During my glory days in Tae Kwon Do at age 12, I really loved the physical activity and stress…read morerelief that came with punching and kicking. So recently I've been looking to get back into martial arts. I found Oom Yung Doe on Yelp because of its great reviews and its proximity to my house. I'd never heard of this form of martial arts, but the website claimed I could take a complimentary introductory lesson. Why not? I called on Sunday afternoon and was signed up for a free class the next day at 8 PM. That was quick. Not knowing what to expect, I showed up to the small studio in workout clothes, looking very out of place among the robe-clad martial artists. I signed a liability waiver and was led into the practice room by the instructor, John. There were a few people practicing individually in the room with wooden swords and fans. I had no idea what they were doing, but they sure looked cool! Where were the other students in this introductory class though? John starts by explaining the many benefits of practicing Oom Yung Doe. It focuses on connecting the mind and the body. He used to have asthma and back pain, and now they're gone. It improves your strength, flexibility, and focus. With regular practice, people start excelling in other parts of their lives as well (high GPA,s promotions, the works). Sounds great! Turns out I'm the only one in the class. Unexpected, to say the least. And pretty intimidating. But John was very supportive and great as leading and explaining each movement. We started out with some breathing excercises, then moved to some strength and flexibility movements, punches and kicks, holding positions, and finished with some self defense training. At the end, he did two full forms, a beginner and a dragon form, to demonstrate what you will work toward. He's been practicing for 7 years so is very committed and pretty incredible at it. The entire lesson took almost an hour, and it was completely free. The individual attention and professionalism was so impressive. From experiencing this class, I'm wondering if this form of martial arts is for me. I'm definitely lacking some of the strength, focus, and flexibility required, but I'm sure those are all things you work toward. I'm also not sure I'd be able to work it into my schedule, as John told me that they encourage people to come at least 3 times a week in order to improve. The introductory month is $150, which includes 3 private lessons and unlimited classes at the studio afterward. I liked seeing the space, learning more about the practice, and witnessing the personal connections the instructor has with the others practicing. It seems like a great environment to try something new and improve your physical and emotional well-being. I very much enjoyed the introduction and encourage anyone to try it out. What do you have to lose? (Except maybe your dignity.. if you care about looking like an idiot as you tremble trying to hold difficult positions or unsuccessfully fend off a fake attacker.)

Starting training in traditional martial arts is the best thing i've done for myself. The…read moreinstructors here are patient, knowledgable, and warm. Movements are challenging but results are almost immediate, no doubt there was a huge improvement by the end of one month. Just like all exercise , consistency is key and instructors are good at reminding you of this without being intrusive or self promoting. This place makes me feel i belong there and i am so glad i've brought it into my life

I have been going to this gym for 3+years, and I love the Punch Out and Tae Bo classes. I have also…read moretaken karate there as an adult, and I have learned various self defense techniques. I currently volunteer for their special karate classes working with children with autism. I think this is a great program since the students learn respect, discipline, and self control as they work on focusing skills and coordination. They're also meeting new friends and having fun. This place is really about family and wellness. I enjoy coming here and working out. The people are really nice and friendly.

Amazing. Exactly what I needed to start my new year. The class was so much fun! The instructor, the…read morepeople encouraging you but pushing you to your limits. I'm coming back two days a week I finally found the boxing place for me.

My kids have been doing the Little Tigers program for a half-year now, and they love it! They've…read moregrown so much so fast! Before signing up, neither was very active or brave. Now they run all over the place and don't hesitate to try new or difficult things. I was so impressed by their new energy, I signed up for the Mom's Kickboxing class, which is just as great as the taekwondo. Master Hong is an amazing instructor. He sets a challenging pace but knows how to keep it fun, which matters a lot for young kids. He has an impressive variety of activities that he uses for each class, and the classes build on each other. You can tell he really pays attention to each student when he praises one for finally kicking higher or faster after working so hard, and the student feels proud of their hard work. We highly recommend Sun Taekwondo Academy.

Great place to get your kid be active and not only learn Taekwondo but life skills as well. Master…read moreHong is great! If you are in Danvers or nearby you should definitely check it out! HIGHLY recommend!

Pure Barre Lynnfield has been such a bright spot in my summer! Coming home from law school, I was…read morenervous about signing up again after hearing horror stories about other studios making cancellations or membership changes difficult. But Pure Barre has been the complete opposite: rejoining was seamless, and they even honored a military discount for me for being in the Air Force. The instructors? Amazing, they are all truly special; they remember faces and names, cheer you on, and create such a positive, uplifting energy in every class. Even the little touches, like a bathroom stocked with essentials, show how much they care about their members' experience. This place just gets it! I'm super so thankful to be part of this community again--it feels like coming home.

Just finished a class with Amanda and it was amazing! I've visiting from California and trying to…read morekeep up with my workouts and took the same class in Fort Lauderdale and this studio was much better than the Florida studio! Amanda was so great with remembering everyone's names and providing adjustments in addition to motivating and praising all her students. I will definitely be taking another class hopefully with Amanda although I'm sure all the instructors are incredible!

I've been coming here for some time now and really enjoy the community. The instructors are…read morewonderful in how they teach and are just downright caring and dedicated to their students and their art. You're not going to find a better place in the area if you're looking for Wing Chun, Kali or Silat.

Yoga Sakti is much more than a yoga studio--it's a school for learning and deepening your practice…read more Whether you're a beginner or an experienced yogi, you'll leave every class with a greater understanding of both your body and the asanas. I've been practicing yoga for over 23 years and have visited many studios along the East Coast. Without question, Yoga Sakti is the place where I've learned the most. The depth of knowledge, quality of instruction, and focus on education make it a truly exceptional place to practice and grow.

Absolutely fantastic space. A well-rounded variety of classes - from sweat-inducing workouts to…read moreslow stretch meditations. What really works for me is the wide range of class times, that work nicely with my work schedule and on weekends. I took advantage of the introduction week pass, booking 5 classes in a week, and every single class was worth it, and taught by a knowledgeable, warm, and approachable teacher. Absolutely will be returning.

Our 7 year old sons have been attending this Judo club for 3 years. We love the community and Yigal…read moreis amazing. My favorite thing (from the parents community viewpoint) is how many countries we all represent and the diversity included. It's a mini United Nations crew every Saturday of families across the North Shore.

Awesome place for Judo. Yigal and Tim are knowledgeable instructors. I have taken karate, judo, jj…read moreand bjj. I recommend judo for all kids under 12. My son is 5 and he has tons of training partners of his age.

All the instructors here are wonderful and take the time to listen to your concerns. I have found…read morethe classes to be rewarding and informative and always leave feeling refreshed! The classes are great for those that want to stay flexible and may want a slower pace than the typical yoga classes. I have found the yoga classes to be terrific in helping me stay healthy and the one on one private sessions worked wonders for a previous hip injury. Highly recommended Sholeh for private sessions !

I joined Brain and Body Yoga in September. It came at a time when I needed lots of work on getting…read moremy body in tune with my mind. It's like joining a loving community, the practice leaves me feeling renewed, centered and at peace. I look forward to class every day!