SD Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu NYC — Local services in New York

I have been training with Silvio Duran and Mauricio Fernandes for many years, as have many who train at this academy. The team is primarily made up of Vitor Shaolin’s NYC team, who have moved over here since Shaolin decided to focus more on his family and school in NJ. Nevertheless, Shaolin’s spirit and intensity is ever present, especially on days when he visits and trains with the team! This academy continues to retain the same high-level of integrity and professionalism in its instruction and training. The addition of Vehda Toscano also adds to that competency and as does the affiliation with Studio X, another great NYC academy led by another legend, Fabio Clemente. Rooted in tradition, Silvio’s approach is attentive and focused on creating a family setting where we challenge but also lift each other up in the process. The team is invested in each other’s goals and success. The SDBJJ space is new, beautifully designed and improving every day. The academy maintains a clean environment and insists on clean habits. It’s a wonderful place led by great, caring instructors. All belts from white to black are treated with the same level of care and attention. Big welcome to all for a...

Step through the door and the noise of the world fades—this place hums with focus, sweat, and something close to peace. The vibe? Immaculate. The mats? Clean enough to eat your post-roll protein bar off (but maybe don’t). The showers and lockers? Always stocked, always fresh—like someone’s mom is secretly managing it behind the scenes.

The instructors here? Total gems. Wise, kind, and patient—like technique-slinging wizards in rash guards. They don’t just show you a move and move on. They teach. They make sure it lives in your muscle memory, not just your notebook.

And the crew? Training partners here are the real deal. Tough, respectful, and always down to go hard—but never reckless. It’s that rare mix of grind and care where you leave tired, better, and still intact.

And don’t worry about your 9-to-5—or your 5-to-1. This gym’s schedule has your back, whether you’re an early bird, night owl, or...

I had the chance to visit Silvio Duran’s jujitsu gym in Midtown and I had a great experience.

Silvio himself is a terrific instructor. He not only explains techniques in great detail but he also walks the room to ensure each participant can demonstrate things back correctly and can also get answers to any questions. His lessons are well thought out and each day’s class seems to build upon the previous ones. Teaching based on themes and key positions makes it easier for students to grasp (as opposed to learning a random set of moves each class) and actually employ when sparring.

The gym also has a very friendly vibe and I never felt like an outsider. People were quick to introduce themselves, help me out, and volunteer to spar with me.

Thank you for the warm welcome Silvio and team. I will be back whenever...