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Rhalan Gracie Academy of Jiu Jitsu

4.8 ★★★★★ 22 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Valley Village, California

Part of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Competition team New

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 (ages 3–15) — 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
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule rhalangracieacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 747-203-5844

Hours

Monday 11 am–12:30 pm, 4–8:30 pm
Tuesday 4–8:30 pm
Wednesday 11 am–12:30 pm, 4–8:30 pm
Thursday 4–8:30 pm
Friday 11 am–12:30 pm, 5:30–7:30 pm
Saturday 11 am–12:30 pm
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

BJJ classes on the schedule at Rhalan Gracie Academy of Jiu Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 8 mentions

“Lo and behold, Rhalan moved to my childhood area in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles and opened up his own Jiu Jitsu academy.”

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🏆 Competition Team

“Absolute best gym for beginner or competitor in gi in LA.”

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👤 Private Lessons

“I've had private lessons and group lessons with Rhalan and he is without a doubt the best there is.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 4 mentions

“He also has a beginners class in which he properly introduces new students to both the self defense aspect of Jiu Jitsu, and then the sport / competition side of Jiu Jitsu.”

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🌱 Beginners 10 mentions

“He also has a beginners class in which he properly introduces new students to both the self defense aspect of Jiu Jitsu, and then the sport / competition side of Jiu Jitsu.”

All gyms that run beginners →

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 22 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 12 mentions

“He also has a beginners class in which he properly introduces new students to both the self defense aspect of Jiu Jitsu, and then the sport / competition side of Jiu Jitsu.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 19 mentions

“Rhalan is an exceptional instructor who creates a welcoming and professional environment for everyone, regardless of experience level or background.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 9 mentions

“The instruction was clear, detailed, and approachable, and the atmosphere on the mats was both challenging and supportive.”

active competition team 2 mentions

“He also has a beginners class in which he properly introduces new students to both the self defense aspect of Jiu Jitsu, and then the sport / competition side of Jiu Jitsu.”

🎖️ legit lineage & affiliation 21 mentions

“I have trained Jiu Jitsu for over 20 years with some of the biggest names and when it was time to find a new home, I knew I was at the right place with Rhalan Gracie.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 6 mentions

“The studio is so clean and set up great and the community he is building is something special.”

From the reviews

I’ve had an incredible experience training at Rhalan Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy. The atmosphere is welcoming, professional, and motivating for students of all skill levels. It goes without saying that Rhalan is extremely knowledgeable.

★★★★★ — Nick, May 2026

Our family just changed over to Rhalan Gracie Academy. My 7 year old has trained since just under age 4, in TX and LA. To say my kids LOVED it, is an understatement. They were asking to go back before leaving the mat.

★★★★★ — Star, Jun 2026

Let me start by saying I have trained at several other academies, and I have nothing bad to say about any of them. They were all good in their own ways, BUT......Rhalan Gracie Academy is DIFFERENT.

★★★★★ — Christopher, May 2026

I have trained with Rhalan Gracie since January 2023 in San Francisco. Lo and behold, Rhalan moved to my childhood area in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles and opened up his own Jiu Jitsu academy. What a gift and absolute opportunity for LA and the the Valley to get trained by a true Gracie and beast like Rhalan.

★★★★★ — Bralgu, May 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 22 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Rhalan Gracie Academy of Jiu Jitsu

Rhalan Gracie Academy of 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at Rhalan Gracie Academy of 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.

BJJ is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Rhalan Gracie Academy of Jiu Jitsu

5152 Whitsett Ave, Valley Village, CA91607

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.