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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the MOST EFFECTIVE MARTIAL ARTS for practical, modern self defense. Kogen Dojo maintains the Gracie family tradition by focusing on the self defense aspect of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It's not about looking for trouble—it's about being prepared, staying safe, and making smart choices when it matters most.
Muay Thai is a powerful striking art that incorporates punches, kicks, elbows, and knees with clinching, throws, and sweeps, creating a well-rounded system that is equal parts physical fitness and self defense suitable for all types of people, whether as a martial arts, a competitive sport, or simply a means of getting strong and fit.
You need self-defense to protect yourself in dangerous situations and feel more confident in my everyday life. It helps you stay aware of your surroundings, avoid potential threats, and respond effectively if someone tries to harm you. Knowing how to defend yourself gives me you sense of control and security, whether your are alone or with others.
First Martial Arts School in Severna Park & Annapolis for Self Defense
Kogen Dojo is a family friendly martial arts school in Severna Park, MD and Annapolis, MD in Anne Arundel County. Our mission is to provide the best martial arts classes in the area, focusing on maintaining a clean, fun, safe, and friendly environment where you can come to learn self defense, get into better shape, and have a great time while doing it! Our Martial Arts classes have something to offer everyone, regardless of age, experience, or current fitness level. Our programs range from classical to modern, self defense to fitness, private and group training, for adults and kids. Whether you are looking to keep yourself safe on the street, to compete in tournaments, to fight in the ring, or just to improve your quality of life and your health, come to Kogen Dojo in Severna Park or Annapolis and try a FREE CLASS!
We are your school for old school and new school martial arts!
There are lots of martial arts schools to choose from. Choose Kogen Dojo for Practical & Effective Self Defense!
Learn to Protect Yourself and Your Family and Have Fun while doing it!
We take great care to take care of you! Our focus is on training for mutual benefit, not competition! Learn at your pace.
We have something for the whole family! Adult Progams, Kids Programs, Private Lessons, & Group Classes!
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (aka Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) was developed for a smaller, weaker person to be able to successfully defend him / herself against a larger, stronger person. Maintaining the Gracie tradition, we teach Authentic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, focusing on practical self defense for everyone. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is equally effective for men, women, and children.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) for adults offers a unique blend of physical exercise, mental challenge, and self-defense skills. As an art rooted in leverage and technique rather than pure strength, BJJ is accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels. Adults, whether beginners or experienced practitioners, can benefit from BJJ’s focus on body awareness, flexibility, and cardiovascular conditioning. Training involves a mix of live sparring, drills, and positional work, which helps students develop resilience and the ability to think under pressure. This makes BJJ not only a full-body workout but also a mental exercise that sharpens focus and problem-solving skills.
For adults, BJJ provides a strong sense of community. Classes often foster camaraderie, as students support one another through their personal growth journeys. Whether in a small local gym or a larger academy, the bond that forms between training partners is one of the most rewarding aspects of the practice. Sparring sessions teach humility, patience, and the importance of continuous learning. Adults often find this environment motivating, as they face challenges and celebrate progress together. The belt system, while a tangible measure of achievement, is just one part of the broader journey of personal growth.
Self-defense skills are essential in today’s world, where personal safety cannot always be guaranteed by external protection alone. Learning how to protect oneself provides a sense of empowerment and confidence, especially in unpredictable or dangerous situations. Whether walking alone at night, encountering aggressive individuals, or facing potential threats, having the ability to respond appropriately and effectively can make a critical difference.
Beyond physical protection, self-defense training also fosters mental awareness and discipline. It encourages individuals to stay alert, assess their surroundings, and make smart, proactive decisions to avoid conflict before it escalates.
These skills are particularly valuable for vulnerable groups, such as children, the elderly, or those living in high-risk environments, as they build both practical safety strategies and emotional resilience.
Furthermore, self-defense is not just about confrontation—it's about prevention, confidence, and self-respect. Learning these skills can lead to a greater sense of independence and security in everyday life. As people become more confident in their ability to handle challenges, they tend to carry themselves with more assurance, which can in itself deter potential threats. Ultimately, self-defense is a life skill that benefits individuals physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Muay Thai, often called the "Art of Eight Limbs," is a striking martial art from Thailand that uses fists, elbows, knees, and shins to deliver powerful and effective attacks. It's known for its emphasis on clinch work, where fighters can control their opponents and land devastating knee strikes. The training not only improves striking technique but also builds overall fitness, including strength, endurance, and flexibility. Muay Thai is often appreciated for its practical approach to self-defense, as it teaches fighters how to control distance, balance, and timing, making it a versatile martial art for both competition and personal protection.
Beyond physical skills, Muay Thai also teaches mental toughness and discipline. The training is rigorous, requiring consistent focus and dedication, which helps develop resilience and determination. Practitioners also learn respect for their instructors, training partners, and the art itself, with an emphasis on humility and self-control. Whether practiced for fitness, self-defense, or competition, Muay Thai provides a solid foundation in martial arts while promoting personal growth and confidence.
At Kogen Dojo, we offer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes for adults and children, at all skill levels, from beginner to advanced competitor. We have a diverse and knowledgeable set of instructors in all disciplines, bringing in high level guest instructors weekly from the Gracie Maryland Network, so that you only get the best at Kogen Dojo!
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Known as’ The Art of Eight Limbs’ because of its use of the fists, shins, elbows, and knees, Muay Thai is acknowledged as one of the most effective striking arts in the world. The beauty of Muay Thai is in its calculated simplicity, using all punches, kicks, elbow and knee strikes to devastating effect while also incorporating specialized throws and sweeps from the clinch.
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In a world where women are often seen as targets and victims, Gracie (Brazilian) jiu-jitsu offers practical self-defense tools that are designed specifically to teach smaller, weaker individuals how to survive against, escape from, and even defeat, larger, stronger opponents. No previous experience or athletic ability is required to start jiu-jitsu, nor is age is not a limiting factor.
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At Kogen Dojo, an affiliate of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Maryland, we teach our young students to first attempt to verbally de-escalate a violent situation, giving them specific and direct phrases for dealing with bullies. If verbal de-escalation is not successful, our kids are taught to then tell an adult about the bullying behavior. The self defense skills we teach them are the last resort when all non-violent have been tried and have been unsuccessful.
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The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit root word “yuj,” which means to yoke, or to unite. The most common form of yoga practice in the Western World is Hatha yoga, which includes both the physical practice of asanas (poses) and connecting it with the discipline of the mind through pranayam (breath control), hence the definition of the word meaning “to yoke.”
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Kogen Dojo supports Local Police, Firefighters, Paramedics, and EMT’s by offering special classes and rates* for these community servants. We know that these good folks have a difficult job and they selflessly put their lives on the lines every day for us. We also know that time and training budgets are tight and that this can make it difficult for our First Responders to receive all of the necessary training to keep themselves and the people they serve safe.
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Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Severna Park, MD - 549 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd Severna Park, MD 21146
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Annapolis, MD - 1912 Forest Dr, 2B, Annapolis, MD 21401
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