Professor Melissa Regis is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with 23 years of experience in the art. She is bilingual and holds a degree in International Relations from Tufts University, a background that shows in the calm, thoughtful way she runs a room.
Melissa trains and instructs students across every age group, from adults down to children ages 3 through 13, and she leads our women's program. Whoever is on the mat with her, she brings the same thing to every class: real discipline, growing confidence, and strong fundamentals.
Black Belt Professor
On the Mat
Twenty-three years of training gives Melissa a quiet authority that students feel the moment class begins. She does not just teach technique, she models the composure, patience, and respect that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is built on.
For many of the women and kids at Kioto, having a black belt like Melissa at the front of the room is exactly the example they were looking for.
Two decades of experience, a black belt, and a teaching style built for every kind of student.
A full black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, earned over decades on the mat.
More than two decades training and teaching the art of jiu-jitsu.
A welcoming, supportive class built for women of every level.
Patient, age-appropriate instruction for kids and adults alike.
Teaching in more than one language so more families feel at home.
A degree in International Relations that shapes how she leads a room.
The Regis Family
Melissa teaches alongside her husband, Professor Milton Regis, the academy's lead professor. Together they have four children, Diogo, Mariana, Michael, and Sebastian, and six grandchildren, Bernard, Draico, Atlas, Silas, Emrys, and Beatriz.
Theirs is a family deeply rooted in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, with Milton being the co-founder of the Pride BJJ Championship. That closeness is exactly what students feel when they train at Kioto.
What Long Island families say about training with Professor Melissa.
Best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu place on Long Island. Milton and Melissa are the kindest, most patient and caring trainers.
We are very proud to call Kioto our family. Our children learn self-defense, discipline, and self-control while still having fun. Professor Milton and Melissa create the perfect balance in every class.
Would highly recommend. Very family oriented, and my children enjoy learning jiu-jitsu as well as going.
My son has trained here for three years and we hope he continues for a lifetime. They care about each kid's development on an individual and group level, which is so rare to find.
Whether it is your first class or your hundredth, there is a place for you on our mats. Fill out the form and we will get you started, on us.
Call 631-319-8479