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    Maru Aikikai South

    5.0 (1 review)
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    11 years ago

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    Tom Wong Wing Chun Kung Fu - Sifu Wong demonstrated  how to throw

    Tom Wong Wing Chun Kung Fu

    5.0(15 reviews)
    2.4 mi

    Training with Sifu Tom Wong has been an incredible experience! His deep knowledge of martial arts…read moreand Wing Chun has helped me grow physically and mentally. He has a patient and encouraging teaching style and the classes are engaging for everybody. Highly recommend Sifu Wong to anyone looking to learn martial arts from a true master!

    Learning from Sifu Wong has been an amazing journey. The most memorable moment for me was whenever…read moreSifu would demonstrate moves on me. From his front kick, side kick, to sparring with him. Each moment shows a great depth of knowledge and experience that I am grateful to be a part of and learn. When Sifu demonstrated the front kick to the class, I saw how quick and powerful it was. It showed that Sifu was not just for show but authentic to its core. When Sifu performed the side kick while I was holding the kicking shield, it was a completely different feel compared to others. Even though it was a demonstration kick with the kicking shield, I still had the air knocked out of me. It was this moment, I realized the proof of Sifu's training and how important it is. One of the most memorable moment I had was when I had the opportunity to spar Sifu. Although I felt as if I was quick, I was only able to keep up with Sifu for a few punches. Through those few punches, I knew Sifu had already trapped me in a vulnerable position and all I could do was block the flurry of punches. As I continue to learn from Sifu, the more I can see how he was able to trap me and put me in that situation.

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    Tom Wong Wing Chun Kung Fu - Celebration of 100th anniversary

    Celebration of 100th anniversary

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    Teaching two champion students sparring

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    US Kungfu Center

    US Kungfu Center

    4.8(34 reviews)
    2.1 mi

    My son is typically a quiet and shy kid, and at first, getting him to attend kung fu class was a…read morechallenge. He didn't want to be around the other kids, and there were times he wasn't on his best behavior. But Sifu's patience, encouragement, and genuine care made all the difference. Now, my son's attitude and confidence have completely transformed. He's gone from hesitant to excited--he even performed in a Kung Fu performance, something I never thought I'd see him do! He has fun at every class and has learned so much more than just Kung Fu. This program emphasizes healthy eating, reading, positive attitude/mindset, and consistent practice. It's not just about physical skills--it's about building strong character and life habits. I can see my son growing not only in his kung fu abilities, but as a confident, respectful, and motivated young person. Words cannot express how grateful I am for Sifu and his program.If you're looking for a place that truly cares about your child's growth both inside and outside, then US Kung Fu Center is it!

    Enrolling my son and daughter at the US Kung Fu Center has been one of the best decisions I've made…read morefor them. Not only are they staying active and learning self-defense, but they've also gained discipline, patience, confidence, and focus. They had tried many other activities in the past but quickly lost interest--Kung Fu has kept them motivated and excited to keep learning. Sifu has been guiding them since day one with incredible patience and encouragement, while his assistant Jackie always brings positivity and support to every class. Together, they create an environment where kids learn respect, humility, dedication, and the importance of having a good attitude. On top of that, my kids have improved their balance, coordination, flexibility, and mental resilience. I'm so grateful we found the US Kung Fu Center--it's not just a martial arts school, it's a place where kids grow into confident, respectful, and well-rounded individuals.

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    US Kungfu Center
    US Kungfu Center
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    Cosmic Training Center - Inside gym.

    Cosmic Training Center

    5.0(147 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    Joseph, the owner and professor is great with kids and adults…read more He is passionate about his work and has a great sense of humor while still very serious about the art.

