Common Ground Jiu Jitsu Introduce
In the vibrant and diverse community of Pasadena, California, the pursuit of health, wellness, and personal empowerment often leads individuals to seek out unique training environments. For those interested in a comprehensive and effective approach to martial arts and self-defense, Common Ground Jiu Jitsu stands out as a premier destination. This academy is more than just a place to learn techniques; it is a supportive and secure environment where students can master the dynamic arts of Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Wrestling. The name itself reflects the school's philosophy: creating a shared space where people from all walks of life can come together to learn, grow, and train in a positive atmosphere.
Common Ground Jiu Jitsu is a modern martial arts school that prides itself on its systematic and evolving approach to training. Unlike traditional, textbook-style instruction, the academy focuses on a dynamic system where techniques are taught in a circular flow, emphasizing how different moves counter one another. This methodology allows students to train in repetition, improving precision on fundamental moves and developing a deeper, more strategic understanding of the art. The instructors, including Alex and Sally, are praised by students for their ability to create a secure and welcoming environment. They are not just teachers but mentors who are dedicated to helping each student develop confidence and skills. This commitment to a progressive and student-centered training model makes Common Ground Jiu Jitsu a distinguished institution in the Southern California martial arts community, offering a truly great experience for anyone committed to the pursuit of mastery.
The academy’s focus on a supportive and non-intimidating environment is particularly important for those who may be hesitant to begin their martial arts journey. As highlighted by a student review, it can be challenging for women to find classes where they feel comfortable, and Common Ground Jiu Jitsu addresses this head-on. The academy offers a safe and encouraging space, with options like the “Blueprint program” and private lessons with instructors like Sally, which allows students to build the confidence and skills needed to feel comfortable in any class. This thoughtful approach to personal and psychological safety is a key differentiator. The overall atmosphere is consistently described as a great training environment where everyone, including beginners, feels welcomed and supported by the higher-belt students and coaches. It is this combination of expert instruction and a strong, positive community that makes Common Ground Jiu Jitsu an exceptional place for personal development and self-defense training in the Pasadena area.
Common Ground Jiu Jitsu is conveniently located at 464 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA, making it easily accessible for residents throughout Pasadena and the greater Los Angeles area. Its prime location on a major boulevard simplifies travel and integration into a busy schedule. The academy is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all community members, as evidenced by its physical accessibility features. The facility has a wheelchair accessible entrance and a wheelchair accessible parking lot, ensuring that individuals with varying mobility needs can comfortably and safely access the academy. The presence of a restroom on-site also adds to the overall convenience and comfort for students and visitors. With a focus on both onsite services and online classes, Common Ground Jiu Jitsu provides a flexible and accessible training experience that can adapt to the needs of its diverse clientele. This combination of a central location and thoughtful amenities makes the academy a practical and stress-free destination for anyone in California looking to begin or continue their martial arts journey.
Common Ground Jiu Jitsu offers a focused yet comprehensive range of services tailored to meet the needs of a diverse student population. The academy specializes in disciplines that provide a holistic approach to self-defense and physical fitness. Their training is designed to be systematic and effective, with programs suitable for all levels, from complete beginners to competitive practitioners. The academy’s commitment to providing flexible and comprehensive training is a significant benefit for its members. The services offered are a testament to their philosophy of mastery through consistent and intelligent practice, which ensures that every student gets the most out of their training time.
- Martial Arts Disciplines: The academy specializes in three core disciplines: Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Wrestling. This provides a well-rounded foundation in grappling and ground fighting techniques that are highly effective for self-defense and sport.
- Beginner Programs: Common Ground offers a "Beginner Blueprint Program" and a "Fundamentals Course" specifically designed for new students. These programs provide a safe, structured, and personalized introduction to Jiu-Jitsu, ensuring that new students build a solid foundation before joining regular classes.
- Training Options: The academy offers a variety of class formats, including Adult Classes and a variety of "Unlimited Classes" memberships. This allows students to train as often as they wish, providing great value and the opportunity for rapid skill development.
