Be amazed at how quickly you can become skilled at
Jiu Jitsu.
Our modern, science-backed approach to training simplifies the process of skill acquisition so you can get good, fast.
Be amazed at how quickly
you can become skillful at Jiu Jitsu.
Our modern, science-backed approach to training
simplifies the process of skill acquisition
so you can get good, fast.
THE FIRST ECOLOGICAL
BJJ SCHOOL IN THE
LOS ANGELES AREA
Trying to learn Jiu Jitsu can feel overwhelming.
BJJ is a modern, constantly evolving art. There are so many techniques and so much variation in what different schools choose to teach. How are you supposed to know what to learn, or who to trust?
THE FIRST ECOLOGICAL BJJ SCHOOL IN THE LOS ANGELES AREA
Trying to learn Jiu Jitsu can feel overwhelming.
BJJ is a modern, constantly evolving art. There are so many techniques
and so much variation in what different schools choose to teach.
How are you supposed to know what to learn, or who to trust?
Are you worried about:
- Feeling lost at a school that doesn't have a program to help beginners learn the fundamentals
- Making slow progress at a school that has an outdated curriculum, or teaches random moves every day
- Being limited at a school that does not teach no-gi, leglocks, or takedowns
- Struggling to memorize all the techniques shown in class, only to forget how to do them a week later
- Feeling unsupported at a school that takes a cookie-cutter approach to learning, with no one guiding your personal growth
- Wasting your time and money without having the skills to show for it
LET US BE YOUR GUIDE
Skills made simple.
We use Ecological Dynamics to simplify the process
of acquiring complex skills. A science-backed approach where
students play skill-development "games" that harness the natural way humans solve problems and learn to move.
LET US BE YOUR GUIDE
Skills made simple.
We use Ecological Dynamics to simplify the process of acquiring complex skills.
A science-backed approach where students play skill-development "games"
that harness the natural way humans solve problems and learn to move.
What is Ecological Dynamics?
A framework for understanding how human beings learn to move.
Ecological Dynamics says that we learn movement skills
by directly interacting with our environment.
LEARNING THROUGH PLAYING
Under the Ecological Approach, students learn by playing "games" that are carefully designed to help you develop technical skill. Students engage in an active process of problem-solving against a live, resisting training partner. This approach promotes critical thinking and adaptability in the face of complex, novel problems.
LEARNING THROUGH PLAYING
Under the Ecological Approach, students learn by playing "games" that are carefully designed to help you develop technical skill. Students engage in an active process of problem-solving against a live, resisting training partner. This approach promotes critical thinking and adaptability in the face of complex, novel problems.
"LIVE" TRAINING FROM DAY ONE
Training "live" against resistance is essential to acquiring skill in combat sports. This is how we are able to develop the timing, awareness, and ability to perform techniques in real life. With the Ecological Approach, every class is live from start to finish. All students — even beginners — can safely train live from day one.
"LIVE" TRAINING FROM DAY ONE
Training "live" against resistance is essential to acquiring skill in combat sports. This is how we are able to develop the timing, awareness, and ability to perform techniques in real life. With the Ecological Approach, every class is live from start to finish. All students — even beginners — can safely train live from day one.
GREAT FOR BEGINNERS
Our games are designed so that anyone can play, even if you don't have any previous experience. We de-construct complex skills into simple tasks and guide students through the process of discovering the solution. As a beginner you get to fully participate in a safe, fun, and controlled way, and quickly learn how to play the game.
GREAT FOR BEGINNERS
Our games are designed so that anyone can play, even if you don't have any previous experience. We de-construct complex skills into simple tasks and guide students through the process of discovering the solution. As a beginner you get to fully participate in a safe, fun, and controlled way, and quickly learn how to play the game.
YOUR HAPPY PLACE
Feel safe when you train.
We consciously create a safe, supportive, and welcoming
training environment. Our culture is informed by decades of experience
in the mental health field, and guided by the values of
community, harmony, and compassion.
BE CLOSE TO THE SOURCE
Lineage you can trust.
We are proud to represent a strong lineage of innovation and world-class expertise.
We teach techniques that have been developed at the highest level
so you can feel confident in your Jiu Jitsu.
Our Lineage
We teach modern BJJ founded upon the technical expertise
of Renzo Gracie, Shawn Williams, and other leading
innovators of the art.
