SBG NorCal Jiu Jitsu & Mixed Martial Arts

SBG NorCal Jiu Jitsu & Mixed Martial Arts has been a fixture in the East Bay martial arts scene since 2003, led by co-founder and Head Coach Lily Pagle. Lily brings more than 25 years of experience to the mats, holding a 3rd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a second degree black belt in Judo. Alongside Lily, the coaching staff includes lifelong martial artists and specialists in a range of disciplines, all of whom complete a rigorous year-long coaching course before leading classes. The academy is run as a non-profit, with coaches volunteering their time and energy to the mat. Training at SBG NorCal covers Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a core discipline, with class options for both adults and a dedicated youth program. The youth curriculum stands as its own track, not simply a scaled-down version of the adult room, and is overseen by coaches with backgrounds in education and martial arts. For adults, the academy’s offerings extend beyond jiu jitsu to include wrestling, judo, MMA, and boxing—giving grapplers and strikers opportunities to cross-train and build a complete skill set. SBG NorCal’s approach emphasizes practical martial arts for self-defense and personal development, with scholarship programs available through local schools and regular free community workshops covering fitness, self-defense, and wellness. The school welcomes people from varied backgrounds and all ages, with the aim of helping students grow both on and off the mat. The facility is wheelchair accessible, and its location on San Pablo Avenue makes it a practical choice for students from Berkeley and neighboring areas.

Amenities