Martial Arts Institute

I’ve been with MAI since their Brazilian Jujitsu program started, which was four or five years ago (from this review). MAI is an associated school to Claudio Franca’s BJJ in Santa Cruz.
The atmosphere here is quite relaxed, with a emphasis on sportsmanship and an open learning environment. At the time of this review, the owner holds a purple belt in BJJ (& a high level black belt in Kempo Karate, but my experience in the Kempo classes is very limited). There are a few other purple belts who attend regularly and once a week Daniel Thomas, BJJ black belt, comes in and instructs. I’m probably biased, but I’ve yet to come across a better instructor than Daniel.
The class sizes for BJJ are small to medium in size. I’d say an average of ten to fifteen students per class. The student body size is quite larger, but different people might come on different days. Personally I appreciate a smaller class size — more room on the mat!
If you are an association member with Claudia Franca BJJ, you can also attend one class per month at the other association schools, which is quite worth doing.
I can’t speak for the Kempo Karate program for adults. I know a number of parents who have enrolled their children in MAI’s children’s Kempo classes and they have told me it is a great program.
If you are new to BJJ and want to give it a shot or an established/​former student and are looking for a place to train, you should drop by. Classes are Tuesday @ 615 PM and Thursday @ 615 PM. Daniel teaches on Tuesdays.
There are also BJJ classes on Wednesday and Saturday in the morning hours. I’d recommend a Tuesday class for your first though. Your first class here will be no charge. If you have any questions, call the place up and ask for Erick.

I needed to train really Bad!
I saw there web site and called. They said go ahead and come in for a session.
I showed up to a very clean and well kept school. The old school bags on the side. The smell of sweat and icy hot. I could see some kids grappling with there Instructor Josh 4-​strip blue belt (I think really a purple belt.)
leading the class. As class finished you could see how much the kids respected him.
He introduced himself and said welcome in.
They have a small dressing room across the mat. I went to change in the closed off studio.
Class started with stretching and normal warm up. Went through some training moves.
Great time on the mat. 4 – 5 5 min rolls with some really great students of this school!
You guys rock! Cheers!