Ive trained at 5 or so BJJ gyms this one is my favorite. Great instruction and friendly people. Warm ups are BJJ drills instead of a bunch of running in circles, pushups etc. Cannot recommend enough.

Found Waza late 2018, when my family moved to Elk Grove. We wanted a kid friendly place to help our then 9 year old daughter with self-defense and to build confidence. They did not disappoint. During Covid, they held online zoom classes every weekday for the kids to stay involved and active. John and Chris were very patient, taught respect and broke down complicated concepts very simply for the kids. This was the only sport my daughter enjoyed doing and wanted to stick with. Highly recommend! Thank you Waza!

Im a newbie/beginner to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), but I have been doing martial arts off and on for the past 30 years.Im also an insufferable perfectionist, so I did a lot of research prior to starting BJJ, and I read with some worry about how sport/modern BJJ is fundamentally distinct from Gracie JJ, and how Americans have strayed from the martial arts roots, etc. Luckily, Ive been counseled by many older/wiser students that at the end of the day, what matters more than the specific style is the *culture* of a school. Do the students care for one another? Is there an open, collegial environment where beginners are welcome? Are students actually mentored instead of just thrown to the pack as fresh meat?Rest assured, there is something special here at Waza BJJ. The culture of the school is competitive and yet friendly, accommodating and yet challenging. And that all starts at the top -- in all my years of training, graduate education, and time in uniform, Professor Derek DiManno is one of the top 10 teachers Ive met when it comes to setting the right tone/environment for learning.First I signed up my older daughter, then I signed up myself, then I got our friends children to join, then I (finally) convinced my wife, and now its our younger son in the mix. Ill tell anyone who will listen: Waza BJJ is the best place to learn BJJ in the greater Sacramento-area.

Everyone is extremely friendly and patient. There are people of all ages and experience levels so it’s easy to fit in without feeling judged or out of place. If you’re looking for a place to learn at a comfortable pace with a fun environment and amazing instructors, this is the place to be. The facility itself is very nice and always carefully cleaned. There’s a nice sitting area for parents to watch their kids or if you want to watch a class to see what it’s like before joining. There’s also a changing area with cubbies which makes things easier when you don’t have a chance to stop by your house before class. I was hooked the moment I walked in to watch a class and never had any regrets about joining. I highly recommend checking out Waza if you’re thinking about getting into bjj

If youre looking to learn real jiu jitsu this is the place. Great atmosphere and large class sizes. All of the instructors are very knowledgeable and welcoming. Been here for almost 6 years and never regretted it.

Traveling for work and missing my mat time. Reached out about drop-in and was welcomed to visit by Derek. Made it to a very well attended Wednesday morning class. Instructor and practitioners were all very welcoming and I had a great time. Felt like home away from home. Nice warm-up, great instruction and drilling, followed by some great rolls after lesson. Highly recommended.

If you are looking for a welcoming, friendly place to learn Brazilian Jujitsu this is the place to go. Derek is a patient teacher and will take the time to welcome new students personally to the school.

My son has started his BJJ sessions this week, and I joined in too. It is immediately apparent that this is a safe and welcoming environment. Derek, John, and Chris, the instructors I have met so far are very helpful, knowledgeable, and professional. I was especially impressed by their humble and down to earth demeanor. And it does not stop there, the fellow students were just as welcoming and helpful. Both my son and I look forward to our time at the dojo. Beyond learning new skills and improving physical shape, it is also a great outlet for helping with stress relief and emotional well being.

I dropped in to visit this gym for two of their adult gi sessions during the evening. Derek was extremely welcoming and knowledgeable, as were the students. There were between 25-30 people each of the nights that I went, with a variety of belts which provided ample and varied training opportunities. Facilities and mats were clean and enough mat space for multiple pairs to roll at the same time.

I started back in January and signed up for six months, but I lost my job in February and had to quit...I recently got a new one that could pay for things other than just food and immediately started up again.No one judges you here. Everyone is helpful. Derek has a way of reaching out and encouraging you, as does everyone who has been there any length of time.Its such a friendly culture, and everyone is made equal on the mat.Again, I cant recommend this place highly enough, and Im eager to keep showing up.

Waza is an excellent school! Everyone is so kind, positive, knowledgeable, and helpful. I strongly recommend Waza!