    You'll almost always feel welcome here. Especially if you are a child, for example, a 12-year-old…read moregirl lost count of an exercise she was doing, and he snapped at her & asked if he needed to count for her! He will call the kids boy or girl rather than by their actual name to make them feel worse. He used the excuse that this is a rough sport to justify his abuse. He even laughed at a little boy who had accidentally gotten hurt and mocked his pain by saying, "Blood, sweat, & tears!" And he didn't even check to see if he was okay or tell his parents what happened to him, what if he got a bruise or god forbid was bleeding?! He views their failures as burdens for him rather than obstacles for them to overcome. And the curriculum is seemingly too random and doesn't focus enough on systems. He will sometimes pressure the good kids for no discernible reason; that makes no sense. So if you believe teachers shouldn't be held accountable but children should, then this place is for you! He couldn't even look me in the eye when he told me to trust his process, but he screams at a little boy to look at him when he is carelessly reprimanding him. He will use any excuse to scream at the kids instead of being more patient with them. My entire journey with him was boiling frog syndrome. All these kids he's tormenting with his childlike screaming and lies are gonna have broken brains, good job! It would be extremely helpful if he asked his students for feedback and found ways to improve his methods instead of losing his temper. He just drops random stuff on us and expects us to do it perfectly. He laughed when I misheard his instructions, and he enjoys humiliating his students in front of everyone and thinks it's good. He'd better get it right if he doesn't want his precious trophies to stop coming in. I have lost my temper here before I admit it. And maybe some kids who need to be pushed, everyone is different. But do you really want to take that risk with every kid? And yes, I overreacted when he posted an Instagram story where he joked about not turning on the a/c during a hot day of 2024. He also had this competition training technique, I think he called Red Alert, where if your opponent is being unfair and breaks your arm, he won't do anything about it. And the sweat test, which I previously mentioned. And as mentioned in my previous review, there was the 200 squats group punishment, but what I haven't mentioned about it was how he unnervingly laughed about the way the tears streamed down their face. That is a form of corporal punishment. And I can't abide that because it is immoral. He often lets the kids play a bit after class, and there was one time when a little boy was playing tag with his brother wasn't playing tag. And they acted like he hit him and threatened him 100 burpees if he did it again. Instead of hearing his side of the story and then Coach Nate mocked him for being scared of Coach Joseph. He has done kind things for them from time to time, but that's not going to cancel out all the harshness he has and still is inflicting on his students. Provoking hope amuses sadists. And I may have misunderstood Coach Martinez jokingly calling some kids liars. I also misjudged the capoeira/MMA coach; he is a good man who just has a really intense way of teaching. He used his dog to distract the students during one of the comp classes, and got mad at them for looking at her. It's an imbalanced power disparity. Then there is the matter of those martial arts camps he is a part of. The way he described them made it sound like he'll break the kid's spirits with pain to "help" them. Kids don't have the option to leave unless their parent(s) or guardians say otherwise. And he said, "We will do in a month what the parents won't dare do in a lifetime." Seems like he thinks he can raise them better. Hardly any kids will tell someone about this abuse since most kids don't do that. I should know, I've been there. They often don't know how to express themselves yet. He hates their innocence, and that fake smile and condescending laugh of his. He said no matter what I say about him, he won't hold it against me. All that talk of integrity, and this is how he acts. He called two young boys weak for having soccer practice every other week, something they can't control. He also mocked me in a direct message on Instagram for having a rough childhood and "taking it out on everyone!" Don't trust this man to respect physical boundaries either. He would often snatch away my headphones to check them out or caress me without my consent. He also forced us to ask a question, so I asked the first one that popped into my head. And it wasn't very good, and the next day he said he had a new rule. Where every question will go through him first before asking a guest coach. "Because some of you have been asking some really stupid questions." He says. That's a wonderful way to talk about your autistic pupil. He also gaslights a lot.

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    Mount

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    Strikers - Little Dragons!

    Strikers

    4.9(61 reviews)
    2.3 mi

    I've been coming to strikers since February 2025 and it has been an incredible experience! Coach…read moreJoe is truly one of the most excellent teachers I've ever met. The space he cultivates here isn't your run of the mill martial arts gym. It's an encouraging, collaborative, and welcoming learning environment where Coach takes time to focus on and refine technical skill, depth of knowledge, and rhythm. I recall in particular how Coach Joe took the time to fix my middle kick in a way that really clicked. He takes special care and attention to help you learn not only the proper form of a move but also the why behind it. Once you have it, it's impossible to forget. If he takes the time to help you correct something, just know that he believes in your capacity for growth and improvement. He is a wellspring of expertise. This learning environment is also reinforced by the athletes and experienced students who I've had the pleasure of training with. Through drills and sparring, everyone works to support each other and reinforce our learning. What you get here is not just an education; it's also a didactic community. I can't recommend this gym enough.

