Home › California › Napa › Carlson Gracie Napa Valley / MARINHO JIU-JITSU
Carlson Gracie Napa Valley / MARINHO JIU-JITSU
5 ★★★★★ 11 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Napa, California
Part of Carlson Gracie
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
- Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- 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 carlsongracienapavalley.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (347) 224-0551
Hours
| Monday | 9:50–11:30 AM, 4:50–7:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 4:50–7:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 9:50–11:30 AM, 4:50–7:30 PM |
| Thursday | 4:50–7:30 PM |
| Friday | 9:50–11:30 AM, 4:50–7:30 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“From Youth BJJ to Adult BJJ offers a depth of knowledge that can’t be found anywhere in Northern California.”
“My older one is 5 months in and has already won 2nd place in a tournament last month.”
“Professor Marinho, as humble as can be, is a walking encyclopedia of Jiu Jitsu and the history of sport Jiu jitsu, Vale Tudo (MMA) and self defense.”
Other martial arts here
“Professor Marinho, as humble as can be, is a walking encyclopedia of Jiu Jitsu and the history of sport Jiu jitsu, Vale Tudo (MMA) and self defense.”
What members say
“It is a very welcoming gym and all of the older youth students are very unselfish and routinely spend time helping the younger kids learn in individual drills or sparring.”
“It is a very welcoming gym and all of the older youth students are very unselfish and routinely spend time helping the younger kids learn in individual drills or sparring.”
“He is very patient and thorough with making sure kids understand the technique and why it works, as well as what not to do.”
“From the youth to the adults it is a safe, fun, family environment that has a skill level of instruction that is straight from Carlson Sr.”
“He is very big on respect for the gym and your teammates, and conducting yourself in a disciplined and respectful manner, but also gives the kids time to play and just be kids.”
From the reviews
Marinho is the most humble yet experienced martial art instructor. His demeanor and style create a uniquely fun yet skillful style that resonates with all the students in the academy.
It's not often that you find someone like Professor Marinho Vauvenargues - a man who has trained with some of the most elite fighters in the world of MMA and BJJ, and was trained and received his black belt directly from Carlson Gracie Sr., in a relatively small county like ours.
Hugely informative, welcoming, and motivating environment that is hugely family oriented. From Youth BJJ to Adult BJJ offers a depth of knowledge that can’t be found anywhere in Northern California.
Professor Maurinho is very good with teaching kids. He is very patient and thorough with making sure kids understand the technique and why it works, as well as what not to do.
New to BJJ? Start at Carlson Gracie Napa Valley / MARINHO JIU-JITSU
Carlson Gracie Napa Valley / MARINHO JIU-JITSU comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. 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.
Your first BJJ class at Carlson Gracie Napa Valley / MARINHO 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.
More BJJ gyms near Napa
Napa Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 11 reviews
Sonoma Valley Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 16 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Netto Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 16 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site