Had a chance to work out there this past summer. It truly was a great gym to roll in. Derek is a gifted instructor and really explains techniques well. Everyone is really friendly and the higher belts will take the time to show you their game if you ask. Cant say enough about the place. I hope to return there to train the next time Im stateside.

Came here at the recommendation of a friend and couldnt be happier. Derek the owner is awesome and breaks down the techniques so it makes sense. Everyone was really nice and they make you feel welcome. Ended up getting all four of my boys into it. (Ages 3-9) and now theyre hooked. John teaches the kids classes and does an outstanding job. Class times are varied so it works with my schedule.

My 6yo son and I joined Waza together last year so we could have some something fun to learn together, but also for the exercise and self defense. We visited several other local martial arts schools but selected Waza because of the ego free and relaxed environment and the excellent instructors. Derek takes considerable time acclimating you to the facilities and personally instructs you for the first few sessions to help you understand the basics. Dereks instruction is impeccable, drop dead simple to understand, and he ensures that you have an opportunity to see each technique several times before drilling it with a partner. He answers questions with no sarcasm or false bravado. By the end of my first complimentary class, I was 100% sure that this was something that I wanted to learn more about and Derek was who I wanted to learn it from. Over the last year, Ive quickly become addicted to the sport and spend all my waking free time thinking about it. The community of men and women that attend the daily classes have become a second family for me. The culture, fostered by Derek, is one of friendship and shared improvement. There are no secret techniques or tricks that are kept from the uninitiated.My sons class is led by John McClean who is excellent at leading a class of rowdy 3+ y/o kids. He captures their attention and quickly gains their respect, all while making the learning part fun. He invited me to help out with my sons class...which my son loves...but it is equally beneficial for me as every technique that he teaches is useful for kids and adults alike.Bottom line: If you have any interest whatsoever in learning a martial art, getting in shape, or just getting a good workout, make sure you give this school a chance.Hope to see you on the mats!

I decided to try Jiu Jitsu when I turned 50. I was a little reluctant to start due to a bad back but I found this was the best decision I have ever made for conditioning and core strengthening. This is by far the best conditioning I have ever had compared to kick boxing, cross fit or the gym. I no longer have any back issues and am very happy at this gym. Derek and all the instructors are amazing, patient and very good at what they do. More importantly, all of the students go out of there way to pass down the information. There are no egos and everyone treats you like family. They are all so kind and helpful and I consider them all friends. I can see why Jiu Jitsu is the most popular martial art. You can actually train until you are 90 because there is no striking and this art truly dominates. They also offer multiple classes 7 days a week which is awesome. I come in at 7:00 am sometimes and at lunch and evening and weekends. I also signed my son up at the same time who just turned 11. They have the best kids program I have ever seen. John runs an amazing kids program. My son loves it and I have seen him get in great shape at the same time. I am also confident he will benefit in his other sports and I dont worry about anyone messing with him. For me, this place changed my life. If your looking to lose weight, get in shape or learn self defense, this is the place. Stop by and take the complimentary class and you will see why I took the time to write this review.

My kids {9 and 11} have been attending classes here for over a year. When asked what sort of value they see in attending, they reply, Its good exercise, its fun, and Im learning how to respond to bulliesJohn, the instructor, has an energetic and enthusiastic approach and he provides the kids with the HOW and WHY they are being taught the techniques so that they gain understanding. Ive enjoyed seeing the kids gain confidence and respect for each other and their classmates. Im very grateful to have found the outfit and would definitely recommend them highly.

I have trained at many schools and this one is great. It starts with Derek he is very technical and knowledgeable not to mention a friendly great guy. The environment is also great everybody is friendly and helpful. If you are going to train in Elk Grove this is the place

I had never done any martial arts before going to Waza to learn BJJ. The difference it has made in my life (at 44!) is enormous. Ive gotten into the best shape since my Army days while learning a valuable skill that is challenging, engaging and exhausting in all the right ways. I thought I hated exercise - BJJ has changed that for me. I feel extremely fortunate to have discovered the sport and this school in particular. The instructors are fantastic and the surrounding community is full of good, supportive people. Also worth mentioning is the kids program... the instructors ability to keep classes fun while maintaining order and mutual respect is really something to watch. Very highly recommended!

