RISE Jiu Jitsu

Fantastic experience: Rise martial art dojo and its instructors are exceptional. They prioritize safety and create a welcoming environment for their students. Their expertise, dedication, and passion for teaching are unmatched. Highly recommended for anyone looking to improve their physical and mental strength while learning self-defence skills.

Fantastic experience: October 20th marks one year of my daughter learning Japanese jiu-jitsu and kickboxing/mma here. My daughter and I have been reflecting lately on how much she’s evolved and grown through bullying, tough life events, and some heavy disappointments this past year. Sensei Samir, Sensei Latifah, and Ms. Zida, have created an environment and community that values respect, discipline, safety, community, etc. and make a point of earning and building a foundation of trust with their students. They are all living examples and embodiments of the very values they teach. They maintain high standards through the teaching of their techniques, fine-tuning skills, with personal reflection and responsibility. Their consistency and commitment to showing up for their students in the way that they need, has helped my daughter better recognize who to trust and why, what healthy boundaries look like, how to clearly communicate her own boundaries, and how to recognize which people and situations to avoid. The training, support, self-confidence, respect, and trust that she’s been building with Rise has given her the tools and resources to protect herself and has thankfully kept her safe a few times this year. The expectation and consistency in mutual respect has recently helped my daughter feel comfortable in partnering and sparring with the boys in the class as they have been mindful to match her energy, while carefully challenging her to improve, while also checking in constantly that she is still within her comfort zone. She now playfully tackles and arm bars them during kickboxing and mma because she recognizes the green flags that earned her trust and permission to play like that and vice versa when appropriate. Around this time last year she was feeling lost with nothing to look forward to. Then we were suddenly without a vehicle for a couple months recently and she would relentlessly make sure to make it to class despite the 2 hour transit ride through heat waves, rain storms, missing the bus and running late. Their dedication, support, and energy they invest in each student inspired my daughter to invest in and continue to show up for herself and gave her something positive to look forward to. She even asked for private lessons but they were fully booked. The attention and value they pour into their classes still prepared my daughter to pass her first two belt gradings this year. The amount of value you get with the harmonious teaching dynamics of Sensei Samir and Sensei Latifah and their individual complimentary styles are endless. Sensei Samir with his firm, respectful, and disciplined voice, commanding the attention of the class while explaining techniques, how and why they’re used, how to watch and understand body language, in an age appropriate manner, empowering his audience without instilling fear. Sensei Latifah and her highly observant personality allowing her to attune with the students and communicate patiently with gentle, but FIRM clear expectations - Especially when advocating for the safety and benefit of each individual for the overall well-being and safety of the dojo - leading an important and impactful example to all of the young ladies that look up to her to follow. Ms. Zida, also a constant at the studio, providing support with the children, the class, and with the parents - oftentimes offering support to the families of the dojo in many ways that I never expected that I needed, nor thought possible from any place of business. Their desire to see their students thrive is evident in the endless energy they pour into those who are willing and ready to match it.

Fantastic experience: Sensei Samir and Sensei latifa are amazing. Safety is number one. It’s family oriented where everyone cares for one another. My boys started at Rise years ago and they love going there and as a mother I feel 100% confident that they are safe there when I dropped them off. I highly recommend Rise jiu jitsu

Negative experience: Instruction was decent, but for some reason they decided to ghost me with no explanation, not return my texts, phone calls or emails. I expected better from a martial arts school in terms of conduct.

Fantastic experience: This place is incredible. A once-in-a-lifetime find. I joined the Rise crew about a month ago and I will never look back. Sensei Samir and his incredible family are so welcoming, so dedicated to their craft and they treat the practice itself, and every student with tremendous respect. As a yoga instructor, I really admire that they take the time to teach about the traditions and history of Jiu Jitsu, while also honouring everybody’s safety and respective fitness levels. Classes are always fun and challenging, and I spend all week looking forward to getting in there with the community on the weekend. The crew is extremely supportive, welcoming and truly fosters and environment to be curious, to learn and to make mistakes. I honestly cannot say enough good things about this Dojo. I really feel like I stumbled into a hidden gem. If you are considering martial arts, put these guys at the top of your list. No matter your age or your experience you will feel welcome. Thank you Rise for becoming my new favourite spot to spend my weekends!

