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Teaching 100% Jiu-Jitsu Self-Defense to Men, Women & Children.
My job requires me to travel frequently, and I am constantly looking for new places to train and learn. Throughout my time in Houston, this academy made me a part of its community. A great facility and an amazing community for practicing martial arts safely.
Professor Roy Cantu is an outstanding instructor with many years of experience.
They are Houston's only school that focuses in self-defense using the Valente Brothers method. Highly recommended.
Cantu’s Jiu Jitsu Self Defense is simply the best of the best. Whether you are an adult or have children Cantu’s Self Defense promotes so many missing qualities that are lacking in today’s world. Responsibility, self-discipline, nutrition, and confidence are among the qualities that are here at this school. There are so many that I can’t name them all. Mr Roy has a special knack for teaching both adults and children. If you are thinking about taking Jiu Jitsu Self Defense and are a little shy, do yourself a favor and simply come down and take a class, I know I once did and it turned out to be one of the best decisions that I ever made.
If you are looking for a true self defense martial art, then this is the place to learn. Roy Cantu teaches the Valente Brother’s curriculum, who were taught by Grandmaster Hélio Gracie along side the Gracie family. You will learn relevant and practical Jiu Jitsu, striking, takedowns, and the philosophy in a complete and proven system. This school has a family atmosphere with a culture for learning and growth. I have been here for a little over three years, and I can’t recommend training here enough.
In 2013, I became a Defensive Tactics Instructor for the Houston Police Department. My self defense skillset was what I learned in the police academy. I didn’t have the knowledge necessary to be a confident instructor. I went to Cantu’s Self Defense and met Roy. He was very charismatic and allowed me to try a class free of charge. After the first minute, I knew this was what I needed to be a better instructor and safer individual. I signed up for his Academy that day. Eventually, Roy became the instructor for the Houston Police Department’s Defensive Tactics Unit. He currently helps us with our curriculum and techniques to make our cadets and officers safer. I highly recommend Cantu’s Self Defense because these are skills that could save anyone’s life.
Professor Roy Cantu is a trusted advisor and mentor for the Houston Police Department Defensive Tactics Unit. For the past three years Professor Cantu has selflessly given his time, effort and knowledge with goal of ensuring all police officers are provided the best self defense training, ultimately strengthening police and citizen relations.
Professor Cantu genuinely cares for his community, law enforcement, the citizens of Houston and shows it through his teachings ensuring that if the Houston Police Department is ever called to assist you in any way that the best trained officers arrive.
I highly recommend Cantu’s Self Defense Academy. Thank you for all that you do Professor Cantu for the Houston Police Department and specifically for the Defensive Tactics Unit. We are better instructors because of you.
I have had an excellent experience with Cantu's Jiu Jitsu Self Defense. I am 53 years old and starting a class like this can be intimidating. Roy and his whole class were friendly and welcoming and more than willing to help a beginner like me. The class was perfect for me as I had no plans on competing in sport Jiu Jitsu. Roy Cantu is a great teacher and clearly a master of self defense. I enjoyed watching him train the younger students as well, building their skills along with their confidence. I have recommended this school to a number of friends. Very good job Mr. Cantu!
HIGHLY recommend this school. As a woman who started out looking for a self-defense course, I worried that I might not meet my goals because I’d seen other schools emphasize jiu jitsu for sport, however, this school strictly practices Helio Gracie jiu jitsu self-defense. A family member recommended this place and I’ve been a student for almost 2 years-- only wish I’d started earlier.
The school’s atmosphere is respectful, collegial, and truly a family environment. The head instructor, Mr. Cantu, is a talented teacher; he is highly adept at identifying a student’s learning style and honing in on what will make him (be it a child or adult) understand best. All the instructors have this same passion for seeing students improve and each one is invested in preparing students for whatever they may face. If looking for a place where your children can learn, look no further, just know that the kid’s program is so amazing you’ll want to become a student, yourself!
Great place, learn self defense and not points at a tournament. Professor Roy is a great instructor and motivator. Kids have been going for years and their confidence level and discipline greatly improved for the better.
Update: kids have been with me Cantu for about two years. Great progress 👍
Cant say enough about Roy and his team, my 2 daughters have been part of the school for almost 2 years and have learned fundamental Jiu Jitsu in a very structured and fun way. I have also decided to join the adult classes! Highly recommend for anyone of any age
I train BJJ where I'm from, and stopped by here for a drop in class. This is amazing stuff, this is different from your other BJJ academies in that they do not focus on sport BJJ but rather self defense. It makes for an interesting experience when sparring. I really enjoyed it, and learn things that I have never seen before. Will continue to drop in whenever I am in town.
I cannot say enough good things about Cantu's Jiu-Jitsu Self Defense Academy. The owner, Roy Cantu, received his black belt from the distinguished Valente Brothers Academy in Miami, Florida. They teach classic Helio Gracie self defense jujutsu which is a complete martial art system. The curriculum incorporates stand-up self defense, striking, take- downs, grappling, and the philosophy of JuJutsu. Mr. Roy and all the instructors are incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, with a passion for teaching all ages and abilities.