The grapplers here are rolling at a high level. If you want to learn quality martial arts this is a good place to be. Almost every time I got to roll with someone afterwards they would explain the mechanics and process of how they got the submission or position or reversal. It felt like I was getting a private lesson every time I rolled there.

Great gym, kind people, and serious jiu jitsu. I was in the area for a few weeks and visited 7 different gyms and I visited Waza the most. I took Derricks class, visited all three open mats, went to Sean Wrights morning class, and even took a private with Damien Wright. This gym is top notch. All open mats and night classes had multiple black belts, brown belts, and purples. It was great to see different sizes at each belt. If you are in the area you need to visit here. Big classes with great rolling partners. I rolled with three of their black belts and learned a ton.

To start, I highly recommend waza if you, a friend or family is interested in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I’ve been going to Waza for a little over two years and have nothing but great things to say. Derek and his instructors have created a very welcoming environment at the same time promoting discipline and accountability. As soon as my daughter was old enough she’s been attending the little samurai class and her younger sister is anxious to start as well. The classes really run the gamut of experience. I had no martial arts experience prior to walking through the doors and never felt intimidated. I am side by side other folks who are black belts in other forms of martial arts starting at the beginning with bjj the same as me.

Great place to train. Trained there while in Sacramento for work. Great instruction, great students, great environment. People went out of their way to say hi and make me feel welcome. If you are from out of town it is worth checking out and if you are a local and thinking about trying BJJ or if you are a seasoned BJJ looking for a great place to train,then just give it a try here, you wont be disappointed and you will get results. (IF YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT MAKING A POSITIVE CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY THEN GO TRY ONE CLASS HERE AND YOU WILL BE HOOKED)PARENTS- I was also able to watch a couple of the kids classes while waiting for the adult class to start. I was very impressed with the hands on instruction from Derek and the people helping out with the instruction for the kids. The technical abilities of the kids who were training here was cool to watch. Derek is an awesome teacher and it is evident by how he relates and instructs adults as well as kids.

Been training over at one of the top competition schools in NorCal. Great place but no place like waza. Just know at Waza we have one of the best environments period. Miss yall and cant wait to come back!

Excellent Jiu Jitsu school that makes you feel right at home. Derek Dimanno and his staff are extremely knowledge, friendly, and... REALLY good Jiu Jitsu practioners. If youre looking for a school that makes you feel welcomed while getting A+ training, Waza is the place to be.

An amazing place to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Strong family environment with the best instructors anywhere. Im completely happy with my decision to learn BJJ at Waza. Derek DiManno technically breaks down everything you need and want to know. I plan to spend many years at Waza. OSS!!

Great instructor with great lessons. If youre looking for a great place to learn grappling from a quality instructor, then look no further.

Legitimate school, friendly atmosphere, black belt instructor earned under Cassio Wernick.

Once you attend your first class at WAZA bjj with head instructor black belt Derek DiManno you will never leave...come learn jiu jitsu today with us...

As a martial artist for over 30 years, I have been to some schools that use the new people as punching bags or cannon fodder for higher belts to abuse and progress in their techniques. If you were willing to take the abuse, humiliation and injuries, you may have learned a thing or two. I have also had many instructors over the years who were all very skilled at their art; some were even very good instructors and had the ability to pass on techniques and strategies for practical application. A few schools may even have a good kids’ program. At Waza Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, I have found everything: a welcoming environment for adults where everyone is willing to help each other progress; a professional coach, Derek DiManno, who has an impressive pedigree with an uncanny ability to teach beginners as well as high-level Jiu-Jitsu competitors. My 7-year-old daughter has trained in the kids’ program for over a year now; she started in the Little Samurai class, progressed to the fundamentals class, and from those classes, she gained enough confidence to compete in -- and win -- her very first competition. Coach John McClean runs the children’s program and is one of the best instructors that I have seen. His ability to keep the kids engaged with humor, while teaching respect and discipline at the same time passing on his years of knowledge, is truly a gift.

Awesome place! Derek the instructor is incredible at creating an awesome environment to learn jiu jitsu!

Ive been to many BJJ gyms and learned under many different instructors and I can say unequivocally that Derek, Jon, and everyone else at Waza are top-notch guys!! They are very knowledgeable, personable, and dont hesitate to take extra time to work you through a technique. Great great group!!Secondly, Jon runs the little samurai program for the kids excellently! He has the patience of zen master that far exceeds that of a normal person. The kids listen and learn from him and my son loved going there!Point is, if youre looking for a place for you or your child to learn, be active, and improve focus and discipline with a practical and beneficial martial art, WAZA BJJ is your spot!! Highly recommend!