Fantastic experience: My son started with Rise 4 months ago and loves it. The instructors are simply amazing, so great that I decided to switch from my old club to train with Sensei Samir.

Fantastic experience: Since about last spring, my 10 year old daughter begun getting bullied at school and it steadily progressed to actual violence and assault, verbal abuse, and eventually becoming alienated by her friends. I was in regular contact with the school with no real progress and little support. She was also experiencing some issues with relatives where she did not feel like she had a voice or that her well-being mattered. I helplessly watched her mental health steadily decline, and she very rapidly began to shut down. She had regular anxiety attacks, was always sick, began getting migraines, stomach aches, and suddenly went from very sweet and loving to projecting so much anger towards me. I decided my daughter needed to learn self-defense and began looking at different Jiu-jitsu places. Finding a place that is gentle yet firm and teaches the importance of accountability was of utmost importance. My daughter's mental health was already very fragile and I was cautious. From the moment we entered their space, we immediately felt welcomed. They all took the time to understand our needs and how she may need to be supported. Sensei Samir may have a soft, gentle energy, yet he empowers all of the students in finding their voice, standing their ground, and how to preserve themselves in potentially scary situations. The entire Rise Family Team have such a welcoming and supportive energy and vibe to them. No one there is treated as "just another member/membership" but as individuals who could benefit from from their skills, knowledge, and knowing that everyone deserves to feel acceptance. The past 3 weeks I have seen a SIGNIFICANT improvement in her mental health. Her migraines, stomachaches, and anxiety attacks have stopped since her first day at Rise. Her bullies still continue to harass her and they continue to attempt to further alienate her from trying to make new friends - but the difference now is that she no longer fears them. She now walks with such confident posture, and she no longer acknowledges them AT ALL. She's becoming more assertive and had recently told someone who has been harassing her for years, to leave her alone with a calm but firm voice. Her focus and perspective has already shifted from "why are bad things happening to me?" to what positive things/experiences can she create for herself and continue to look forward to. They didn't just help my daughter, but how they have also held space for me as well has saved us both. They don't just provide martial arts training - They provide support and life lessons that has a ripple effect to everyone around them that extends beyond time. I have recognized the value they provide that driving in from the Northwest to the other side of the city, is not even an issue. I would follow them to Okotoks if I have to.

Fantastic experience: Great people! Good knowledge and good environment.

Fantastic experience: This is one of the best Jiu Jitsu clubs in Calgary, hands down. Instruction, value and communication is simply amazing. But the Sensei and his support group and family are people that you rarely find anymore. Not only do they live the values, they are also fantastic, honest, kind and hard working people. We had our two girls attend for many years, and plan to bring our little ones in as soon as they get old enough. Sensei is very good with kids. I highly recommend this as an activity and physical education outlet for your child--boy or girl, or even yourself as an adult.

Fantastic experience: If you are looking for a quality martial arts training this dojo is the right place to go , and don't forget to bring your kids if you have ones for a lot of fun and hard work. its also an amazing community of fantastic people. My boys have known Sensei Samir, the owner of the dojo, for almost seven years and I really appreciate the values being taught in his dojo. Respect, discipline, self control, mastering techniques always maintaining during the class. Sensei Samir has an excellent ability to bring out the best in children and help them to achieve the highest point of their performance. He is the perfect role model for young souls seeking to go through their journey and RISE as high as possible by their clear mind, strong spirit and faith. The dojo is well organized by the manager Tifa, who brings creativity in the surroundings. Her ability to design the Dojos logos, and write in Japanese is extremely professional and shows they care about the culture of the arts. She is also a great Yuki for Sensei and highly trained in jiu-jitsu. My big thank you for Zida, the sweet heart of the dojo and the kindness mother, who can easily evaluate the kids needs and solve any problems and kids crying in seconds. She creates friendly and welcome environment endlessly. I will highly recommend to take RiSE classes like my kids do. They are always looking forward to every class to learn more and more from their trustful and knowledgeable Sensei Samir. Personally I like the philosophy and moral standards of the dojo which encouraging the students to keep their training .