very clean safe and welcoming atmosphere with high level jiu jitsu being taught. Overall great…read moretraining experience. Looking forward to returning soon. Norm

My first class was incredible! The vibe in that academy is AWESOME! Everyone is so friendly and…read morehelpful. There was no ego in that place. It was the perfect learning environment and I couldn't have asked for a better first experience! I found my new home and family after just one class and got signed up. I can't wait to go back!! I LOVED IT SO MUCH!!

GENERAL ASSESSMENT Our overall assessment is that Shaolin…read moreInstitute does an amazingly successful job fulfilling its promise as a learning experience for both the body and mind. As we have so far experienced it, Shaolin Institute indeed teaches a "way of life" in which students can experience gratifying physical achievement, whether in Tai Chi or Kung Fu, while also exercising and expanding mindfulness. One of the most appealing aspects of Shaolin Institute is the frequent reference before and after classes regarding how specific cultural, historical, medical, and scientific achievements are directly relevant for learning and appreciating martial arts. TEACHING ASSESSMENT It is impressive that Shaolin Institute exceeds expectations in basically every category used to evaluate teachers. Below are our summaries of Shaolin Institute's multifaceted teaching strengths. CURRICULUM * SI teachers follow the SI curriculum. * SI teachers choose activities for each student relevant to the SI curriculum and each student's level of achievement. * When feasible, SI teachers sometimes helpfully group students together to learn and practice as a group the forms they have previously learned. INSTRUCTION * SI teachers provide direction so that each student knows what to focus on during class. * SI teachers present new forms clearly and logically, and helpfully demonstrate new forms. * SI teachers provide feedback and re-teach forms when necessary. Teachers provide opportunities for students to practice new forms both with and without supervision. MOTIVATION * SI teachers show genuine concern for the students. * SI teachers project a positive, encouraging tone for the classroom experience. * SI teachers establish a level of difficulty, suited for each student's level, which encourages success. SI teachers provide good verbal praise, as well as critique as needed. COMMUNICATION * SI teachers always demonstrate enthusiasm in what they are teaching. * SI teachers explain and demonstrate forms clearly. * SI teachers respond graciously and substantively to questions. EXPECTATIONS * SI teachers communicate expectations to students. * SI teachers listen to students' feedback during class and adjust their teaching pace and content accordingly. * SI teachers encourage students to participate inextracurricular community opportunities, which isimportant for the students' confidence as well as the school's exposure. METHODOLOGY & MATERIALS * SI teachers often vary how they conduct classes, for example by describing the forms, including their origins, applications, etc., and/or by physically demonstrating the forms. Both methods are helpful, especially for students who learn in different ways. * SI teachers sometimes provide supplemental resources, such as video recordings of the classes, which can be exceptionally helpful for students who want to practice at home. EVALUATIVE ACTIVITIES * SI teachers monitor and give feedback on student progressduring each individual class. * SI teachers give oral evaluative comments, as well as sometimes grades or scores. * SI teachers are available for and sometimes proactively create opportunities for one-on-one progress discussions with students. CLASS ENVIRONMENT * SI teachers clearly communicate requirements for attitude and behavior, notably by emphasizing the SI student creed and the rituals of class beginnings and endings. TEACHER-STUDENT INTERACTIONS * SI teachers make an effort to know each student as an individual. * SI teachers routinely work to promote positive self-image in students. * SI teachers routinely create a classroom climate in which students are encouraged to grow and assume personal responsibility for their growth. LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOR * SI teachers are observed routinely cooperating graciously with their teaching peers, demonstrating authentic respect for one another. * SI teachers are often observed sharing ideas and methods with their fellow teachers. * SI teachers are observed regularly seeking to advance their own growth. This continuing education, observed by the students, is motivating to the students and demonstrates how we are all learning and growing.

I went to China with Shivu in 1993. We trained at the Shaolin Temple. He is the real deal. We still…read morestay in touch 30 years later!

bruce lee, christian bale (batman), robert downey jr. (iron man), jackie chan, nicholas cage,…read morecameron diaz . . . and the list goes on. you're probably wondering what those names meant. well, those are some of many celebrities who practice wingchun for those who may not know, maybe this will help.. you remember in the movie iron man, when robert downey jr.'s in his basement practicing martial arts on a wooden dummy with several arms? or what about cw's show, arrow, when oliver queen is practicing on a similar looking dummy? that's wingchun -- which is a practice of self defense using a triangle stance, while having both feet and hands face forward. before you get too impressed, I don't actually practice wingchun.. BUT the bf does. classes are twice a week; every mon & wed from 8pm to 9pm. sometimes the classes may go overtime, depending on the lesson for that evening or if the class started a tad late. the venue is actually called "marietta martial arts". the building holds several types of martial art classes. therefore, if you come in the morning or afternoon, you might see little kids practicing taekwondo or some other fighting style. you start off with nooby level and must go through training and tests before you can advance to the next level. there are NO belts in wingchun. instead, you receive little fabric badges that you can sew onto your shirt. prices range for everyone. there is a trial where you can come and watch OR you can pay to try out the class for a week, I believe? but if you do on plan on taking the class seriously, you sign a "contract" with the payment plan you believe best fits you. the longer you stay, the cheaper it is per month.

