Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - BJJ

World Renowned Technique Leverage Control

Building True Confidence and Self Defense

Build the Necessary Skills To Protect The Ones You Love

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was developed on the principles of leverage, technique and control to allow for a smaller weaker person to control and submit attacker. Originally popularized by the Gracie Family during the 1990s, BJJ - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has evolved into a global phenomenon.

At The Academy you will find people passionate about learning jiu jitsu and all grappling based martial arts. We practice both Gi & No-Gi grappling and have an extensive history of training complete beginners from white belt to black belt. Our coaches are well rounded and have experience in self-defense and competition. We keep a low level ego/ high level technique atmosphere. You will not be treated poorly on the first day or any day after - we want you to come back!

Our competitors have competed all over the world in IBJJF Tournaments, from Japan, Brazil, Europe, NYC, LA, Chicago and many more places. Our athletes have a proven track record of success. We don't force people to compete and in fact most students just practice for fun. If you want to learn at a high level from high level coaches the opportunity is there.

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What is Jiu-Jitsu/BJJ?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or "BJJ" is a grappling centered self-defense system. There is an emphasis on skill acquisition via live training versus collecting and memorizing static techniques that may or may not work in a real life situation. BJJ focuses on using your body to control your opponents body long enough to make your opponent "tap out" or submit.

Do all fights go to the ground?

No not all fights go to the ground. But it is an area so important you cannot afford to ignore it, especially in an icy climate like MN. Imagine a larger attacker grabbling and clinching with you. If you are unskilled at grappling you are in for a difficult very situation. Jiu-jitsu is the best way for a smaller weaker person to survive a street fight and to control happens using leverage, gravity and momentum to their advantage.

What are the belts in BJJ?

Who are the instructors?

I work in Law Enforcement how can Jiu Jitsu be used safely?

We feel Jiu-Jitsu training is a must all LEO. The ability to control a passivly resisting suspect and defend on the ground against an actively fighting suspect is a necessary skill in modern times. We have a trained a variety of different local, state and federal officers to arrest and control subjects in a safe manner compliant with policy. We have law enforcement personnel who are use of force instructors and head coach Greg Nelson who both can offer workshops and seminars to law enforcement departments

I am a complete beginner can I do this?

YES! The mass majority of our students start from day one with no experience. It's totally normal when moving outside your comfort zone to feel nervous. Our instructors and your fellow classmates understand this well and are very welcoming to visitiors and new students. We love heping new beginners start their journey to Black Belt and beyond.

Is this safe?

Is this self defense or sport?

Gi or No Gi?

I am a wrestler (my child is a wrestler) does jiu jitsu teach putting yourself into a pin??

Kids and adults learn by doing and playing. It's possible that a child or a wrestler won't know how to switch between modes but unlikely. Some of today's best wrestlers grew up training Jiu-Jitsu and it has ENHANCED their creativity and movement problem solving on the mat. Some of MN's greatest wrestlers have trained with our instructors and found it helpful in discovering new ways to wrestle better.

    
 
 
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   John 
 August 22, 2013
 
 
  My experience with The Academy has been amazing, I've traveled and trained all over the U.S. and a few places abroad. I can honestly tell you that the coaches here understand the arts they are teaching from front to back. They've gone to the places where these arts are practiced daily and learned from the source (Brazil, Japan, Thailand, etc.) "Water is the purest at the top of the Mountain" these guys have made that trek and are bringing it to you! A major difference in the approach here is the quality of technique. Every individual from the newest to the most experienced is on quest for improvement. Coach Greg has said to me "The strength of the Pack is in the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is in the Pack" it truly is a group of individuals working together to improve one another. The Martial Arts have changed my life, I'm very thankful for The Academy, it's helped me continue to grow.
  
 
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   Capt Tim “SGT” Peterson 
 January 26, 2015
 
 
  A great place to learn from the best. Greg Nelson and his team is very professional, and are truly world class instructors. After my 15+ years in the US Military I received some of the best instruction money can buy. At the Academy, I would say they raised my level of expectations up a notch. Thank you, Team Academy.
  
 
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   josh buss 
 August 5, 2025
 
 
  Such amazing place to train. Great atmosphere and great professors.
  
 
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   Lucas Lundgren 
 November 7, 2017
 
 
  The best martial arts school in Minnesota. The Academy is the ocean, everywhere else is a duck pond. Great coaches and great training partners!
  
 
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   Albert Turing 
 June 10, 2014
 
 
  My Top 5 Things I Love about The Academy 1) The camaraderie - I haven't felt a better sense of community. 2) The coaches - I've trained in both NYC and LA, Academy Coaching staff is top notch 3) The facility - This is simply the cleanest, largest, & nicest facility of any martial arts gym I've ever seen. 4) The work-out - I always leave feeling refreshed and energized. 5) The learning - constantly improving myself with martial arts has helped me immeasurably at work & at home. If you're reading this and you're on the fence - jump off! - I recommend visiting the Academy in person to make a buying decision.
  
 
 
  
 
 
   Trustindex rating score: 4.5 of 5, based on 441 reviews