After researching and visiting some aikido schools in the area and I decided to attend this school…read more The place has a great learning environment. It's subtle but I feel an inner zeal to learn from instructors who have dedicated their lives to the beautiful art of aikido. Most impressive thing is that Nick sensei sub-communicate a balance between softness(suppleness and yielding) and alertness while teaching aikido techniques, which is pretty rare to find. Instructors share all their wisdom and years of experience with aikido for you without holding anything back and you can use it anyway you want in different aspects of life. Students train with other students from different age groups and gender which is deeply interconnected with the balance between suppleness and alertness. It's cause while training with different people during the classes, one naturally finds a balance between the two. Since aikido is considered as the most spiritual martial art and this is reflected while training here like learning without words, conscious breaths, introducing gap between thinking while bowing etc. Although they seem to be way too traditional sometimes with some of the things they sub-communicate to the students, still it's a good school. Along with that it's Pretty spacious. Also you can find many hot girls in nearby dance studios.

I decided to check out Aikido for the first time about six months ago, and the welcome, warmth, and…read morekindness I encountered at Shusekai kept me coming back. From day one I felt allowed -- even encouraged -- to have no clue at all what I was doing. As such, my practice has deepened and improved in a most organic, delightful, and surprising way. The basics classes I attend emphasize practice, not mastery, so I feel utterly free to take risks and try things countless different ways under the guidance of the extraordinary Nick Walker Sensei. Nick and the other teachers are wonderfully gifted in both the art itself and how they teach it: from a place of deep skill infused with great lightness and humor. It's rare that most people on the mat aren't at least grinning (and more often laughing -- the smiles you see in the photos weren't just for the camera!). Also, as students advance, they naturally morph into trusted teachers and guides for the newer students. The coolest thing about Aikido is how it translates off the mat: there are inherent lessons about grounding, assertiveness, commitment, what is and isn't worth our energy ... and lots more. It's also a subtly killer workout and a fantastic integration of mind and body. Most exciting for me is the weekly women's class recently begun by Azzia Zur, the spectacular dojo manager and teacher, whose infectious energy makes it impossible not to love learning this stuff. Practicing with all women has a very different and special quality -- if you're a woman looking to start a practice, this class is the perfect gateway.

I just love this club. While open to any style of Karate, the core discipline is Wado style…read moreKarate-do. Sensei Abe, a 7th Dan black belt, founded the UC Karate club more than 30 years ago, and has been teaching ever since. There are several other teaching blackbelts, too, providing varied instruction. Classes balance basic training, kata and kumite, with an emphasize on good form and efficient movement. The club is open to everybody, and part of UC Berkeleys Martial Arts program. If you're at all interested in learning this fascinating martial art, you can check it out for free for two weeks before having to join.

The Cal Berkeley Karate Club is great! The club is open to anyone, has a great sense of community…read moreand a long tradition. We train all ranks together which gives you a good idea of how skills will progress over time. If you have an interest in martial arts, this is a great place to start (or, like me, continue training). The hardest part is showing up... so check the http://karate.berkeley.edu website for the room number in hearst gym and schedule.

I have been going to Berkeley Isshinryu for over seven years now, so I figured I should finally…read morewrite a review! Because you don't do something for seven years if you don't love it. BIK is a small, laid-back dojo made up of a diverse group of practitioners from many different Isshin-ryu "strands" and in some cases completely different styles of karate or other martial arts altogether -- everyone is welcome here, and over the years the dojo has benefited from getting lots of different perspectives on the style and martial arts in general. We work hard and take our training seriously, but everyone is primarily there to have fun while also learning martial arts & staying in shape. Many of us also hang out & socialize outside of class as well, and there are regularly post-class pizza & beer trips for birthdays, promotions, etc. Because of the small size of the class, everyone gets plenty of attention, both as part of the group and during individual work time. The instructors are positive and friendly, and provide helpful and constructive feedback in an encouraging way. Again, although we work hard, this is not a super-aggressive, testosterone-driven dojo, so beginners or people who are less excited about the combat aspect of martial arts don't usually end up feeling intimidated or uncomfortable (and people who *are* looking for a super-agro school don't tend to stick around for long). We usually start with 10-15 minutes of stretches & light calisthenics, then spend the rest of class on some combination of basic techniques, kata study, pad work, partner work, self-defense, or sparring. (Students begin sparring only when the instructors think they are ready, and with plenty of supervision; also, no one is ever required to spar -- or do anything else, really -- if they don't want to.) The intensity of the workout is more or less self-selecting; if you want to be sweaty & panting by the end, there are usually opportunities to work hard enough to make that happen. If you want an easier, gentler workout, you can always dial it back to whatever you're comfortable with & ready for. Highly recommend! Again, I wouldn't still be here after seven years if I didn't think both the class and the people were awesome. :)

