Gracie Jiu-Jitsu La Jolla

This post I put on reddit’s bjj forum sums up my experience pretty well.
Thought it was super weird they wanted me to start at white belt even though I have done jiu jitsu for 5 years and have earned a purple belt. Then I realized its probably because the instructor is a purple belt himself and doesn’t want students with rank higher than his… So much for leaving your ego at the door.

This is a fantastic place to learn Brazilian jiujitsu. Let me take a few minutes to describe what sort of training to expect (it may or may not be what you are looking for), and why I think this place is so good.
The jiujitsu taught here is geared towards self-​defense first, as opposed to competition. I went to literally 6 different jiujitsu schools, looking for one that focused on self-​defense. And none did. They will all TELL YOU that what they teach is useful for self-​defense, but that’s because they want you to sign up. Almost every place, though really cares about competitions. This is important, because the sort of jiujitsu techniques and training that work well for competitions don’t work well for street self-​defense, and vice versa. And don’t be fooled into thinking that the only problem is the gi and so if you train no gi you are doing self-​defense ready stuff. You aren’t. The tactics and techniques are very different. If your goal is to train for competitions, then this may not be the best place for you. But if your goal is to train for self-​defense, then it is an excellent choice.
Aside from the fact that the training is geared towards self-​defense, this place is great for several other reasons. First, the training is structured. There is a clear curriculum for the first belt (blue), and all the classes for that belt follow a rotating sequence. Each class is stand-​alone, meaning that no matter when you start, your first class will make sense. This isn’t the case in most schools. Those that train for competitions are usually gearing their training for people who already know what they are doing, and if you are new, you are just lost. I visited one place where the class I watched (and would have been my first class) was some crazy mount escape where you lift your feet underneath the armpits of the person mounted on you, and you push them up and forward as you do a back roll, and they end up face down with you on top in reverse mount. (If that made no sense to you, take my word for it, it’s not the sort of thing you want to be trying on your first bjj lesson. That’s the take home message.) At Gracie Jiujitsu La Jolla all the beginning classes make sense, are stand alone, and are doable by anyone, regardless of athletic ability.
Also, the people here are really friendly and supportive and cool. There is zero macho attitude, nobody is being agro to establish themselves as a badass, or any crap like that. The training is serious, but everyone is supportive and friendly. This also means that the training is safe. The goal of people who have been here a while is to help the people who are new, not to submit them or overpower them or use them fodder for tournament preparation.
And it all starts with Matt, the head instructor. He’s very clear, very supportive, and has no arrogance or attitude. And he’s got a great sense of humor as well. The attitude of everyone at the school is great, and it’s because of the tone and example he sets.
[FWIW, I’ve studied a number of martial arts, beginning in the early 1980s, and am currently an instructor in a different martial art.]

My daughters just completed their first summer camp and they loved it!
Coincidentally it turned into an all girls camp and each day they couldn’t wait to go! Each of my girls earned a stripe towards their belts and I’m very proud of them! Professor Becker and the Becker family are really an awesome crew! The man inspires my girls and he inspires me about my girls… love it when another adult teacher Inspires and Enhances my children’s lives and Mr. Becker does just that!
It was the only camp my girls wanted to do this summer too, and I’m so very happy they loved it so much!

Great discipline and teaching habits. The instructor Matt Becker has been great to both of my boys.

This is the best Gracie Jiujitsu school you can find in all of San Diego!!!
I have trained at other Gracie Jiujitsu schools in Los Angeles and this school teaches all the technique, philosophy and mindset that the Gracie family prides themselves with. I am happy to say that this is definitely a school that takes pride in the quality that it teaches.
Try it out! What’s the worst that can happen?

I could not a bigger fan of Gracie Jiu-​Jitsu. Our 10-​year-​old son has been attending classes there for a few years. In addition to developing very good jiu-​jitsu and self defense skills, his overall confidence and general fitness has skyrocketed.
I’ve become a big advocate of jiu-​jitsu as the martial art of choice for kids (boys and girls). In particular, its the one martial art that doesn’t really focus on aggressive actions like punching and kicking (which seems less than ideal to teach a young kid). Rather, its more about grappling and control, leading to your opponent’s (or a potential bully’s) relatively peaceful «submission» (rather than having to beat him to a pulp :-)
Most importantly, Master Becker is a fantastic influence. While I appreciate what he has taught our son about the sport, I most appreciate the positive and appropriate messages he continually imparts to the kids throughout each the class/​sessio. Discipline. Respect. Responsibility. Accountability. He walks the walk, and is a great role model for the kids.
Finally, Matt and Dione running a well-​organized operation. While its mostly about our son’s experience, its nice that they make it easy for the parents in terms of schedule flexibility, communication, customer support, etc.
5 stars all around!

