Wow this is my first fighting / martial arts training and I'm really impressed…read more Location: I live in Navigli so this location was easiest for me to get to twice a week for training, since we meet at a dojo next to the Certosa Grosotto stop of the 14 and 19 trams (which stop in or near Porta Genova). They also teach Keysi in Monza and Cinisello Balsamo, but this was easiest for me to get to so I'm happy they offer it. The Dojo is clean and well-kept. There are two showers and two separate large changing rooms, then one main room with a wood floor and the typical Japanese paper sliding doors. Instructor: Jacopo the instructor is great. He's fluent in both Italian and English so there is no language problem. He's an expert in lots of methods as he practiced Karate for 15 years and Katana in Japan even. He's intense, passionate, and very serious about Keysi, exactly the kind of instructor you want when you are learning how to protect your life and those around you if the need arises. It's great to hear his perspective on why Keysi is so different and great compared to other methods. He is extremely professional and experienced even though he's younger than some Guru looking Sensei. Instruction: There aren't so many in the course right now because it's new and word is just getting out, which is great for really getting the technique right. I'm shocked at how quickly we learn new moves and techniques, while knowing them so thoroughly that we can apply them well. Everyone is earning their first grade right now, so we are on the same page. I particularly love when we learn a series of combinations for attacking, then practice on one other person who is wearing protective glove pads, and then have to fight them while being attacked from behind by a second pad wearing attacker, attacking each one in turn or simultaneously to learn how to deal with multiple attacker situations. It's a real workout! It also really teaches you how to protect yourself 360 degrees at all times, control an area, be aware of your surroundings, and to think well and act decisively when your mind is in a panic state (because you can't see who is hitting you from behind- it freaks you out!!!). I always have good things to practice in between lessons as well. Method: I have to admit I was turned off a lot by the online information about Keysi. It can come across as pretentious, untested, and even a bit douchey when you look at information online. But I decided to give it a try when I read a good review of how different and effective it was for urban situations. I am glad I did! It isn't about knocking someone off a horse or getting points in a match, or for some kind of esthetic elegance. It's super practical, natural, direct, and brutal. It's a honing of natural instincts into powerful movements that maintain balance to channel all of your body's power through the elbow, fist, knee, thumb, or whatever the move calls for. It's always surprising when its used on you in practice. When you are used to seeing straight punches it's unexpected to get a powerful elbow blow, hammer punch, slap and skin rip, or thumb knuckle to your mouth bone, or to attack with one other person just to be turned into a weapon for the defender. Then you realize that it would rattle an attacker to deal with this fighting method. They would simply have no idea where the next blow was coming from and it's over before they know it. Very cool! Effect: After a few months of this I can confirm: 1) It's a great workout. I am stronger, faster, and very in shape. I'm more tired after 2 minutes of training here than after a 10 mile run. 2) I am capable of protecting myself from 2-3 attackers (who do not have weapons) and getting better every day. 3) I am much more aware of my environment wherever I am 4) I have a balance, presence, and confidence I did not have before when out and about. After my fianceé and I were robbed in Milan by 5 thugs I had realized I was at the mercy of any attacker. Jacopo's Keysi instruction has made me comfortable and confident in crowds and late at night walking in Milan or Chicago. I know what to do and how to do it and know that I still perform well when panicking (because we test that). Looking forward to the next class!

From the owner: Divulgazione del Keysi, sistema di combattimento da strada nato in Spagna negli anni 80 da Justo…read moreDieguez e diventato famoso attraverso i film di Batman di Christopher Nolan fino ad arrivare all'ultimo Jack Reacher con Tom Cruise.

From the owner: Ma cos'è capoeira? È danza? Arte marziale? Gioco? Musica? Sport? Folclore? Cultura? Arte? Difesa…read morepersonale? Poesia? Festa? Gioco? Divertimento? Capoeira è tutto questo e molto di più. E soprattutto è una manifestazione ed espressione del popolo oppresso e dell'uomo in generale, alla ricerca della libertà e della dignità. La capoeira è un fenomeno sociale complesso, un universo dinamico profondamente legato ai contesti storici e culturali del Brasile. Come il suo paese di origine, la sua intima natura è quella di assorbire e mescolare realtà e orientamenti culturali diversi, divenendo una tradizione ineffabile, una manifestazione artistica piena di misteri. Per poterla comprendere è necessario ripercorrere la storia del Brasile, la schiavitù, la sofferenza e le lotte di liberazione dei neri; lì si ritrovano i primi passi di questa lotta-danza, di questa arte piena di sfumature, caratterizzata da un'ineguagliabile bellezza, che e' sopravvissuta alle persecuzioni dei potenti, trasformandosi nelle forme necessarie alla sua preservazione. Come un camaleonte. Per approfondire tutti gli aspetti legati alla capoeira, dalle radici storiche alle caratteristiche della sua musica alle implicazioni religiose, si suggerisce di consultare i testi della biblioteca a disposizione presso l'Academia de Capoeira. Inoltre, riportiamo qui di seguito due poesie: "Capoeira na briga" di Mestre Baixinho e "Uma vez perguntaram a seu Pastinha" di Mestre Pastinha.