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Tenzan Jiu Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 26 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Seattle, Washington

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens No-gi Competition team

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 5–16) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule tenzanjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 206-769-0273

Hours

Monday 12–8 pm
Tuesday 4–8 pm
Wednesday 4–8 pm
Thursday 4–8 pm
Friday Closed
Saturday 9–11 am
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 Tenzan Jiu Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 27 mentions

“Tenzan Jiu Jitsu has literally helped my son grow into the confident, resilient, and down to earth young man that he is.”

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Teens BJJ

“Children, teens, adults and vintage models (me!”

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🏆 Competition Team 6 mentions

“Whether brand new to martial arts or coming from another discipline, a great workout, competition training, self defense and more are available at Tenzan Jiu Jitsu.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“Whether brand new to martial arts or coming from another discipline, a great workout, competition training, self defense and more are available at Tenzan Jiu Jitsu.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“Whether brand new to martial arts or coming from another discipline, a great workout, competition training, self defense and more are available at Tenzan Jiu Jitsu.”

All gyms that run beginners →

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 26 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 7 mentions

“Both my children and I have been students of coach Keith. He is an amazing coach and gives his students 100% and pulls 100% from his students as well.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 6 mentions

“This gym has a welcoming atmosphere while inspiring and supporting athletes that want to compete at a high level.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 16 mentions

“The atmosphere is not only fun but also fosters a supportive bond among the adults, making the journey enjoyable at every level.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 2 mentions

“He is always down to pause for a moment to break things down and is invested in us learning the fundamentals and doing things the right way.”

great workout & conditioning 2 mentions

“Whether brand new to martial arts or coming from another discipline, a great workout, competition training, self defense and more are available at Tenzan Jiu Jitsu.”

🧒 strong kids program 4 mentions

“One of the best extracurricular experiences our son (and as parents) has had, his confidence has grown and truly looks forward to going to class”

From the reviews

Started out at this dojo a few months ago as my first time dipping my toe into martial arts. It’s been a fantastic experience—Keith Bookman is an excellent professor and he is engaging and fun.

★★★★★ — Kamran, Apr 2025

We have been going to Tenzan Jiujitsu since they opened the gym. Professor Keith is an amazing instructor, very kind to kids, and a great role model for my teenage kids. Jiujitsu makes you physically and mentally strong and improves focus and discipline. I love the Tenzan community.

★★★★★ — Eriko, Aug 2024

Fantastic Dojo and incredible Community!!! My kids joined in 2014 and have been practicing since. Professor Keith is great with children and the older kids are very kind, helpful and supportive of the younger ones. Love our Tenzan Jiujitsu Dojo!! Come give it a try!

★★★★★ — Illy, Jul 2024

Both my children and I have been students of coach Keith. He is an amazing coach and gives his students 100% and pulls 100% from his students as well. Looking forward to many more years with Coach Keith.

★★★★★ — Justin, Apr 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 26 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Tenzan Jiu Jitsu

Tenzan 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at Tenzan 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 Tenzan Jiu Jitsu

7700 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA98103

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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.