Buena Vida was built on a simple idea: if you master the fundamentals and show up consistently, everything else takes care of itself — on the mat and in life. Coach Kolo grew up in Guam, trained under legends in San Francisco, and brought the best of both worlds to West Sacramento: Pacific-rooted warmth and world-class technique.
Buena Vida means the good life . And for Professor Kolo, that started on the mats in Guam before he was a teenager. He brought that same love of the art to San Francisco, earned his black belt under Kurt Osiander out of Ralph Gracie's legendary lineage, then built this academy from the ground up in West Sacramento in 2019.
What he built isn't just a gym. It's a community where dads de-stress after long days, where kids grow into focused, confident young people, and where everyone — from day-one beginners to seasoned competitors — is treated like they belong.
Monday / Wednesday / Friday — Gi · Tuesday / Thursday — NoGi · Thursday — Advanced NoGi · Saturday — Gi · Sunday closed · View full schedule →
No collar grips, no problem. Pure wrestling, leg locks, and positional grappling. The fastest-growing side of the sport.
A dedicated space for women to learn, drill, and roll with confidence. Supportive, structured, and led with the same technical depth Professor Kolo brings to every class.
High-level sequences, leg entanglements, and intensive positional sparring for experienced grapplers.
Six days a week. Morning, midday, and evening. There's a slot for every schedule.
5.0 stars on Yelp. But don't take our word for it.
"Awesome group of guys and gals at this gym. Everyone is super welcoming and willing to help you out with techniques. I dropped in for the 11:30 Gi class with Professor Kolo — he was awesome. Gave me some great details to work on."
"Our son has been taking classes here for about six weeks. The vibe is very positive and encouraging. The coaches are great — I think they're a big part of what made my son fall in love with jiu-jitsu."
"Wonderful place to train for adults AND kids. The curriculum here is structured in a novel way that really helps you concentrate your focus on a series that builds a solid foundation. Absolutely love it."
Come in, meet Professor Kolo, feel the culture. No contract, no pressure. Just show up and see if Buena Vida is where you belong.
Reserve your spot directly through our scheduling system.