Professor Carl Massaro - 3rd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu directly under Renzo Gracie
To control and overcome greater size, strength and aggression with lesser size and strength is the keynote of the jiu jitsu. Join us today and start training with the best.
The main goal at the Renzo Gracie Northern Valley Jiu-Jitsu Academy is to boost the self-esteem of its students. This goal is achieved through recognition and rewarding our students for their efforts.
We offer classes for beginners and advanced students. Choose from traditional jiu-jitsu gi classes, no gi or randori.
New to Jiu-Jitsu? We make it easier. Join our family . Find out how you can get 30 days free.
In 1914, a Japanese Jiu Jitsu expert named Mitsuyo Maeda arrived in Brazil in order to establish a Japanese immigrant community. While there, Maeda’s work was aided by a Brazilian businessman of Scottish descent named Gastao Gracie. In exchange for his friendship and hospitality, Maeda offered to teach Gracie’s son Carlos the Japanese martial art of Jiu-Jitsu. Carlos then taught the art to his brothers and in 1925 they opened their own Jiu-Jitsu academy in Brazil. Over the years, the Gracie family refined the art of Jiu-Jitsu, modifying it through countless challenge matches and street fights, and decided to call their art “Gracie Jiu-Jitsu” (also called “Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu”, or “BJJ”, today). The emphasis was on taking the opponent to the ground where the techniques of the art, with its efficient use of leverage, could be applied. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu focuses on the use of positional hierarchy on the ground, as well as the use of joint locks and chokes.