Van Nuys’ premier no-gi jiu-jitsu & Muay Thai academy. No-gi jiu-jitsu from age five through adult, plus Muay Thai for fighters who want real skill. Your first class is on us.
From first-timers to competitors and kids — there's a class built for exactly where you are.
No-Gi · All Levels
Adult Jiu-Jitsu
Adults · all levels
No-Gi Fundamentals, Advanced, and Personal Training. Build a complete grappling game on the fight-tested 10th Planet system.
Muay Thai · All Levels
All Levels Muay Thai
Adults · all levels
The art of eight limbs. Build power, conditioning, and clean striking technique under Coach Chris.
No-Gi · Beginner
Small Group Intro Jiu-Jitsu
New students
The fastest way to learn jiu-jitsu. Personalized, low-pressure, beginner-friendly coaching in a small-group setting.
Kids Jiu-Jitsu
Youth Warriors (9-12)
Ages 9–12
Discipline, confidence, and real grappling skills for tweens. Weekday evenings and Saturdays.
Kids Jiu-Jitsu
Little Rollers (5-8)
Ages 5–8
Fun, age-appropriate jiu-jitsu that builds focus, coordination, and respect for our youngest grapplers.
About
Why train at 10th Planet Van Nuys
10th Planet Van Nuys is more than a gym — it’s a fight academy built around the 10th Planet no-gi jiu-jitsu system pioneered by Eddie Bravo. Our methodology blends modern, fight-tested techniques with old-school grit, producing students who can handle themselves anywhere: on the mats, in the cage, and in the streets.
Whether you’re brand new and just want to get in shape, a competitor chasing belts and medals, or a parent looking for a program that will build your kid’s confidence and discipline, you’ll find your tribe here. We’re a family-run academy in the heart of the San Fernando Valley — one floor, one standard: walk in nervous, walk out different.
A coach who invests in how you learn
At 10th Planet Van Nuys, our coaches are serious about being the best they can be — so they've
joined a community of forward-thinking coaches, led by Greg Souders, who train with the
constraints-led approach: a modern, games-based method grounded in
motor-learning science. You learn by solving real problems on the mat — and build skill faster.
Alder Hampel has been practicing martial arts since the age of 8 and is the head instructor of 10th Planet Van Nuys. An Eddie Bravo black belt with over a decade of mat experience, he has coached students of all levels — from beginners to advanced competitors, including professional fighters like UFC veteran Dan Hardy. He sets the technical direction for the gym, runs the advanced curriculum, and mentors every coach on staff. Alder teaches the 10th Planet system in a way that helps each student build their own jiu-jitsu game, working with their natural abilities while strengthening weaknesses. His wife and son are part of the academy, making 10th Planet Van Nuys a true family-run business.
Coach John Salami
3rd Degree Black Belt
John “Salami” started jiu-jitsu in 1997 and is a 3rd-degree black belt, with his 4th degree coming in 2026. He has the distinction of being one of the original 10th Planet Bomb Squad members in 2003 — Eddie Bravo’s first school. He founded 10th Planet Portland in 2009, producing world champions; the “Salami Mafia” are champs in Gi, No-Gi, and Tag Team jiu-jitsu. John competed from 1997–2013, ending as Best in the West Black Belt Champ. His teaching style blends intricate detail with humor — 70% technique, 30% comedy — because being fun and relaxed makes you learn faster. He’s also a nationally ranked BMX racer, and is available for seminars and private lessons.
Coach Ryan Bradford
Black Belt
A lifelong fan of professional wrestling, Ryan’s jiu-jitsu journey began in 2007 — from the moment he felt the precision of an armbar, he was hooked. Since 2009 he has been a dedicated student of Coach Alder, earning every rank under his mentorship and receiving his black belt in 2021. His professional background in education lets him break down complex movements into digestible concepts and make the mats a welcoming, engaging environment for hobbyists and competitors alike. Ryan is currently available for seminars and private lessons.
Coach Josiah Torres
Purple Belt
Coach Josiah Torres is a 10th Planet purple belt under Coach Alder. He began wrestling in 2010 and started coaching at Chaminade High School and Middle School in 2013, accumulating over 15 years of wrestling experience. He is the head coach of the Chaminade Middle School program — a role he’s held for over 10 years, winning 7 league championships and producing numerous California state placers and champions, many going on to wrestle for NCAA Division 1 schools. Josiah began jiu-jitsu in 2016 and loves combining his wrestling and jiu-jitsu experience. He’s also an avid olympic/power lifter and enjoys an active lifestyle with his wife (a blue belt under Coach Alder) and three daughters.
