Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Known as the gentle art, BJJ tends to be one of the safer martial arts. On top of that, OpenMat MMA prides itself on having an added focus on safety. All of our BJJ Instructors are CPR and First Aid certified.

Traditionally, BJJ is learned wearing a thick uniform used to practice escapes from grabs and chokes. It is a very useful learning tool, as it not only prepares you for the realities of self-defence with a jacket, it enables smaller people to control bigger people more easily. With added friction, it also tends to slow movement down, making it easier to learn more quickly. Without the BJJ uniform to grab onto, No Gi training tends to be faster-paced and teaches you to control the body directly. We feel it is important to offer both Gi BJJ and NoGi BJJ, as we want to be careful to not become dependant on being able to use our opponent’s clothes against them.

One of the tough things about starting martial arts is not knowing where to start. The whole idea with our Free Trial and our BJJ101 Bootcamp is to give you an easy way to get started! If you already know you’d like to give BJJ a try, you can sign up for either a gi BJJ Bootcamp or a No Gi BJJ Bootcamp, below. If you’d like to try out a class first, we also offer a free trial class.

After 3-5 cycles of the BJJ101 curriculum, you will be invited into BJJ201. Jiu-Jitsu is often compared to a language, with matches being a conversation. 101 is about learning words, then 201 is about learning to use sentences. The innovative 201 curriculum, also designed by Professor Elliott Bayev, combines an incredibly vast array of highly effective techniques from nearly every position, enabling advanced students to learn faster and more effectively. This curriculum has to be seen to be believed. If you are already experienced in BJJ, this class will blow your mind.

One of Toronto’s few Mixed Martial Arts academies to offer both Brazilian jiu-jitsu and wrestling, OpenMat’s wrestling program will make you TOUGH. These classes will challenge you physically and mentally while you learn the techniques behind this ancient art. We recommend at least one cycle of BJJ101, to give you a foundation in movement and safety.

One of the best features of BJJ is that it is never too late to learn! At our gym, we have a variety of ages in all of our classes. While all of the classes at OpenMat Toronto are known for having an incredible atmosphere and being friendly for all ages, we also have a class exclusive for a more mature crowd. Our Master’s class is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu class for those 30 years and older, offering more a laid-back training atmosphere.

Whether you are brand-new to BJJ or are an experienced player, Private Lessons are one of the fastest way to accelerate your training. One on one time with an instructor that fits around your schedule. Sign up for a private or semi-private lesson with one of our friendly, dedicated, knowledgable instructors today!

Absolutely! OpenMat is proud to offer Women's Only Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes, designed to provide a comfortable and empowering environment for women to learn and practice BJJ. Our women's classes are tailored to meet the needs of all participants, regardless of age or fitness level, ensuring a supportive community where everyone can grow and thrive.