Shawn Williams
Black Belt, 5th Degree
Black Belt under Renzo Gracie
Elite Coach & Expert Analyst
Alex Aung
Black Belt, 3rd Degree
Black Belt under Shawn Williams
Head Instructor of Common Ground
"Alex is a fantastic instructor. He is extremely knowledgeable, super detailed, and really cares about his students. I trusted him to teach at my academy and you can trust him to teach you great Jiu Jitsu.
I give Alex and Common Ground my highest recommendation."
— Shawn Williams
FIFTH DEGREE BLACK BELT UNDER RENZO GRACIE
YOUR HAPPY PLACE
Feel safe when you train.
We consciously create a safe, supportive, and welcoming training environment.
Our culture is informed by decades of experience in the mental health field,
and guided by the values of community, harmony, and compassion.
Are you worried about:
- Feeling lost at a school that doesn't have a program to help beginners learn the fundamentals
- Making slow progress at a school that has an outdated curriculum, or teaches random moves every day
- Being limited at a school that does not teach no-gi, leglocks, or takedowns
- Struggling to memorize all the techniques shown in class, only to forget how to do them a week later
- Feeling unsupported at a school that takes a cookie-cutter approach to learning, with no one guiding your personal growth
- Wasting your time and money without having the skills to show for it
LET US BE YOUR GUIDE
Skills made simple.
We use Ecological Dynamics to simplify the process of acquiring complex skills. A science-backed approach where students play skill-development "games" that harness the natural way humans solve problems and learn to move.
What is Ecological Dynamics?
A framework for understanding how human beings learn to move. Ecological Dynamics says that we learn movement skills by directly interacting with our environment.
LEARNING THROUGH PLAYING
Under the Ecological Approach, students learn by playing "games" that are carefully designed to help you develop technical skill. Students engage in an active process of problem-solving against a live, resisting training partner. This approach promotes critical thinking and adaptability in the face of complex, novel problems.
"LIVE" TRAINING FROM DAY ONE
Training "live" against resistance is essential to acquiring skill in combat sports. This is how we are able to develop the timing, awareness, and ability to perform techniques in real life. With the Ecological Approach, every class is live from start to finish. All students — even beginners — can safely train live from day one.
GREAT FOR BEGINNERS
Our games are designed so that anyone can play, even if you don't have any previous experience. We de-construct complex skills into simple tasks and guide students through the process of discovering the solution. As a beginner you get to fully participate in a safe, fun, and controlled way, and quickly learn how to play the game.
BE CLOSE TO THE SOURCE
Lineage you can trust.
We are proud to represent a strong lineage of innovation and world-class expertise. We teach techniques that have been developed at the highest level so you can feel confident in your Jiu Jitsu.
Our Lineage
We teach modern BJJ founded upon the technical expertise of Renzo Gracie, Shawn Williams, and other leading innovators of the art.
Shawn Williams
Black Belt, 5th Degree
Black Belt under Renzo Gracie
Elite Coach & Expert Analyst
Alex Aung
Black Belt, 3rd Degree
Black Belt under Shawn Williams
Head Instructor of Common Ground
"Alex is a fantastic instructor. He is extremely knowledgeable, super detailed, and really cares about his students. I trusted him to teach at my academy and you can trust him to teach you great Jiu Jitsu.
I give Alex and Common Ground my highest recommendation."
— Shawn Williams
FIFTH DEGREE BLACK BELT
UNDER RENZO GRACIE
YOUR HAPPY PLACE
Feel safe when you train.
We consciously create a safe, supportive, and welcoming training environment. Our culture is informed by decades of experience in the mental health field, and guided by the values of community, harmony, and compassion.
Stepping into a BJJ school can feel intimidating.
It takes courage to try something new, especially a combat sport. Maybe you've heard horror stories about "toxic" gym cultures and have natural concerns for your safety.
Are you worried about:
- Feeling like a burden to the other students, and not being able to find someone who wants to work with you
- Getting injured, or accidentally injuring someone else because you were thrown into full sparring without preparation
- Being used as a "punching bag" for the more experienced students or competitors
- Feeling unsafe in a hyper-competitive training environment where people prioritize "winning" over their partner's well-being

- Being older, weaker, or more out of shape than everyone else, and not being able to train at your own pace
- Getting treated as "less than" because you are lowest on the social totem pole
We understand what our students need to feel physically and psychologically safe.
Everything from our classroom management, school culture, and even our physical amenities are designed to promote a positive student experience.
How do we facilitate a positive class experience?
- We assist with partner pairing in every class, to ensure students are able to train with someone close to their own size. Beginners are partnered up with more experienced students.
