ABOUT BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art that focuses on leverage and technique. It allows you to control opponents regardless of their size or strength. The term “jiu jitsu” is Japanese for “gentle art.” In other words, it emphasizes yielding rather than resisting.

BJJ teaches you to neutralize threats through control, escapes, sweeps, and submissions. As a result, it’s highly effective for real-world self defense. Additionally, live drilling and sparring (also known as rolling) are essential parts of training. These practices give you the chance to apply what you’ve learned in real confrontations. At the same time, they help you develop resilience and awareness.

The origins of BJJ trace back to the early 20th-century. At this time, Japanese judoka Mitsuyo Maeda moved to Brazil and began teaching his grappling system. One of his students was Carlos Gracie. Carlos, along with his brother Hélio, adapted the art to better suit smaller bodies. As a result, they developed a uniquely Brazilian version of traditional Jiu Jitsu.

Today, you can find BJJ classes all over the world. Both gi and no-gi formats are widely available. Competitively, BJJ and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) tournaments have become hugely popular sporting events. In addition, BJJ has become a useful practice for everyday self defense. BJJ has undeniably become one of the most beloved martial arts in the contemporary world.

ABOUT GRAPPLE LAB BJJ

Grapple Lab BJJ is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy built on the principles of discipline and technical excellence.

Our school was established in Toronto in 2007 by the late BJJ black belt Cesar Rezek Alves. Professor Alves was a direct student of André Pederneiras who co-founded the world-renowned Nova União team. The original name of the school was Budokan Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. 

In 2017, as a reflection of our growth as a school, we rebranded as Grapple Lab BJJ. We wanted to forge our own distinct identity rooted in innovation and community. With this purpose in mind, we continue to provide top-quality Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instruction. Our focus is on both traditional fundamentals and modern competitive technique.

Matt Kuris and Mani J are the current head instructors of Grapple Lab BJJ. They are both black belts who studied under Professor Cesar Alves. Together, they bring to the mat not just their many years of experience and competition, but also true mentorship. In addition to Matt and Mani, a dedicated team of assistant instructors and higher belts provide support to every BJJ class. The entire team is committed to cultivating a high-level training environment and welcoming community.

Grapple Lab BJJ is centrally located at Yonge and Davisville in midtown Toronto.

Learn more about our instructors on the TEAM page or join us for a 7-Day Free Trial.