. 

If possible, please try to arrive 15 minutes early so that you can meet the staff and instructor, sign a waiver, and become orientated with our space. Typically, people wear sandals (since shoes on the mat are not permitted) and comfortable exercising clothes. If you have a gi of your own, bring it! If not, we have rental gis available as well as gis for purchase. For a no-gi class, a rashguard and shorts should be worn. And of course, a water bottle is highly recommended. We have a filtered water station you can refill as needed.

Most definitely! In addition to being immensely FUN, training will increase your muscle tone, bodily coordination, cardiovascular capacity, muscular endurance, balance, and will (inevitably) reduce overall body fat. All that being said, please make sure you hydrate and fuel yourself properly before and after training.

In short – and perhaps the most obvious point – the uniform! In Gi Classes, you wear a gi. In No-Gi, you don’t! 

Gi jiu jitsu, the uniform is a fundamental piece of most techniques and movements. No-gi jiu jitsu, on the other hand, more closely resembles wrestling as it is often faster paced and places emphasis on speed rather than leverage.

In no-gi classes, you can wear rash guards and board shorts or leggings. While each style has advantages and disadvantages (technically speaking), they share a remarkably similar conceptual foundation and are absolutely complementary to one another in training jiu jitsu overall.

Believe it or not, we do NOT care! At all. Please wear whatever gi you have. The only requirement is that your gi is comptetition colour (black, blue, white). Otherwise, your gi cam be any brand, any logo, any gym affiliation. The entire purpose of Jiu-Jitsu is to be as accessible, welcoming, and judgment-free as is possible. Just come train. 

*all gis must be clean

No. Beginner classes focus on teaching basic techniques and safety, and you can then work your way up to controlled sparring in class.