From the owner: WingChun is a very direct and practical system of self-defense with no fancy movements and…read moreemphasizes body mechanics, efficiency, and technique. Take a two week trial and meet our WingChun family.

Both of my children have been boing to Yongsa since they opened in 2015. I was simply hoping for…read morebasic self defense for my daughter, but we quickly fell in love with the high quality instruction and the care and support they show each child. Both of my kids have achieved their black belts and my daughter is a state champion! Yongsa knows they have a great product and they don't lock you into a contract or charge belt testing fees. They don't need to!

From the owner: Karate for Kids, Adult Taekwondo, Mixed Martial Artsread more

I am so fortunate to have found Buckhead Jiu-Jitsu. This is by far the best gym for BJJ in Atlanta…read morefor so many reasons. Samuel Joseph, the head instructor, is so warm and welcoming that you feel comfortable immediately. The studio pairs the seriousness of hard work, discipline, and grit required of any martial art such as jiu-jitsu with the lightness and warmth of family and friends. It is an exceptional place to train, with a very special culture. It is rare to come across any business with clients as loyal as Buckhead Jiu-Jitsu, and that is thanks to the tireless efforts of Sam and all those involved. I always leave class energized, inspired, and grateful and hope that if you're reading this review that you will come on Saturday morning to try out the intro BJJ class. I can guarantee that you will not regret it. Buckhead Jiu-Jitsu, almost overnight, transformed my conception of the sport and my involvement in it from a dabbling hobby to a lifelong endeavor to improve, compete, and one day receive my black belt. Thank you Sam and everyone at Buckhead Jiu-Jitsu in Atlanta for being such a positive influence on my life!

My son did a trial class today and Sam made such an effort to make him feel welcomed. He made…read morelearning a truly fun experience for everyone. My daughter wants to join soon too! Thank you Sam!

Great instruction from Mestre Miria. Awesome workout that will burn a ton of calories, plus you…read morewill have loads of fun.

This is the best gym around. No one teaches like Andy. Very knowledgeable and he has a great way of…read morebreaking techniques down to make them easy to learn.

From the owner: At Hybrid JiuJitsu/HartFit, we offer training in Muay Thai, self-protection and fitness kickboxing…read more We want you to learn how to protect yourself at home and on the street.

Both of our children attend Marietta Martial Arts, and in fact our older one Aidan just made First…read moreDan (First Degree) Black Belt this weekend! I wholeheartedly agree with Master Wendell that Aidan is just beginning his journey in martial arts, and I hope his little sister remains inspired to do the same! We are so glad to have found this school when we moved to Atlanta from Birmingham three years ago, a year into their initial martial arts studies. The school was kind to accept the previous training and have them continue without skipping a beat. Our son has always been a good student, but he has "kicked it up a notch" significantly since transitioning to middle school, and this is in no small part due to the strong work ethic instilled in him by his experience with Taekwondo. Other activities that he does, ranging from music (violin, piano) to other sports (tennis), have shown substantial improvement, and I give credit both to our son but also to those that "teach him to fish." The cross-training provided by Taekwondo ingrains life skills applicable to any endeavor, and MMA routinely instills this value system. Repetition, memorization, and developing automaticity (the '10,000 hours') are all concepts that are still relevant in anything requiring both cognitive and hand-eye coordination. The staff at both the East Lake and Woodlawn locations are top notch and take their roles seriously, instilling discipline and lifelong habits in a positive, inspiring, and fun atmosphere. We feel very fortunate that Master Cho has remained on hand to help out and interact with the kids, as he is a wealth of knowledge and training and has an artful way to build rapport. Ms. Flynn has been an incredible positive role model as well, both as martial artist and expectant mother, and we look forward to her eventual return! Other instructors have been instrumental for them as well, particularly Mister Billy Cahill, who can be variously both the no-nonsense teacher of required forms and calisthenics to the fun dodgeball coach at the end of a Lil' Dragons session. Safety standards are also high, as Master Wendell heeded my wife's concerns about our son's black belt test in the setting of newly done, specialized orthodontic appliances. Fortunately, he was fitted with a custom guard and was able to participate in the standard sparring routine on his big day. As a plastic and reconstructive surgeon who has managed significant, operative facial trauma (and one who studied Tang Soo Do for a time in college), my respect for this organization has only grown continually. I would recommend ALL kids at least try a martial art such as Taekwondo to keep them active, healthy, and goal-oriented. We look forward to our kids' continued progress and active learning - and hopefully contributing themselves as junior instructors - as they get older, stronger, and wiser. Thank you MMA!!

Master Bill really takes the time to work with me. Someone who has no experience. Definitely didn't…read morefeel embarrassed like I thought I would. Made me feel comfortable.

I was a member of X3 for a year, but I went to the west midtown location. I took a year off to…read moretravel and I just rejoined the other day, with this being my main location. I took my first class 2 days ago and even though I've done it before, I'm still SO sore! The instructor told us that someone in one of this previous classes had been wearing a heart rate monitor and they'd burned 850 calories in the hour long class. That's nuts! I'm definitely a fan of this location over the West Marietta one since it's much bigger! There's a lot more equipment to just come in and lift weights if I can't make it into any of the classes, which I love. Overall I'm super happy with my decision to join this gym again!

do your research about the contract, classes are ok but overpriced subscription and unorganized…read morestaff.