Coach Christopher Rivas
Blue Belt
Chris Rivas is a coach, instructor, and private trainer who heads up the All Levels Muay Thai program. He coaches the 6 AM jiu-jitsu class, the 6 PM Muay Thai kickboxing class, and runs a kids striking program, working with students of all ages and experience levels. EMT certified with nine years of experience, he’s a USA Weightlifting Level 1–certified coach, a former CrossFit coach, and a kettlebell specialist who helps athletes build strength and durability. A blue belt working toward purple, Chris actively competes in jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai so he can lead by example. He also offers private training in jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and strength & conditioning.
Coach Christian Madamba
Christian Madamba is a kids and jiu-jitsu instructor at 10th Planet Van Nuys and an active competitor who continues to grow on and off the mats. Raised in a martial arts family, Christian has trained jiu-jitsu from a young age and understands the discipline, commitment, and respect that come with the art. An accomplished basketball athlete, he brings exceptional athleticism, leadership, and teamwork to his coaching, working closely with kids and adults to build confidence and coordination. As part of the family-run academy, Christian represents the future of 10th Planet Van Nuys, next in line to carry on the school’s legacy in MMA and jiu-jitsu.
Coach Omar Contreras
Born and raised in Van Nuys, Omar Contreras is a results-driven personal trainer with 3+ years coaching at 10th Planet Van Nuys. After reaching 305 lbs in college and losing over 100 pounds himself, Omar has helped clients lose over 100 pounds, build functional strength, and safely meet weight requirements for jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai competitions. His coaching emphasizes balanced nutrition, performance-based training, and mindset development. He’s also the host of the “Espresso With Omar” podcast and creator of the Cold Plunge 100 challenge — a 100-day 5 AM discipline experiment — all while balancing full-time work, coaching, and life as a father of two.
Schedule
Weekly class schedule
Find a class that fits your week. New students and drop-ins always welcome.
Little Grapplers Muay Thai MMA Wrestling Open Mat No-Gi / All Levels
Monday
6:00 AMAdult All Levels Jiu-Jitsu
4:30 PMLittle Rollers (5-8)
5:10 PMYouth Warriors (9+)
6:00 PMMuay Thai
7:00 PMFundamentals Jiu-Jitsu
8:00 PMAdvanced Jiu-Jitsu
Tuesday
11:30 AMAdult All Levels Jiu-Jitsu
6:00 PMInvite Only MMA
7:00 PMAdvanced Jiu-Jitsu
8:30 PMFundamentals Jiu-Jitsu
Wednesday
6:00 AMAdult All Levels Jiu-Jitsu
4:30 PMLittle Rollers (5-8)
5:10 PMYouth Warriors (9+)
6:00 PMMuay Thai
7:00 PMFundamentals Jiu-Jitsu
8:00 PMAdvanced Jiu-Jitsu
Thursday
11:30 AMAdult All Levels Jiu-Jitsu
5:00 PMLittle Rollers (5-8)
5:00 PMYouth Warriors (9+)
6:00 PMMuay Thai
7:00 PMAdvanced Jiu-Jitsu
8:30 PMFundamentals Jiu-Jitsu
Friday
6:00 AMAdult All Levels Jiu-Jitsu
5:30 PMOpen Mat
Saturday
10:30 AMLittle Rollers (5-8)
10:30 AMYouth Warriors (9+)
11:30 AMAdult All Levels Jiu-Jitsu
Sunday
1:30 PMWrestling
Gallery
Life on the mats
Real training, real people. Tap any photo to take a closer look.
What students say
Loved by our community
★★★★★5.0 · perfect rating on Google
“
This is an absolutely outstanding gym. The training is great, the gear is fantastic, the Wednesday service always delivers, and it has the culture you want in a training environment. Highly recommend to anyone in the Valley.
NFNoah FergusonGoogle review“
Great community, tough training partners, and great coaches. I landed on this gym about a year and a half ago and haven’t regretted it since. If you’re serious about getting better at jiu-jitsu, this is the place.
RWRichard WangGoogle review“
Great gym. After taking 5 years off from training I am very happy to be a member here. Even though I still deal with injuries and cannot train as often as I’d like, the coaches and culture keep me coming back.
JKJoshua KatellGoogle review“
Best decision I’ve made for my health and confidence. The coaches really care, the team is welcoming, and the kids’ program turned my son into a focused, respectful young man. Five stars all day.
MSMaria S.Google review“
I came in as a complete beginner and they made me feel welcome from minute one. Six months later I’m in the best shape of my life and I love coming to train. Cannot recommend enough.
DLDavid L.Google review
Contact
Come train with us
Questions before your first class? Reach out — we're happy to help.
No contract. No commitment. Just come train with us for a week and see what modern grappling instruction feels like. If it's not for you, no hard feelings.
★★★★★5.0 on Google
“This is an absolutely outstanding gym. The training is great, the gear is fantastic, the Wednesday service always delivers, and it has the culture you want in a training environment. Highly recommend to anyone in the Valley.”
— Noah Ferguson
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