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Jiu-Jitsu Kaizen
4.9 ★★★★★ 42 Google reviews · BJJ gym in South Pasadena, California
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
- 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
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule jiu-jitsukaizen.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (213) 654-6432
Hours
| Monday | 11 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM–7 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–12 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Even though its a group class, the coaches are very attentive and give each student as much individual attention as possible, demonstrating the proper techniques.”
“From the kids' programs to adult classes, Coach Edwin and Coach Jason are always available to answer specific questions regarding your progress.”
“There’s a wide variety of gi and no-gi classes to fit any schedule, and the weekend open mats are always full of friendly, helpful people—including visitors from other gyms.”
“There’s a wide variety of gi and no-gi classes to fit any schedule, and the weekend open mats are always full of friendly, helpful people—including visitors from other gyms.”
“Whether you are a hobbyist or a competitor, the coaches will mentor you based on your specific needs and support you every step of the way, including at local competitions.”
“There’s a wide variety of gi and no-gi classes to fit any schedule, and the weekend open mats are always full of friendly, helpful people—including visitors from other gyms.”
“Great place to start jiu jitsu and self-defense!”
Other martial arts here
“My advice from someone who has done BJJ and judo for over a decade, check out or start your journey here.”
What members say
“My 8 year old daughter is training BJJ three days a week at Kaizen with coach Jason. He’s amazing with kids - patient, playful, and disciplined.”
“Detailed instruction, clean facilities, a welcoming environment, a ton of mat space, and great location with huge garage doors that let a lot of fresh air in.”
“Detailed instruction, clean facilities, a welcoming environment, a ton of mat space, and great location with huge garage doors that let a lot of fresh air in.”
“Even though its a group class, the coaches are very attentive and give each student as much individual attention as possible, demonstrating the proper techniques.”
“My kids go here and they love it.”
“Whether you are a hobbyist or a competitor, the coaches will mentor you based on your specific needs and support you every step of the way, including at local competitions.”
From the reviews
Great place to start jiu jitsu and self-defense! Good for all levels. Coach Edwin and Coach Jason are patient, detail-oriented, and serious fighters/competitors. I'm a complete beginner -- the coaches walked me through the 'how' and 'why' of certain moves, helping me understand the bigger picture.
Ive trained at several other schools throughout my BJJ journey and this is the first one that I feel I can truly call home. The level of instruction is incredible, the culture they have created is the best I've seen and the other students are great training partners. It is safe, clean and loads of fun.
I have trained at multiple BJJ gyms, but I feel like I have indeed found a home here at Jiu-Jitsu Kaizen. Edwin and Jason have truly created a culture of respect and friendship that they model in their interactions with their students.
Started a little late in life, but this place has been perfect for me. Supportive professors with deep knowledge and a place where heavy emphasis is placed on perfecting technique and understanding the mechanics of jiujitsu. I’m grateful that Professors Edwin and Jason started a school in South Pasadena.
New to BJJ? Start at Jiu-Jitsu Kaizen
Jiu-Jitsu Kaizen 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 Jiu-Jitsu Kaizen
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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