Join East Devon's Premier
BJJ Grappling Academy

Mahara Jiujitsu Vision

Mahara Jiujitsu is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy based in Exmouth, Devon, offering high-quality Gi and No-Gi BJJ training for beginners, experienced practitioners, adults, and children. Whether you’re looking for self-defence, fitness, confidence, or competition-ready skills, our BJJ classes provide a supportive, structured environment for all levels.

Starting Jiujitsu can be expensive, so we don’t require you to buy a pricey gi (or three) and pay a large joining fee after your first class. You don’t even need to buy no-gi attire! You can attend any class with just a T-shirt and joggers to start learning the fundamentals. (We have spare gear)

Your first class is free (please fill in the free trial submission above), then simply pay the drop-in price of £8 (£7 for kids) or adults can purchase memberships for £60 per month , which incorporates all classes, and Kids membership is £40 per month. We run 9 adult sessions, 3 Youth sessions and a Parent and Kids class per week !

CHEAP TO GET STARTED !

If you’re new to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mahara Jiujitsu offers a structured beginner pathway designed to build confidence, fitness and solid fundamentals. Many of our members join with no prior martial arts experience. Located just minutes from Exeter, Mahara Jiujitsu attracts students from Exeter, Exmouth /East Devon and surrounding areas looking for authentic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training without the overcrowded city gyms.

NEW TO JIUJITSU ?

CLICK HERE FOR A FREE TRIAL

✨ Why Women Choose Brazilian Jiujitsu ✨

Because confidence is built on the mats, not found by accident.

🥋 At Mahara, women train BJJ to build:

💪 Real-world self-defence skills
🧠 Calm, focus, and mental resilience
🔥 Strength through consistency
🤝 A welcoming, supportive team
👑 Confidence that carries into everyday life

You don’t need to be “fit” or “experienced” to start.
You just need to walk through the door, we’ll help with the rest.

📍Train in a friendly, professional environment in Exmouth

👊 Led by experienced coaches who care about your progress

✅ Try a FREE trial class
📩 DM “TRIAL” and we’ll get you started

#MaharaJiujitsu #WomenWhoTrain #WomensBJJ #BJJExmouth #JiuJitsuForWomen StrongWomen

⚠️Jiujitsu doesn’t care who you think you are.
It only cares about what you show up with on the mat.

You’ll get humbled.
You’ll lose when you don’t expect to.
You’ll feel stuck longer than you’d like.

That’s not failure, that’s the process.

At Mahara Jiujitsu, we don’t promise fast belts or easy wins.
We build patience, humility, resilience and real skill over time.

If that sounds uncomfortable…
Good. That’s where growth lives.

👇 Which slide hit you hardest?

#MaharaJiujitsu
#BrazilianJiujitsu
#BJJLife
#BJJUK
#DevonBJJ
ExmouthBJJ
JiuJitsuJourney
WhiteBeltLife
BJJMindset
TrainSmart

Parent & Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🥋

Our Parent & Kids classes are designed to build confidence, coordination, and focus — with a parent right by your child’s side.

This programme creates a safe, positive introduction to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and acts as the perfect stepping stone into our Youth BJJ classes, helping children transition smoothly and confidently.

🗓 Saturdays | 9:30–10:15
👶 Ages 4–7
👕 Normal sportswear
💳 Pay as you train

👉 Free trial available – DM us to book

#ParentAndKidsBJJ #KidsConfidence
#FamilyBJJ #BrazilianJiuJitsu
#MaharaJiujitsu

⚠️Most people don’t need another gym.
They need something that actually sticks.

Brazilian Jiujitsu isn’t about being the toughest person in the room. It’s about learning how to move, think, breathe and stay calm when things get uncomfortable on the mats and in life.

For adults, BJJ is strength, fitness and problem-solving rolled into one. You get fitter without staring at a treadmill, sharper without staring at a screen, and you leave every session knowing you’ve learned something real.

For kids, it builds confidence the right way. Not fake bravado real self-belief. They learn discipline, respect, teamwork and how to handle pressure. Shy kids come out of their shell. Energetic kids learn focus. And everyone leaves smiling.

For women, BJJ is empowering in a practical, honest way. It teaches control, awareness and effective self-defence without relying on size or strength. You don’t have to be “sporty” or aggressive. You just have to show up.

