Gracie Barra Saddleback – Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Our son has been attending classes for almost a year and we’ve seen a great improvement. The instructors Les and Mike are really good with the kids and my son can’t wait to attend classes.

Great instructors! I recommend paying monthly with cash or check as they require 60 days for cancelation and will hold your cc hostage. First and last month is acceptable — anything more feels like a scam. A bit sad that such a great studio is tainted by the questionable ethics of it’s corporate HQ.

I’ve had my kid in martial arts since 4. She’s had kenpo karate and tae Kwon do. Jiu Jitsu has by far been her favorite and mine as well. Clean studio, no smelly atmosphere, superb instructors.
Teaching ground game while how to be a stand up person at the same time. By stand up I mean how to be a respectable individual. Professor Les has mentioned tidy and clean uniforms, hygiene and the proper attitude for life and with sparring partners.
Can’t say the same for other martial arts instructors in the area.

This is a great Dojo to train at. Great quality, and worth the money. The class availability is 7 days a week. The instructors get into every detail of the art. You don’t have to be a UFC fighter to train Jiu Jitsu.

I have been training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for just over 4 years now and trained at various other locations. However, once I found GBSB and Professor Philipe I knew I found my home school. Professor Philipe is one of those rare instructors who know how to teach to everyone. He helps you alter movements to work best for you. Professor Philipe takes an interest in you and how you are doing. You are not just another person on the mats to him.
Professor Les (the «Handsome» Professor) does a great job with the kids program. He truly wants what is best for all the kids and will do what he can to make sure that they are doing a great job. Some parents may think that he can be a little tough on them, but I don’t think so. He is an old school, show respect to your parents, adults and others type of guy.
Professor Mike is the straight guy to Professor Les when it comes to the kids. He also works hard with the kids program and wants what is best for them.
Professor Jessie is another great instructor. During his fundamentals classes, he takes the time to go over every move with the students to ensure that they are doing them correctly and to make sure that everyone is safe.
Gracie Barra Saddleback is not just another jiu jitsu school. It is truly a family and one that I am proud to be part of.

I’ve been training mixed martial and and Jiu Jitsu for about 8 years and have trained at several different gyms. Jiu Jitsu is such a beautiful art and lifestyle and I encourage anyone interested in learning more to come in. Whether your goal is to simply lose weight, compete, or to learn and have fun, you won’t be disappointed.
Our sensei is Philipe Della Monica and he’s an accomplished competitor, amazing teacher, and overall great human being. He’s very patient and outgoing. Like I mentioned before, I’ve trained for some time all over the place and Phillipe is the best. You won’t find a teacher with his combination of skills, patience, and warm demeanor and he’s created such a conducive environment to learn, make friends, and truly live the Jiu Jitsu lifestyle.
Some of the other professor’s that teach are Les, Jessie, and Mike. All of them will make you feel at home as well and are in essence extensions of Della Monica’s approach.
It’s tough sometimes to find a new gym because each one kind of has its own little cliques. I’ve been here for only 10 months, but everyone welcomed me with open arms and have been nothing but supportive and nice. It’s definitely not one of those intimidating «tough guy» types of thug Jitsu gyms. The camaraderie is outstanding and we all strive to help each other improve. There are no cliques here.
If you are looking for a great Jiu Jitsu gym, instructor/​s, team, and want a taste of the Jiu Jitsu lifestyle, please come in and introduce yourself. We welcome you with open arms and Professor Della Monica is one of a kind.

My son and I have been training at Gracie Barra for the past 8 years. The philosophy behind the school is to encourage each student to advance at their own speed and ability realizing that while some people want to make Jiu Jitsu a career others what to learn for the fun and exercise.
Prof. Philipe embodies the Gracie Barra philosophy buy making each student feel welcome and safe at the his Studio while at the same time pushing them to be the best that they can be.
The classes always start and end on time and are structured so that each technique builds on another. The class times are consistent with the website, and to date, I have never made a trip just to find the school closed.
I encourage anyone who want to try Jiu Jitsu to visit the school. The instruction is first rate and I guarantee that what ever your age or background, you will feel welcomed from the very first day and are sure to make new friends in the process.

If you think learning Brazilian Jiu-​Jitsu might be a fun, rewarding, and practical activity for you or your child, Gracie Barra Saddleback (GBS) is the place to find out.
I wish GBS was around when I first started Jiu-​Jitsu. I was excited about Jiu-​Jitsu, since it seemed like it was very interesting, a great workout, and the best form of self-​defense – but it also seemed intimidating and complicated. And I wasn’t a great athlete or super-​coordinated. I wondered: Am I going to be able to learn the moves? Will I be safe? Will the people be nice? Can I really get good at this?
If you take just one class with Professor Philipe Della Monica, I think you’ll see that the answer is definitely «Yes!» The first thing I noticed is that is is a contagiously positive person – and it’s not an act, he’s like that all the time because he loves Jiu-​Jitsu and loves teaching.
He is also great at explaining Jiu-​Jitsu to anyone, no matter how uncoordinated they are. He takes time to explain how the moves work, stresses the details, and then checks with each student to make sure they’re doing it right. He never gets frustrated, but he motivates us to do our best. He himself is a source of motivation, since he is able to win medals at the biggest competitions even while being a full-​time teacher.
If Jiu-​Jitsu is for you, I have to warn you that it is very addictive. It never gets boring, and you get an amazing workout without noticing that you’re working out. You’ll probably spend a lot of time at your Jiu-​Jitsu school. Which is why it’s so important to have a school that’s just plain fun to be around. At GBS we all enjoy each other’s company, we admire our classmates when they beat us and we want to help those who are just getting started.
Since Jiu-​Jitsu is a unique activity, and Philipe is a unique instructor, at the end of the day the only thing I can say is: come visit us and have a blast.

I have been training at GB for the last 5 years and with Professor Philip. He is one of the most dynamic teacher and because of his leadership and teaching techniques, GB Saddle Back is, by far, THE BEST Jiu Jitsu school in California.
The academy feels like a family. Everyone is willing and eager to help you, not tap you out. I just cannot imagine my life without GB Saddle Back.
I LOVE my SCHOOL!
Don’t come because it’s highly addictive and it will change your life!

I absolutely love training at Gracie Barra Laguna. Everyone here always makes you feel welcome. The instruction here is top notch. Philipe Della Monica is a great instructor, his attention to detail, always positive attitude, and the ability to teach are great. He’s one of the nicest people I have ever met but at the same time knows how to subtlety push you. «John you can go again? You tired?» dang it, okok. All while smiling. GB Laguna is a great place to train for all sorts of different goals. Whether you want to compete or just get in shape, you are always glad you went to class.
P. s. The assistant instructors are great. Shout out to «uncle Les!»

Gracie Barra Laguna is a great place to train and the curriculum is just like any of the other schools.
What separates this one is the head instructor, Philipe Della Monica. He has a really great attitude and has a knack for teaching. He watches closely and points out little details to improve your game.

Professor Philipe is an awesome instructor. Great with the kids.