1. Instinct Defense Academy

0

Portland, OR

Cancel

Open app

Search

Instinct Defense Academy

5.0 (2 reviews)
Closed • 6:00 pm - 9:00 PM

Instinct Defense Academy Photos

More like Instinct Defense Academy

Portfolio From The Business

Sponsored

Recommended Reviews - Instinct Defense Academy

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

6 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Ask the Community - Instinct Defense Academy

Portland Academy of Self Defense

Portland Academy of Self Defense

5.0(1 review)
3.3 mi•Southwest Portland

We are having a wonderful experience at Portland Academy of Self Defense. Coach David has the right…read moretemperament to reach our son, who did not thrive in the class structure of other martial arts studios. He is eager to go to class each week and gives 100% because he feels positively motivated. From what I can see, he has made enormous progress after just a few sessions, and it has overflowed into his behavior at home. Coach David also takes time to give bits of real-world guidance that my son and I are able to discuss on the way home. It also looks really fun! Sometimes I want to jump in! I recommend Portland Academy of Self Defense to people of all ages who are interested in self-defense or just great exercise in a positive, accepting environment.

From the owner: Portland Academy of Self Defense offers professional Hapkido martial arts, self-defense, fitness,…read moreand life skills training for kids, teens, and adults in Beaverton, Tigard, Hillsboro, and SW Portland. Our kids martial arts classes build confidence, focus, discipline, and respect while keeping training fun and engaging. Teens and adults benefit from practical self-defense skills, stress relief, and full-body workouts that boost strength, flexibility, and endurance. Programs include children’s self-defense, teen leadership training, adult martial arts, family programs, and black belt training. Whether your goal is to get fit, gain confidence, or earn your black belt, our certified instructors will guide you every step of the way. Located on SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy — proudly serving Beaverton, Tigard, Hillsboro, and SW Portland.

Photos
Portland Academy of Self Defense
Portland Academy of Self Defense
Portland Academy of Self Defense

See all

10th Planet Portland - Phill, Matt, & Nathan, Awesome Coaches!

10th Planet Portland

4.9(15 reviews)
7.1 mi•Central Eastside, Hosford-Abernethy, Southeast Portland

I've been living in Portland for 20 years and if we ever move this would be the thing we would miss…read morethe most. My kids have grown in so many ways by being a part of this gym and the life lessons and skills they learn on and off the mat here will forever be a part of them. The kids program is hands down the best in the city. We have been a part of two other gyms before and there is no comparison to community, care and students here at 10th planet. Coach Morgan and his team of coaches run a world class kids program that is not only technical but fun. The mix of drills, skills training and sparring with a mix of games in between keeps the kids engaged and happy. The community of parents and kids is solid gold. The caliber of kids that come here bring a sense of skill, passion, and it's like a small family. The engagement from the adults who train here as well as the owners and coaches creates such a family atmosphere. The head coach of the kids program Coach Morgan brings such a high level of jujitsu but most of all really cares for the students and families as if they were his own. The level of patience and care from the coaching team is unmatched. They have Ninja nights where they run games, mini competition brackets, movies, pizza and more games is an absolute blast for the kids but also provides parents a night off. It builds comradery among the kids and allows them to play with each other outside of the gym setting. The gym, the staff, the quality of training and the members make this a truly special place.

This is THE best gym. Phill Schwartz is an amazing coach that is highly respected throughout the…read moreentire jiu jitsu community and for good reason. Not only is he a consistent student of the game, but he is also a very personable coach. With over 250 members, I guarantee you that he will know your name in the first week and be championing your improvement every time he sees you. I've been training at this gym for 6 years and I can't believe how amazing this community is. Through thick and thin, everyone here is pushing to make you and themselves better in jiu jitsu and life. Join 10th planet Portland and change your life for the better!

Photos
10th Planet Portland - Team Photo from Sub League

Team Photo from Sub League

10th Planet Portland
10th Planet Portland - The Upstairs training space. The New space is downstairs.

See all

The Upstairs training space. The New space is downstairs.

One With Heart - Campers play a game at a pirate-themed Summer Camp

One With Heart

4.3(38 reviews)
9.2 mi•Hawthorne, Sunnyside, Southeast Portland

As a student, I am thrilled to recommend this school and its staff. I have trained at several…read moreschools over the years and this one stands out for several reasons: 1. It is very welcoming and supportive; the community is strong and friendly. Some schools are very businesslike, or don't encourage students to be friends outside of class; this one is the opposite! 2. The style is very eclectic. You will learn to punch and kick, but you'll also learn to use weapons and to move in several different distinct ways. This style of martial arts has a lot to learn and challenges my mind and body every class. 3. Speaking of challenge, this class is a full body workout. I never step off the mat without getting really sweaty. The teachers make time to encourage you to drink water frequently during class. 4. This school and community are extremely inclusive. There are at least any many women and trans students as men; frequently men are in a drastic minority. There is no "bro"/macho culture here as there is in many other schools. While it is somewhat expensive for the number of classes (2-3/week at least as a beginning adult student) you get access to compared to some other schools, the pricing is not a secret (it is shown on the website and the staff will be happy to talk with you about it), I feel it is worthwhile based on about 10 years of training in other schools (even ones that cost less and had 10 classes a week).