- We structure our classes to help students make the most of their time on the mats. We get started immediately, without using repetitive calisthenics to "warm-up," and ensure there are multiple rounds of sparring in every class.
- We have timed rounds, so each partner gets equal time to work. You can go at your own pace without feeling rushed.
- Two instructors are resent on the mats during class. We actively observe each round to provide guidance, answer questions, and help students reflect on their experience.
- We offer assistance and encouragement when students need help, while also giving students recognition when they are doing well. Instructors provide a balance of technical feedback and praise throughout each class.
- We greet everyone by name, play a variety of music, and use humor to help engage with our students and keep the energy level high.
How does our culture support our students' well-being?
- Students are not forced into performing rituals such as bowing on and off of the mats, bowing to a photograph on the wall, or "running the gauntlet" for belt promotions.
- Students are free to wear any color or brand of uniform that they wish, and are not required to purchase or wear school-branded gear.
- Students are never punished or reprimanded for being late, using the restroom, or taking a water break.
- All students are treated with equal respect. Students do not need to line up by rank. Students of higher rank are not given special privileges.
- All knowledge is made equally available to all students. Students are not restricted from learning any technique based on their rank.
- All students are trained on our Sparring Protocol, with comprehensive rules regarding safety and etiquette, before being cleared to spar.
How do our physical amenities attend to our students' needs?
- Our high-quality mats have a custom-built subfloor that includes 2.5 inches of carpet padding. The cushioning helps to preserve your joints and protect against hard falls.
- We require the use of indoor sandals when in the restroom. We provide two pairs of communal sandals to ensure no one walks barefoot into the restroom.
- We provide complimentary mouthwash in the restroom for student use.
- We clean and disinfect our mats thoroughly every day. We have never had an outbreak of any skin infections since we opened our doors in 2018.
- We have a fully functioning, central HVAC system and ensure that the temperature is controlled for student comfort. We also have two HEPA air filters located in the training area.
- We provide hand sanitizer and nail clippers in our changing rooms.
Our Values
Technique
The promise of BJJ is that you can use technique to overcome differences in size and strength. We encourage our students to be as technical as possible, focusing on energy efficiency and developing skill rather than relying on brute force or other physical attributes.
Performance
BJJ is a performance-based art – you have to make moves work against resistance, through "live" training / sparring. We provide quality instruction and a safe environment for students to develop real skills, be able to perform under pressure, and feel confident in their Jiu Jitsu.
Humility
By embodying a spirit of humility, we can find more joy in the learning process. In victory we strive to be humble and gracious, and in defeat we are willing to reflect on our mistakes and improve. We are respectful and grateful for the art, our teachers, and our training partners.
Harmony
BJJ requires trust between training partners. Developing, maintaining, and restoring harmony is vital for students to feel safe with each other, and thus train well together. We make a conscious choice to create a cooperative and harmonious training environment.
Compassion
We do our best to build meaningful relationships with our training partners. We make genuine connections with one another & support each other through the ups and downs of training and life. We are sensitive to each other’s needs, strive to be empathic, and treat each other with compassion.
Community
Community is about being committed to each other. We all share a passion for BJJ and deepen our bonds by supporting one another as we each work towards achieving our goals. We are respectful of our training partners and appreciate them for investing their time, energy, and resources into helping us on our path.
Critical Thinking
BJJ is an infinite, complex art that gives us the opportunity to practice analytical and critical thinking. We are seekers of truth and keep an open mind. We encourage students to ask questions in class, take notes, reflect on their training experiences, and take ownership of their own learning and growth.
Freedom
Everyone embarks on a heroic journey through life, and martial arts can be a powerful discipline that forges mind, body, and spirit on this path. Through the process of mastering BJJ you can break free of your past conditioning, shed your old self, and choose to live an inspired and meaningful life.
Stepping into a BJJ school can feel intimidating.
It takes courage to try something new, especially a combat sport.
Maybe you’ve heard horror stories about “toxic” gym cultures
and have natural concerns for your safety.
Are you worried about:
- Feeling like a burden to the other students, and not being able to find someone who wants to work with you
- Getting injured, or accidentally injuring someone else because you were thrown into full sparring without preparation
- Being used as a "punching bag" for the more experienced students or competitors
- Feeling unsafe in a hyper-competitive training environment where people prioritize "winning" over their partner's well-being
- Being older, weaker, or more out of shape than everyone else, and not being able to train at your own pace
- Getting treated as "less than" because you are lowest on the social totem pole
We understand what our students need
to feel physically and psychologically safe.
