We absolutely love this Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym! It has been an incredible place for kids to learn discipline, confidence, and respect while having so much fun. The environment is welcoming and positive, and you can tell the coaches truly care about each child's growth both on and off the mats. Professor Jason is amazing--patient, knowledgeable, and great with the kids. He does a fantastic job of teaching real skills while keeping the classes engaging and encouraging. He's supportive during competitions and prepares them for weeks in advance If you're looking for a place where your child will build confidence, learn self-defense, and be part of a supportive community, this is the gym to be. Highly recommend! read more

Incredible place to take your kids to learn respect, confidence and discipline in a very safe environment. Jason is the owner and is a very nice guy who is a black belt in BJJ. If you drive by yourself with a mask on this is not your place. This a very mask free zone which is one of the big reasons I joined. I've been taking my 8 year old here for 2 months and he has absolutely come out of his shell and is thriving. Every kid needs confidence and discipline from sources other than their family and I am so glad we found this place. I highly recommend. read more

After moving down from Northern California. I was blessed to live down the street from this place. I dropped by one day for training, and I have been hooked ever since. The owner Jason was extremely welcoming, and made me feel right at home. The entire facility is maintained clean. The training area is cleaned after every class. It is fun to drop in early to watch the kids class. read more

Carlson Gracie Irvine - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Near Me - Tustin, California

Having been to various Jiu-Jitsu schools I can tell you this.. Jason is my favorite Professor ever. He breaks things down so simply and teaches you the most effective moves that raises your game much faster than most schools. He has a knack for training that makes you proficient at skills before moving to new ones. He is especially good at training kids and keeping their focus. I unfortunately moved away and have not found a better gym. All the best for him and his school! read more

Welcoming and friendly. You get the sense that the people here not only love Jiu-Jitsu but also love sharing this wonderful sport with others. Wanting to try it? Getting in for that first session is the hardest thing you can do. Once you're in, you're hooked! Great exercise, good people, mentally challenging and ALWAYS humbling haha. My first time out, Professor Jason and the students all welcomed me with enthusiasm and delight. Seriously, great group over here. People just want to train and learn. Love this place and the people. If you've thought about it at any point, the hardest part is overcoming that initial fear and just coming in. Once you do, you'll be hooked. read more

I can't say enough good things about Jason and the rest of the staff. My son finally looks forward to going to a martial arts class and Jason is exceptional in that he not just teaches the kids jiu-jitsu but respect, dignity, integrity and responsibility. read more

Carlson Gracie Irvine - Coach demonstrates move - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Near Me - Tustin, California

This school is new, so I was surprised to see so many people in the classes when I went in. Good news spreads fast I guess! The location has ample parking. When you enter, there is a nice little lounge area with a couple couches, and acai and coconut water available for purchase. If you do not have a gi, they have clean loaner gi's available. Something I really like about this location is the male and female dressing rooms. Inside the women's dressing room there are hair ties if you happened to forget yours, cute touch. They will also be adding a shower in shortly. The mat space is pretty good, and there is a TV above that is used as a timer. Practices begin with a standard warm up (jogging, high knees, hip escapes etc.), technique, then either rolling or live situations.This school boasts 5 black belts, whereas some other schools are lucky to have one. I was fortunate enough to take Jason Youseff's class. He is very good about breaking down details and speaks very clearly. Him (and the other 2 black belts in class) went around making sure everyone understood the technique. When it was time to roll, they were sure to pair only certain people together. They have a good idea of who is at what level, and make sure to keep everyone safe and injury free (as new people tend to spaz out a little because of inexperience). I got the opportunity to sit in on a competition class (for people preparing for jiu jitsu tournaments), and it was great to watch people of all levels preparing, training hard with each other, and pushing each other. After the class, the group gathered in a huddle and Jason gave a very inspiring talk. I was able to speak with Jason after the class (who is also co-owner of the gym), and he is not only a great instructor, but a great person. Super duper friendly and positive, and genuinely cares about getting each and every person to reach their full potential. He goes above and beyond for his students, so it's easy to see why the gym is doing so well in such a short time period! This gym is super women-friendly. There are quite a few women in the classes, and even an all-female open mat on Sundays. This is a great environment for women to come and feel safe, secure, and treated with respect. Great gym, and I definitely recommend if you want to come learn jiu jitsu in a clean and safe family environment! read more

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This school has a perfect set-up for grappling, and ground fighting. It has a very safe and specific type of self defense for all ages and all levels. It's an amazing environment here. The floor is brand new with advanced spring loaded mats for extra soft flooring. Very friendly and safe to practice a high energy high calorie burning session of pure fun and excitement. Once you try it you will be hooked 100% Whether it's here or at another gym, these guys here will still help you if you ever roll with them, no matter what other gym your from. I have a very high respect for this gym Carlson Gracie Irvine Ca read more