This used to be the best place in the area, but they seem to have lost their «edge». They are now just another okay martial arts studio, like many others in the neighborhood. They also seem to have shifted from being up close and personal, to calculative and commercial.
If you want a consistent and reliable place, you should probably continue searching.

It doesn’t get any better than this.
Matt is a fantastic instructor, and my experience at Gracie Jiu Jitsu has been a phenomenal one. At this time, I have to step away from Gracie for a bit, however am already chomping at the bit to make sure I am ready to pick right bakc up in the future! Thanks Matt for doing such a phenomenal job!

My daughter and I both train here. It’s an amazing place with a family atmosphere. If you are looking for a place to learn how to win a tournament it’s probably not the right academy. If you want to learn how to defend yourself on the street it’s definitely the right academy. My daughter trains Bullyproof and we have seen positive growth in her attitude and body awareness. I definitely recommend this academy to any man, woman or child.

Matt and Dione run a wonderful school. Teaching a great technical jiu jitsu class with a heavy dose of life skills for the kids and humor for the adults watching. Both my boys love coming to class and hate when they miss. Their confidence and focus are improved and I think they could diffuse a situation with their peers. After a year of watching I signed myself up with their family discount. I’ve been to four classes and I’m hooked! Now I might be able to defend myself against my boys when we wrestle. Probably not! Thanks to both of you!

This is an amazing studio. Both of my kids (ages 5 and 6) have been taking classes with Matt Becker at Gracie Jiu Jitsu La Jolla and love it. He is so good with the kids and they really love going to jiu jitsu. I highly recommend this place to anyone who wants their kids to learn a martial art. I have also taken some of the women’s self defense classes and they rock! Check this place out… you won’t regret it!

Love Matt & Deon! My son takes classes and just had his 7^th bday party there. They were great with the kids & fun was had by all. Matt is a very patient and knowledgeable instructor. Really positive messages and a friendly down to earth vibe. My son said, «that was an awesome bday.» and we have thrown him some great parties in the past. Check this place out!

If you want a traditional, rigorous, regented studio and want to meet the real Gracie family members who brought UFC to the United Statea, train here.
All fights end on the ground so why not start training there with the best instructors. Matt Becker is certified by the Gracies in Torrence and many have come down to the studio to train us personally, such as Rener, who created Gracie Jiu Jitsu, Roryon, who put on a Gi before he could walk, and Ralek, who defeated Sakuraba.
If you want to invest in the best studio in Sam Diego and train in the most solid and long term martial art available out there, train at the La Jolla Academy, and train in Gracie Jiu Jitsu.

great people, great instructors, respectful and fun atmosphere, good learning pace, the best way to reach street readiness for any up close and personal encounter with the bigger/​stronger kind. I highly recommend this studio for all your Gracie JJ needs and to get prepared to defend yourself and your family/​friends in a worst case scenario.

I can not begin to tell you how happy I am with this studio. I trained with Matt fifteen years ago. I opened a business (underground furniture) and just did not have the time to train any longer. Finally my business is at a point where I can break away from it for a few hours a week. I wanted to get back into martial arts but was not sure where to go. I took some intro classes at a few studios. I noticed that they where simply not the same level of training that I had received so many years earlier. I then googled Matt Becker and was happy to see that he had his own studio. The choice was clear. I have been there now for about a year and plan on going for many more to come. It is a great place to get some exercise, learn a skill, and just break out of the everyday grind of life. I could not imagine training anywhere else.

This is the real deal — the La Jolla Academy of Martial Arts provides professional training in Soo Bahk Do and Gracie Ju Jitsu. Matthew Becker is an expert in his field, and is diligent about passing on his high standards to his pupils. And the best part? He makes it fun for the kids!
SM from LJ

This place is for EVERYONE! Great for kids from toddlers to tweens, also great programs for women defense. I’ve been attending classes since last year, and I honestly feel as if I’m part of the family.
A great student comes from a great teacher… Everyone has helped to sharpen each other, and the teachers work with you at your own pace.
I recommend you check them out to see what I’m talking about.