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Yamasaki Academy
4.6 ★★★★★ 47 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Rockville, Maryland
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
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Website & schedule grappling.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (301) 770-0969
The classes they run
“Its worth every second of the drive PLUS I get to spend more time with my daughter.”
“Fernando Yamasaki is a world class instructor, competitor and human.”
“The instructors are attentive and helpful, the environment is friendly, and they cater to all skill levels.”
Other martial arts here
“I attended a few Muay Thai classes here while I was in the area and it was great.”
What members say
“Fernando Yamasaki is a world class instructor, competitor and human.”
“The level is very high, the students range from beginner to high level, and the place is pretty big.”
“The instructors are attentive and helpful, the environment is friendly, and they cater to all skill levels.”
“My son now knows the basics on how to defend himself from a bully if that ever happens.”
“The instructors are great with kids.”
“Fernando Yamasaki is a world class instructor, competitor and human.”
From the reviews
Great gym with a very welcoming culture. Fernando is a top instructor in the area and one of maybe 200 or less BJJ coral belts on the planet. Training with him and the other talented students at Yamasaki Academy has helped my jiu jitsu immeasurably.
The best BJJ instruction in the area. Yamasaki has a great combination of both competitive and recreational practitioners. On top of that, they have a welcoming family friendly atmosphere. I highly recommend this gym.
I have trained at a few schools. This is by far the best. High level instructors and great people. My 6 year old daughter just started. She loves Yamasaki. She loves the instructors and team mates. I drive 45 min to get here. Its worth every second of the drive PLUS I get to spend more time with my daughter.
I loved training here. The community atmosphere is amazing. People are very nice and supportive. Coming from no background in BJJ, I felt welcomed and encouraged. Fernando and his instructors are world class. I highly recommend.
New to BJJ? Start at Yamasaki Academy
Yamasaki Academy 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 Yamasaki Academy
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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