About

Photo: Chiara Dazi

I teach Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and yoga in Berlin. I have trained since 2001, starting with Judo, and I run the dojo I built: BJJ DOJO Berlin.

I came to Berlin in 2009 to finish my engineering studies. A short career in engineering showed me what I did not want to do, and what I did: teach people to move well, think under pressure and take their time. In 2015 I took a sabbatical in the mountains and came back convinced that much of what goes wrong around us is polarisation, people picking a side and no longer looking. I wanted to build a place where that does not happen.

The dojo is that place. People from many countries and backgrounds train side by side, with one shared aim: a stronger body and a clearer head, earned slowly. Jiu-Jitsu is my main tool. Writing, in the Thought Vault, is the second.

How I work

I like simple systems that can be repeated: position before submission, breath before reaction, one thing at a time. An engineering degree, years of coaching and years working security in Berlin left me wary of anything that only works if you believe in it. I try to teach what a person can check for themselves on the mat.

In short

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, 3rd degree (CheckMat, Ricardo Vieira). Training since 2001, Judo before that.
Teaching in Germany since 2010. Founder and head coach of BJJ DOJO Berlin.
Certified yoga teacher (Yoga Alliance; Kailash Tribal School, Yogi Sivadas).
Degree in Control and Automation Engineering.
Portuguese, German, English and Spanish.

Words from teachers and students

I had the pleasure to study BJJ with Rodrigo for around 30 private sessions by now. He is a very passionate teacher interested in developing his students in a safe, progressive, and mature way. It’s hard to find someone who can guide you with more than just the technical success taken into account. Rodrigo brings to the table elements of health, tactics, and strategy, longevity in the practice, balance, self-discovery, and psychology. To sum up: Highly recommended, and big thumbs up!
Ido Portal

I had the pleasure of having Rodrigo as one of my students during a yoga teacher training in Berlin in 2016. He is very insightful, patient, diligent and intuitive. He understands how the body and mind need to work together. By combining his yoga training and martial arts background, he can offer a wide variety of programs that promote physical and mental well-being. Besides all his knowledge and teaching skills, I found him to be a very kind soul. I recommend anyone to share his wisdom and presence to add more value and beauty to their lives.
Yogi Sivadas

Every time I visit, I have meaningful conversations with Rodrigo about his plans for the future. He has built an incredible academy with a great team and a supportive community around him. Each time I come back, I see improvements — the atmosphere is better, his motivation and commitment to the club are stronger, and the energy in the academy is even more positive. Rodrigo’s dedication to his work and his care for the academy truly stand out. This inspires me to keep coming back and motivates me to support him even more, helping him continue to grow and succeed.
Ricardo Vieira

Learning from Rodrigo is a wonderful experience and a smooth entry into the world of BJJ. Rodrigo manages to make order and sense in a very complex system, and every class builds upon the prior class so you get a feeling of continuity and process. Rodrigo lives and breath BJJ and it is shown in the way he teaches, he is very passionate about the teaching process and experiences the success of the student as if it was his own. I cannot recommend him more for people who are interested in learning BJJ.
Odelia Goldschmidt

I’ve attended several BJJ seminars by some big names, but what I learned in my first private lesson with Rodrigo simply exceeded, without exaggerating every of them. An extremely likable person with a profound technical understanding. His analytical way of teaching and explaining BJJ through concepts and body mechanics has left me speechless several times — even days afterward. Thank you for this great experience. I’m looking forward to many more private lessons.
Christian Frey

I do not hesitate to put my trust in Rodrigo. He can guide you through his intuition and knowledge on your path to a serene state.
Alice Elizabeth Beauchemin

Elsewhere

Private training, workshops and seminars: work with me.