Here is my husband:…read more I've been practicing with this dojo for almost a year now and I can't get enough, I love it. I started karate to get in better shape and this class has significantly improved my conditioning as well as redefined my sense of well-being. The first hour of class generally incorporates a range of stretching, challenging calisthenics, and empty hand techniques intermingled with a social atmosphere and chance to let the workday tensions unwind. The second hour of the class focuses on your forms (katas) as well as two person combination techniques, striking the pads, sparring, and numerous other applications. The instructors have great experience and work well with students of all skill levels. I was an Isshinryu orphan from the east coast and the transition into this dojo was very welcoming.

I will start off by saying this is the most practical application of self-defense I have seen…read more Anyone can learn this discipline. It's pure self-defense and the training is based on balance and using your natural physiological and psychological response to fear and stress. Through training, students learn to use these responses in a powerful and explosive way. While it can appear rough, and frankly, it is in many ways, the staff and students alike are mindful and caring in the way they implement the tools they're teaching/learning. I sought out a practical school for my son to learn to defend himself and this is a perfect fit for him. Knowing that my son is entering his teenage years with the correct mindset about the reality of violence is priceless. The school is kid-friendly, but it's best if your child is able to focus for over an hour for it to really be a benefit for all. I'm a big fan of International Academy of Wing Chun!

My friend persuaded me to try it out, so I emailed them and they were really nice about letting us…read moredrop by and take a free class. It's very meditative, and they really care about being in the proper form and stance. Everyone there is really dedicated to the martial art, and believe in its benefits. Personally it wasn't my thing so I didn't go back (I was expecting more cardio/activity, and there IS a lot of standing around learning the form and all that). That being said, if you DO like it I think it's a small, intimate atmosphere that will provide lots of one-on-one help. If you're considering it, I would drop by and give it a try.

My name is Jocelyn Cheung and I am twenty seven years old. I have been at Golden Lion Martial Arts…read moreSchool since I was sixteen years old. (2000) My reason for sticking with Golden Lion is because everyone is family and has always cared about me and each other. We mingle with each other by having picnics, movie night and not to mention we mingle with other students from the whole Plum Blossom Federation by competing in Tournaments and other cool events. Even though we have fun and joke around, practicing at Golden Lion is tough. They train you well and make sure you understand and practice correctly. It's not just about doing the moves, but the lower the stance the better. They train you hard even though it's tough, because, "No pain no gain," is what Sifu always says. Why would you want to go somewhere to train and just "DO" the work without "REALLY" knowing it?" Waste of money and time. You might as well get a great work out and come home feeling really good. Not to mention," it's not a waste of money by doing so." I wouldn't be at Golden Lion for twelve years already if I didn't like it there. I get good vibes from not just the people, but the work out. Yes, I admit, I have skipped classes, but you know what? Its one hellova miss out. Skipping a kung fu class session just makes it worse because the donut you had that day would still be in your system and that just means those calories are stuck there. I can't stress it enough to say that being at Golden Lion is one of the best things in my life. Also, if having problems outside of Golden Lion, just being at the school has nothing but happiness. Its not Choy Li Fut that I love & practice, its Golden Lion that makes me want to stay and learn Choy Li Fut.

Today, mindfulness/ meditation 5 minute apps are very popular to help with stress…read more However, many people do not realize that the outer body movements of Tai Chi Chuan are the perfect compliment to moving the inner chi energy throughout the body which helps when practicing mindfulness/meditation. The meditator needs this movement to strengthen the body and to help open the psychic centers to be most effective. A one hour session at Mountain Lion includes Qigong warm-ups, meditation/ breathing to calm the mind, and drills performed slowly to help students cultivate deep concentration and mind/ body co-ordination for balance. The instructors are constantly watching to ensure that each move is performed properly to prevent injuries. In addition, they are knowledgeable about how each move affects different parts of the body so movements during the hour will engage the whole body. This does require effort and a commitment, but the goal of attaining health, longevity, fun, and inner tranquility is worth it - especially for the 50+ crowd. To top it off, the instructors and classmates continually give positive feedback on what you are doing correctly to boost your confidence. My only regret is that I didn't start the Tai Chi Chuan practice at Mountain Lion when I was much younger. Nadine Oei

