About Griffin Performance Judo

At Griffin Performance Judo, we believe judo is more than a sport. It’s a pathway to confidence, resilience, discipline, and belonging. Based in El Cerrito, California, we provide high-quality Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instruction for students of all ages and experience levels, from first-time beginners to nationally competitive athletes.

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More Than a Dojo - A Community Partner

Our mission extends well beyond our own mats at the dojo. We work closely with city recreation departments, school districts, and after-school programs to bring structured, values-based martial arts instruction into communities of all types , urban and suburban, underserved and established alike.

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Through partnerships with local governments, community centers, and nonprofits, we help make Judo accessible to families who might not otherwise have the opportunity to train. These programs focus on safety, confidence-building, teamwork, and emotional resilience, using martial arts as a powerful tool for positive youth development and lifelong wellness.

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Whether we’re teaching in a city gym, a school multipurpose room, or our home dojo, our goal remains the same: meet people where they are and help them grow.

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Rooted Locally, Connected Globally

While our work is deeply grounded in the local community, Griffin Performance Judo is also part of a broad international judo network. We actively engage with coaches, athletes, and educators from around the world, bringing a global perspective into our training.

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Our students benefit from this connection through guest instructors and visiting coaches from across the United States and internationally, exposing them to diverse styles, techniques, training philosophies, and cultural approaches to Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This exchange of knowledge keeps our curriculum dynamic, current, and rooted in best practices from the highest levels of the sport.

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By blending local community engagement with international expertise, we offer a learning environment that is both accessible and world-class.

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A Culture Built on Respect and Growth

Across our dojo, city programs, and partner sites, we foster an environment rooted in mutual respect, accountability, and encouragement. Students learn how to fall safely, and just as importantly, how to get back up with confidence and purpose.

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We integrate the timeless principles of Judo,  balance, efficiency, discipline, and respect — with modern coaching methods and inclusive instruction. The result is training that develops not only physical skill, but also focus, emotional resilience, and self-belief that carries into school, work, and daily life.

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Programs for Every Stage of the Journey

Our curriculum supports students wherever they are in their journey:

• Youth & Adult Judo: From fundamentals like balance and safe falling to advanced throwing, gripping, and competition strategy

• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Ground-based grappling that builds problem-solving, control, and composure

• Competition Training: Structured preparation, conditioning, and tactical randori for serious athletes

• Camps, Clinics & Community Programs: Seasonal intensives, guest-led clinics, city-run programs, and after-school partnerships​

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Leadership with Purpose

Our coaching staff brings decades of combined experience as competitors, instructors, and mentors. They are nationally certified, internationally connected, and deeply committed to education — guiding students not just toward athletic success, but toward personal growth and leadership.

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Our Philosophy

We teach more than techniques. We teach values:

• Respect — for yourself, your training partners, and your community

• Perseverance — showing up consistently and embracing challenge

• Service — using our skills to strengthen the communities we serve

Every class, every partnership, and every exchange of knowledge reflects these principles.

Join the Griffin Community

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Whether you’re a parent seeking a meaningful after-school program, an adult looking for confidence and fitness, or an athlete pursuing high-level competition, Griffin Performance Judo offers a place to belong, learn, and thrive.

We are proud to serve our dojo members, our city partners, and our broader international martial arts community.

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Come train with us. Your journey starts here.