Visiting from Arizona on business. Professor Jason Youseph and the students made me feel at home. Incredibly clean, great instruction, good workout and we had a great time. My first impression after a kids class was letting out and the adult class was preparing to begin...was the positive atmosphere. Thanks for the hospitality, great class and the rolls. I look forward to visiting again. read more

Carlson Gracie Irvine - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Near Me - Tustin, California

I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit this stellar academy. I will begin with the kids' program. Small and intimate to provide adequate instruction and attention to the young ones, the new ones. From the beginning the kids are taught respect, mannerisms related to jiujitsu and discipline. Then comes the technique. They do bump n roll and guard pass from the get go. All under a watchful eye. My youngest at 5 yrs old could not and would not do snake move for anything back at home. Here? Got it down and tried his best. Proud of him. They have a male and female Instructor on the mat. That is fantastic. I am a mom of 3 kids. They need attention. 100%. Here they get it. Now on to the adult class. I was 1 of 2 white belts. Rest were blue, purple and black. Impressively we did the warm-ups and technique drill and rolling right on schedule. I am used to a 2 hr class that feels like 1 hr. And I take all sorts of classes at home. The technique was more advanced. I was able to follow since I have had about a month+ of diligent training at home. I so appreciated Prof Frank's teaching style. Direct, efficient and geared for competition. I might be a fledgling but I can still learn. Then rolling was 6 min long. Switch. They allowed me and encouraged me to stay on mat for the entire 30 min. I love to roll. Prof Jason and Instructor Josh for kids' class...along with Clara C. ...thank you. Such a great welcome and experience. See you again soon! read more

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Community, community, and community! This bjj gym is the friendliest gym i've ever been to. Everyone is super nice and egos are absent. Jason, one of the instructors, is extremely talented at what he does and is just as talented at teaching (he likes to joke around, but can easily flip the switch if he knows you're a more serious grappler!). Another gym I go to doesn't quite have the family feel that this one has which keeps me coming back to this one. This is absolutely the place where you want to start your bjj journey; or if you're a veteran or returning to the sport, there are plenty of other colored belts that will whoop you with laughs and a smile :) Good vibes all around. I'm thankful to have chosen this gym over the other ones when I first started. I plan on being here a very long time. read more

I cannot say enough about this place. Professor Jason's ability to connect with both children and the adults classes is really top ranked. My time here at Carlson Gracie has simply been life changing. Thank you Professor Jason and and to his team of coaches for all your hard work and dedication to do the best and to be the best. Bravo to you sir! read more

We had the privilege of dropping by as guests during the holidays. Our home instructor had given Jason a heads up that we might visit; he was super welcoming as soon as we stepped in the door. My son trained with the kids class and even got a nice intro to a couple new (to him) techniques. Both Coach Jason and Coach Clara were fantastic and constantly encouraging my son, since he was a bit shy given the unfamiliar surroundings/classmates. Even in the hour we were there, it was clear that the regular students are well-taught and well-prepared. We're looking forward to visiting again. Thanks for the wonderful hospitality! read more

Let me start out by saying that I was worried when I had to find a new bjj school that was local to my workplace. Finding a gym with the right fit takes trial and error, and I scoped out a couple of schools in the area. Once I tried this gym, I knew I had found gold. The professors are genuinely kind and passionate about your self-growth in technique and attitude. My teammates of all belt levels have quickly become friends to rely on - not only as training partners, but as support in everyday life. The team trains hard no matter the reason, whether it be to compete, get some exercise, or anything else. Everyone is welcoming and comes in with a positive mindset. Carlson Gracie Irvine offers adult classes, kids classes, and judo classes in a safe, family oriented environment. No gi is taught once a week, and open mats are available during the weekend for anyone who wants to get some rolls or drilling in. The mats are cleaned multiple times during the day, and the rest of the gym is kept neatly as well, which includes the bathroom, men's and women's changing rooms, office, main sitting area, and the benches next to the mat. This school is perfect if you're looking for a place to train Brazilian jiu-jitsu, visit for some guest rolls, or even try the martial art out of curiosity. Same if you want your kids to better themselves in discipline, respect, self-confidence, and self-defense. Just contact them and come to class, and I can guarantee that you won't be disappointed. read more

This is a review of their kids program. Coach Clara and Coach Josh along with Professor Jason are all excellent. Very attentive and patient along with a good balance of strictness and toughness. The kids program is Monday - Thursday with an even mix of boys and girls ranging from pretty experienced to beginners. If you're interested in your child moving up in rank and belts as quickly as possible this place is probably not for you. They don't move you up based on an attendance punch card but on your skill level and readiness which I think is better. read more

