How does my first class work?

Please try to arrive 15 minutes early so that you can meet the staff and instructors, sign a waiver, change, and be ready to train in time for the start of the class.

Important note - Please bring a form of identification with you, or a picture of it on your phone to show at reception for a visitor pass.

Clothing:

Please remove footwear before stepping near or on the mats. Always wear footwear when going to the bathroom. Please remove all jewelry, including nose piercings, as they present a safety hazard to you and your training partner.

Note: Nails on both fingers and toes must be trimmed. This means short enough that the top of the finger is visible. Long manicures and false nails are not suitable for BJJ for safety and hygiene reasons and nobody wants to break a nail either. Eek!

If you are attending your first Gi class, and you have a Gi please wear it. You are welcome to wear any color of Gi you prefer. If you do not have a Gi we will loan you one free of charge for your first session. After that, we have rental Gis available to rent (500 baht) or purchase (prices vary).

If you are attending a NoGi class, please ensure your clothing is free from anything dangerous that may scratch (pockets, metal, zippers, buttons, etc), because BJJ is a contact sport these are just going to damage yourself or your training partner.  Shorts or leggings and a fitted t-shirt or rashguard are suitable. We also have rash guards and shorts for rent or purchase should you need them.

What is a gi?

A Gi is a uniform worn during jiu-jitsu; like a judo uniform (made of cotton) but lighter and consists of a jacket, pants, and a belt that allows for grips, chokes, guards, and other techniques during training. They are thicker and more durable than taekwondo or karate gis which are not suitable for wearing at a BJJ class.

Is BJJ a good way to get fit/exercise?

Absolutely! It’s a fun and dynamic style of training that will increase your muscle tone, coordination, cardiovascular health, muscular endurance, and balance, and will help reduce body fat. Just remember to breathe and take every session and roll at your own pace, we’re here for a long time and a good time.

What is the difference between Gi and NoGi?

Number 1, the uniform! In Gi classes, you wear a Gi. In NoGi, you don’t.

In Gi jiu-jitsu, the uniform is a fundamental piece of most techniques and movements and tends to lead to a slower, more grip-based game.

NoGi jiu-jitsu, on the other hand, more closely resembles wrestling as it is often faster paced and places emphasis on speed rather than leverage.

While each style has advantages and disadvantages (technically speaking), they share a similar conceptual foundation and are complementary to one another in training jiu-jitsu overall.

I'm a woman: Is BJJ right for me?

BJJ is an excellent choice for women, especially for how it contributes to one’s self-defensive ability, sense of community, and of course, mental and physical fitness.

Regarding self-defense, it is a fantastic skill set to have (and practice) because, when an “opponent’s” physical size exceeds our own, jiu-jitsu trains us to utilize leverage and specific techniques that work to fill that gap.

Outside of self-defense, the jiu-jitsu community is widespread and actively growing; people with a shared passion come together to practice, make mistakes, and learn from one another.

Lastly, unlike other popularized martial arts, jiu-jitsu does not include overly-aggressive attacks, punches, or kicks that leave people unconscious. Rather, jiu-jitsu is quite the opposite. It is a more fluid, almost graceful-looking martial art that will challenge you both physically and mentally, as you think logically to apply learned techniques and movements during training.

Is there an age limit for students?

No. We have members here who range from 6 years old to over 70! We offer both adult and children’s classes.

Is everyone welcome?

We are open to all visitors from all gyms and affiliations, and you’re welcome to train with us for a day, a week, a month, or even a year!

Do you have a uniform policy?

Your gear must be clean, and you must wear a rashguard for both gi and no gi (or a fitted t-shirt). This applies to both males and females equally. While we are obsessive about the cleanliness of our academy this is Thailand; it’s a tropical country and stinky Gis or unnecessary skin-on-skin contact is to be avoided.

Lastly, and to repeat ourselves; all clothing (and skin) must be free of pockets, buttons, metal, zippers, jewelry, etc. If you arrive with any of the things mentioned you will need to rent something to wear.