Club Charter
-
We believe in complete freedom on your martial arts journey. KODA:MA is a modern BJJ school, not a cult.
Cross-training is encouraged: You are entirely welcome to train at other clubs, attend seminars, training camps and explore different styles. Sharing knowledge makes our community stronger.
Total freedom of movement: People’s lives and priorities change. You can come and go as you please. You are a valued member of our community, and if you ever choose to leave, you will always be welcomed back with open arms.
No financial traps: We don’t believe in trapping people. There are no contracts, no sign-up fees, and no cancellation fees. It’s our job to create an engaging, high-quality training environment that makes you want to come back.
No forced bowing or hierarchy: We don't require you to bow to pictures on the wall or treat higher ranks like deities. Respect is earned through good coaching and supportive training partners, not forced tradition.
-
We celebrate individuality and want you to feel comfortable the moment you step through the door.
No mandatory uniform restrictions: You are never obliged to wear specific club-branded gear, mandatory patches, or expensive team gis.
No gi color rules: Express yourself. Whether you prefer classic white, blue, black, or something completely custom, wear whatever BJJ gi works best for you.
Any affiliations welcome: We don’t care about the patches on your gi, or who you used to train with. If you want to learn Jiu Jitsu, and be a great training partner, nothing else matters.
Be yourself: We care about the quality of your character and your training, not whether you fit into a specific mold.
-
Jiu-Jitsu is a game of mutual trust. We prioritize human respect and safety and reject old school “tough-it-out” culture.
Community is Everything: We actively cultivate a relaxed, casual, and inclusive culture where senior students eagerly help beginners, and every single member contributes to the positive energy of the room.
Welcome new Members: When new people join, we make it our mission to introduce ourselves and make them feel right at home.
Be Awesome: We keep the atmosphere high-vibe, focused on growth, and all about helping each other get better at Jiu-Jitsu.
Zero tolerance for toxic behavior: Everyone is welcome here. We call out and enforce a strict, zero-tolerance policy against bullying, sexism, racism, or inappropriate/unwelcome comments. Our mat is a sanctuary for ALL our members.
-
We don't keep scores on the wall, and nobody wins a trophy for sparring. At KODA:MA students are encouraged to try new things.
Our focus: KODA:MA is an environment focused on technical growth, curiosity, and learning.
Learn Through Failure: It’s a space where it is entirely safe - and encouraged - to make mistakes, tap out, and try again without judgement
Look after your training partners: We train with due care and attention. We never wrench on submissions, and we take our training partners health and safety as seriously as our own.
Members Code of Conduct
-
Jiu-Jitsu is a close-contact sport, making personal hygiene a matter of safety and respect for your training partners.
Clean Gear: Your gi, rash guard, and training apparel must be freshly washed and completely dry before every class.
Personal Cleanliness: Fingernails and toenails must be trimmed short and kept clean to prevent accidental scratches or skin cuts. Long hair should be tied back securely.
Footwear Rules: Never walk barefoot off the mats. You must wear sliders / flip flops when off the training surface. Conversely, shoes are strictly prohibited on the mats.
Skin Infections: If you have any suspicious skin lesions, rashes, or open cuts, you must inform the instructor and refrain from training until it is cleared or properly covered.
Sickness: If you are unwell through a cold, flu, or other illness, stay at home until you fully recover, no exceptions.
-
Controlled Training: Match the intensity of your training partner. Prioritize technical execution over brute force or "winning" a round.
Respect the Tap: The "tap" is an absolute boundary. The moment your partner taps out verbally or physically, for any reason, you must disengage immediately.
Tapping Early: Do not let your ego or thoughs of “loss” stop you from tapping. This is training, not the mundials. If you are caught in a submission, tap early to protect your own longevity in the sport.
Account For Size, Strength & Age Disparity: If you are much bigger and stronger than your opponent, do not abuse that physical advantage.
Listen to the Coach: When the instructor is speaking or demonstrating a technique, all conversation stops so that everyone can hear the technical and safety cues.
-
KODA:MA is a Jiu-Jitsu sanctuary. We have an amazing community, but we must maintain a respectful training environment.
Zero Tolerance for Discrimination: There is a strict, zero-tolerance policy for any form of bullying, sexism, racism, homophobia, bigotry or discrimination based on background, fitness level, sex, gender, race or age.
Inappropriate Language & Behavior: Any form of sexualized comments, inappropriate touching, aggressive outbursts, or unwelcome personal advances will result in immediate removal from the club.
-
KODA:MA is dedicated to authentic skill development, training longevity, and to ensuring the safety of all its members.
Alcohol and Recreational Drugs: Attending class, stepping onto the mats, or coaching under the influence of alcohol, or any currently illegal recreational substance, or any substance the impacts your ability to train 100% safely, is prohibited.
Steroids and Performance Enhancing Drugs (IPEDs): We do not tolerate, encourage, or permit the use of PED’s (unless clinically prescribed by a doctor for legitimate medical conditions), within our community or facility.
Prescription Medications: If you are taking legally prescribed medication that may impair your reflexes, coordination, or judgment, you must notify the coach before class starts so we can ensure your training rounds are managed safely.
-
If you ever feel unsafe, uncomfortable, or witness behavior that violates this code, we want you to speak up immediately.
On the Mats: You can approach Wayne at any time during or after class to voice concerns in absolute confidence.
In Writing: If you prefer to report an incident discreetly, you can email us directly at info@kodamabjj.com. All reports are taken seriously and investigated with total discretion.
-
To ensure the safety and comfort of our community, this code is strictly enforced.
Right of Admission: We reserve the right to suspend or permanently terminate any membership if an individual breaks this Code of Conduct.
No Refunds for Violations: If a membership is canceled due to a violation of safety, hygiene, or conduct policies, no refunds for the remaining month will be issued.
The KODA:MA Story: From 'Cheat Codes' to the Sanctuary.
A New Philosophy for the Gentle Art.
KODA:MA started with a question: can Jiu-Jitsu be the pathway for a lifetime of holistic wellness?
After years of coaching and practicing, I wrote Cheat Codes—a guide for the everyday grappler to navigate the difficult mental and physical challenge of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The book was a call to move away from the "tough it out" toxic culture of basement gyms and MMA bros, toward a more intelligent, modern approach to the mats.
But a book is just words. KODA:MA is the physical manifestation of those principles.
Why KODA:MA?
The name comes from the Japanese Kodama (木霊)—the spirits that inhabit ancient trees. It represents deep roots, resilience, growth, and a quiet, powerful connection to the space around us.
The KODA, in KODA:MA comes from the Sioux word for Ally, or Friend. This concept of allyship is the very bedrock of our culture. We believe that on the mats; we are allies in each other’s growth, safety, and mastery.
In the modern world, we are overstimulated and underserviced. Most gyms feel like warehouses. We wanted to build a sanctuary, in a space where the technical intensity of high-level Jiu-Jitsu meets contemporary, community focussed instruction in an environment that cares about you.
Wayne Tomsett, author of Cheat Codes and founder of KODA:MA