- Private Lessons: For a more personalized training experience, private lessons are available with expert instructors. This is particularly beneficial for those who may have specific goals or feel more comfortable with one-on-one instruction, such as women or individuals who want to accelerate their learning.
- Flexible Learning: In addition to their onsite services, the academy also offers online classes, providing a convenient option for students who cannot always attend in-person sessions. This flexibility ensures that training can fit into even the busiest schedules.
Common Ground Jiu Jitsu stands out in the Southern California martial arts scene for its unique approach to training and its strong community focus. One of its most significant highlights is the quality of its instructors, particularly the systematic and effective teaching style of coaches like Alex and Sally. A customer review highlights this, noting that the instructors teach a "systematic strategy" rather than just a "stereotype textbook" of moves, which allows for a deeper understanding and continuous improvement. This intelligent and progressive teaching method is a core feature. The academy's commitment to creating a "secured environment" is another major highlight, making it an excellent choice for women and others who may feel intimidated by traditional martial arts gyms. The availability of specialized programs like the “Beginner Blueprint” with private lessons is a fantastic feature that sets new students up for success and confidence. The presence of highly skilled practitioners who are also friendly and patient, making it a great place for all skill levels, is another notable point. The convenience of online classes and the acceptance of various payment methods like credit and debit cards also add to the overall positive experience. These features, combined with a welcoming community and a focus on effective, modern training, make Common Ground Jiu Jitsu a truly exceptional place to train.
- Systematic and Dynamic Instruction: The academy's approach focuses on teaching a systematic strategy of moves and counter-moves, allowing for a deeper understanding and mastery of the art.
- Supportive and Safe Environment: Instructors and higher-level students are known for creating a secure, non-intimidating, and welcoming atmosphere, which is particularly beneficial for women and beginners.
- Beginner-Friendly Programs: The "Beginner Blueprint Program" offers a structured and personalized entry into Jiu-Jitsu, helping new students gain confidence and skills before transitioning to group classes.
- Expert and Caring Instructors: Customers consistently praise the coaches for being great teachers who are knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely care about their students' growth.
- Accessibility and Flexibility: With a wheelchair accessible facility, online classes, and various payment options, the academy is designed to be convenient and accessible for a wide range of people.
For those ready to begin their journey in Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, or Wrestling, Common Ground Jiu Jitsu is easy to contact. The best way to get started is by calling the provided phone number to ask about the programs and schedule a visit. Visiting the academy at its Pasadena address is also a great way to experience the training environment firsthand and meet the instructors. The team at Common Ground Jiu Jitsu is dedicated to providing all the information you need to make an informed decision about your health and self-defense goals.
Address: 464 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA
Phone: (626) 491-5850
What makes Common Ground Jiu Jitsu the right choice for so many people in California? The answer lies in its unique blend of expert, systematic instruction and a deeply supportive community. Unlike other martial arts schools that may rely on outdated teaching methods or a competitive, intimidating atmosphere, Common Ground Jiu Jitsu is built on a foundation of continuous improvement and mutual respect. The academy’s focus on a “secured environment” is a powerful reason for its positive reputation, making it a place where everyone, regardless of gender or experience level, can feel confident and empowered. The thoughtful design of programs like the "Beginner Blueprint" shows a genuine commitment to setting students up for success from day one. Customers consistently highlight the exceptional quality of the instructors and the effective training methodology, which prioritizes a true understanding of the art over simple memorization of techniques. Choosing Common Ground Jiu Jitsu is an investment in a place that will not only teach you valuable self-defense skills but also help you build confidence, mental fortitude, and a sense of belonging. For anyone in Pasadena seeking a martial arts school that combines a modern, intelligent approach with a welcoming and encouraging community, Common Ground Jiu Jitsu is undoubtedly worth choosing.
