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Dark Arts Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 22 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Walden, New York
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
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule darkartsjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 845-381-4106
Hours
| Monday | 5–6:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 5–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 5–6:30 pm |
| Thursday | 5–8 pm |
| Friday | 5–6:30 pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“We’ve been going to Dark Arts Jiu Jitsu in Walden for about 2 months now, and we’re already seeing a big difference in our kids.”
“It's more than just learning self-defense; they're developing important life skills like discipline and focus.”
“The instructors take the time to break each drill down piece by piece ensuring even beginner's can learn the technique and utilize it.”
What members say
“Coach Chris is amazing with all age groups—our 4-year-old is in the Mighty Mights program and her confidence has grown so much in such a short time.”
“Very welcoming environment mixed with extremely skilled teachers makes for a great gym.”
“This jiu-jitsu school is awesome,great environment, great people, and most importantly the coaches they're helpful and very supportive.”
“The instructors take the time to break each drill down piece by piece ensuring even beginner's can learn the technique and utilize it.”
“It's a great way to get in shape, learn something new, and make some solid friends.”
“Worried about your children? He's a child at heart so the kids love him!”
From the reviews
Dark arts is a great place to learn jiu jitsu. The instructors (prior law enforcement) are very knowledgeable and patient for the newer students and even kids. It’s very new person friendly. Older grapplers such as my self can feel at ease. You’ll even meet a few new friends.
Best gym for jiu-jitsu ever, Coaches are amazing nice and help a lot, teaches you so much if you want to learn jiu-jitsu all around the best gym for jiu-jitsu
A great dojo with a great group of instructors! Recommend this school for anyone looking to learn the sport.
We tried a few other kids martial arts programs before finding Dark Arts Jiu-Jitsu, and unfortunately our child was mostly left off to the side doing their own thing while the class continued around them. It felt like there was very little attention given to helping new kids feel comfortable or involved.
New to BJJ? Start at Dark Arts Jiu Jitsu
Dark Arts 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.
Your first BJJ class at Dark Arts 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.
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