Name: Turlock Academy of Jiu Jitsu

Location: 1608 Fulkerth Road

Hours of Operation:  Morning Classes - 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 pm Tuesday through Thursday, and Saturday; Afternoon and Evening Classes – 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday

Contact: (209) 277-2816

History of Business: Having first opened its doors in downtown Turlock a little over a year ago, the Turlock Academy of Jiu Jitsu has moved across town to a bigger location.

Practicing Jiu Jitsu every single day for over fourteen years, owner Alex Perez followed his passion for the sport while opening his first gym, also the very first Jiu Jitsu school in his hometown of Turlock, in 2013.

Earning the title of Guerrilla Jiu Jitsu Black Belt while training as a student of Black Belt Dave Camarillo — the founder of Guerrilla Jiu Jitsu —Perez hopes to pass on his knowledge and love for the sport to children, teenagers and adults alike. Although Perez had taught in other cities before opening the Turlock Academy of Jiu Jitsu, it was his dream to come back to his hometown to share his knowledge with the community that he grew up in.

With the Turlock Academy of Jiu Jitsu being open to all levels of experience, Perez says moving to the bigger location was necessary, as his classes quickly became full in the former downtown location.

“We decided to move due to our membership base growing,” said Perez. “With the increase in students, the other place was too small.”

Gaining in popularity throughout Turlock, the Turlock Academy of Jiu Jitsu has become a training place for male and female students of all ages. The benefits of practicing the sport are incomparable, says Perez, as students gain physical and mental strength while increasing their situational awareness. As Jiu Jitsu is an art primarily based in self defense, Perez says his students often gain self confidence knowing that through their training, they learn leverage and momentum techniques to defeat opponents who are physically stronger and bigger in size.

“Someone who practices Jiu Jitsu learns how to control their body while developing coordination, motor skills, and agility,” said Perez. “And while they are physically getting into shape, some of the mental benefits can be even greater. Students develop problem-solving skills they can translate into their daily life.”

Classes, schedules and membership information can be found at www.turlockjiujitsu.com

Business Specialty: Jiu Jitsu instruction for all ages and skill-levels.