No egos. No mirrors. No pretending.
Just good people, learning a powerful skill together.

Once you start, it’s hard to stop because BJJ doesn’t just change your body… it changes how you carry yourself.

Give it a try. The mats are waiting. 🥋

Congratulations to all the kids that got stripes and belts last night.

We are very lucky to have some amazing students who show up to every class and work hard all the time.
#Jiujitsu is hard and they just keep turning up 💃🏼💃🏼

#bjj #jiujitsu #maharajiujitsu #exmouth

🥋Your Mahara Jiujitsu 2025 Wrapped

Thank you for showing up - bring on 2026

⚠️Youth BJJ Team Competition⚠️

These guys stood up and delivered today. Some outstanding matches from our students 👏🏻👏🏻

#bjj #maharajiujitsu #brazilianjiujitsu #exmouth #kidsbjj

⚠️Mahara Jiujitsu Adopt a White Belt Comp

Competing at all levels is important, each month we put on a in house friendly competition, always with a twist.

#bjj #maharajiujitsu #brazilianjiujitsu #exmouth

🔥FREE 4 WEEK BJJ COURSE🔥

Every Monday, 5th - 25th January 2026 7.45pm-8.45pm

Come and try Brazilian Jiujitsu, one of the fastest growing sports in the world.

In this FREE course you will learn :

• BJJ basic positions
• Class warm ups
• Terminology used in a BJJ class
• Basic submissions

All this to prepare you for a BJJ class, and to show you that a Jiujitsu Acadamy is a warm and friendly place, where everyone is brought together by learning a challenging but rewarding martial art

LIMITED SPACE, LINK TO BOOK BELOW 👇🏻👇🏻

https://www.mahara-jiujitsu.com/free-intro-course

#bjj #exmouth #brazilianjiujitsu #maharajiujitsu

Earning your first stripe in Brazilian JiuJitsu might look small to people outside the sport… but inside the academy, it’s massive. It’s not about the tape. It’s about what that little piece of tape means: you showed up, you struggled, you kept going, and you proved to yourself that you belong here.

Most people quit long before this moment. The early months feel like drowning in information while trying to survive rolling with people who feel like they’re made of concrete and magic. One day you’re convinced you’re getting better, the next day you swear you’ve forgotten how to move your own body. But then something clicks , a sweep lands, a pass works, or you’re suddenly calm in a position that used to send your heart racing.

That’s what the first stripe represents. Progress you can feel. Growth you’ve earned. Proof that the hours you spent learning how to hip escape, shrimp, fall properly, tie your belt, and actually breathe under pressure were worth it.

A first stripe tells you: You’re on the path now. Keep going.

And the best part? It’s only the beginning. There are hundreds of techniques ahead, thousands of rounds to learn from, and a whole team behind you who watched you walk in as a nervous beginner and transform into someone who can move, react, defend themselves, and actually think during a roll.

So if you just earned your first stripe , celebrate it. Post it. Be proud of it. You’ve joined the tiny percentage of people who didn’t just try BJJ… they stuck with it.
This is your first milestone. Many more to come. Keep showing up. Keep learning. Keep fighting the good fight

🦄People don’t just quit, BJJ is hard, focusing on small things, consistency and having fun is vital !

#bjj #jiujitsu #exmouth #brazilianjiujítsu

Chokes can be fuuuuuuuun !

#jiujitsu #bjj #brazilianjiujítsu

⚠️3 KIDS CLASSES PER WEEK⚠️

8-15 year olds.

All part of our kids membership or pay and train.
For more information drop us a DM or submit our online form.

#bjj #exmouth #brazilianjiujítsu

⚠️Why Do Parents Choose To Put Their Kids Into Brazilian Jiujitsu Classes ?

#bjj #maharajiujitsu #brazilianjiujítsu #exmouth #dothehardthings

⚠️BJJ PROMOTIONS - What do they mean ?

#bjj #maharajiujitsu #brazilianjiujitsu #exmouth #submissiongrappling #bjjpromotion

🟦🟪 Mahara Jiujitsu Promotions September 2025

🟦 @_gary_robinson_ Oli
🟪 @pravindersamra @henry278 Dan C

#bjj #maharajiujitsu #brazilianjiujitsu #exmouth #grappling #jiujitsu

Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast.