Everything from our classroom management, school culture, and
even our physical amenities are designed to promote
a positive student experience.
How do we facilitate a positive class experience?
- We assist with partner pairing in every class, to ensure students are able to train with someone close to their own size. Beginners are partnered up with more experienced students.
- We structure our classes to help students make the most of their time on the mats. We get started immediately, without using repetitive calisthenics to "warm-up," and ensure there are multiple rounds of sparring in every class.
- We have timed rounds, so each partner gets equal time to work. You can go at your own pace without feeling rushed.
- Two instructors are present on the mats during class. We actively observe each round to provide guidance, answer questions, and help students reflect on their experience.
- We offer assistance and encouragement when students need help, while also giving students recognition when they are doing well. Instructors provide a balance of technical feedback and praise throughout each class.
- We greet everyone by name, play a variety of music, and use humor to help engage with our students and keep the energy level high.
How does our culture support our students' well-being?
- Students are not forced into performing rituals such as bowing on and off of the mats, bowing to a photograph on the wall, or "running the gauntlet" for belt promotions.
- Students are free to wear any color or brand of uniform that they wish, and are not required to purchase or wear school-branded gear.
- Students are never punished or reprimanded for being late, using the restroom, or taking a water break.
- All students are treated with equal respect. Students do not need to line up by rank. Students of higher rank are not given special privileges.
- All knowledge is made equally available to all students. Students are not restricted from learning any technique based on their rank.
- All students are trained on our Sparring Protocol, with comprehensive rules regarding safety and etiquette, before being cleared to spar.
How do our physical amenities attend to our students' needs?
- Our high-quality mats have a custom-built subfloor that includes 2.5 inches of carpet padding. The cushioning helps to preserve your joints and protect against hard falls.
- We require the use of indoor sandals when in the restroom. We provide two pairs of communal sandals to ensure no one walks barefoot into the restroom.
- We provide complimentary mouthwash in the restroom for student use.
- We clean and disinfect our mats thoroughly every day. We have never had an outbreak of any skin infections since we opened our doors in 2018.
- We have a fully functioning, central HVAC system and ensure that the temperature is controlled for student comfort. We also have two HEPA air filters located in the training area.
- We provide hand sanitizer and nail clippers in our changing rooms.
Our Values
TECHNIQUE
The promise of Jiu Jitsu is that you can use technique to overcome differences in size and strength. We encourage our students to be as technical as possible, focusing on energy efficiency and developing skill rather than relying on brute force or other physical attributes.
PERFORMANCE
Jiu Jitsu is a performance-based art — you have to make moves work against resistance, through "live" training / sparring. We provide quality instruction and a safe environment for students to develop real skills, be able to perform under pressure, and feel confident in their Jiu Jitsu.
HUMILITY
By embodying a spirit of humility, we can find more joy in the learning process. In victory we strive to be humble and gracious, and in defeat we are willing to reflect on our mistakes and improve. We are respectful and grateful for the art, our teachers, and our training partners.
HARMONY
Jiu Jitsu requires trust between training partners. Developing, maintaining, and restoring harmony is vital for students to feel safe with each other, and thus train well together. We make a conscious choice to create a cooperative and harmonious training environment.
COMPASSION
We do our best to build meaningful relationships with our training partners. We make genuine connections with one another, and support each other through the ups and downs of training and life. We are sensitive to each other’s needs, strive to be empathic, and treat each other with compassion.
COMMUNITY
Community is about being committed to each other. We all share a passion for Jiu Jitsu and deepen our bonds by supporting one another as we each work towards achieving our goals. We are respectful of our training partners and appreciate them for investing their time, energy, and resources into helping us on our path.
CRITICAL THINKING
Jiu Jitsu is an infinite, complex art that gives us the opportunity to practice analytical and critical thinking. We are seekers of truth and keep an open mind. We encourage students to ask questions in class, take notes, reflect on their training experiences, and take ownership of their own learning and growth.
FREEDOM
Everyone embarks on a heroic journey through life, and martial arts can be a powerful discipline that forges mind, body, and spirit on this path. Through the process of mastering Jiu Jitsu you can break free of your past conditioning, shed your old self, and choose to live an inspired and meaningful life.
BE CLOSE TO THE SOURCE
Lineage you can trust.
We are proud to represent a strong lineage of innovation
and world-class expertise. We teach techniques that have been developed at the highest level so you can feel confident in your Jiu Jitsu.
