Trained here for almost four years and was approaching my shodan test. I used to think of aikido as…read moremy organizing principle. That all changed when a third-degree black belt instructor dropped me on my head. He was showing off for his buddy, the chief instructor. Both those men are no longer at this dojo, but regardless I cannot train any more as I used to - following my concussion, I tried to come back (after time off for recuperation). But after weeks/months of headaches, and trying various sorts of accommodations, my doctor strongly recommended that I discontinue training. Aikido may be called the "art of peace" and its practitioners may say that good ukemi will neutralize any throw. But it is still possible for a careless person to injure you badly. I used to think (see my previous review) that if I spoke up, was careful about whom I trained with, and practiced diligently, it would protect me from harm. Not true. Being a good driver does not always save you from the bad drivers. (I decided to update my old review, after much time and thought, so that newcomers will have a more complete picture. It's hard to ask questions of people who have left.) As with any endeavor: caveat emptor. Do your research. Visit multiple places and compare them, before you choose. Ask around - what is the reputation of the place you are considering? What is their record for follow-up when someone gets injured? How long have the most senior students been training at this place? Are classes made up of mostly newbies - i.e., does the student body turn over regularly, or are there a lot of stalwarts? How many black belts come to practice regularly? (an indication of whether the place continues to offer room for growth, once that first black belt has been attained). How often is the chief instructor present and instructing? What precautions are in place when junior (smaller/younger/inexperienced) students train with senior (stronger/faster/aggressive) students? How long has each teacher been teaching? (Being a skilled practitioner is not always the same as being a good teacher.) Pick your partners (and teachers) carefully. (Even if everyone says "but he's such a nice guy!" - if you break a collarbone because he attempted a too-ambitious throw, you will be the one in a sling, not the nice guy.) How often does the dojo host community events? Do senior staff/teachers show up for community events? I have visited from time to time. (I still hang out socially with many friends from here.) With all my heart I still miss the practice and the community I used to have. But I have had to step back from both.

NEEDED to find a social outlet for my 5-year old grandson while he is on an extended visit from out…read moreof state. NEEDED to find a safe, social, in-person way for him to spend time and energy with little people his own size. So perfectly pleased to have found DC Aikido --- perfect fit. He was hooked from the first class. 3x a week - in the dojo - with 30 minute sessions is exactly the right prescription. Right across the street from the Red Line Metro --- and free parking garage for drivers like us. The most important part: The instructors are amazing. Patient like saints but with an eye toward discipline. Great instruction at the 5-6 year old level mixed with discipline and exercise. The classes are very disciplined for spacing, too --- all of the students and staff are good about wearing their masks and keeping the students on "their own square" to keep social distance norms intact. So sorry my grandson is going home at the end of this month. Thank you, DC Aikido!

Instructor Ibby is an awesome teacher! He's very patient and encouraging. He has a way of…read moreintegrating many different skill levels in one class so we can learn from each other and he gives attention to everyone. I also have a bad ankle so this class has really been helpful in incorporating exercises to strengthen it. There's various classes for all age groups and the first class is free in case you'd like to try it but you're unsure. I'd say give it a shot! You learn great technique, form, and sweat up a storm. Most of all, it's a fun environment for everyone. I really enjoy coming here. We do different exercises so it never gets boring. I look forward to improving my technique!

Finding Victory Karate was fate! I originally walked in just get information and quickly recognized…read moreMaster A. He taught my brother over 10 years ago when he also had a cardio kickboxing class that my mom and I enjoyed very much! Now, I take my 4 year old and although Mr A usually instructs the older kids and adults, Ms Rachel is fantastic with the younger children. Mr A often joins Ms Rachel in instructing the younger kids and they make a great team together. If you'd like for your children to learn Karate and have fun at the same time, this is the place to be!

Wonderful group dynamic - serious when needed, easygoing when possible, and always supportive of…read moreeveryone's discipline and growth! Our family is in our third year with Kim Studio, and we love the studio and its teachers more than we can say.

I've been training with Kim Studio for over 25 years. I have visited a lot of other schools out…read morethere, tried a lot of styles, met some great martial artists. But, the people who train at Kim Studio are a cut above: humble, friendly, dedicated, knowledgeable, serious martial artists who train hard. It has been like a second family. It is a safe and welcoming place for kids and adults alike. Whether you are just a beginner or an advanced student wanting to study karate and martial arts at a more serious level, Kim Studio is the place to be.

Took classes there many years ago. Sifu Ramos is phenomenal. Sifu Ramos taught me various art formsread more

Paul Ramos is an amazing instructor who addresses the talents and needs of each individual student…read more I attended several tai chi classes and learned much about the patience and skill that Paul has for the Pushing Hands form of tai chi. His guidance was encouraging but neither demanding nor unreasonable. During class, he would always warm up with everyone and then guide students individually to improve their skills based on his or her own pace and success thus far. I was always impressed at the calming strength of these classes in providing a balanced workout- though in a non traditional sense. If I had more time in my schedule, I would be back! If you want to learn this traditional art, coming to Wu Shen Tao with Paul Ramos would be wise!