Waza is a top notch, safety environment and feel right at home. Derek is very rare cuz he will go beyond to meet everyones need and hes very humble, technical and lay every on the table, he doesnt hide and hold back the technique at all, I highly recommend his school and he keep the school clean. Also he cares about his students and their safety :-)

I love training at Waza BJJ and I still remember what Derek DiManno said to me when I first met him and joined. I had just moved to the area and was thinking of quitting. I had previously trained at a tough guy BJJ gym where the upper belts would use and beat up the lower belts. I had lost my motivation and was about to give up. Derek inspired me to give Waza a try and just keep coming one day at a time. He understood that life gets busy, and sometimes after a hard day at work its very tempting to skip out instead of working out. And when I notice that temptation, to just go and train instead. So I did, and I rediscovered the fun of BJJ. Here is a place where the people are so positive and encouraging, just happy to be learning and training hard together. Here I am, 5 years later and still going strong.Waza means technique in Japanese, and that sets the tone for Dereks phenomenal instruction. Ive never met another person who so deeply understands leverage, distance and timing, and has such skill in communicating the details to a wide variety of students. Were all inspired to give our best, and to help each other along the way.I also cant say enough great things about John McClean. He has loved martial arts his entire life, and that enthusiasm shines through when he is teaching the kids classes. He has this natural talent for keeping all the kids fully engaged and focused, hanging on his every word as he talks about respect, resilience, and lifes many lessons. At Thanksgiving my 11-year-old daughter spontaneously said, Im thankful for Waza BJJ. I never want to stop training!. I feel exactly the same. Give Waza Brazilian Jiu Jitsu a try. Youll be thankful that you did.

We enrolled our sons (ages 4 and 6) in Waza BJJ after spending a lot of time researching different martial arts programs around Elk Grove. We were looking for a sport/martial art that would help them build their confidence and provide an outlet for their endless energy. What we have found is so much more! The instructor, John McClean, is wonderful with the kids. He puts so much thought into the lessons. I am amazed at how much my children have learned. He is so patient and always seems to strike the right balance between discipline and fun. Every class is structured in a way that makes sense to the kids. My boys absolutely LOVE Jiu Jitsu class and my husband and I highly recommend Waza!

Ive been training jiu jitsu for a while now. I know or trained with a lot of the instructors in town. There are a lot of places I can train but I chose to train at Waza because the owner and instructor Derek is one of the best instructors I have met. He shows a lot of little details that make the moves work and he is able to explain things so they are easy to understand.The environment at the school is very positive. There are a lot of good students to train with. Everyone is helpful and willing to help you get better.They also have a very good kids program there. My daughter enjoys training there.If youve ever wanted to try jiu jitsu give Waza a try. There are a lot of physical and mental benefits to jiu jitsu and this is one of the best schools in town.

My original school is the Nick Diaz Academy in Lodi, Ca. I had recently moved and had been out of bjj for about a year almost because of a broken ligament in my thumb.Anyway, this is the closest one to my home and man do I feel at home. Everyone is very welcoming, no one tries to break your thumb, and the instructor will go at your own pace if needed.

There are 3 reasons to consider Waza Brazilian Jiu Jitsu:1. if youre looking for a place where youre treated like family and welcomed, even if youre just beginning your Jiu Jitsu journey... this is the place. The mat cultural of the school youre choosing is SO important. It starts at the top, with the head instructor, and is represented by his/ her instructors, and students. Waza has the best culture of any school Ive been to or visited. They care about the techniques and well being of the students. One of the tenets of the school is that your responsible for your partners safety, and that is lived out in every roll and drill. Professor DiManno cares about each student and spends extensive time with people that are new to the school and BJJ. There are no big egos here, just really capable Jiu Jitsu practitioners that know they get out what they put in.2. If youre looking for a place for your children to get some incredible mentorship while gaining confidence (both physically and mentally), this is your place. The childrens classes are incredibly well run. The kids have so much fun, they dont realize how hard theyre working. Theyre building character and learning to focus and have discipline without a battle to keep their attention. It is amazing what coach John can do.3. If youre looking for a place while traveling through or visiting sacramento, this is your home away from home. Outsiders are welcomed like family. There is no contest here to smash the new guy. If youre looking for a place to drop in and pick up some different styles or get your jits fix while on the road, Professor DiManno is the person you want to talk to. He has impeccable lineage, gaining his black belt under world champion Professor Werneck, and being an accomplished competitor himself.Bottom line, Waza is a great academy. The only thing youll regret is having not tried it sooner.

