Best Combative Jiu Jitsu school to learn self defense! If you know .... You know! Dojo teaches students from children to adults. All the Sensei (teachers) are very helpful in creating proficient techniques. You will learn the concepts, principles, and theories to use in everyday life. read more

I started training at AJJ when I was 8 years old and trained under O'Sensei Joe for the past 32 years. I currently teach some classes at the dojo now but it is also the place that I choose to bring all 3 of my children to train. I trust them implicitly with every other instructor in the school and hope they will benefit from it even half as much as I have. I have seen martial arts schools all over Long island and know that AJJ is one of the few places where I could have spent more than 30 years of my life and still feel like I am learning something new every day. read more

American Jiu Jitsu - Martial Arts Near Me - Saint James, New York

I grew up my whole life training at American Jiu-Jitsu centers. My father Fred Catalano signed me and my brothers up when I was 3 years old and AJJC has truly been a second home to me and my family. Throughout my childhoods years, AJJC was a place for me to grow my confidence and learn skills that would provide me a foundation for an abundance of success in my health, career, and relationships. As a child I learned how to perform and express myself, work and collaborate with others on the AJJC demonstration team. I learned how to teach kids and build up their self esteem. I graduated to learning how to lead an adult class. It was through these activities and experiences where I learned how to connect with others and build positive relationships. It was through O'Sensei Joe Puelio's Dojo where I learned how to make other people feel happy! For me and hundreds of other people, American Jiujitsu laid the foundation. I obtained my black belt at 16 years old. 2nd degree black belt at 18 years old, 3rd degree black belt at 23, and will be testing for my 4th degree later this year. American Jiujitsu has taught me to always believe in myself, to always level up and never give up. I've moved out to Los Angeles, California in 2015 and have made a career out of training Hollywood celebrities, Entrepreneurs and other high performers the AJJC system of self defense blended with other awesome elements of martial arts fitness. I currently run a bootcamp with 40+ people here in Hollywood in addition to training privates and virtual clients all over the world. There's no secret as to why successful people choose to train at AJJC You have to put in the time to earn your skills, obtain your rank and once you do it's something that nobody can take away from you. This leaves you with a feeling of success that you'll carry with you throughout your entire life. Give yourself, your child or your loved one the gift of learning self defense at American Jiujitsu centers. You're never too young or old to start. Once you start I promise you won't want to ever stop and one day in the distant future you will wake up and realize that everything you've dreamed about has come true. read more

Baffled by reading reviews, I could not in good conscience shy away from sharing our experience. My daughter started training at AJJC in 2003, and for father's day the following year I was gifted a membership. What a breath of fresh air to find a school that truly understands the value of real training. They do not give out black belts for merely paying a monthly fee. You have to show up, take classes and truly train to learn the art in a progressive system. Watched in amazement as our daughter rose through the ranks, eventually becoming an instructor, and after years of training finally achieve the rank of black belt; one that was deserved and not gifted to her. When she went off to college, my wife and I were never worried about her being able to take care of herself. She has gone overseas for semesters aboard and to actively participate in archaeological digs. While we worry about her being away, we never are worried about her being aware of what is going on around her, being able to diffuse and care for herself in any situation. Training the school also provided leadership training. These training classes helped her achieve the highest levels of success in school and extra curriculum activities. While most parents hope and pray that their children will complete college in four years, with the additional focus provided at AJJC, she graduated in three. Thank you Joe and the staff for providing true self-defense martial arts and leadership training. As for myself, this past September I achieved the rank of first degree black belt. This is not breaking boards - kicking high - competition martial arts, this is real life scenario self-defense art. Anyone who suggests otherwise, we graciously ask you come down and take a free class. The school is a life changing experience and the people have become family. Completing their instructional program, I do my best to share and assist in teaching; as do all at the school. These people are not selfish individuals and no matter what rank, all are willing to help the students achieve the goals one sets for themselves. The school is well structured with a comprehensive belt system. This system evolves along with new situational scenarios. They are not stuck in the past but take on the challenges of the "new normal" presented to us all. This is a not a fly by night school, but one that has been around for decades; with many of the students training for decades under a true O'Sensei. read more

I am not even sure where to begin. O'sensei Joe has developed a system of self defense that is like no other martial arts school in the area. I earned my black belt last year, and in June I will be eligible for my Second Degree BB. I am very excited. I am also excited for both my son and daughter. They are doing great in the kids' classes and I love watching them progress through the system. They will both be eligible for their black belts if they stay with it sometime after they are 16. We do not give young kids black belts (thank goodness!!!). I can think of few greater gifts that I can give them as their father than the ability to defend themselves. The awareness, the respect and duty to others that they learn, and the self confidence that I see developing in both of them is just amazing. While the dojo is not solely responsible for this, it does play a significant role. Everything that we do at the dojo, from classes, to the holiday party, to the food and toy drives, to the way people treat each other on and off of the mat, they internalize it. It is such a wonderful group of people. One of the hardest things for people who do not train to understand is this: I train so that I can come back to my friends and family better than I left. I train so that if something did happen around me, I could be that one to help. I train so that I know how to deescalate a problem before it gets out of control. Training is about a lot more than just defending yourself. Our student creed: To build my mind and body as one To respect one another To develop total awareness Never fight to achieve selfish ends But to develop the might for right. read more

