I was visiting the Berkeley area and was able to drop in on the Monday all levels gi and judo…read moreclasses. Everyone at the academy were very welcoming and friendly. The caliber of jiu jitsu is very high at this academy (very tough rolls). Although there was a high intensity during the live rolling rounds, I never felt like I was going to be injured or hurt during these rounds. Professor Eduardo taught awesome technique with great detail and answered all questions. The caliber of judo is also very high. Sensei Newton and the other senseis were all very knowledgeable and technical. Very good explanation of techniques and able to answer all questions. Thank you for the hospitality and hope to train here again!

Ralph Gracie Berkeley changed my life. Eduardo Fraga has an incredible depth of knowledge and has…read morealways pushed me to continue training even through some dark times in my life. This place has become family and I'm so grateful that I walked through those doors.

Sensei is amazing! She is really kind to the kids and my son can't wait to go to her weekly…read moreclasses!!! She is patient and always teaches the kids about being thankful. Amazing experience here.

After witnessing how incredibly supportive aikido was for my mental health, I visited dojos all…read moreover the East Bay to find one that felt like home. I've been at Aikido of Berkeley for three years now, finding just what I needed. Kayla Feder Sensei is a master teacher - inviting me to practice with precision while being warm and humble. A rare combination in martial arts! Also unique about this dojo is how much the students show up for one another outside of aikido - celebrating, collaborating creatively, helping each other move, even watching my cat! I feel very, very grateful to have this spiritual community.

We had a great experience at Han. The teachers and management are great, and they are both…read moreencouraging and firm with the kids.

We enrolled our 6 yo at Han in Montclair a few months ago, and we couldn't be happier…read more The entire staff - from the front desk to the instructors - is energetic, friendly, and supportive. Master Sam, Master Jacob, and Master Edward do a fantastic job balancing real discipline with skill-building and teaching the kids to celebrate each other. Our son's confidence and interest in Taekwondo keeps climbing, and he's even helping lead class warmups now. They have built a positive, family-oriented community with fun events. Parking is always easy. Highly recommend!

Throw Roll Tumble…read more Fall This is one of the best places to learn this humble yet effective art in the bay area. Students of all shapes, sizes,ages and from all walks of life are treated exactly the same here and all are taught the precise moves with loving care and joy. The instructors and sub instructors are so attentive, caring and skillful here. Yet they have so much patience and temperament in helping those who are just starting down the path of learning. What I love about this place is that it is not the robotic crank em out type of place. Instead it is humble and peaceful. Each instructor and student work toward the same common goal of development. One never has to feel as though they are doing poorly or can't keep or dazed and confused because these people love what they do and helping, teaching, perfecting and showing you a hundred times is all done with a smile and a ton of encouragement! According to the Aikido foundation "Aikido is a Budo (martial art) created by Morihei Ueshiba. After the Founder's passing in 1969, his son Kisshomaru Ueshiba was inaugurated as Aikido Doshu. At present, Moriteru Ueshiba, grandson of the Founder, has succeeded his father as Aikido Doshu. The Aikikai Foundation, officially recognized by the Japanese government in 1940, was founded in order to preserve and promote the ideals of the true Aikido created by the Founder. As the Aikido World Headquarters, it is the parent organization for the development and expansion of Aikido throughout the world." The Berkeley Aikikai is the headquarters of Aikido Un En Kai which is directly affiliated with the Aikido Hombu Dojo , Tokyo, Japan. In the Berkeley location main people are: Advisor: I. Shibata, 7th dan, Shihan. who is also the director of Aikido Un En Kai The Chief Instructor: is Marianne Shibata, 6th dan, Shidoin. --She is awesome. So if you have interest in this great art feel free to visit as visitors are welcome to observe.

My body has matured a lot from practicing here, and incidentally, so has my mind…read more When I first started here, it was interesting how we had to walk down the hallway to go into the dojo. Unlike other martial arts places, there is no front window that lets people peer inside and see what we are doing. It helps to cultivate a spirit of mutual respect between people, the spectators and the practitioners. As for the art itself, aikido isn't easy to master no matter where you go. It isn't a series of scoring points by punching and kicking, or of potentially breaking bones because you blocked too hard. Instead, it is learning to turn the energy of the attack from your partner against them. It is an art of enlarging your awareness of space (larger opponent needs much less distance to attack), time (don't dawdle too long), and intent (be ready to shift your movement and center depending on where the energy is going). A beginner will spend a lot of their time break-falling and taking ukemi (being the recipient of either a throwing or a pinning technique). The kind of break-falls you learn is complex and goes beyond just remembering not to land on your wrist.