My 5 y/o kid recently joined classes here and I am thrilled Infinity Martial Arts is here in Chevy…read moreChase. Master Breunig and other instructors are all so welcoming and offer a terrific experience. My kid gets to learn new skills, get great exercise, and have a lot of fun with other kids. It's also wonderful the classes incorporates skills and values like respect, self-esteem, self-control, and responsibility. The 'Tiny Tigers' class is excellent and does a great job of making the activities and instruction fit well for kids of different ages and skill levels. Even small things, like at the end of class Master Breunig will put his hand up high (depending on how old the kid is) and each kid tries to jump up to hit him with a high five. The kids love it, and it's something that can be tailored to small and bigger kids. I also appreciate the different class times for for the Tiny Tigers class and that it is centrally located in the Chevy Chase Arcade building.

This is what the Chevy Chase Arcade needs which is a place to cater to KIDS and grown up and what…read morebetter thing to do for them then to teach them.how to defend themselves. I have witnessed what goes on in this place and I'm happy with what I see The instructor is a humble man who teaches his students not only the art of self defense but to respect themselves as he proudly encourages them walk around outside proudly in their karate GI This what the neighborhood needs

This is a hidden gem of martial arts studios that genuinely cares about tradition. I took a long…read moretime to sign on to a studio and was happy to find Sensei Hunter. (I definitely wanted to avoid taking my kids to a studio that use splashy stock photos or advertises kid's birthday parties or parents night off events.) I loved the smaller class sizes of Samurai Training Academy which allowed for Sensei Hunter to break down complex moves into their fundamental components. I loved that the studio had adult classes and was not just a dojo daycare. I loved that they did not pass all students for their belt testing. All good signs of a studio with integrity, which sadly, is more difficult to find these days. Sensei Hunter won over the kids with his irreverent sense of humor, his kindness, and his deep love for sharing his practice with his students. My son looks forward to every single class (even going embarrassingly early to classes just so that he could absorb as much as he could from his instructor).

From the owner: Karate, Jujutsu, Sword, Kendo, Kids Karate, Women's Self Defense, Police Self Defense and control…read moretactics

Great place to learn Karate. Very nice instructors. Helpful owner. Going to start taking lessons…read moreagain.

Our daughter loves this place. The classes are fun and the instructors are firm, but patient. She…read morehas developed both her physical skill set and mental acuity. We also just had her birthday party here. She and her friends had a blast. Parents were equally impressed. Instructors entertain the kids with an extended version of a normal class (warm up, lesson and obstacle course). Parents don't have to do anything but catch up or take photos of their kids. The staff also help with the setup and distribution of food and clean up. I was not expecting at all the level of help that was provided. I couldn't have asked for more. I highly recommend this place for both classes and special events.

The class was excellent. I really appreciate the verbal part. Then I appreciate the physical. Both…read moreof them are a excellent tool to have. Yours truly, Nancy Boyd

I have taken both Women's Basic Self Defense and Beyond Basics. The classes are small, so you get…read morea lot of individual attention. You train full force, so you won't pull your punches in an actual altercation. You learn simple techniques that anyone can do, and you learn a mental state that allows you to function in a scary adrenalized situation. Possibly the most important thing you learn is to consciously present yourself as trouble to a would be assailant. This isn't traditional martial arts - it isn't spiritual discipline, it is a down and dirty way to end a fight fast. I recommend this to all the women I know.

I signed up for Defend Yourself classes earlier this year. I'm more than halfway through my 10-week…read morecourse and I'm already sad that it's almost over. My class is made up of supportive, encouraging women and I've already found myself using some of the one-liners I've picked up from my instructor, Lauren Taylor. Things like, "your coping mechanisms are not your fault," for example, have been majorly helpful. We've spent weeks learning different defensive maneuvers and hitting targets (which is a major stress reliever) but the course also focuses a lot on assertiveness, from being able to say "no" at work to setting boundaries with harassers, family members and everyone in between. Personally, I've benefited from the lessons on deescalation tactics, learning to stay on MY message, rather than arguing, etc. It's a great course. I highly reccomend it.

Lauren Taylor is a true champion and master teacher. I am the author of Beauty Bites Beast, a…read more"how-come" not "how-to" book about women and setting boundaries. I've also made a movie by the same name. This is all by way of saying that I am not new to the field of women and groups at risk learning to take care of their own boundaries. Lauren is the real deal and I would send my closest friends and family to her in a heart beat.