Tinguinha BJJ Academy

While I have since moved so I do not attend anymore, I did stay at the academy for over 2 years and earn my blue belt. I have since trained at many other academies and I can honestly say you are getting top level instructions, great vibes, and amazing people at this academy. I still feel at home when I go and visit from time to time.

i was a fan of his spider guard dvds and visited the school for a batata seminar. tinguinha and his students were very welcoming and friendly.

Osssss!
I highly recommend this place to train jiu jitsu. Tinguinha is a great teacher and is very passionate about everyone’s improvement. I mean everyone. It doesn’t matter if you are a seasoned veteran or a first week white belt. He’s going to watch everyone and give you the tools to improve.
Not only is he a great teacher, he has created a welcoming environment for anyone to come and train. Everyone who trains here is cool. I mean 100%.

This review is strictly for Tinguinha’s teaching – I trained under him when he was in Anaheim, so I don’t know how the facilities at the new place are (I bet they’re outstanding, though).
Tinguinha is one of the most decent people you’ll ever meet. His style of teaching benefited me greatly. He got me to focus more on solid, basic techniques rather than trying to swarm on my opponents with pure strength. (He would tell me: «You see a closed door, and instead of trying to open it and walk through, you just want to smash right through it.»)
He won’t allow you to be lazy or sloppy, but he’s not going to rip your head off and humiliate you if you don’t succeed, either.
Excellent sensei.

I started coming here only because my brother was going here. I actually wanted to train closer to my house at Mark Munoz’ gym but had to give the place my brother was raving about for years a try first. After the first month I was hooked. There are a lot of people to roll with, the instructors break it down and most importantly, it feels like a team over there. Not a team in the sense that they are out to only win tournaments and promote the school’s name but team in the sense that your team mates are invested in helping each other improve. Team in the sense that you feel supported there by everyone from the instructor Tinguinha, the office staff and the students. It’s apparent in the way you are greeted when you walk in, interacted with in class and by the service you receive as a customer. Thank you Tinguinha BJJ Academy for the awesome place to train and to my brother for referring me.

I’ve been taking a fitness class at Tinguinha BJJ Academy taught by Jeff N. for the past 8 months and I can say w/​o reservation that he teaches a crazy-​good, muscle building, boot camp style class. It’s only 1 hour long but I always leave in a full sweat and feeling really pumped! I swear his workouts cover every muscle in your body. Taking this class has significantly improved my overall strength, balance, coordination and endurance and is good for all ages and fitness levels.
So if you’re looking for an instructor who really cares about your fitness and a great class at a price that doesn’t break the bank, I highly recommend this place! His classes are held on Sat. from 9−10AM and on Tue from 3−4PM. Best overall fitness class ever!!!

I guess my review is as biased as it gets, because now I am an instructor here. But when I first started here in 2007, I knew this was something I wanted to be a part of. Back then, I was close to 190 lbs, with weak knees and tons of unhealthy habits. Today I walk at 145 lbs and I feel better than I felt in high school. I owe this to the great Jiu-​Jitsu instruction of Mauricio «Tinguinha» and Muay Thai instruction from John Vitasa. I identify this as the place that saved my life.

I found Tinguinha’s gym and am so glad I did. Since first joining in November, it has become my second home. From white belts to Master Tinguinha himself, everyone is there to learn this beautiful art and help each other out. Tinguinha and his wife are two of the most genuine people I’ve ever met. The atmosphere there is always warm and friendly. I could go on, but go see for yourselves. As the sign reads when you walk in: «May all who enter as guests, leave as friends»

Some basic info about the school:
Basically all BJJ classes taught by 3^rd degree black belt under Carlos Gracie Jr. — Mauricio «Tinguinha» Mariano
–basically the master/​inventor of spider guard.
–he’s also head of the BJJ dept. or the new UFC training center.
To my knowledge, the school is the original Gracie Barra «Orange County» before Gracie Barra is what is today (extensive amount of schools in every city).
So yeah, this place is super-​legitimate old school/​original BJJ.
The facility–
Its big with 2 mat areas. One big white mat and another tournament style mat area. Also heavy bags are up for the muay thai classes (also very good.) 1 bathroom but also has a separate changing area with separate shower. a bench for spectators.
The Classes–
7 days a week, kids program, Muay Thai, and women’s self defense also offered.
The environment–
Super friendly, family style. Its like the mom and pop restaurant except of enjoying your favorite avocado teriyaki bacon burger, you’re eating plate lunch of BJJ.
The people–
No egos. Everyone there is there to help one another. Wide range of heights/​weights to train with.
I live in Irvine and commute about 30 mins to an hour to train here.

I first met Tinguinha in Brazil training BJJ. He was already a black and was considered one of the best on the mat at Gracie Barra.
He is know as the inventor of the spider guard, his technique is amazing.
The gym is clean and class is really fun. For sure check this place out for a class.