Mr. Roy Cantu is one of the best instructors in the art of Jiu Jitsu. He instructs in order to defend one's self rather than using Jiu Jitsu for sport. He treats all of his students with immense respect and truly wants you to succeed and improve yourself in order to successfully defend yourself from any attack. I highly recommend this school if you seek to learn the best martial art from a phenomenal instructor.
Can’t give them enough stars! Both my girls attend the adult class and have gained confidence on how to protect themselves. My son attends the junior class. I am so grateful for the influence the instructor have shown.
HIGHLY recommended!!! 10 Stars...
Mr. Roy is the most passionate and detailed Jujitsu Self Defense instructor. His academy is such a great family environment to train in, all the students and instructors are there to make you better.
The instructors are very technical and eager to guide you through all the classes to ensure you understand the curriculum.
Cantu's is the best Self Defense academy in Houston. And you get to try your first class free... No excuse now... lol...
The kids program is where the academy shines the most. Mr. Roy does such an incredible job teaching the kids discipline, respect, and confidence while learning Helio Gracie Self Defense techniques and philosophy.
Mr. Cantu is one of the most passionate jiu-jitsu instructors that I have seen. Not only does he teach and instruct the art of jiu-jitsu he LIVES it. He has become a great role model for my high school son. I could not thank him enough.
I just don’t know that there are words to communicate how much I appreciate all this place has done for my son. His confidence has grown tremendously! He is not only confident, he is also capable. He has been going to Cantu’s for less than a year and it has made a huge difference. I love that they focus on respect as well. I love that I know he can defend himself if it is ever needed!
Enrolled my kids because I wanted them to gain the confidence and discipline in the art of self defense. The owner was so passionate and good at teaching Jiu-Jitsu that I joined as well. Incredible family environment. They don't teach your kids to fight, they teach them how to defend themselves. #753
Great academy with highly positive and respectful environment for and from everyone which is established by head instructor/ owner black belt Roy Cantu.
Grand Master Helio Gracie JuJutsu is taught here where you and your family learn a lifetime selfdefense system applicable to your everyday lifestyle. A struggle not necessarily has to be in between two people, but anything in life.
You'll learn to avoid, to difuse, or to deal with a possible physical or mental situation with confidence in a family oriented JuJutsu school.
If you are looking for a one of a kind academy, then look no further than Cantu’s Self Defense. The instructor, Roy Cantu, is very knowledgeable about the art of Jiu-Jitsu as a means for street applicable self defense. The establishment is well kept and clean, the staff is helpful and approachable, and the training environment is such that you become like family with one another. After training here for a bit, the martial art becomes engrained into your lifestyle.
Hope to see you on the mat!
My son has been here since 2011 and when my daughter turned 6 she wanted to train in Grand Master Helio Jui-Jitsu aslo.
Cantu's Texas Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Self Defense Academy has taught my kids to protect themselves from bullies and any one that wants to harm them.
The Head instructor is very very good at jui-jitsu and is great with kids, teens and adults.
The academy also offers a free lesson to see you or your child likes the class.
Highly recommended for anyone looking to train for self defense or just to get a good workout in.
I can not recommend this place highly enough. I have been training here for about 4 years and my son has been training here for a little over a year. He is 7 years old and he gets extremely disappointed when he misses even a single class. I've seen a tremendous change in his confidence and attention level both in the school and outside of it since he started training. Practicing Jiu Jitsu here has helped me not only stay physically fit but mentally sharp as well. The school one of the very few that teaches the art of Jiu Jitsu strictly as a form of self-defense and not as a sport for competing. Roy is a phenomenal instructor and not only takes the time to teach the techniques but he also instills in the students a sense of respect for themselves and everyone else. There is a very friendly/family type atmosphere and there are no macho type of students. Everyone, regardless of belt rank, is more than willing to take the time to assist each other in improving their techniques and becoming better practitioners. This is true from the kids all the way up through the juniors and adults.
Outstanding . The instructors and staff are Amazing! The Atmosphere is so positive . The students the parents are such wonderful people. You won't go wrong bringing your family here.
There is no better place to train the best martial art with your family! Mr. Roy is the absolute champagne of self defense instructors! If you are within 50 miles of this training center, this is definitely the place you should be, Monday through Thursday and Saturday too! Morning, afternoon and evening, Kids, Teens and Adult classes! I can not recommend them enough!
We've been here for a year now. Mr. Roy is fantastic! He is so passionate about what he does and what the Gracie Academy stands for. He's wonderful with the kids. He has very high AND reasonable expectations; he promotes a VERY POSITIVE atmosphere! The facility is always clean and even smells like disinfectant. :-) Water, showers and locker rooms are available which makes things very easy. I highly recommend this place to teach your kids or yourself self defense. Every marital art has it's place but I can't imagine anything more practical and enjoyable for our family!
