I am a 42-year-old woman and have had nothing but positive experiences training at Haven Jiu Jitsu. The majority of my training partners are much bigger than me and I always feel safe and respected. There is an excellent learning environment and everyone who is more experienced than I am regularly takes the time to help me when I need it. I look forward to every class and open mat, and I appreciate how much I have developed as an athlete by training here. read more

Out of respect to mixed martial arts, I blocked names and numbers. When I brought up the fact that I was brand new, and have never sparred someone, I was brushed aside. had guys going harder than agreed upon, I was brushed aside. I came in, dropped my ego at the door and was ready to learn Mauy Thai. Now I have never officially trained or done a martial art. I've kicked my punching bag at home for about 1.5 years, and got obsessed with working form and trying to learn new kicks. I was expecting my friend and I, who came along with me, to be learning basics. Such as proper form with low kicks, on a bag or something. Instead on day 1, we did a few drills with pairs and then free sparred for nearly the remainder. I asked the rules of the gym and they said no elbows, and can only knee in clinch to the chest. Okay I thought, and I had a few good partners. We were flowing, and they were supportive. Not striking with any steam whatsoever. Letting us both learn and be technical. Then had a dude who was making it a point he could punch me in the face. Multiple times. No head gear or mouthguards were handed out. This guy clearly could tell I wasn't ready to take face shots. He delivered them anyways. Himself having Mouthguard in, headgear on. I could feel the ego war about to happen, I removed myself from the mat and only worked with a few others I felt I could trust. As I had removed myself for a moment I was watching how my buddy was doing. He was sparring someone who easily had a better decade of training under him. I could see my friend trying to learn and take things slow at first. He threw a very slow, no-steam spinning side kick to his opponent, 10% power and 10% speed. I thought to myself "oh they are gonna tell him no spins." Instead the guy side steps a newbie. And launches one himself doing a jump spinning back kick, hitting my friend under his guard. At quadruple the power my friend threw it at. My friend winces and keeps his guard up, throwing back jabs, but not hard jabs. I could tell he was pulling his punches, not wantimg to even attempt to hurt his opponent. His opponent started to escalate the situation. The guy stayed working his body. No sorry, no ankowlegment of him hurting him. As i watched it play out more, I could tell he was trying to get him to drop his guard, to lead him into what you may ask? A spinning wheel kick thrown at about 50% power. Mind you we are untrained. No head or mouth gear. I know this was a messed up envoirmemt immediately after seeing that. As we were leaving they were gloating about how people canceled their memberships and how they were quitters. I contacted them and gave my concerns. My saftey was completely disregarded. These guys only want punching bags that are willing to pay 50$ to be there. Stay away! it's sad too because I bet the BJJ is quality! read more