I have trained at One With Heart since 2019 and the community and the excellent teaching keep me…read morecoming back! I love the workout I get and even if I've had a bad day, I always feel better after class. The school was also a great source of stability and community for me during the pandemic, and I will always appreciate the strength I gained from my teachers and classmates during that time. Highly recommend checking out an intro!

Photos
One With Heart - Working knife defense with Silat Suffian Bela Diri USA

Working knife defense with Silat Suffian Bela Diri USA

One With Heart - You are strong and powerful! check out our Women's Self-Defense classes.

You are strong and powerful! check out our Women's Self-Defense classes.

One With Heart - A camper practices board breaking at Summer Camp in Woodstock Park

See all

A camper practices board breaking at Summer Camp in Woodstock Park

Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu - Team photo from January 2016

Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu

4.9(34 reviews)
6.6 mi•Boise, Mississippi, North Portland

The quick review: This school has world class teachers, a welcoming environment for all levels of…read moreexperience, and provides some of the best, most relevant instruction in the US. Full review: I started training in CA in 2010, and joined RGPDX about 2-3 months ago after visiting each of the top schools in Portland and taking private lessons from their instructors. Both the classes and privates were the most thorough and impressive I've ever experienced. I've taken classes with Aaron, Eddie, and Hannah mostly, and have been blown away from the start. I can't say enough about their skills as practitioners AND teachers; they are truly invested in their students' growth, are able to pinpoint the holes in their students' games that need improvement, and have an unbelievably vast knowledge of relevant, high-percentage, high-level techniques. They offer a ton of classes that can fit any schedule; early morning through night classes, GI & NOGI. Kids classes, adult coed classes, and women only classes are all available. There are showers, locker rooms, 3 bathrooms, huge upstairs mat, large downstairs mats, a weight room, and they keep it the cleanest facility I've ever seen. The teachers protect the students by fostering a safe practice environment and promote a laidback space while simultaneously taking the level of skill of their students seriously. Most of the teachers compete and win regularly, monthly, staying at the edge of what works at the highest levels of the art. If you want to be the next world champion, go here. If you're thinking about joining to get in shape and have no interest in competing, this is your spot. I came from another school as an 'upper belt' and was immediately humbled yet accepted as if i had been there since day 1. I improved more in these last few months than I have in the last few years. I guarantee you will not be disappointed and if you are, come find me in class and punch me in the stomach.

At age 52, I am two months into my jiu-jitsu journey. Especially since I was starting relatively…read morelate in life, I was intimidated to walk into any jiu-jitsu school. But at Renzo Gracie I have been thrilled to find not only amazing coaching but a welcoming community of training partners. I roll with much more experienced bjj players every week, and they are welcoming, accommodating, and happy to share their wisdom. And for praise I'll single out Ruben, who teaches most of the no-gi fundamentals classes: the guy is just a profoundly gifted coach. Lots of people can demonstrate techniques, but he has a terrific understanding of the basic principles that each of those techniques are based on -- you get to understand not just how to do things, but why, and how they tie into the broader goals of jiu-jitsu. I love jiu-jitsu now, and I'm sure that this place and these people are a big reason why.

Photos
Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu - Years of blood, sweat, tears, memories, growth, and beauty.

Years of blood, sweat, tears, memories, growth, and beauty.

Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu
Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu

See all

Academia Duellatoria - Gerard Thibault rapier seminar

Academia Duellatoria

5.0(6 reviews)
4.1 mi•Southwest Portland

My daughter LOVES the classes that she takes through the Academia. Her focuses are swords in the…read moreBuckler style and the Victorian self-defense. The instructors are great. Very well practiced, mindful of a student's abilities and challenging too. The classes range from week to week depending on skill levels and if there is a special technique to train in. My daughter entered the school with no experience or equipment. This was not a problem. Other students, more advanced, step in to assist in training. Equipment is handy to use and rent. And items, like the special leather gloves, are for purchase. All in all this has been a foundational experience for my daughter. She is gaining confidence, skills and mastering two practices. It is a great deal! Definitely come check out the Academia, it's worth it.

These guys are as real as it gets. Working with recently re-translated material from German and…read moreSpaniard sources this school is an incredible and rare resource for individuals who wish to learn from those traditions. The school is reasonably priced, located in a really good place accessible by public transportation. The instructors there are the nicest people you will ever want to meet. They are friendly, treat students with respect, and without the snobbery that many newcomers experience in other schools. In short, if you are looking to learn sword-fighting in the traditional form, which includes the training of the mind, body and spirit, you will find a home here.

Photos
Academia Duellatoria - Destreza video production with Anthony Delongis and Maestro Martinez

Destreza video production with Anthony Delongis and Maestro Martinez

Academia Duellatoria
Academia Duellatoria

See all

Instinct Defense Academy - martialarts - Updated October 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...