BRAZILIAN
JIU-JITSU IN
VICTORIA BC

BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU
IN VICTORIA BC

Come play the greatest sport on Earth with us

5-Week Beginner Program. Limited spots available. Starts July 6th

★★★★★

"Recently tried a class for beginners and loved it. As a women I was nervous
trying a Ju Jitzu/Kickboxing studio as I have never done anything like
it, but everyone was super welcoming and kind.
10/10 classes and atmosphere"

- Shelby

"Recently tried a class for beginners and loved it. As a women I was nervous trying a Ju Jitzu/Kickboxing studio as I have never done anything like it, but everyone was super welcoming and kind.
10/10 classes and atmosphere"

- Shelby

"Recently tried a class for beginners and loved it. As a women I was nervous
trying a Ju Jitzu/Kickboxing studio
as I have never done anything like
it, but everyone was super
welcoming and kind.
10/10 classes and atmosphere"

- Shelby

I'm nervous. Is that normal?

Yes. Most of our members were scared before their first class. But once you step on the mat, the fear goes away and the fun starts


Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling sport.

No punching, no kicking.

The whole game is movement, positioning and control. Two people on the mat working out who can get to the better position. That's it.

Lolakana Martial Arts is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu gym in downtown Victoria BC. We opened August 2025.

The beginner program exists specifically for people who have been thinking about trying this for a while an just haven't started yet

WHO WE ARE

Nolan & Jessica

Hi, I’m Nolan and this is my wife Jessica. 

I’m a member of the Sagkeeng First Nation and have been playing combat sports as a hobby for more than twenty-five years. 

Jessica is a lifelong dancer who fell in love with the movement aspects of jiu-jitsu a few years back.

Lolakana started as a music project in 2020. Playlists for BJJ players who were tired and frustrated of playlists curated by algorithm.

The gym came later and seemed like a natural fit for the branding. 

We saw an opportunity to recreate the vibe our favourite gyms we’ve been to elsewhere that didn’t exist in Victoria. A space to have some IRL fun with like-minded people and maybe hang out a bit after class.

We’re both hobbyists. Jiu-jitsu is a fun shared interest and a way for us to play something physical together. Show up, learn something, train and go home. 

That’s what a hobbyist does and that’s what most people at Lolakana are here to do.

There’s no picture on the wall to bow to. There is no belt-chasing culture, no pressure to compete, no one on the mat who is going to make you feel stupid for not knowing something.

Our instructors hold black belts and SafeSport BC certifications. They’re good at jiu-jitsu without having big egos about it.

Lolakana is a growing community of more than 100 people and counting.

THE 5-WEEK BEGINNER PROGRAM

BRAZILIAN
JIU-JITSU
FOR BEGINNERS

First Class?

We'll meet you at the front door, get you signed in, show you the washrooms and change rooms and get you onto the mats

Monday & Wednesday at 7:30pm

Two nights a week. Same time every week. Easy to fit around a real life

You'll Never Feel Lost On the Mats

Black belt instruction the whole way through. We help you with every move

Loaner Uniform Included

(We'll even show you how to tie the belt)

$67 + GST

Am I too old to start?

No. You are never too old to play.

We have members in their 40s, 50s and beyond. We train safe so everyone can have fun and get home feeling good

Do I need to be in shape first?

No. This is the best way to get in shape!

You do not need to be fit to start. We go slow so your body can learn. You just need to show up as you are

Gym Amenities

  • Free Parking ON SITE
    No parkades, no validation. We're at 1855 Blanshard, just pull in off the street
  • 2000 sq ft of Mat Space
    Large, open and bright. Natural light plus full overhead lighting
  • Change Rooms & Washrooms
    Spacious change rooms with hot showers

Is it clean?

Yes. We care about being clean. Everyone wears fresh gear and washes up before class. The mats are washed every day.
Lolakana is a fresh, safe place to train

Will I get hurt?

Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a sport so there is always the risk.
You will get some bruises. You will feel sore.
Serious injuries are uncommon, but they can happen—just like in soccer or lifting heavy at the gym.
We teach you how to 'tap'—the signal to stop—so you stay safe. We take care of each other because we all want to keep playing jiu-jitsu for a long time

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SHOW UP?

The Arrival

Park in our free lot and walk in.
We will meet you at the front door

The Gear

We will give you a clean loaner uniform and show you where the change rooms are

The Welcome

You will meet the community and see the mats. No one will throw you around

The Play

We begin with a slow warm up. You learn the basics.
You leave with a smile

Faqs

I'm not flexible or coordinated. Can I still do this?

Yes. Many people call jiu-jitsu "involuntary yoga." You don't need to be bendy or athletic to start. Your body will learn how to move as you go. We have members who were "band kids" and "math nerds" who are now high-level belts.

Nobody walks into Lolakana on day one moving well. That is the whole point of day one. One concept at a time. No pressure to keep up.

What is the difference between Gi and No-Gi?

A "Gi" is the traditional uniform (the jacket and pants). In those classes we use the fabric to move and control. "No-Gi" is just a rash guard and shorts. Both are great workouts.

The gi tends to be slower and more technical. No-gi gets faster and more athletic. Many people at Lolakana do both eventually. Ask us when you get here and we will point you toward the right class for where you are right now.

How often should I train?

Two days a week is perfect for steady progress. If you can do three or four, even better. The most important thing is showing up every week. Consistency beats intensity every time.

The people at Lolakana who have improved the most are not the ones who went hardest at the start. They are the ones who kept showing up. The schedule runs six days a week, early morning through evening. Come as often as life allows.

What if I'm late to class?

Victoria traffic can be brutal and we know life happens. If you are 10 or 15 minutes late, just walk in and join the class. We are not a strict gym. We are just happy you made it onto the mats.

For your very first class, try to arrive ten minutes early. We want to meet you at the door and get you sorted before things get started. After that, you know the drill.

Can I watch a class before I sign up?

Of course. You are welcome to come by and sit on the sidelines to see the vibe for yourself. A lot of people find that five minutes watching a class answers more questions than a website ever could.

Just send us a quick message so we know when to expect you. We are at 1855 Blanshard Street in downtown Victoria, free parking right off Blanshard.

Do I have to compete or enter tournaments?

No. You never have to compete. Most of our members are here to get fit and have fun. If you want to enter a tournament, we can help you get ready. But it is never required.

Most people here are hobbyists.

That is not a criticism. It is the point

BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

We don't just teach adults. We help kids grow up strong, confident, and kind. At Lolakana the whole family has a place on the mat

Coach Zach & the Kids

Our kids classes are the highlight of the week. Coach Zach is great with the kids and makes sure they have fun while they learn how to listen and work hard

More Than Just Moves

Coach Zach teaches jiu-jitsu through play. Kids learn the fundamentals by moving like a ninja, a bear, a buff monkey and even a scaredy cat

Leave your phone in your bag and step onto the mats.
Forget the world for just an hour.
Let's play jiu-jitsu!

Leave your phone in your
bag and step onto
the mats.
Forget the world for just an hour.
Let's play jiu-jitsu!

July 5-Week Beginner Jiu-Jitsu Class

Limited spots available.

May and June both sold out. July will sell out too.

$67 + GST

What You Get:

  • Ten classes over five weeks. Black belt instruction throughout
  • We meet you at the front door for your first class
  • A clean loaner uniform for each class

The next session opens in the fall at a higher price.

If you've read this far, you already know if this is for you.

Starts Monday, July 6th at 7:30pm

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