I've been training with American Jiu Jitsu for almost 20 years, the last 5 or 6 at this location, and I have both my children training there. The poor reviews are shocking to me, it has not been my experience at all. Many of the adult students have been training there for many years and often have their kids there as well. If you want to learn no nonsense self defense in a safe environment, then you should check out AJJ. O'Sensei Joe is a straight forward person, he teaches this because he loves his art and he is an excellent teacher. I can also say that many of the other instructors maintain the same high quality of instruction. read more

I've been training at AJJ for almost six years. Their creed is to promote self defense, respect, and discipline in their Art. AJJ has a curriculum that can be tailored to a young person, or a senior, with attainable goals and expectations for each group. I had the good fortune to be able to take the special program for students wishing to teach. It is a program that emphasizes the goals, of the school, as well as sharing time- proven teaching skills to future teachers of the Art. Interesting enough, it is all about the student, skills, goals, and teaching. There is nothing commercial about the program. My personal experience has been exactly what I had hoped for. It addressed the strengths and limitation of my age, and allowed me to appreciate the skills that I learned. I can only recommend AJJ completely, without reservation. They are a stellar school with a outstanding reputation. They have a long and impressive history of successful students and teachers. My Sensei Billy, has shared many hours with me, and has had the patience of a true teacher, in teaching me, at my pace, the wonderful skills and Philosophy of Martial Arts. I am proud and honored to be part of AJJ and consider them as an integral part of my extended family. read more

I had to write this review due to all the lies I've been told by both the owner Joe and the useless woman at the front desk, Virginia, I brought both my children here for several months and was on a auto renewal plan. I paid almost $300 a month for the two kids. You can go to two 30 minute sessions per week and you can make up missed classes. Sounds good but the problem is the place is constantly closing. They close for any excuse and don't notify anyone. More than once I showed up with my kids in their uniforms ready to practice to find a locked storefront and several other parents approaching with their children. We'd all just look at each other and shrug our shoulders. The make up sessions just accumulate and you can never use them. After my one son was turned off to the place by one of the teachers Billy who had ridiculed him in front of the class I continued to bring my other child. However he too wanted to stop going 2 months later when for the second time he took a belt test and was promoted to a higher belt only to be told that they didn't have that belt. That was two times that he had graduated to a higher belt and they didn't have it so twice he was given another one of the lower belt. They certainly knew how to take my money for the belt test but couldn't even supply the correct belt. I had to leave the test with a disappointed crying 4 year old. I informed the woman at the front desk Virginia that I wanted to put the membership on hold and she told me that she'd take care of that. She also had assured me multiple times in the past that if my credit card was ever charged in error they'd just credit my credit card. Well LIE,LIE, LIE!! They charged my credit card for the month I put it on hold and I have been trying to get my money back for two months!! I have been lied to repeatedly by Virginia who has promised me on three separate occasions that she'd take care of it "as soon as we get off the phone." She never did. I also spoke with Joe the owner on multiple occasions who told me that I had to discuss it with Virginia. He claimed to know nothing about it. He said the same to my husband. Tonight when I called to follow up on my refund I was told that"Joe would speak with me." Of course he would not speak to me tonight or probably tomorrow either. Virginia did not know when he'd get to me. He is not refunding my money. So Virginia who told me multiple times she'd take care of my refund is a liar and Joe is a thief. My credit card was charged in error and they will not refund my money. I have never posted a negative review before but I feel they are such a dirty, fraudulent business I had to post this. read more

I have been training at American Jiu Jitsu for 14 years. The instructors are wonderful and are always ensuring that safety is priority. O' Sensie Joe Puleio is so motivating and has been a very positive role model. I have had several nephews who trained at other martial arts studios who ended up stopping their training as it was too militaristic and not enjoyable. My 2 daughters are training at AJJ in St. James and truly cannot wait until their next class as they enjoy it so much. If you want to learn how to defend yourself, build confidence, and train in a safe and friendly atmosphere, then I highly recommend American Jiu Jitsu. read more

I have had the privilege of training at American Jiu Jitsu Centers since 1988. The dojo offers a clean, safe environment for children and adults of all ages to learn self-defense, while building confidence and developing lasting friendships. The instructors are incredibly skilled and supportive, and most have become some of my dearest friends. The children's program is well-structured and under the supervision of a seasoned black belt instructor who is second to none.The integrity, respect and trust taught in all classes are foundational to our training. I recently moved out of New York but continue to travel twice a month -- several hours each way -- to St. James for classes with the school's founder and Head Instructor, O'Sensei Joe Puleio. Why? Because the self-defense training is amazing and inspiring, the school is exceptional and O'Sensei Joe is one of the most highly skilled, caring, compassionate and well-respected instructors anyone will ever meet. If you are looking for a strong martial arts program taught in a positive and friendly environment please visit American Jiu Jitsu Centers. read more