My sister and I took Jay's Streetwise Self Defense class together, and it was a blast! He taught us…read moremany self defense techniques, including how to escape a choke hold and how to kick an attacker. He helps every student realize the strength that they already have, which instantly boosts confidence and shifts one's mindset about being able to approach different situations. He ensures all the moves are applicable and effective for all students, making adjustments accordingly. Jay is very passionate about teaching women how to protect themselves. He is well versed in common attacks women may face today and conducts practical drills to help students learn what they need to in real life scenarios. It was a very fun and informative session, and we recommend everyone take it!

Fantastic mother/daughter self defense course. Jay was absolutely the perfect coach to help make…read morewomen of all ages feel like this is approachable and necessary. I was so impressed with how much information we gained in such a short amount of time. We will be taking this course a few times in the future to make sure the skills stick. Highly recommend!

5 stars because there's no 10 stars!…read more My family and I have been training at Dogo Krav Maga for about six months now, and I can't say enough good things about this place. From day one, we were welcomed like we'd been part of the community for years. Gustavo, Gustavo Jr., and Samantha are incredible coaches -- knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely passionate about teaching proper technique. They have a way of breaking things down so anyone can understand, whether you're brand new or already have some experience. More importantly, they really care. They notice when you're improving, they push you when you need it, and they always make sure you're learning in a safe, supportive environment. The atmosphere here is exactly what we were looking for. It truly feels like a family. No egos, no intimidation -- just people of all ages and skill levels learning, growing, and having fun together. In the six months we've been here, I've watched my family's confidence, fitness, and overall mindset improve in a way I honestly didn't expect. Being part of this community has made a real difference for us, and we're grateful to be here. If you're considering Krav Maga or just looking for a positive place to get stronger and more confident, Dogo Krav Maga is the real deal. Highly recommend.

Fourth year training at Dogo. Personalized and structured training, motivating and family oriented…read more Fully equipped for technical and strength training. Thank you Gustavo and Dogo team for the continuous encouragement and learning!! I appreciate everything.

Amazing teaching, Diana goes over every details and really encourages you to get into the moment…read morewhich is so important. She's a great instructor!!!

From the owner: Empow-HER is not just a self-defense class; it's an empowering experience where you become the hero…read moreof your story. Led by a remarkable woman—a mother of two, a seasoned law enforcement professional, and a Jiu-Jitsu practitioner—this unique women's self-defense seminar series is designed to make you feel confident, prepared, and empowered. Join us quarterly on Sundays from 11-1 PM for our two-hour sessions. Delve into various scenarios and what-if situations in a supportive environment. Practice with fellow women for technique and repetition, and yes, there's even an option to practice on a man. This dual approach ensures you refine your skills and learn to apply techniques effectively against a stronger opponent using leverage and perseverance. Empow-HER is a women's program rooted in the principles of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Whether you're facing hair grabs or being pinned by an assailant, we've got you covered. No prior experience required—jump in at any time! Unlike other self-defense systems relying on strength and speed, Empow-HER emphasizes leverage, technique, and timing. This means everyone can effectively apply these techniques against larger opponents regardless of age or athletic ability. If you're hesitant due to concerns about injury or embarrassment, Empow-HER is tailored for you. Give it a shot, especially if past experiences elsewhere have left you wary. Join us for a friendly and empowering journey!

Split Fire Training is all you need for your firearms training in eastbay area. Great instructor,…read moreeasy to communicate with and set up training. Mike is very knowledgeable and patient.

I took the basic pistol class that Mike and his father Mike Sr. taught. The course consisted of 2…read moreonline instruction sessions and a range day. I'm a beginner and that day at the range was my first time actually firing a firearm. Mike & Mike Sr.are fantastic instructors, who shared their hard won experiences working in the law enforcement and professional protection field. They made the class thoroughly informative, engaging and fun; while instilling us with safe and responsible firearms handling. They both shared valuable insights and tips that benefited me as a beginner and the more advanced students who attended. I highly recommend this class for anyone looking to learn the basics and walk away with new skills they can drill on their own. Thank you Split Fire for the fantastic training!

Empowering, Confidence Builder from an Experienced Professional!…read more We had a great private self-defense session with my high-school age daughter and John at our house. My hope is she will never need to leverage the techniques John taught her, but now she has the tools to defend herself if/when necessary. John's approach is very effective. He brings the right tools to train on self-defense and understands how to communicate to the student - including providing relevant stories and examples to make it relatable. Every young woman should go through a course like this: - Situational awareness: How to avoid being in a bad situation (when you are alone, when you are with a male 'friend' who has different intentions, or when you are with friends at 'gatherings' with 'beverages'). - Self-defense: How to defend yourself from an 'friendly' who is aggressive or a true aggressor (how to get out of 'uncomfortable' situations, how to get out of common physical 'holds', and how to fight back). I highly recommend and we will be back for a refresher before my daughter goes off to college.