A saying we work by at Mahara Jiujitsu. In a world where everyone is in a rush to earn more money, get that promotion really quick, in Jiujitsu you have to take the time to aquire the skill to improve. Using you body to control and manipulate an opponent when they are resisting is the ultimate reward.

See you in the mats !

#bjj #maharajiujitsu #maharajiujitsuexmouth #exmouth

🟪🟪🟪🟪⬛️⬛️🟪 🟦🟦🟦⬛️⬛️🟦

All its takes is to show up with a little dedication, a sprinkle of hard work and a shed load of grit.

Well done to the guys promoted to purple belt and blue belt tonight, also all those who gained stripes, a great achievement. And a privilege to promote those who have been with Mahara from the start 🦄

#maharajiujitsu #exmouth #bjj #brazilianjiujitsu

🦄We all need our clothes folded, why not practice doing it with someone in the clothes ?

#jiujitsu #bjj #maharajiujitsu #bjjexmouth

🥋WOMEN’s ONLY BJJ CLASS

This Wednesday a Women’s only BJJ Class will start.

This is a great opportunity to learn a combat martial art without kick and punches that works.

Improve your fitness, improve your self-esteem and confidence. BJJ is a hard skill to learn but rewarding in so many different ways.

🔥FIRST CLASS IS FREE.

Register interest through the website.

#bjj #womensbjj #womensbrazilianjiujitsu #exmouth

Thursday Gi Grinders

Awesome people, awesome rounds, awesome training 🦄

#maharajiujitsu #exmouth #bjj #brazilianjiujítsu

🔥Quintet End of Month Team Comp

Are end of each month we run a in house team competition as a bit of fun and to challenge our students in a controlled environment. Each month is alternated from Gi and Nogi.

#bjj #maharajiujitsu #brazilianjiujitsu #grappling #exmouth

⚠️Comfort Zones⚠️

At the end of every month we run a small in-house completion for fun to pressure test and encourage fun competitiveness with our students.

Tonight’s session did not disappoint 🦄

#bjj #maharajiujitsu #exmouth

🦄End of Month in House Comp🦄

End of month Nogi in-house comp with a twist.

Get yourself booked in.

#BJJ #maharajiujitsu #exmouth

You’ve probably heard it before: “Jiujitsu is for everyone.” Motivational quotes, social media posts, instructors saying it at every seminar—it’s everywhere.

But let me be real: I don’t think that’s completely true.

Here’s a more accurate way to put it: “Everyone can do Jiu Jitsu… but not everyone wants to.”

Jiu Jitsu is hard. It’s mentally challenging, physically demanding, and yes—your ego will get bruised a lot.

You’ll get choked, armbarred, and outmaneuvered. You’ll feel like you’re failing… constantly.

But that’s the point Jiu Jitsu isn’t about being the strongest or the fastest—it’s about showing up, learning, failing, and growing.

Here’s the breakdown:

Physical ability isn’t the barrier. Big, small, flexible, stiff, fit, out of shape—it doesn’t matter. Your body will adapt if your mind commits.

Mental toughness is everything. Frustration and failure are part of the journey. If you can embrace that, the rewards—confidence, resilience, problem-solving—are huge.

Ego is the real enemy. Checking your ego at the door is the first step to learning. The mats will humble you—but that humility is exactly what helps you grow.

Community is key. The people you roll with, laugh with, and learn with make every challenge worthwhile.

The truth?

Jiu Jitsu can be for everyone—but only if you’re willing to do the work. Some people will try it, decide it’s not for them, and that’s okay. The people who stick with it, embrace the grind, and keep showing up—they’re the ones who find it’s more than a martial art. It’s a teacher, a challenge, and even a life coach rolled into one.

So, whether you’re just starting, a weekend warrior, or an advanced student refining your craft, remember this: effort, curiosity, and persistence matter more than anything else. Growth happens outside your comfort zone—and every class is a chance to push a little further.

Next time someone says, “Jiu Jitsu is for everyone,” smile and think: “Yes, it can be… if you’re willing to do the work.”

See you on the mats,
Adz

⚠️CONSISTENCY⚠️

Are you consistent in your Jiujitsu. Improvement in the sport requires consistency, developing neural pathways and a little grit !

#bjj #maharajiujitsu #exmouth #brazilianjiu

🔥Mahara End of Month Competition🔥

At the end of each month at Mahara Jiujitsu we run a friendly in house team competition. Alternating each month from Gi to Nogi.

