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Woodstock, Ontario — Est. 2019

The Art Of Human Chess.

Directed by Head Coach Ryan O'Shea, IBJJF 3rd Degree Black Belt, led by our fantastic team of BJJ Black Belts Greg Neeb, Ian Clark, and Alex Schweinsberg. From your very first class to your black belt journey — we meet you where you are.

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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Kids Program — Ages 4+
250+ Happy Students
Free Trial Class
IBJJF Certified
Woodstock, Ontario
Teens & Adults
Competition Team
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Kids Program — Ages 4+
250+ Happy Students
Free Trial Class
IBJJF Certified
Woodstock, Ontario
Teens & Adults
Competition Team
Real Talk

We Know What
You’re Thinking.

Everyone has the same worries before their first class. Here's the truth behind every concern.

01

“I'm Not Fit Enough”

Nobody is “fit enough” for BJJ before they start. Your fitness builds as you train. We scale every drill to your current level — day one is designed for day one bodies.

02

“I'll Get Hurt”

Safety is our top priority. Coach Ryan and Greg supervise every session. Beginners learn controlled techniques, and live rolling is always optional. We tap, we learn, we grow.

03

“Everyone Will Be Better”

Of course they will — they started before you. Every black belt was once a nervous beginner. Our upper belts are your biggest allies, not your adversaries.

04

“I'm Too Old”

We have students from 4 to 60+. BJJ is the art of leverage over strength. Your life experience is an asset — patience and strategy beat youth and ego every time.

The Academy

More Than A Gym.

A community built on respect, discipline, and the relentless pursuit of personal growth.

Woodstock BJJ Academy was founded with a singular mission: to bring world-class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instruction to Woodstock, Ontario. What started as a small group of dedicated practitioners has grown into one of the region's most respected academies.

Our curriculum follows a structured progression system designed for all experience levels. Whether you're stepping on the mats for the first time or preparing for competition, every class is crafted to challenge you while keeping you safe.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a grappling-based martial art rooted in submission wrestling — pins, sweeps, and submissions instead of strikes. Students progress through the IBJJF Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ranking system (white, blue, purple, brown, black) at their own pace, with rank reflecting time on the mat, technical knowledge, and live-roll experience.

Directed by Head Coach Ryan O'Shea, IBJJF 3rd Degree Black Belt,
led by BJJ Black Belts Greg Neeb, Ian Clark, and Alex Schweinsberg
200+
Active Students
4
Expert Coaches
50+
Competition Medals
Training at Woodstock BJJ Academy
Your First Day

What To
Expect.

Five simple steps. Zero pressure. Just show up — we handle the rest.

01

Walk In & Say Hello

Arrive 10 minutes early. Our front desk team will welcome you, give you a quick tour, and introduce you to your coach. No paperwork novels — just a simple waiver.

Arrive Early Quick Tour Meet Your Coach
02

Warm Up Together

Every class starts with a group warm-up. Light movement, stretching, and BJJ-specific drills. Go at your own pace — nobody is watching the clock on you.

Group Warm-Up Your Own Pace
03

Learn Your First Technique

Coach breaks down a fundamental technique step by step. You'll drill it with a partner who knows you're new. Questions are encouraged — always.

Step-by-Step Paired Drilling Fundamentals
04

Practice & Roll (Optional)

Positional sparring or light rolling with experienced partners. This is always optional on your first day. Watch, ask questions, or jump in — your call entirely.

Optional Sparring No Pressure
05

High Fives & Come Back

Class ends with fist bumps and high fives. Grab some water, chat with your new training partners, and talk to Coach about your next steps. That's it. You did it.

Community Next Steps You Did It
Our Programs

Find Your
Path.

Structured programs for every age and skill level. Every journey starts with a single class.

4 – 6 Year Olds

Tots BJJ

Introducing Jiu-Jitsu through dynamic warm-ups, fun games, and confidence-building activities with emphasis on throwing and falling.

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7 – 9 Year Olds

Kids BJJ

Building a strong foundation with self-defense, dealing with bullying, basic positions, proper etiquette, and introductory submission holds.

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10 – 12 Year Olds

Youth BJJ

Competition-focused techniques with strong emphasis on submission holds. Developing future leaders who never forget the importance of fun.

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13 – 15 Year Olds

Teens BJJ

The perfect transition from Youth to Adult classes. Co-ed, follows fundamental BJJ curriculum, and prepares for higher intensity training.

