Zingano BJJ Instructors for the Kids program

Our classes are fun, exciting and highly interactive. Your child will be taught by a professional instructor who teaches them simple as well as complex movements that actually work in self defense scenarios.
The kids will learn how to "tap out" which enables the instructor to train techniques realistically so kids are learning techniques that adults learn. Kids gain self esteem and exhibit confidence with their new found Jiu Jitsu techniques, but a good instructor will constantly stress the value of knowing when to use their skills. IN CLASS, FOR SELF DEFENSE PURPOSES AND IN COMPETITION.

Professor Mauricio Zingano
Owner and black belt Instructor

Mauricio began training along with his brother at Rickson Gracie's academy in Santa Monica, CA in 1993. After 1 year training with Rickson, Mauricio started to attend classes at the Gracie Academy in Carson, Ca. In 2001, Mauricio moved with Caique to his new school in Carson. Mauricio continue his training for the next years and eventually received the rank of Black Belt from Professor Caique in 2004.

Mauricio has won and placed in many BJJ Tournaments and is undefeated in MMA fights, to view his timeline please clickhere, or to see a full detail of Mauricio's history please click here.

Professor Zingano currently teaches full time at his school in Broomfield, Colorado and is also the president and founder of the Rocky Mountain Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation. With the Federation, Professor Zingano started to promote BJJ and grappling tournaments in Colorado and continue his commitment to the sport and to the growth of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the state of Colorado..

Heather Schmitz
Purple Belt Instructor
Main Kids Instructor

Heather is a first degree purple belt under Professor Zingano. She was a former pro downhill mountain bike racer before discovering Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. She also teaches Muay Thai Kick Boxing classes and women's self defense.

Heather is also a Olympic Weight Lifting Instructor and is available for private instruction of Jiu Jitsu and Olympic Weight Lifting.

Owner's testimonials of Heather Schmitz.

I've been training and teaching for over 14 years. In all of my time teaching and working with kid's I've seen several instructors and many different teaching styles.

I would have to say that Heather is an amazing instructor! She is very knowledgeable about everything she teaches and really emphasizes in teaching the correct techniques and at the same time making the class fun, the kid's respond to her very well and she has and excellent report with the parents.

Heather's level of dedication to Jiu Jitsu easily transfers in to her teaching and it is clearly visible to anyone watching or taking her classes.

- Professor Mauricio Zingano

As I went to College and start thinking about a possible teaching career, one of the requirements was psychology in which they covered a little on teaching children and working with kids behaviors. I had thought to myself that I would need to write a curriculum to teach our kids teachers how to teach kids. For example, how and when to use positive reinforcements, how to reinforce your childs positve self concept, how to instill good character, how to be a positive role model, how to keep the kids attention, how to make the kids listen and learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu while having fun. Not only does Heather accomplishes all of these things, the kids also absolutely love her.

Heather is a natural with teaching kids and she is also great when it comes to dealing with kids and their parents. We are so lucky to have such an excellent kids instructor here at Zingano BJJ, as sometimes the really good ones can be hard to find.

Thank you Heather!

- Janet Zingano