Common Ground Jiu Jitsu Services
Martial Arts School
- Jiu-jitsu
- Judo
- Wrestling
- Adult Class
- Beginner Program
- Bjj Classes
- Bjj School
- Competitive Training
- Fundamentals Course
- Home Class
- Jiu Jitsu School
- Mastery Courses
- Unlimited Classes
Common Ground Jiu Jitsu Details
Service options
- Online classes
- Onsite services
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Amenities
- Restroom
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
Common Ground Jiu Jitsu Photos









Common Ground Jiu Jitsu Location
Common Ground Jiu Jitsu
464 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA
Common Ground Jiu Jitsu Reviews
BJJskillslearnunderstandtraincultureassistant instructorleglockdrillingstrategy
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1I get private lessons with Sally through the Blueprint program and it's so worth it. As a woman it's hard to find classes so I just go with my friend and we can do the drills together instead of rotating with the men and now we have the confidence and skills to got to any class. Sally is a really great teacher.
August 24 · Alyssa Solis-CortezI have been training with Alex and Sally for one year and half and really enjoy the training and the secured environment they have created for students. They don’t go by stereotype textbook but believe in that BJJ is a very dynamic system which is constantly evolving. They are not just teaching a standard move or technique but a systematic strategy that which move counter which technique and then all the move and counter-moves flows in a circle so can be trained in repetition to improve precision on each fundamental moves. Really great experience.
April 30 · Haoming QinMy 3 year old son has been taking the toddler jiu jitsu class for the past month. Sally and Alex are super friendly and great with the kids implementing jiu jitsu techniques and ideas through play. Our son just started so he’s still a bit shy but he’s been getting more and more comfortable each class and we can tell this is great exposure for his social skills as well. Looking forward to more classes!
June 30 · Lorenzo LedesmaThis is a great place to train. Alex is super knowledgeable in the gi/nogi and self defense. His curriculum is well thought out and very comprehensive. He utilizes the ecological approach and I really enjoy it because it gives students more opportunities to get reps in a controlled manner where we can discover the answers on our own with guidance and tips from Alex. You get to share your experience and ask questions after each game and we also get ample time for free rolling and drilling after.Sally is also great. She is the assistant instructor and manager. It’s nice to have 2 coaches on the mat to get feed back from. She also fills in for Alex as the head coach at times and she is also very knowledgeable and technical. She is also very friendly and very easy to interact with. They know their students and actually pair students together for the games so both people get the most out of the games.The fellow students are great too. They are friendly and very willing to give you tips and will make sure not to crank submissions and ask you about injuries so they can avoid those areas. Students here are really good and they’re really good at leg locks and take downs too, which they train in a safe manner. You can roll as hard or as soft as you want. I seldom see people get hurt. People can roll hard but in a controlled manner. There are other students that roll hard, especially when preparing for a competition and both parties agree to this level of sparring.I have to unfortunately stop training because my schedule has changed and I can’t make it to class, but I highly recommend this place to train at.
May 23 · Jimmy LAs a white belt who has relocated a few times and travels for work, I’ve been to a handful of jiu-jitsu schools, and Common Ground is hands down the best.When I joined, I went through a screening process and was introduced to the school’s policies and rules. At first, I was a little annoyed, but after training for a while, I realized how important it is. Jiu-jitsu can be a dangerous sport, and making sure the people who come in are a good fit creates a safer and more positive environment.As a non-binary person, I felt welcomed, my pronouns were respected, I never felt othered. In a male-dominated sport like jiu-jitsu, it can be tough to find a place where you feel safe, but Common Ground provided that. It’s an amazing community where I truly felt like I belonged. They actually address conflict if there is any, and know how to communicate with kindness and compassion, and not with aggression.Sally and Alex are super technical and experienced, and they know how to teach. This isn’t one of those schools where they just show you three random submissions in one class. Everything is brought up with logic and strategy. The foundations class is a must, I made tremendous progress taking it, and I could see it in the first few weeks. My technique improved so much. I feel so happy that I got to train at Common Ground, and there is actually a culture. You don't just attend a class and leave, you feel like a part of a community.I highly recommend Common Ground to anyone looking for a well-structured, inclusive, and supportive school to train jiu-jitsu. It’s a place where you truly grow, not just in skill but in confidence and understanding of the sport.
February 15 · Jordan Ansari
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