My son is really enjoying to learn taekwondo with defense pro. The values and the method John is…read moretransmitting to the kids reach the goal.

I just attended Michelle's self defense seminar for women. This is something that should be taught…read morein every school and to every girl and woman. We went through some nitty gritty moves as far as strikes and escapes from common holds. No fancy footwork, just real-world applications. We got to practice with a real-life person pretending to attack us, and that is invaluable, especially if you've never experienced what it's actually like to be grabbed. A single self defense class isn't going to make anybody a pro. Beginners (including myself) will still feel a bit awkward and befuddled with what we learned. And without repetition and lots of practice, we'll likely forget some of the moves. But at the very core of the principals taught by Michelle is that we women need to remember to use our voice when we feel threatened. So many of us are too timid to be loud, we don't want to make a scene, we're apologetic. Well, we get a lot of practice in this seminar on speaking out! And that in itself is very empowering. I hope Michelle offers follow-up classes. Her seminar isn't just about learning the moves, it's about learning to be confident in our space. And that's something I want to continue practicing.

This is a phenomenal self defense class for women! Coach Michelle helps women/girls to feel…read moreempowered by showing us strategies we can use in the event of an assault. This includes hands on practice in a safe environment. I highly recommend this course to all women of any age.

Update May 2026: I've been training at Academy of Self Defense for 13 years and appreciate how much…read morethe focus on workouts and community. I've trained in Muay Thai, Krav Maga, Boot Camp, HYROX, and Spartan Deka, and the coaches do a great job pushing people while keeping the environment supportive. Coach Ilya and Coach Mikhail have helped me improve in HYROX and DEKA, especially on the assault bike and SkiERG. Coach Manny's Boot Camp classes always challenge my conditioning, while Muay Thai coaches Manny, Ramiro, and Amit keep classes demanding. Coach Amit also teaches Krav Maga and brings great technical instruction from his black belt background. The "Locked In for Summer" fitness challenge has also been a fun addition this year -- combining workouts, recovery, accountability, and community support both in person and online. The number and variety of classes and strong community are a big reason I'm still training here 13 years later.

love this place! the instructors are all so friendly and helpful. I initially came with my…read moreboyfriend because he wanted to try muay thai and i wanted to do the fitness classes and now he wants to do fitness and I want to do more fighting haha. Just got the membership for fitness classes and it is VERY worth it :)

Master Barrios is an amazing instructor! The way he connects with and teaches all of his…read morestudents--both encouraging them and holding the line--is what makes him a very one-of-a-kind martial arts instructor. In addition, the way he bridges the philosophy and tenets of taekwondo to real application in every day life forms and develops all of his students not just physically, but also intellectually, emotionally, and socially. His holistic leadership and his ability to create a welcoming community is why my two kids and I willingly and gratefully choose to be part of his dojang! I would recommend any family to visit and enroll in Evolution Martial Arts Center!

This place is a great learning environment for our children. Master Barrios is a great motivator,…read morehas a lot of patience and encourages his students to achieve. We highly recommend this place.

I used Threat Scenarios for my initial and a renewal. Great staff and very knowledgeable. I would…read morehighly recommend their courses above any other others in the area. By far, they are the safest. I have done renewals at other services and did not feel safe at times. I never felt this way with Threat Scenarios. I had multiple schedule conflict and was not able to make any of their renewal courses. Brian scheduled me with Ang on a private renewal and this worked out great with my schedule.

My wife and I with zero experience with firearms and learned SO MUCH in only a few hours! Ange was…read moregreat, very thorough and professional, we felt absolutely well taken care of the whole time. This course was specifically pistols, but they do just about everything. It also all done at a very reasonable price. We can confidently say we're familiar with how to operate a pistol and are genuinely excited to schedule more firearm training in the future. Hopefully with Ange!

Best gift I've ever received. My daughter took the teen class and I will be signing my…read moregranddaughter up for the teen class as well. The impact and lessons are still with me decades later. Don't let finances hold you back, they can help with that. The confidence and empowerment you receive is priceless, powerful, and permanent. This is a life-changing experience.

Just did the 6 hour Day Long Intro class. I have zero complaints. It was trauma-informed, well…read moreorganized, well-run, practical training. And we had fun! It reminded me of a day at summer camp. Definitely coming back for the more advanced classes.