Carlson Gracie Irvine is a great place to learn Jiu jitsu! It's safe environment for kids as well as adults! I never have to worry about getting bullied on the mat. The professors are inspiring both on and off the mats and are always concerned for the well being of their students. I'm so glad I found this place as well as the entire Carlson Gracie Team. It has become my home away from home and my teammates are more like family! OSS!!! read more

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If you want to grow your jiu jitsu, get fit, and gain friends this is the place. Carlson Gracie Irvine has something for all levels (toddlers to black belts). The head instructor (Jason) competes regularly and has a lot of hardware to show for his effort. All instructors are thorough in technique and give a good balance of demonstration/drills and rolling time. You won't find a better all-around. atmosphere in Orange County. read more

TLDR: Best BJJ gym in area. Great Professors, Coaches, teammates and culture. Healthy gym with a good mix of belt levels and female participation. Great value while remaining high end. They could honestly charge a lot more for what you get. Highest Recommendation Possible. Details below: I am a 40 year old executive dad with less than 2 years BJJ experience; My daughter is 8 and has close to the same time in BJJ. After moving to Irvine in Orange County, finding a new Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) gym to train at was a top priority for my family. Currently my daughter and I are training until my son is old enough to begin. Knowing there are many gyms in SoCal offering training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, I had to ensure that any prospective gym was legitimate by verifying each Professor's (BJJ Black Belt Instructor) traceable lineage. Research this if you are unclear what this means. In BJJ, this is very important. I narrowed the search down, but there were still many seemingly good gyms in my area. My criteria had to narrow it down further. So I looked for gyms with a strong competition team. While self defense is the priority for my family and I, the challenges of competition push the school and its students to excel, ultimately translating to higher level training and proficiency. I also wanted a Professor that was relatively young. My perspective is a young, highly competitive Professor is more open to innovation in training and technique than many of their contemporaries. They understand the value of preparing BJJ practitioners to face strikers, much like they may face in real world. Only one place near me met these criteria; Carlson Gracie Irvine. This gym is owned and operated by Professor Jason Youseph, a high level BJJ competitor with MMA experience. The gym teaches BJJ and Judo. Carlson Gracie Irvine has been an amazing experience for my daughter and I, each in our respective classes. Don't pass on this one. The journey isn't easy. Would it be worth doing if it was? read more

Love this place, great teachers, great family atmosphere! I have two kids enrolled and they absolutely love it here. It is amazing how much they have grown and matured in less than a year. It definitely would not be possible without the structure provided and the dedication the teachers invest in the kids. If you are looking for a fun, disciplined, family atmosphere, I would definitely recommend giving Carlson Gracie - Irvine a try! read more

My 7 year old daughter and I have been training here for about 2 years and I highly recommend you join this FAMILY of Amazing people. This is a great place for both kids and adults. There is a great verity of Professors and Coaches dedicated to the Art. I've see Professor Jason spend an entire class comforting a new student having difficulties with his first day among other things. But don't just take my word.. come in and see it for yourself! read more

This school is fantastic. I have been training her for about 2 months. It is a very clear part of the gym's culture to be welcoming to new students. They will go out of their way to make new people feel welcome and appreciated whether they are a visiting black belt or someone who has never grappled in their life. Whether you are looking to compete multiple times a year or just want to try something new you will definitely feel like part of the family here. The professors are extremely talented BJJ practitioners and will spend just as much time helping the newbies as they will refining the technique of their higher ranked students. As a new student here you will roll (spar) with classmates of all levels and having access to multiple black and brown belts every week will really help you to improve your skills. The level of competition here is extremely high and they have competitors at all belt levels, but there is no pressure to compete if that is not your thing. If you are interested in BJJ classes in the area do yourself a favor and come try a class here for free. read more

Great place to train from kids to older adults. I have both my younger boys 8 and 9 training and I train myself at 39. Kind and friendly atmosphere that nourishes both personal growth and team development! read more

Jason Youseph is a great professor. He visited the Carlson Gracie headquarters and shared some of his De La Riva sweeps with us. Thanks Jason! Also, several students from their academy came to the Chicago open recently and took home medals. I had a great time training with them and look forward to the next time! read more

My daughter had a great time taking the kids class when we were in Irvine for the holidays. We forgot to bring a gi, so Professor Jason was kind enough to let us borrow one. Instructors Clara and Josh also helped teach the kids class, so the teacher-to-student ratio was good. Very solid instruction as evidenced by the quality of the other students in the class. My daughter mentioned how strong the other kids were when they rolled. read more

