Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: Strength, Peace, Resilience

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Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Self Defense Classes in Exton, Berwyn, PA, and Phoenixville, PA

For many, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is seen as the most intimidating martial art to learn. It has a pretty intense reputation from the “dojo storms” and “challenge matches” that are all over YouTube. It is closely associated with mixed martial arts, and many women feel it appears to be a male-dominated sport.

What you may not know is that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu derives from a martial arts called the “gentle way” or “gentle art.” Now, don’t be mistaken, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a contact-oriented and effective martial arts for self-defense, but it does not require physical strength or size to be effective.

Many have spent years studying various martial arts only to find that they all have gaps that only BJJ can fill.

Don't make that mistake. Discover martial arts in a place like Dragon Gym where you can learn the perfected grappling style of Jiu Jitsu along with striking martial arts if you so choose.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was developed by the Gracie family and others in Brazil with three important tenets in mind:

The techniques and system must be street applicable, meaning they can’t only be good for competition, they must be viable for self-defense.

The techniques and system must be efficient, meaning Jiu Jitsu techniques don’t require immense strength or incredible speed to work.

The techniques and system must follow natural body movements and motor patterns. This means you don’t have to be super-flexible. You won’t be required to contort your body or have the ability to recall strange and esoteric pressure points in order for your skills to be effective.

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Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is all about approachability and practicality.

Anyone can learn Jiu Jitsu—children, women, and men—and the training methodology will ensure that what you learn works.

At the Dragon Gym we have an optimal environment for beginners to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Our clean, safe, and fully matted facility is family-oriented. The instructors and students are welcoming and supportive as you start your martial arts journey.

While many Brazilian Jiu Jitsu programs are male-dominated, our classes are just about 50-50 men and women due to our systematic and progressive approach to teaching.

What You Will Gain:

Improved Physical Health and Appearance. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a full body workout. You'll work every muscle in your body and get a great cardio workout too. The result? You'll start to lose weight and gain muscle. You'll find yourself feeling better, moving better, and looking better.
Reduced Stress and Increased Peace of Mind. We've already mentioned the great physical benefits of a BJJ workout, but they have mental benefits as well. While your taking a BJJ class it requires 100% of your focus. The concerns and worries of the day fade away, at least for that hour. The physical and martial nature of the training helps you blow of some steam too!
Inner Strength and Resilience. Martial Arts training generally, and BJJ training especially will be one of the most challenging things you do in your life, both physically and mentally. The classes will push you to your limits and you'll see yourself break through obstacles. This new found ability to push through tribulation and adversity carries over to all areas of your life.
An Incredible Community of Training Partners and Friends. The camaraderie you'll find on the BJJ mats is not something that can be described in this brief space. But, you'll become part of a tight-nit family and develop life-long friendships.

Here's what to do next:

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You will learn to defend yourself, get in amazing shape, and become proficient in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, but after a short time, you will see there is so much more to being part of our specialized program.

BJJ Gets your entire body into AMAZING shape.

BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) is one heck of an awesome workout. Every class will have you working hard and sweating.

It burns fat, strengthens and tones muscle, and boosts your energy and overall physique.

Some people join our classes JUST for the workout! After all, it's so fun that you forget you're building strength and burning calories.

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Discover self-defense... compete in tournaments... and get an action-packed workout.

Interested in competing in tournaments? Or maybe you just want to stay safe? Or maybe you just want a workout that's as fun as it is effective?

Whether your goals are one, two, or all three of the above... we've got you covered.

People come to us for each of those reasons - and get them to where they want to go. We'd love to help you crush your goals, too.

Here's what to do next:

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Get access to our class schedules and intro programs
Sign up for our Quick Start Jiu Jitsu Course Online

With Jiu-Jitsu, You Instantly become part of a tight-knit family.

There's something about BJJ that just brings people together. It's one of those styles that forms strong bonds, friendships, and community.

You'll get that here. In fact, we place tremendous value on the family environment we have here.

Everyone motivates each other, helps each other out, gives each other support, and has fun together. I'd love nothing more than for you to become a part of it.

Just read these words from one of our longtime students, Tyler:

“This place is one of a kind. The second you walk in the door they make you part of your family—and to be honest, it makes you never want to leave. The instructors are always encouraging their students and not only teaching them the ways of martial arts but they also teach you the discipline to be a better person.

I cannot thank Dragon Gym enough for giving me the opportunity to make new friends, being around people who are always pumped up and happy, helping me lose weight, and just being a better person. I look forward to many, many more years at Dragon Gym!”

All of our students start the same way, with our Quick Start Program. It’s great for beginners with no prior experience. The quick start course includes both private and group instruction so that new students can try out the program in a suitable environment.

One of the great things about this program is that it gives us a chance to evaluate your progress and abilities while giving you the opportunity to test drive classes, see the facility, meet the instructors, and learn about the benefits of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training.

Fill out the form on this page to contact us today about getting started and schedule that first lesson. Every journey starts with a single step….TAKE THAT STEP!

Here's what to do next:

Click the button below
Get access to our class schedules and intro programs
Sign up for our Quick Start Jiu Jitsu Course Online

I trained at other gyms prior to moving onto the area, and I have to admit I was nervous about finding quality instruction George Bannon

I wanted to start some form of martial arts for a couple of years but struggled to find the time between a busy work life and not wanting to take any time away from the family Matt Grulke

Starting to train TKD and BJJ at Dragon Gym was one of the best decisions of my life Alexandra K Grulke

The instructors are amazing, very friendly and helpful Vic Charles

“The second you walk in the door, they make you part of their family, and to be honest, it makes you never want to leave.” Maria G

About the BJJ Instructors

Tom Palmer BJJ Black Belt Professor Thomas Palmer began his martial arts training at the age of 16 and has been teaching children's martial arts for the last four years. In addition to being a certified Dragon Gym Children 's Martial Arts Instructor, Tom has a diverse background of sports, martial arts training and expertise. He has experience with Shotokan Karate, Muay Thai Kickboxing, MMA and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under the tutelage of Alex Quintella and others.

As a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu purple belt, Tom has been a successful competitor winning multiple gold medals in both weight class and open weight divisions.

In 2017, Tom also earned his Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He holds a Bachelor 's Degree from West Chester University, has worked in the pharmaceutical industry and has now dedicated his career to teaching the martial arts and spreading their benefit to the community.

Professor Chris Taylor has been a part of the Dragon Gym family since and has been involved in teaching for two decades. He has had the opportunity to train and learn directly from Grandmaster Goh and in turn has adopted his effective teaching style. In 2008 he received a commendation from Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Headquarters) for his efforts on teaching and spreading Tae Kwon Do in the United States. Instructor Chris is the head instructor for the Dragon Gym Junior Program.

He also works with students in the Junior-Elite program specializing in Jiu-Jitsu. With the Martial Arts Curriculum, Chris emphasizes Self-Control and Responsibility and the value of these virtues to build a better life and a better society.

In addition to his Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Chris holds 4th Degree Black Belts in Taekwondo & Hapkido. He continues to study various martial arts including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with the world-renowned team ATOS. He is also a Gracie Survival Tactics Certified Instructor and consults on defensive tactics to various law enforcement and private security outfits.

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Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Classes Downingtown, Exton, West Chester, Lionville, Paoli, Berwyn, Wayne, Phoenixville