Judo · All Levels · Coopersburg
Judo means "the gentle way". It was built in Tokyo in 1882 by Dr. Jigoro Kano, refined across a century of Olympic competition, and carried east to west by a small handful of teachers who took the lineage personally.
ZEN's Judo program is run by two of them. Wen Hsieh, Judo black belt with 17 years on the mat, and Mike Ramos, Judo brown belt. The kind of instruction you usually only find inside a major metro.
For the BJJ practitioner, Judo is the missing piece: the most sophisticated takedown system in martial arts, dropped right onto your ground game.
Wen's Judo lineage runs through Sang Pil Han, 7th-Dan coral belt and President of Korea Judo USA. He earned his BJJ black belt under Jeremy Henderson and Jared Zamboli, with earlier promotions under Kurtis Taylor — a complete grappling track that lets him bridge both arts for his students.
Mike has 10 years of Judo experience and 6 years of Wrestling experience. Mike has grown up around Judo and spent many years actively attending Judo tournaments up and down the East Coast. He obtained his brown belt in Judo from Yoshisada Yonezuka, a 9th degree Judo black belt and two-time US Olympic Judo Coach.
Breakfalls
The art of falling safely. Every class begins here. Without ukemi, no throw is safe to receive. With it, your training partners trust you, and your body protects itself for life.
Standing Techniques
The heart of Judo. Hip throws (o-goshi), shoulder throws (seoi-nage), leg sweeps (de-ashi-barai), foot pivots (uchi-mata). Sixty-seven recognized throws across the modern syllabus.
Ground Techniques
Pins (osae-komi), joint locks (kansetsu-waza), chokes (shime-waza). The bridge between Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The reason BJJ players cross-train.
Free Practice
Live, resisting practice. The lab where everything you drilled gets tested against a partner who is not cooperating. Where Judo stops being a syllabus and starts being a game.
Forms & Patterns
Pre-arranged forms that drill principles in their cleanest expression. Kata is how Judo passes its first principles down a century, intact.
Real Experiences, Real Results
"Zen Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the place to train! I've never done any combat or contact sports before but coming to Zen has really helped me understand the basics and learn more as I keep going. The teachers are very knowledgeable and helpful. The people who train there are also very friendly. If you're like me and want to try out martial arts, I'd definitely recommend coming to Zen BJJ."
"Been coming here for a few months, the amount of knowledge I've retained in that short time is a testament to Coach Wen and the program he put together. His gym is clean. He preaches safety first and is able to break moves down so everyone is able to understand the task at hand. Bonus, his judo classes are awesome. You cannot go wrong with Zen BJJ! Would give 6 stars if I could."
"I was totally nervous about trying jiu-jitsu, but Wen and everyone at the gym is so welcoming for people of all levels of experience & all ages. And my kids loved flipping me over! It was really fun!"
"Zen Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a fantastic place to train! Wen and his team of instructors are detail-oriented, goal-driven, and truly dedicated to their students' progress. With a flexible class schedule, friendly training partners, and a positive atmosphere, I highly recommend stopping in for a trial class!"
"We are so grateful for this community. We started my daughter there when they first opened up back in November of 2024 and I can't believe the progress she has made from then until now. It's incredible to watch her and the rest of the kids that consistently show up. She would go every day if she could. Coach Wen and the staff are phenomenal. I highly recommend this gym to any family!"
"Phenomenal gym. Several very experienced instructors who are both personable and diligent. Great facility, environment, and an abundance of experience in grappling. I highly recommend Zen to anyone just starting out or simply looking for a new place to train. See you on the mats!"
"I've been to several BJJ gyms over the years, and as far as I can tell, Zen is a fantastic place to train. The people were super welcoming from day one (and there's a good number of women who frequently train there yay!) and the mats are nice and clean. They've got a variety of instructors who will teach old school moves, more modern techniques, wrestling, and even Judo to make for a well-rounded grappling experience. The schedule is flexible with mid-day classes and afternoon classes all week, so you're really getting your money's worth with an all-inclusive membership if you hit as many classes as possible. It's a relatively small gym, but they've got great competition at all levels."
"Zen Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is everything you could want in a martial arts school and more. Wen, the owner, along with the other instructors are incredibly knowledgeable and patient, offering personalized guidance whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned practitioner. The facility is clean, well-organized, and has a great energy. They balance technical instruction with a focus on mindset and personal growth. It's not just about learning to roll — it's about building confidence, discipline, and resilience. If you're looking for a place to train that feels like family and pushes you to be your best, Zen BJJ is it. Highly recommend giving it a try — you won't regret it!"
"Zen Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is absolutely top-notch! From the moment you walk in, you're welcomed by an incredibly supportive and respectful community. The instructors are not only highly skilled but also excellent teachers — they break down techniques clearly and ensure everyone, from beginners to advanced practitioners, feels comfortable and challenged. The facility is always clean and well-maintained, creating the perfect environment for training. Whether you're looking to improve fitness, build confidence, or master the art of Jiu Jitsu, this is the place to be. Highly recommend Zen BJJ to anyone considering taking their first class or looking to take their game to the next level!"
