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KODA Academy of Martial Arts
5 ★★★★★ 152 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Woodstock, Georgia
Martial-arts center for beginner, advanced & kid-friendly Brazilian jiu-jitsu programs & classes.
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
- Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule trainkoda.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (770) 609-9833
Hours
| Monday | 4:30–7 PM |
| Tuesday | 4:30–8:15 PM |
| Wednesday | 4:30–7 PM |
| Thursday | 4:30–8:15 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM–12 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–1:30 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“If you are in the area and considering bjj for yourself or your kids, I highly recommend checking out his school.”
“Regardless of whether your training goals are fitness, self-defense, or even eventual competition, you won't find a better place to train than Sakura Jiu Jitsu.”
“I started as a complete beginner at Sakura Jiu-Jitsu a year ago, and training with Coach Chris has been an amazing experience.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“I started as a complete beginner at Sakura Jiu-Jitsu a year ago, and training with Coach Chris has been an amazing experience.”
“I started as a complete beginner at Sakura Jiu-Jitsu a year ago, and training with Coach Chris has been an amazing experience.”
“Chris is a Marcelo Garcia black belt and brings a deep, no-nonsense style of instruction that really helped me learn.”
“Regardless of whether your training goals are fitness, self-defense, or even eventual competition, you won't find a better place to train than Sakura Jiu Jitsu.”
“The facility itself is always well kept and clean, there is a nice workout area, and there is ample mat space for rolling.”
“Coach Chris has helped me build confidence, reminding me that mistakes are just part of the process and nothing to be ashamed of.”
From the reviews
Best Jiu Jitsu gym in the area, hands down! I visited 3 schools in the area, and knew this was the place for me after meeting Chris and trying out a class. You won’t find a more caring, attentive, and knowledgeable teacher in the area. The environment is awesome and continues to develop.
I've been training at Sakura since Oct 2021. Chris and his students have created a great training environment. Chris is the ultimate professional. He puts the same max effort into his teaching whether there are two people or 15 people in class and is approachable for questions/pointers on what we go over.
Started training with Sakura in October of 2021. The students and instructors are awesome! I was a bit nervous coming from another school but everyone was welcoming and kind. Come check it out and see for yourself!
When choosing a dojo, there are a few things I consider: the teacher, the art, and the students. Coach Chris teaches his martial art with kindness, expertise, and passion. You immediately feel welcome, safe, and appreciated. He clearly knows what each student needs, and offers amazing feedback.
New to BJJ? Start at KODA Academy of Martial Arts
KODA Academy of Martial Arts 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 KODA Academy of Martial Arts
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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🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site