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Avilla Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

4.9 ★★★★★ 28 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Grass Valley, California

BJJ gym Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens No-gi Competition team

Affiliated academy — reviews and the gym's own info point to a recognized BJJ lineage or affiliation (think Gracie Barra, 10th Planet, Renzo Gracie, Alliance, Atos or Checkmat). If lineage matters to you, ask which affiliation the academy belongs to and under whom the head instructor earned their black belt.

Plan your first class

  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule avillabjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (530) 798-9032

Hours

Monday 6:30–8 PM
Tuesday 4:30–5:30 PM, 6:30–8 PM
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 4:30–5:30 PM, 6:30–8 PM
Friday Closed
Saturday 10–11:30 AM
Sunday 10–11 AM

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

BJJ classes on the schedule at Avilla Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🏆 Competition Team

“Whether you want to compete or just get in shape, this gym has it.”

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🌱 Beginners 4 mentions

“Everyone in the class was very welcoming, I never felt like an outsider even though this was my first time at the academy.”

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What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 28 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 4 mentions

“Coach Morgan is an excellent instructor who has created a fun, safe, and welcoming environment for students of all abilities.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 11 mentions

“Coach Morgan is an excellent instructor who has created a fun, safe, and welcoming environment for students of all abilities.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 10 mentions

“Coach Morgan is an excellent instructor who has created a fun, safe, and welcoming environment for students of all abilities.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 2 mentions

“The instruction was very thorough, and Morgan was good at getting to anyone that might have needed minor details worked out.”

🎖️ legit lineage & affiliation 2 mentions

“Owner/instructor Morgan Avilla highly skilled and down to earth Black belt under Cassio Werneck.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 6 mentions

“Great environment, clean and suitable for al skill levels!”

From the reviews

I contacted Avilla BJJ to see if they allowed drop ins. I travel to the area regularly and was looking to supplement my training while out of town. They responded quickly and were very helpful with the class schedule and pricing.

★★★★★ — Pirate, Aug 2019

Everyone trains hard, and Is kind. That is the environment that coach Morgan inspires and maintains in his academy. I highly recommend to anyone.

★★★★★ — Alpha, Jan 2020

Coach Morgan is an excellent instructor who has created a fun, safe, and welcoming environment for students of all abilities. Whether you want to compete or just get in shape, this gym has it. Highly recommended!

★★★★★ — Wes, Nov 2023

Great, fun environment to learn/practice bjj. Coach Morgan’s classes cater for students of all abilities. As a new student, everybody made me feel comfortable.

★★★★★ — Andy, Jan 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 28 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Avilla Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Avilla Brazilian Jiu Jitsu comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. If you've never rolled or set foot on a mat, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard rolling — reputable gyms build fundamentals (positions, escapes, and basic submissions) for weeks, live rolling eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps every roll safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and leave your ego at the door. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at Avilla Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Nervous about walking into a BJJ gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic positions and escapes with a partner — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many gyms lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi (or a rashguard and shorts for no-gi) and a mouthguard. Live rolling eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

BJJ is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Avilla Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

1050 Whispering Pines Ln Ste I, Grass Valley, CA95945

Get directions

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.