#brazilianjiujitsu #bjj #exmouth #maharajiujitsu

🔥FREE 4 WEEK BJJ COURSE🔥

Monday 1st - 22nd September 7.45pm-8.45pm

Come and try Brazilian Jiujitsu, one of the fastest growing sports in the world.

In this FREE course you will learn :

• BJJ basic positions
• Class warm ups
• Terminology used in a BJJ class
• Basic submissions

All@this to prepare you for a BJJ class, and to show you that a Jiujitsu Acadamy is a warm and friendly place, where everyone is brought together by learning a challenging but rewarding martial art

LIMITED SPACE, LINK TO BOOK BELOW 👇🏻👇🏻

https://www.mahara-jiujitsu.com/free-intro-course

#bjj #exmouth #brazilianjiujitsu #maharajiujitsu

⚠️RM 100 Charity Event⚠️

100 rounds of Juijitsu in 24 hours to raise money for @thermcharity & @reorgcharity.

Run by our brothers in arms @royalmarinesbjj at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines

Please Donate what you can to support these fantastic charity’s.

DONATE HERE 👇🏻👇🏻

https://www.justgiving.com/team/rmbjj100rounds?utm_medium=TE&utm_source=CL

#bjj #brazilianjiujitsu #exmouth #rmbjj #maharajiujitsu

This Friday - 1st August 2025

6pm-7.30pm

Team Gi Competition

#bjj #brazilianjiujitsu #grappling #exmouth

🔥 Mahara Jiujitsu = Community

Sharing the hardship of a Grappling Martial Art is not only good for the mind and body, but also amazing for building a social foundation of confidence, resilience and achievement ✌🏼

#bjj #brazilianjiujitsu #maharajiujitsu #grappling #exmouth

💃🏼 Awesome Lockdown Seminar from @damian_obiwan_todd. Some gems of knowledge being shared.

#bjj #brazilianjiujítsu #exmouth

Thursdays Class - Damian “Obi Wan”Todd

Former Royal Marine, BJJ Black Belt and World Record Holder for 24hrs non stop rolling.

Book through the website. 6.30pm - 8pm

⚠️FREE 4 WEEK INTRO TO BJJ COURSE⚠️

Next Course starts Monday 1st September

The course gives and intro to warm ups, positions, drills and terminology you will use in a full class. Plus the FREE classes will give you the confidence to participate in Mahara Jiujitsu’s full program.

DM or see the website for more details.

#bjj #brazilianjiujitsu #maharajiujitsu #grappling #exmouth #bjjlifestyle

💃🏼Youth BJJ Rolling on a Tuesday session

#bjj #maharajiujitsu #grappling

💃🏼 Some of the Mahara Family 💃🏼

#bjj #jiujitsu #maharajiujitsu #exmouth #submissiongrappling

🔥Small Wins Make Us Better

My life’s philosophy has always been, no matter how hard life gets, just keep going !

Iv done some of the hardest courses the Royal Marines has, I completed them because I kept going.

I was put in some death defying firefights in Afghanistan, I survived them, and I kept going.

I left the Marines and started a Brazilian Jiujitsu Academy / Holistic Therapy Practice. I had no idea what I was doing but kept going.

Shit happens, work, life, family and friendships can get hard to deal with …..

JUST KEEP GOING,

YOUR DOING GREAT ❤️

#bjj #brazilianjiujitsu #maharajiujitsu #exmouth #jiujitsu #bjjlifestyle #submissiongrappling

💪Mahara End Of Month NoGi Team Comp

At the end of each month Mahara Jiujitsu will host a in-house Team Competition. The idea is to keep a friendly atmosphere and give students the chance to engage in some competition in Gi and Nogi.

#bjj #brazilianjiujitsu #maharajiujitsu #grappling #exmouth #jiujitsu #bjjlifestyle #submissiongrappling

💃🏼A Great Way to Hip Escape / Shrimp💃🏼

One of the most basic fundamental movements in Jiujitsu, if you don’t get this right, you will find it really hard to escape positions and create space !

#bjj #brazilianjiujitsu #maharajiujitsu #grappling #jiujitsu #bjjlifestyle #submissiongrappling

🟦🟦🟦🟦⬛️⬛️🟦

Mike Oliver, Blue Belt.