This has got to be one of if not the best jiu jitsu schools in the Irvine/Tustin/Newport etc area. Honestly all I can say is professors Youseph and his team are some of the most humble and most hospitable people. Visiting for business from San Diego I'm the type that can't go a couple days without training so when I was welcomed by him and his students I felt like I wasn't even a stranger. No one trying to rough me up, no one trying to check me to see if I was a true blue belt or if I was any good, nothing but good friendly and technical rolls. That said not only is everyone friendly and humble don't let that fool you, they are good and I do mean good. Everything from the warm ups/drills, and techniques that professor Youseph teaches to the pass or sweep we worked on shows that if you come into this gym you will definitely learn and get better. I highly recommend training here if you are from the area and looking to get into Jiu Jitsu or curious about it, or maybe you're looking for a different school stop here first you won't regret it. I learned a lot and will be taking back and adding to my arsenal what was taught. Seriously check them out! read more

This is a great school for kids to learn Ju Jitsu. Coaches are awesome with the kids and run plenty of activities for the youngsters outside of Ju Jitsu practices. read more

I think this place is amazing. It provides both a learning experience and a good, fun time. The professors and coaches there are phenomenal and kind. They help you learn to defend yourself too. They also celebrate parties that are fun but you still have to pay. You get a first free week experience and I have loved this place for about 2 years. I think you should totally try out! read more

This is definitely one of the best jiu jitsu schools I have ever trained at. The technique is top-notch and the environment is friendly and inviting. Jason and Ernesto are committed jiu jitsu practitioners who love what they do and it shows in their classes. They both teach jiu jitsu in a way that's easy to understand and completely comprehensive. The school/gym itself is top-notch with a specially made custom mat area that is easy on the body with extra give which is great because they also have judo classes as well. The mats are also the cleaned very well before and after every class which is nice as so many other gyms have dirty mats which I find disgusting. read more

A great place to learn jiu jitsu here in Orange County. Great family atmosphere...fun and friendly!

Been training with these guys for almost a year now. All the professors here are badass and teach with passion and patience with students of all levels of experience. The gym overall has a good vibe, great teammates (some that are current 2016 WORLD champs!) and also a growing kids program. Cleanliness is enforced! From the mats, to your own personal hygiene. Im happy to support a gym that helps promote a clean, stink-free and healthy environment. Come join our family! Get fit, build confidence while choking/making new friends read more

I would highly recommend training BJJ at Carlson Gracie Irvine. Everyone from the white belts all the way to the 5-6 black belts they have are extremely friendly and helpful. The instructors make sure the technique they are teaching is learned and will take the time to assist you if you are having trouble. They will push you, but in an encouraging way where you won't be left down and out. You will leave each day with more confidence than the last and a better understanding of the art and yourself. Nothing but fun and positivity in this gym. The gym in itself is well kept; always clean. They have quality mats that are extra padded so it is very forgiving. Compared to pics of other gyms I've seen, nothing compares to the quality of the mat in this gym. read more

This place is outstanding and the instructors are top notch. Good "we're a family" vibe and solid BJJ curriculum. If you're looking for a good place to train (for guys and girls), awesome mats that are clean and padded, coaches that compete and a cool vibe you should check it out. I've trained all over and this place is legit. Coaches care and go the extra mile. A very solid kids program too. read more

I have trained at dozens of BJJ schools over the years, but the thing that makes Carlson Gracie Irvine unique is not only the quality of instruction, but the family atmosphere. There are three main instructors here which offer useful effective techniques. Professor Ernesto always has a practical, efficient take on a pass or submission. Professor Frank offers nearly 20 years of BJJ experience and has proven techniques that he delivers in a clear, structured manner. Professor Jason has innovative techniques which will sharpen up your game and add a new flair to your next roll. The students vary from white belts(about 50% of the students), through to brown belt. There is always someone close to your size/age/skill to train with. I have rolled with everyone here and although they offer an excellent challenge, I never feel they crush you just for the sake of crushing you. I am learning something with every roll. The last thing I would like to bring up is they have a Judo program Mondays and Wednesdays which adds value for all of the BJJ students at the school. It is a way to learn to integrate a great variety of take downs to your game. By the way, the mats are sprung which makes taking a breakfall a pleasure. Although I have met some wonderful instructors at other schools I decided to join after taking the free weeks lessons due to the quality of instruction for the price. read more

I highly recommend this academy. The professors are passionate, highly-skilled, motivating and inspiring. Everyone treats each other with respect. We're all here to learn and push each other. Great environment to train. Love this jiu jitsu family! read more

I've been training here for the past year and can honestly say with confidence that this is one of the best place to train in town. Jason the prof is awesome. read more

I really like Professor Youseph's training style. The classes are great and he works with people of all levels. He can teach a new person the basics at their level, and teach the advanced students. This is a good place if youre just starting or have been doing it for years. There are no attitudes or egos to worry about. Friendly, clean and high level instruction... read more