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13 Years Old+

Women’s Only BJJ

Beginner-friendly, follows BJJ Basics curriculum closely. A supportive environment for women of all ages and body types.

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13 Years Old+ Co-Ed

BJJ Basics

The foundation of the academy. Learn fundamentals within IBJJF standards — self-defense, throws, positions, and submissions.

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13 Years+ Co-Ed

NoGi BJJ

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practiced without the Gi. Modern techniques utilized by top No-Gi and MMA competitors with open submission ruleset.

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Weekly Schedule

Train On
Your Time.

Multiple classes daily, six days a week. Find the slot that fits your life.

Time
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
10:15 AM
TOTS
11:00 AM
KIDS/YOUTH
60 mins
11:30 AM
BJJ
90 mins
NOGI
90 mins
NOGI
90 mins
12:00 PM
BJJ
90 mins
4:15 PM
TOTS
TEENS
4 PM
TOTS
TEENS
4 PM
5:00 PM
KIDS
ADVANCED
KIDS/YOUTH
KIDS
ADVANCED
KIDS/YOUTH
KIDS/YOUTH
6:00 PM
YOUTH
WOMEN'S
ONLY
YOUTH
WOMEN'S
ONLY
BJJ BASICS
7:00 PM
BJJ BASICS
NOGI
90 mins
BJJ BASICS
NOGI
90 mins
NOGI
8:00 PM
BJJ
ROLLING
30 mins
BJJ
ROLLING
30 mins
Kids/Tots
Teens/Youth
BJJ
Basics/Women's
NoGi
FAQ

Got
Questions?

Absolutely not. The majority of our students walked in with zero martial arts experience. Our Fundamentals program is specifically designed for complete beginners. Coach Ryan and Greg will guide you through every movement and position from day one.
Just bring comfortable athletic clothing (a t-shirt and shorts or joggers), a water bottle, and a positive attitude. We have loaner gis available for your trial classes. No special equipment is needed to get started. Please avoid clothing with zippers or pockets.
Most classes run between 60 and 90 minutes. Kids classes are typically 45–60 minutes. Each session includes a warm-up, technique instruction, drilling, and optional live rolling. We recommend arriving 10 minutes early for your first class.
Safety is our top priority. BJJ is one of the safest martial arts because sparring can be done at full intensity without strikes. The tap system allows you to safely submit at any time. Our coaches maintain strict mat etiquette and pair beginners with experienced, patient partners. Minor bumps and bruises are normal, but serious injuries are rare with proper instruction.
We offer flexible membership options including unlimited monthly, family plans, and student discounts. Your first trial class is completely free with no obligation. Contact us at (519) 301-5059 or info.woodstockbjj@gmail.com for current pricing and to book your free trial.
Not at all. Several of our most consistent students started in their 40s, 50s, and even 60s. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu rewards leverage and timing over strength and speed, so it's one of the few martial arts you can begin later in life and still progress meaningfully. Coach Ryan adapts drilling intensity and rolling partners to your fitness level, and the BJJ Basics curriculum is built around safe, repeatable technique — not high-impact sparring.
Yes. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a weight-bearing, resistance-based activity, and the consensus from sports-medicine research is that this kind of loading helps maintain and improve bone mineral density — especially in the hips, spine, and wrists. Combined with the strength work involved in escaping and controlling positions on the mat, BJJ is one of the better long-term investments adults can make in skeletal health.
Most students report it does, and it lines up with what's known about exercise and stress hormones. Hard physical activity raises cortisol acutely but reduces baseline cortisol over time, and the focused, problem-solving nature of live rolling pulls you completely out of work stress for the duration of class. The community piece matters too — training partners and a fixed schedule create the kind of routine that supports mental health beyond the gym.
It's the BJJ version of the Pareto principle: about 80% of what wins matches and rolls comes from a small set of high-percentage techniques — closed guard, side control, mount, rear-mount, and a handful of submissions and escapes from each. New students sometimes try to learn every technique they see online, but the players who progress fastest at Woodstock BJJ drill the same fundamentals repeatedly until those positions become automatic. Our BJJ Basics class is structured around exactly this idea.
Get Started

Begin Your
BJJ Journey.

Your first class is free. No contracts. No pressure. Just show up and discover what Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can do for you.

Book Free Trial → View Schedule →