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Israeli Martial Arts Academy Westlake Village
4.9 ★★★★★ 39 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Westlake Village, California
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
- Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule selfdefensela.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (818) 575-9755
Hours
| Monday | 9 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Saturday | 8:45–10:30 AM |
| Sunday | 9 AM–8 PM |
The classes they run
“Hezi gave my daughter, a dual citizen of the US and Israel, a two hour training session on rifles before she returns to Israel to begin her service in the IDF.”
“Had a great one on one lesson with Hezi today.”
“They are one of a kind and I highly recommend this place to get in the world of martial arts and self defense.”
“I started here with a beginner handgun class to improved my existing skills and learned new ones that I wasn’t even aware that I was missing.”
Other martial arts here
“Wonderful office assistance, IDF Veteran Instructors, MMA.”
What members say
“Hezi is an excellent instructor and really knows his stuff.”
“I started here with a beginner handgun class to improved my existing skills and learned new ones that I wasn’t even aware that I was missing.”
“Our entire family took the handgun class and we all gained knowledge, confidence and respect for Hezi and his team of instructors.”
“My son has developed self- confidence, discipline, respect for the sport, and skills that make me feel secure in his ability to protect himself.”
“My son has developed self- confidence, discipline, respect for the sport, and skills that make me feel secure in his ability to protect himself.”
From the reviews
As a former martial art practitioner, I was very careful at choosing new studio for my three little girls ( and we visited a lot of those). Once I saw how Hazi and his Team approach teaching Martial Arts, I was in love with this placeat the first sight.
Our children absolutely love going to martial arts. We live 30 minutes away, and there are many other martial arts studios between. But we feel it is worth the drive. It's THAT good! Hezi is amazing with all of the kids. He is very patient and positive with the classes.
The beginner hand gun class exceeded all expectations. Hezi is an expert who teaches carefully and interactively. The class teaches safety and handling followed by live fire range instruction. Even as a student with little experience, you become comfortable and learn respect and care for the firearm.
Words cannot describe the value of this school - you just have to experience it. I started here with a beginner handgun class to improved my existing skills and learned new ones that I wasn’t even aware that I was missing.
New to BJJ? Start at Israeli Martial Arts Academy Westlake Village
Israeli Martial Arts Academy Westlake Village 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 Israeli Martial Arts Academy Westlake Village
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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