Common Ground Jiu Jitsu

464 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA

(35 reviews)
Disciplines
Gi MMA Self-Defense
Classes
Adults Classes Black Belt Instruction Fundamentals
Facilities
Mat Space
Culture
Welcoming Environment
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BJJ and mixed martial arts MMA classes in Pasadena, CA

Reviews

  • Jordan Ansari
    Jordan Ansari

    As a white belt who has relocated a few times and travels for work, I’ve been to a handful of jiu-jitsu schools, and Common Ground is hands down the best. When I joined, I went through a screening process and was introduced to the school’s policies and rules. At first, I was a little annoyed, but after training for a while, I realized how important it is. Jiu-jitsu can be a dangerous sport, and making sure the people who come in are a good fit creates a safer and more positive environment. As a non-binary person, I felt welcomed, my pronouns were respected, I never felt othered. In a male-dominated sport like jiu-jitsu, it can be tough to find a place where you feel safe, but Common Ground provided that. It’s an amazing community where I truly felt like I belonged. They actually address conflict if there is any, and know how to communicate with kindness and compassion, and not with aggression. Sally and Alex are super technical and experienced, and they know how to teach. This isn’t one of those schools where they just show you three random submissions in one class. Everything is brought up with logic and strategy. The foundations class is a must, I made tremendous progress taking it, and I could see it in the first few weeks. My technique improved so much. I feel so happy that I got to train at Common Ground, and there is actually a culture. You don't just attend a class and leave, you feel like a part of a community. I highly recommend Common Ground to anyone looking for a well-structured, inclusive, and supportive school to train jiu-jitsu. It’s a place where you truly grow, not just in skill but in confidence and understanding of the sport.

    Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
    Posted 1 year ago
  • Alexander Ye
    Alexander Ye

    Sally and Alex are on to something great. I'm a BJJ beginner who dabbled in the sport on/off for a few years before finding Common Ground. My past gym experiences were all the same: Warm up, be taught a sequence of moves, practice those moves, then spar. The people were generally kind, but I had absolutely no clue what I was doing or why I was doing it, and I ended up feeling as though I'd never"get it" unless I spent a lot more time than I had into the sport. Fast forward to February 2025, I discovered Common Ground while visiting Pasadena, and my experience was completely different. Instead of drilling moves, Alex and Sally set you up with situations and goals that allow for not just moves, but intuition and understanding to grow organically from the start. I felt confident after each class—at least I had some sense of what was going on, which is something I never felt in other classes. Obviously, I've only uncovered the tip of the iceberg, but after years of on/off training, I can confidently say that Common Ground was the best gym I could have stumbled across as a beginner, and I think it's a great place to start your jiu jitsu journey!

    Instructors Facility Classes Location Atmosphere
    Posted 1 year ago
  • Anne Leary
    Anne Leary

    Alex and Sally recently hosted a set of self defense classes for our middle school group. Their teaching style had the 7th and 8th grade girls and boys actively engaged and learning, within minutes of arriving. The students had fun acquiring new skills with "guided play" as the central focus. This was hands down our best outing for the school's Life Skills Elective. I highly recommend this studio and their talented leadership team.

    Instructors Classes Atmosphere
    Posted 1 year ago
  • Dieter Hsiao
    Dieter Hsiao

    Common Ground Jiu Jitsu is an exceptional martial arts academy that truly lives up to its name. The instructors, Alex and Sally, are not just highly skilled practitioners but also outstanding teachers who have mastered the art of effective instruction. What sets this academy apart is the instructors' ability to break down complex techniques and concepts in a way that's easy to understand and apply. Their teaching methodology is incredibly methodical, organized, and well-structured, which greatly enhances the learning experience for students of all levels. One of the most impressive aspects of Common Ground Jiu Jitsu for me is how they introduce live training from day one. They have expertly designed their curriculum to ensure that resistance training is both safe and beneficial for all students. The level of detail in their instructions is truly remarkable. The instructors don't just show you what to do; they explain the why and how behind each movement, which deepens your understanding of Jiu Jitsu as a whole. Whether you're a complete novice or an experienced practitioner looking to refine your skills, Common Ground Jiu Jitsu provides an ideal environment for growth and improvement. The instructors' commitment to helping each student progress is evident in every class. If you're serious about learning Jiu Jitsu in a supportive, professional, and highly effective setting, I can't recommend Common Ground Jiu Jitsu enough.

    Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
    Posted 2 years ago
  • Jake Johnson
    Jake Johnson

    My daughters (and their friends) have been doing lessons with Sally for over a year. She is an excellent teacher! They have improved, learned and had fun. She keeps the lessons safe and enjoyable while also getting them better. As my daughters (who are writing this with me) say, "She's really fun to work with." And also, "She teaches us techniques without getting us confused and we can ask like any question and she will answer." And, lastly, "She pushes us to our limits but it's still fun."

    Instructors Classes Atmosphere
    Posted 2 years ago
  • Eddie .J
    Eddie .J

    I attended class today (Sunday) at 10 am while visiting from out-of-town. The entire gym including the front desk area, mat space, bathroom, and changing rooms was immaculately clean. Sally and Alex were very welcoming and accommodating. Alex, who taught class, was a very knowledgable and detail-oriented jiu jitsu instructor. I have been training since 2009, and have attended my fair share of BJJ classes. Alex explains the nuances of techniques better than most jiu jitsu instructors. It is refreshing to take a class where the instructor has clearly spent time thinking about what he is teaching and has a deep enough understanding of it to articulately present it in a format where important details are emphasized. Sally was also a very helpful assistant instructor. Alex and Sally both went around the room helping students refine the techniques we practiced in class. Beyond the level of instruction and cleanliness of the facility, it was very obvious by some of the things that Alex said during class that Alex and Sally have created a very very respectful and safe gym culture, which, from my experience in this sport, is massively undervalued and rarely cultivated by gym owners and instructors. Every person I rolled with trained in a very controlled and respectful manner. I didn’t experience any “spazzes” or people that appeared to roll without keeping their training partners’ safety in mind. Alex even went to the point of emphasizing the importance of relaxing when you are training live to conserve energy, develop sensitivity and timing, and avoid injuring people. The class I attended was well-attended and there were quite a few women practicing and rolling, which is typically also a sign of a safe a respectful gym culture. Alex also played good music during class and there wasn’t any bowing, calling instructors “professor,” or any gi color requirements from what I could tell, which are all positives. If you live in this neck of the woods and are interest in learning no gi submission grappling or gi jiu jitsu I would highly recommend giving Common Ground a try. I had a very positive experience training here.

    Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
    Posted 2 years ago

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