Way of Yawara

柔 · yawara

Learning jiu-jitsu in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is where modern jiu-jitsu put down its American roots, and it is far too big for one guide. We cover it area by area. Each area gets the same treatment: verified facts per academy, no rankings, and the evidence behind every claim.

The areas

  • Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley 27 academies

    Gracie Barra Pasadena, 10th Planet, a Gracie University Combatives room, and the valley's own academies.

  • South Bay 31 academies

    Torrance is where the Gracie family put down its American roots. Redondo and Hermosa train deep too.

  • Westside 12 academies

    Santa Monica, Venice, and West LA, home to some of the sport's most storied competition rooms.

  • Downtown and the Eastside 10 academies

    Downtown, Echo Park, and the Eastside, including 10th Planet's headquarters.

  • San Fernando Valley 23 academies

    Burbank, Van Nuys, Woodland Hills, and the valley in between.

  • Long Beach 11 academies

    Long Beach and the harbor cities.

  • Orange County 55 academies

    Irvine, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach. A jiu-jitsu region of its own.