I've lived in the Verde Valley for most of my life. I am a life long martial artist. I received my black belt in Shotokan karate under the late Paul Smith in 1999. I received my Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2020. I have two daughters that both train BJJ as well as my life partner and her two children for the last several years. This is all a very large part of my life.

Purple Belt Gracie Jiu Jitsu
World Class Multi Tasker,
Merchant of Emotion,
Winemaker, Curmudgeon,
Armed Snowflake.

I have been an instructor for various fitness modalities in the Verde Valley and surrounding areas for 10 years. The energy that comes with a room full of people inspires me to learn and lead. I seek out individuals with ever evolving fitness goals to unite and create an environment of support encouragement and sweat!

Originally from Vermont, Jasmine has lived in Arizona for 8 years. Enthusiastic about wellness, she has been practicing yoga for over ten years. As a teacher, her goal is be a guide and let people build their own relationship with yoga. Jasmine teaches both yoga and Deep Stretch for Jiu Jitsu.

I was born and raised in San Diego, CA. I’ve lived in
Cottonwood for 12 years. I’ve been doing Brazilian jiu jitsu for 8 years and teaching classes for 3 years. I surf in my free time and have a 16 year old son, who is a jiu jitsu blue belt.

 I'm originally from North Carolina and have been active in wrestling and martial arts for over ten years. I have a brown belt in Jiu Jitsu and have been teaching Adult BJJ classes for three years.

I studied for four years under Charles Colley, earning my black belt. Also studied at the New Japan Dojo in Osaka, Japan, supervized by an eigth degree black belt. I've taught Judo at Arizona State University and at Chandler Recreation Center. My classes welcome beginners to black belts and offer crossover techniques. Workouts are individualized for the needs and abilities of each student, whatever their age or physical condition.

Rob Burson has a brown belt in Judo, and has studied a variety of martial arts for over 30 years.

We will be practicing drills, technique, sparring, fundamentals, a variety of training. My class is appropriate for boys and girls, ages 4-14.

I started playing Judo at 18 with Sensei Jack Krystek Snr, at Krystek Judo in Queens, NY. I played Judo under Sensei Krystek and Sensei Shiina (St.Johns University Judo Club) until being promoted to Black Belt by Sensei Krystek after 7 years of practice. I am excited to help grow the Judo community in the Verde Valley!

With almost 15 years in competition, it felt natural to me to become a trainer and share my knowledge, skills, and experience with others. I transformed full contact and kick boxing into a softer discipline of flexibility and self defense training.  As a trainer, I am motivated to give classes in the traditional way as well as in the transformed way to fit everyone's goals.

Nick Tsai Has been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since 2002 and received all of his belt promotions from Eric Williams and Hai Nguyen of Elite MMA in Houston, Texas, including his black belt in 2011. Since moving to the Verde Valley in 2017, Nick has enjoyed training and teaching at VVBJJ.

“My goal is to create a welcoming, friendly and safe environment for our members to grow as individuals and as a community. I pride myself on my ability to ratchet my intensity up or down depending on what each student needs for maximal growth.”

Henry Akins- The majority of our Brazilian Jiu Jitsu curriculum comes to us from the Rickson Gracie lineage. Currently we are in the process of finalizing an affiliation with Henry Akins, Hidden Jiu Jitsu, 3rd degree Black Belt under Rickson.