Business Details
13 Years
experience
Your Premier Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Stratford, ON
Founded in 2013 by Ryan O'Shea, a 2nd Degree Black Belt with over 20 years of competitive and instructional expertise, Stratford Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy delivers world-class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training for all skill levels. Our IBJJF-certified instructors prioritize fundamental techniques while fostering a welcoming, inclusive environment that emphasizes personal growth and competitive excellence. With programs tailored for children, teens, adults, and women-only classes, we cultivate a vibrant community where students develop physical and mental resilience. Our downtown facility combines state-of-the-art amenities with a supportive atmosphere, ensuring every member feels at home.Under the guidance of Professor Jorge Britto within the Jiu-Jitsu for Life Team, we integrate diverse combat sports disciplines to enhance our curriculum. From beginners to professional athletes, our academy provides structured pathways for progression, emphasizing discipline, confidence, and lifelong fitness. We pride ourselves on maintaining small class sizes to ensure personalized attention, while our affiliation with top-tier martial arts organizations guarantees access to cutting-edge methodologies. Whether pursuing fitness goals or competitive aspirations, our students benefit from a holistic approach that extends beyond the mats.
Services
Adult BJJ Classes
Kids Programs
Women's Only Classes
Submission Wrestling
Yoga Instruction
Teen Training
Fundamentals Courses
Competitive Preparation
Details
- Year established: 2013
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of competitive BJJ experience from our head instructor
- Our academy maintains IBJJF-certified instructors for standardized excellence
- We provide specialized programs for all age groups and skill levels
- Our facility combines professional training with inclusive community values
- We integrate cross-disciplinary combat sports expertise into our curriculum
Associations and certifications
- IBJJF
What people say
Friendly, respectful, and fun
Welcoming environment
Positive learning environment
Hidden gem of bjj
Instructor personally showed me moves
Services
Adult BJJ Classes
Structured Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training for adults of all skill levels. Focuses on technical proficiency, self-defense applications, and physical conditioning. Classes incorporate live sparring sessions and progressive belt curriculum under certified instructors.
Kids Programs
Age-specific martial arts instruction for children aged 4-12. Develops discipline, coordination, and confidence through modified BJJ techniques. Includes character-building components and safe, supervised sparring environments.
Women's Only Classes
Specialized BJJ instruction tailored for women's self-defense needs. Emphasizes practical techniques for real-world scenarios while building strength and situational awareness in a supportive environment.
Submission Wrestling
Competitive grappling sessions focusing on takedowns, positional control, and submission techniques without traditional uniforms. Prepares athletes for tournament competition through live rolling and strategy drills.
Yoga Instruction
Hatha and vinyasa yoga classes designed to improve flexibility, balance, and mental focus. Combines traditional postures with therapeutic alignment principles to complement martial arts training and reduce injury risk.
People
Ryan O'Shea
Head Instructor
3rd Degree Black Belt with 20+ years competitive experience. Former professional MMA fighter and coach. Specializes in fundamental BJJ techniques and cross-disciplinary combat training.
Greg Neeb
Black Belt Instructor
Stratford BJJ's first Black Belt graduate. Top competitor and dedicated instructor. Focuses on technical precision and competitive strategy development for advanced students.
Ian Clark
BJJ Instructor
Brown Belt instructor with expertise in integrating yoga and mobility training. Develops morning programs combining technical instruction with physical conditioning and recovery techniques.
Kris Allard
BJJ & Boxing Coach
Black Belt instructor and Level 1 Boxing Ontario certified coach. Professional MMA background with emphasis on striking-grappling transitions and competitive preparation.
Stephanie Holliday
Yoga Instructor
E-RYT500 yoga teacher with 14+ years experience. Specializes in therapeutic yoga, anatomy-based alignment, and mindfulness practices. Holds advanced certifications in yoga therapy and holistic nutrition.
Questions
What is Stratford BJJ Academy's trial offer?
We offer a free 1-week trial with unlimited access to all classes for new members.
What age groups do your programs serve?
We provide instruction for children aged 4+, teens, adults, and specialized women's classes.
Are your instructors certified?
All lead instructors hold Black Belts and IBJJF certification with extensive competitive backgrounds.
What should I wear for my first class?
Wear comfortable athletic clothing. We provide loaner gis for initial Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu sessions.
Do you offer competitive training programs?
Yes, we prepare athletes for IBJJF-sanctioned competitions with specialized sparring and strategy sessions.
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