UC Berkeley doesn't allow anything functional. It is "dangerous." It is "toxic masculinity."…read more What is really dangerous is presenting arts like Yangmudo as self-defense courses. If you use the techniques presented there you will get hurt. The only art they have here that is at all functional is Judo, but it is practiced with gi's only. They have Karate but is 90% kata and shadow boxing. The only reason to join any of these programs is if you want to compete in a specific sport such as TKD. Besides that it is worthless. They are scared to even let you do techniques with a partner most of the time. It's a ridiculous place. There is much more demand in the student population for arts such as Jiu Jitsu, wrestling, Muay Thai, etc., but they won't allow it.

Excellent and eclectic program, wonderful instructors and interesting self-defense lessons mixed…read morewith martial arts nugget stories. Even though competition is not emphasized in my club, I learn a lot in terms of physical training and self-defense. Even if those are not your goals, the friendly community and the interesting people you get to know are worth it.

I cant say enough about the quality and dedication of the teachers at Berkeley West Wind…read more Adults, children and families learn together in the same beautiful room, each with their individual instructor. The positive atmosphere is palpable.!

I began taking lessons with my two children 15 years ago this month, and am looking forward to…read moretesting for my 5th degree Black Belt this year. The instructors are truly dedicated to the students as well as the arts, and you won't find a more positive, supportive and knowledgeable group of people. Testing for my black belt has been one of my greatest achievements, and to continue through the degree program honing and mastering my skills has been the best...and keep in mind that I have had the same teacher for my entire journey. Not only do I know that I can and will take on anyone who threatens me or my loved ones, I have developed self confidence, awareness, strength and grace that benefits every aspect of my life. I can not recommend West Wind enough!

My son attended this dojo for over a year, consistently showing up and putting in effort. Despite…read morehis commitment, he was never promoted, even to half yellow, while I noticed other kids who attended less frequently or who seemed less focused did receive promotions. According to their online system, my child had about 68 hours of verified instruction, yet still no advancement. From what I observed, promotions sometimes appeared to happen faster for children whose parents were more involved in dojo activities outside of class. For example, I saw families volunteering their time or providing other support, and those children seemed to advance more quickly. In my case, we were not involved in those types of activities, and I couldn't help but wonder if that played a role. Behavior standards also seemed inconsistent. I witnessed my son being told his behavior was a reason for not advancing, yet other children -- including some who were regularly reminded to focus or who disrupted class -- were promoted. At the same time, I often saw my son working hard, staying engaged, and following instructions. I'm not the only parent that felt this way either. There were also some teaching methods I personally felt uncomfortable with. For instance, I once heard comments directed at kids, such as calling them lazy, that struck me as discouraging rather than constructive. While some families may see this as tough coaching, it didn't align with what I wanted for my child. In the end, I felt the promotion process was unclear and discouraging for my son. Eventually, I decided it was time to move on. This is just my personal experience, but I think other families may want to carefully consider whether this dojo's style and values are the right fit for their child.

I have been attending EBJI since 1999 at age 7 as a white belt (beginner). Since then I have…read morevisited many dojos around the country and on 4 continents and achieved 3rd degree black belt. EBJI is a unique dojo, and one that upholds the traditions of Judo and Japanese culture. Their moto of "building good people through Judo" is an understatement I've witnessed firsthand. I have had the privilege of seeing peers and myself grow. From originally attending the kids class, where the focus is on exercise, good manners, and safe falls (which saved me from broken bones outside of the dojo growing up), to intermediate and adult classes where Judo skills are built upon, community and giving-back is fostered, and a complete person, both inside and outside of the dojo, is born. The adult advanced class focuses on competition and Judo techniques while the adult beginners class focuses on the recreation of Judo for all ages ranging from 20s to 60+. EBJI has a history of athletes who have competed in the olympics, coached olympians and MMA fighters, and olympic level referees. But they also have a history of successful entrepreneurs, parents, first responders, educators and more. I am thankful to have experienced and been part of this dojo. I cannot recommend giving EBJI a try highly enough, both for your child and yourself!