If you know, you know 🐐

#bjj #bluebelt #bjjbluebelt

⚠️FREE 4 WEEK BJJ INTRO COURSE

Once a week for 4 weeks

2nd June 2025 - 23 June 2025
1st September 2025 - 22 September 2025

Mondays 7.45pm - 8.45pm

Register interest through the website.

Learn a real world martial art, we have a great community and get fit while doing BJJ.

#jiujitsu #bjj #exmouth #brazilianjiujítsu

🥋BELT PROMOTIONS

🟪🟪🟪⬛️⬛️🟪 @samfoulser
🟦🟦🟦⬛️⬛️🟦 @matt.oliverrr

Also great work on everyone who got stripes tonight 👏🏻👏🏻

#bjj #brazilianjiujítsu #maharajiujitsu #exmouth

💃🏼Open Guard Surfer Pass #1

#giveitago

#bjj #brazilianjiujitsu #grappling #maharajiujitsu

🥋 An easy way to prevent people starting to pass your closed guard.

#bjj #brazilianjiujitsu #maharajiujitsu #jiujitsu #bjjlifestyle

💃🏼Take downs in BJJ

🥋Drop Seoi Nage

Easy to do, just requires commitment !

#bjj #brazilianjiujitsu #maharajiujitsu #grappling #jiujitsu #judo

🧐Do you remember your first Jiujitsu Class ?

👇🏻Let us know how it went in the comments 👇🏻👇🏻

It’s never to late to start, you will never be fit or strong enough, just get in the mat and enjoy it 😃

#bjj #brazilianjiujitsu #grappling #exmouth #jiujitsu #bjjlifestyle

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}

Follow us on Instagram

@mahara.jiujitsu

Dont Take Our Word For It !

AL C

A brilliant, safe and gentle introduction to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Perfect for beginners and novices alike, Ads’ sessions are the perfect blend of theory and practice, delivered in a relaxed yet professional way. Great value, easily bookable through the app with great merch if you want it. You don’t need any kit to start off with, just turn up and get stuck in!

Alex S

Highly recommend. I'm a total beginner and was made to feel really welcome. Adz enthusiasm/coaching and the talented group that support with pointers and guidance when on the mat make it a great place to learn.

Would recommend to anyone keen to join!

Tony H

Fantastic gym in Lympstone Village for anyone interested in getting started in BJJ or indeed anyone with experience of the sport. Adz is an excellent coach who understands the importance of explaining the basics to beginners and creating an inclusive and fun environment where you’re free to ask as many questions as you want. . Highly recommended to anyone in the Exeter/Exmouth area.

Shaun S

Can’t recommend this club enough. I’ve trained at various clubs over the years (in other forms) and can honestly say that this place has the most relaxed, and welcoming atmosphere of all. I’ll also say to any parents out there, that Adz is fantastic with the kids and so would be a great coach for any little ones wanting to learn.

Sam S

It doesn’t get any better than Mahara Jiujitsu!!!
Been training here for 2 months now, was nervous to walk in on the first day but the Coach Adz and all the boys have been so welcoming and friendly 👍🏻
It has given me a great sense of pride and new found confidence.
Can’t thank Mahara Jiujitsu enough !!!

Matt O

I had never practiced BJJ before, and was a bit worried about the physicality and high reputation of the club, but was pleasantly surprised!! Everyone at the club is extremely welcoming, kind, and good to be around. Adz, the owner of the club, is an incredible coach and I would recommend his club to everyone!

Henry C-B

I have been attending Mahara jiujitsu for a little while now and Im loving it! Adz’s passion for the sport combined with his methodical easy way of teaching has helped me to understand some of the basics of the sport, which is quickly becoming an obsession. There is a great camaraderie between all the training partners at Mahara making for a great atmosphere in the classes!

George C-B

Highly recommend. Great group of lads paired with excellent tuition. Adz enthusiasm for the sport really shows through his coaching. The group of lads who train here are respectful and good grappling partners, I have never come away from a session injured/hurt from rolling that got too aggressive. I would recommend this for people of all abilities

Ben W

I visited Mahara and the class was fantastic. The building is easy to find with good parking, it was clean and tidy, the class was really well taught and the students were all welcoming and friendly.

Join East Devon's Premier BJJ Grappling Academy