My 7 yr old daughter is very petite for her age, so weve always known that we would introduce her to some type of martial arts for self defense. We were introduced to Waza BJJ by a friend 2 years ago and decided to enroll her. My daughter loves going to class and interacting with other students and her instructor, John. John is an awesome instructor. He plans the lessons in a way that the kids are learning new moves, while still having fun. My daughter has become a confident student. She learned to be fast and use good techniques, instead of soley relying on muscle strength. My daughter said, Im never going to quit. Im going to do jui-jitsu until I pass away! .... I listen to John and do what he says. I make good choices. Not bad choices. And be good, helpful friends to other students.. ... It doesnt matter how big or small you are, you just try your best. Sometimes, you just try a move again and agian until you get it right. ... I would definitely recommend Waza to any parents looking for a martial arts school for their children.

I was in Elk Grove recently visiting family for a couple of days and wanted to be able to train. I went to three evening classes in a row. I am a purple belt who normally trains with Checkmat affiliate Team Quest in Portland where I live. I cant say enough about how impressed I was with Wazas gym.Most people should know that all martial arts includes some risk of injury. BJJ is no exception but it can be done with the right balance of competiveness, hard work, and safety. This gym has that balance and then some. Great technique. Tough but safe rolling. Super nice guys. All a great help. A great team enviornment where people are competitive but also take care of each other. I was also impressed that the entire time I was there I didnt hear any profanity which if anyone who has been around martial arts gyms where adults train is a rarity. Nice family environment.I was of course a total stranger to them but they welcomed me in and treated me like a preferred team mate.Derek the black belt is a great teacher and also has a great background in jiu jitsu and wrestling. Anyone can look up his pedigree wiki and highlight videos on Youtube. If I lived in Elk Grove I would make this gym my home. I also watched the kids classes and it looks like a great place for kids to train too. I will certainly come back to this gym every time I am in the area. Thank you Waza for a great couple of days of training.

My time at Waza was easily the best experience of my time spent living in Sacramento. Simply put, Derek is awesome. His classes are focused on learning techniques the right way, and every student is treated the same. Hes always encouraging of those who want to train more, join the competition team, etc., and hes never disparaging of those who for any reason must train less. Everyone is welcome and everyone is equal. Hes willing to take however much time is necessary to teach a technique or answer a question. He rolls with his students almost every day and does so at a level that allows them to learn from the roll. Hes created a culture where safety and learning proper technique are paramount. Everyone I trained with had the same three goals: learn proper jiu jitsu technique, dont get hurt and dont hurt anyone else. What all of these things together created was an amazing environment to train. I recommend it without reservation to anyone interested in jiu jitsu, regardless of whether you are on the verge of a black belt or just beginning.

My job requires me to travel often and my passion requires me to train often. Given the two I have found myself in Mat rooms from Southern to remote corners of North Eastern California. WAZA is second to none. Derek, ever the alchemist in life and jiu jistu, has conjured up a unique program in his quiet corner of Elk Grove. Wrestling room work ethic, traditional Dojo reverence and MMA camaraderie all scaffold onto a funky, music blaring, void inducing BJJ backbone. Derek’s technique is spot on, relevant to the modern BJJ dialog and deeply rooted in the core fundamentals that make the BJJ planets spin. The academy vibe is as warm, friendly and genuine as any group of savages I have ever had the pleasure of rolling with. Come ready to learn, roll hard and leave loving this wild ride of Jiu Jitsu that much more!If I had a criticism it would be the advertised “Fun Run.” Not sure what kind of sadist would call those “fun”. To me they kind of felt like I had to repeatedly sprint up a hill dragging another man from a rope attached to my waist; in fact they felt EXACTLY like that. Eating donuts is fun…. sleeping in on Sunday is fun- the “fun” runs are not fun…false advertising…consider yourself warned!

My kids loved it

10/10, would tap again.