Great place to begin your journey into Krav Maga! Gaby is an amazing instructor and works well with…read moreall skill levels along with his instructors. It is very welcoming and filled excellent members! You will love the good vibe and life skills training!!

I had a wonderful time meeting a wide array of age groups and fighters across multiple levels from…read morebeginner to expert. Gabi the owner is a supportive and insure conscious instructor with a wealth of knowledge and the skills to demonstrate them in clear and concise ways. Love all other instructors as well. Very welcoming place with the intention to team building end empowering the individual.

We've been attending this Judo club for the past 2 1/2 years, and I can confidently say it's the…read morebest investment we've made for our kids. The program is top-notch, with little kids practicing three times a week and older kids practicing five times a week. It's been amazing to watch our children grow in both skill and confidence through the sport. The coach is exceptional -- highly skilled, patient, and genuinely invested in each child's development. He foster a positive and encouraging environment, helping kids not only learn judo but also build discipline, respect, and teamwork. My kids have gained so much from their time here, and we've seen improvements in their fitness, focus, and overall attitude. Whether your child is a beginner or more advanced, this club offers the perfect balance of challenge and support. Highly recommend this judo club to any family in the Bay Area looking for a structured, fun, and impactful sport for their kids. It's been an incredible experience for our family! So thankful for coach Mr. Munkhbayasgalan. We are so glad he is teaching and guiding my kids to learn judo.

Mongolian Judo!! As far as I know this is the only mongolian Judo in the United States. We were…read morelucky enough to be invited here for a Saturday evening Judo work out. What an amazing workout. My kids have been doing Judo for years, and this was the toughest workout they've ever had. Dordjerem 'Mugi' Munkhbayasgalan is a 4th degree black belt in Judo as well as a black belt in Jiujitsu. He trained with the Mongolian Olympic team and is an MMA fighter. It shows in how he drives the kids. The whole class was in taught in Mongolian. My kids had to just follow the other kids lead. It was exciting to watch. The class started out with Uchi Komis. Then some training techniques. After that, they spent 1 hour doing Newaza in 3 minute intervals. There were abit 30 kids and my kids were out-matched. The Mongolian kids worked my kids into the ground. They showed perfect technique and barely worked up a sweat. After Newaza, the class did Randori for 1 hour. Our kids were pouring sweat. It was truly amazing to witness. At the end of class, they dropped ropes from the ceiling and kids climbed. A nice touch was after class, all the kid sat around and talked or played for 30 minutes. My kids really enjoyed that. I must say, if your kids are driven and want to be the Best, Mugi will get them there.

I really enjoy the authentic traditional training. The instructors are volunteers sharing the…read moreknowledge they learned from those who did the same. Part of Shotokan Karate of America. I strongly recommend going and trying them out. All levels welcome, even if you haven't tried martial arts before.

Immediately felt like family when I joined this dojo. I practiced a different form of karate for…read moreyears but took a break for a decade, and this was the first place I returned to and I'm glad I did. The workouts are great, and it being an older dojo, you can tell that there are years of wisdom to learn from. Also, the small class size lends itself well to a personal and thorough teaching style. I would strongly recommend this dojo to anyone who is interested in karate.

Fantastic gym that works for both serious and casual people. Important for me, I found the gym to…read morebe a very friendly and welcoming environment - the owner, the coaches, and the other gym members. I came to the gym casually but have had so much fun in the classes that I can't help but get more into it. The gym is traditional and full of expertise so there is a lot of room for growth. Whether you are an absolute beginner just looking to get in shape, or a serious fighter looking to learn the best Muay Thai you can...this is the gym you should try.

I have reviewed this gym before - but I wanted to add a testimony - after one month of Muay Thai -…read moreI'm usually in 4-5 times a week - I am completely off two blood pressure pills! Woo hoo!