Night classes are fit for purpose

Her teaching usually begins with warm-up routines, and then moves on to a blend of technique instructions and practice.

She explains that she does not put a lot of pressure on beginners. Instead, she is pleased to see the trainees with smiles and tries to make them feel comfortable.

Most of all, she likes to bust the fear and myths associated with BJJ and martial arts through her lessons.

"Some people may be a little bit scared about BJJ and think that martial arts is difficult, and I want to change this. I want them to shed the fear of learning martial arts, and would like to see more Chinese girls and boys take up BJJ," says Zanolete.

Fang Xuhao, a 26-year-old lawyer, was lucky enough to get a place in the class. In addition to his interest in the sport, the foreign teachers are another motivation for him to take the plunge.

"The presence of foreign teachers gives me an international feel, encourages cultural exchange and helps improve my spoken English. And the warm-up session benefits me the most. As an office worker, those movements can relieve some tension in the lower back muscles and then strengthen them. The class is well worth the money," says Fang.

As the teacher, Zanolete is also enjoying her role and benefiting no less than her trainees: "I now know a lot of people, made new friends, getting to know the culture of other countries and improving my English as well."

Like Zanolete, Shahar Levy, a 46-year-old Israeli guide who has been living in Shanghai for almost two decades, is another foreign teacher of the Shanghai night course, teaching tai chi at the Shanghai Mass Art Center.

Captivated by tai chi in his 20s, Levy came to Shanghai in 2005 to study the martial art form at Shanghai University of Sport, and never left.

"I feel tai chi is not only a kind of wushu (Chinese martial arts), but more a sport integrating culture and life philosophy. It features slow movements, which allows us to feel ourselves and offer us a comprehensive experience … People can work out and exercise their brains at the same time (by practicing tai chi), which continuously makes an impact on our daily lives," says Levy.