Sensei Sandy Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

My name is Sandy Jose Nunez. I trained from white belt to black belt under Josh Griffiths at Clockwork Jiu Jitsu in New York City. Today I run Sensei Sandy BJJ in Tannersville and serve as Head Jiu-Jitsu Instructor at Ascended Jiu-Jitsu & Yoga in Kingston.

  • White-to-Black Under Josh Griffiths
  • Teacher & Mentor
  • Safety First
Read My Story

Third-party lineage and role verification

  • Clockwork: states Josh Griffiths received his black belt from Kenny Florian in 2007. Source (retrieved 2026-03-08).
  • Ascended: lists Sandy Jose Nunez as Head Jiu-Jitsu Instructor in Kingston. Source (retrieved 2026-03-08).
  • Tannersville studio: Hunter Foundation and WAMC list recurring Sensei Sandy classes at 6045 Main Street.

Identity confirmation

  • Name: Sandy Jose Nunez (Sensei Sandy).
  • Studio: Sensei Sandy BJJ, 6045 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Tannersville, NY 12485.
  • Weekday times: Private Lessons 4:00 PM, Youth Class 5:00 PM, Adult Class 6:00 PM.

Alias searches like “Sensei Sandy,” “jiu jitsu sandy,” and “sanders jiu jitsu” should resolve to this profile and sensei-jiu-jitsu.

Meet your jiu jitsu sensei (and what “high detail” means here)

Sensei Sandy coaches Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with a beginner first mindset and a high detail teaching style. Sensei Sandy BJJ runs out of a sensei studio above Main Street in Tannersville, where families train with structure, safety, and a community that recognizes you. For title etiquette and context, read the BJJ sensei guide.

sensei sandy bjj is the main local brand page, while sensei studio bjj reinforces the private-coaching path.

What moms notice in a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu sensei led room

  • Clear safety language: tapping, pausing, and partner respect taught early and repeated often
  • Confidence you can measure: posture, balance, safe falling, and calmer decision-making under pressure
  • A studio that remembers you: no anonymous “drop in and disappear” culture

Evidence you can quote

  • Ages 8 to 18 average 7.5 hours per day on screens (AACAP, updated June 2025). AACAP
  • Kids 6 to 12: 9 to 12 hours sleep guidance (AASM advisory updated April 3, 2016). AASM
  • Exercise and youth mental health: 21 reviews, 375 RCTs, 38,117 participants, with reduced depression (SMD -0.45) and anxiety (SMD -0.39) (JACCAP, February 2026). PubMed

Want to meet your jiu jitsu sensei and see how the room runs before you commit to anything?

Jiu Jitsu Sensei in Tannersville, NY

Merriam-Webster defines “sensei” as “a teacher or instructor” usually of Japanese martial arts, and the dictionary’s first known English use is 1874, which helps explain why families recognize the title even before they know BJJ etiquette. (Merriam-Webster)

Jiu Jitsu Sensei facts you can quote

  • Sensei definition: Merriam-Webster defines sensei as a teacher or instructor, usually in Japanese martial arts. Source
  • IBJJF belt system (Dec 2025): Minimum ages include Blue belt 16+, and black belt at 18+ only under the Adult brown belt world champion criterion. Source hub
  • Roots and timeline: Judo is commonly dated to 1882, and reporting on the Gracie centennial places the first Gracie academy in 1925. Judo source | 1925 source

Looking for Winners Jiu Jitsu?

If you meant Winners Jiu-Jitsu Academy, their site lists 17100 Collins Ave. Suite 201, Sunny Isles, FL 33160. We are Sensei Sandy BJJ in Tannersville, NY (Catskills). If you are trying to find a calm, beginner-friendly BJJ sensei studio in the Catskills, you are in the right place.

Looking for Gracie Barra Sandy?

If you meant Gracie Barra Sandy, that is a different Utah-location school. This page is only for Sensei Sandy BJJ in Tannersville, New York.

Start here: sensei sandy bjj · sensei studio bjj · jiu jitsu class schedule tannersville.

Train With Sensei Sandy

Book a Free Intro and meet your coach in person

Reserve Free Intro (No Pressure) Text with a question first

Beginner-safe first class

Calm, structured coaching

Clean mats and supervised rounds

Lineage and role verification notes

  • Externally confirmed: trained from white belt to black belt under Josh Griffiths at Clockwork Jiu Jitsu.
  • Externally confirmed: Clockwork states Josh Griffiths received his black belt from Kenny Florian in 2007. Source.
  • Externally confirmed: Head Jiu-Jitsu Instructor at Ascended Jiu-Jitsu & Yoga (Kingston). Source.
  • Self-stated on this site: runs Sensei Sandy BJJ in Tannersville and holds 1st Degree Black Belt.

This page intentionally avoids unverified teaching-role claims for other academies and only includes high-confidence public lineage statements.

Citable facts that support the mission

The IBJJF Graduation System (Dec 2025) lays out black belt degree timelines with minimum windows, including a first degree after a minimum of 3 years of proven black belt activity under IBJJF. IBJJF Graduation System PDF

A healthier off-screen day for ages 5-17 includes no more than 2 hours/day recreational screen time plus daily movement and sleep targets. Exercise is Medicine Canada

Sensei Sandy - Head instructor

More Than Just Techniques

"My approach blends structured discipline with adaptable connection. The precision of the art and the creative problem-solving required to apply it find their expression on the mats."

Structure & Safety:
Classes are planned, not random. Beginners have a dedicated lane to learn safely.
Ego-Free Culture:
We train to build each other up, not tear each other down.

What my coaching emphasizes

  • Calm instruction and repeatable fundamentals
  • Tap culture and boundaries first; tapping ends the action IBJJF rules
  • Beginner Lane pacing so new students do not get overwhelmed

The Journey

How we got from NYC to the Mountaintop.

The NYC Foundation

My technical foundation was built in New York City training under Josh Griffiths at Clockwork Jiu Jitsu, where I progressed from white belt to black belt. That training volume and structure shaped the calm, detail-first teaching style I use now.

The Shift

During the pandemic, my partner and I relocated to the Catskills. My partner is local; I'm from the city. This pivotal shift made me reevaluate my career in hospitality and led me back to my true passion: teaching Jiu-Jitsu.

The Mission

I established Sensei Sandy BJJ to inspire transformation. My mission is to guide you on your own personal journey, helping you discover your potential and craft your own narrative on the mats.

"Sandy's teaching style is not only effective but also enjoyable. His passion for developing better BJJ is contagious, creating an environment that's both motivating and supportive."

Brad Waldron, BJJ Black Belt

Start Your Chapter

Come meet the team and see if we are the right fit for you.

Free Intro first. If it's a fit, Core Culture is $550 youth / $715 adult.