American Jiu Jitsu of Maplewood

American Jiu Jitsu of Maplewood has been shaped by the leadership and deep experience of Shihan Tony Avila, who has guided the school since its founding as part of the American Jiu Jitsu Federation. Shihan Tony began his training in 1994 and achieved the rank of Fifth Degree Black Belt under O’Sensei Joe Puleio, the founder of American Jiu Jitsu Centers. Alongside him, co-owner Sensei Dara Avila and a team of certified instructors—including Sensei Ed Tall, Sensei Jelani Roper, Sensei Mia Avila, and Sensei Luzita Avila—bring decades of combined experience, each with their own roots in Maplewood and the broader American Jiu Jitsu lineage. Classes at the academy are organized by age and focus, beginning with the Junior Samurai program for elementary school students and progressing through teen and adult instruction. The kids’ and teen programs emphasize practical self-defense, anti-bullying skills, and confidence-building, with instructors who have spent years developing methods to engage and challenge younger students. Adult classes are structured for all levels and center on scenario-based self-defense, reflecting the school’s philosophy that Jiu Jitsu techniques are to be used for real-world protection rather than competition. Women’s self-defense seminars and introductory courses also run regularly, led by instructors with special experience in teaching empowerment and safety. Training at American Jiu Jitsu of Maplewood is almost exclusively in the gi, with all programs rooted in traditional American Jiu Jitsu technique. The school also offers Tai Chi instruction under Sifu Rick Little, whose background in Chinese martial arts and long teaching history adds another dimension to the curriculum. Drop-ins are welcome, and the facility is wheelchair accessible, supporting a wide range of students from Maplewood and the surrounding area.

Amenities