The Tokei Fitness Centre - London Bridge | Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Classes Page

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or BJJ derives from Japanese jiu jitsu and judo imported to South American in the early 1900s, and its transformation into a new martial art style by a group of Brazilian pioneers. Before it arrived in Brazil the origins of jiu jitsu are believed to go back thousands of years. There are several theories concerning it roots, but many agree that it can at least be traced back 4,000 years ago, to Buddhist monks in India. It then spread to feudal Japan, where it developed into an effective hand-to-hand combat before transitioning to become more of an art form and a competitive activity. In 1915 a world-famous Japanese judoka, Mitsuyo Maeda arrived in Brazil where he began teaching Jiu Jitsu and judo. Three of Maeda's first students went on to become the founders of what is known as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: brothers Carlos and Helio Gracie, and Luiz Franca. Each of these pioneers contributed to the development of what is now known as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is one of the worlds fastest-growing martial arts. Students of all ages and from all walks of life practice the art for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, fitness, camaraderie, stress relief, and fun. And while it has only recently come into the public consciousness due to the popularity of mixed martial arts competitions such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship and ONE Championship, its origins can be traced back several centuries.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu NoGi - All Levels

Our all-level programme (No-Gi) is designed for students who have developed a solid foundation and are ready to advance their grappling without reliance on the gi. The classes focus on refining core No-Gi techniques, exploring modern variations, and improving transitions between key positions such as clinch, takedowns, top control, and escapes.

Training combines focused drilling with controlled sparring to build timing, conditioning, and tactical awareness in a realistic setting. Emphasis is placed on movement, pressure, and body positioning, helping students adapt their Jiu-Jitsu for fast-paced No-Gi submission grappling while continuing to develop confidence and technical depth.

Saturday

09:30 -

11:00

Liam

Liam Wandi is a lifelong martial artist with black belts in Karate, Judo and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. He has been an instructor of Jiu-Jitsu for the past 16 years. He has given seminars around the world and also writes the popular Jiu-Jitsu blog "The Part Time Grappler".

Liam recently released his book, "What Outstanding Instructors Do: The definitive resource for aspiring Jiu-Jitsu instructors".

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Fundamentals

Our BJJ - fundamentals programme is a structured beginner curriculum focused on practical self-defence Jiu-Jitsu for real-life situations. It teaches students how to survive, control, and escape common attacks such as punches, headlocks, and grabs. The programme is taught in the traditional Jiu-jitsu uniform: a heavy-duty cotton suit comprised of a jacket, trousers and a coloured belt where the colour signifies experience in the art. Beginners start with a white belt. Speak to your instructor about where to purchase a uniform as they may be able to arrange a discount from a number of brands.

The programme emphasizes safety, leverage, and technique over strength, making it accessible to all ages and body types. Each lesson is taught step-by-step, pairing practical techniques with core principles like distance management, base, and control.

Our fundamentals programme builds confidence and strong foundation skills, preparing students for more advanced Jiu-Jitsu while staying true to its self-defence roots.

Friday

19:00 -

20:00

Liam

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu NoGi - Fundamentals

Our fundamentals programme (No-Gi) is a structured beginner curriculum focused on practical self-defence and positional control and is taught without the traditional uniform. It teaches students how to survive, control, and escape common situations such as clinches, tackles, and ground attacks, using body positioning and leverage rather than grips on clothing. The programme is taught in the modern submission grappling uniform: a short- or long-sleeve top (a.k.a. rash guard) often made of a polyester blend and a pair of grappling shorts (very similar to surf shorts but with no pockets or metal parts. Speak to your instructor about where to purchase a uniform as they may be able to arrange a discount from a number of brands.

The programme emphasizes safety, movement, and technique over strength, making it accessible to all ages and body types. Each lesson is taught step-by-step, pairing key No-Gi techniques with core principles like base, balance, distance management, and underhook control.

This programme is also an excellent first step for anyone aiming to develop an understanding of modern MMA, as it builds essential grappling skills used in mixed martial arts, including takedowns, ground control, and positional awareness. It provides a strong foundation for both self-defence and future competitive training.

Wednesday

18:45 -

20:00

Liam

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu All Levels

Our all-level BJJ programme is designed for students who have built a solid foundation and are ready to deepen their Jiu-Jitsu practice. The classes focus on refining core techniques, introducing more advanced variations, and developing fluid transitions between positions.

Training includes structured drilling and controlled sparring, allowing students to improve timing, problem-solving, and tactical awareness in a safe and supportive environment. The programme helps students grow in confidence, sharpen their technique, and adapt their Jiu-Jitsu for both self-defence and sportive applications.

Monday

18:30 -

20:00

Thursday

19:30 -

21:00

Liam