    We took our very gentle and sweet six year old here one summer after a bullying incident where we…read morerealized she needed some skills and confidence to defend against a brat at school. Duveen was a phenomenal teacher and we saw great progress in just one summer. She is skilled at teaching, has patience and keeps the classes engaging and varied enough to maintain the students' attention. Although our child was not in love with the sport as she is with other activities, we felt it was a very valuable experience and a summer well-spent.

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    Silanoe Martial Arts - What two years at Silanoe have done for my 11 y.o. daughter.

    Silanoe Martial Arts

    5.0(94 reviews)
    1.3 mi

    We continue to have an amazing experience with our kids' jiu jitsu program. The staff is incredibly…read morefriendly, attentive, and truly great with the kids. We've seen so much growth in our child--not just in skill, but in confidence and discipline as well. Highly recommend to any parent looking for a supportive and positive environment!

    Before joining Silanoe, I had tried out 3 other gyms and while those other gyms were good, Silanoe…read morereally stood out because EVERYONE here is super awesome. From the office manager to all the different coaches and even to the other students, everyone cares about your learning. First off, the coaches - I can't say enough good things about the coaches here. When I had tried the other gyms, their coaches would throw out terminology as if everyone automatically knew what they were talking about. And then they would proceed to show the moves and simply tell you what to do. The coaches at Silanoe take the time to explain the terminology as well as WHY you should do each move the way they're taught so that you're not only learning the moves, you're also understanding them. They are also extremely patient so I never feel hesitant to ask questions. Next up we have the office manager. I always feel welcomed when I walk into the office because I'm always greeted with a lovely smile and all my questions are always answered with that same smile. When I have questions and am not on location, I simply send an email and I'd get a response almost immediately. I truly feel taken care of. Then there's the other students, which makes up a large part of the overall experience. All of the students here are friendly and very approachable and nobody here has an ego. The students treat each other with much respect and nobody is out to prove anything. We are all here for each others' learning and we have fun. Finally, there's professor Gino himself. Professor Gino is the nicest and most down to earth instructor you'll ever meet. You can tell he truly cares about the students and community he has built. From the moment I stepped foot on his mat, I felt very welcomed and never once felt intimidated. I did not get such a feeling from some of the other gyms I tried. Silanoe is awesome!!

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    Silanoe Martial Arts
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    Kong's Siu Lum Pai Kung Fu Association Monterey Park - Lion performers dance to quinceañera and guests.

    Kong's Siu Lum Pai Kung Fu Association Monterey Park

    5.0(15 reviews)
    3.9 mi

    My daughter's quinceañera was exceptional as she embraced her cultural heritage, Mexican, Chinese…read moreand Peruvian. The highlight of the event was having the lion's performance as they escorted guest from ceremony in garden to upstairs ballroom. I contacted Kong's Siu Lum Pai Kung Fu Association and Kevin immediately responded. He explained to me about the ceremony, walked me moment by moment of how the performance would go. His price was very reasonable and everyone was professional! My guest enjoyed "feeding" the lions and taking up -close pictures of the performance. I highly recommend them for being professional, exceptional and traditional! Would definitely hire them again!!

    My husband and I were looking for lion dancers to perform for our wedding and I stumbled upon…read moreKong's Siu Lam Pai and it did not disappoint. I was noticed that they were located in Montery Park and I wanted to support them. I was able to get a quote from Kevin, who was so helpful and he was quick in responding to any questions that I had. He went above and beyond to make sure that I was going to enjoy their performance. I informed him of how I wanted it to be, provided the itinerary for him and what my wishes were. Days before the wedding he even reached out to reassure me, he gave me suggestions and even asked if it was a surprise performance and if it was he was going to make sure that him and his team were not going to be spotted. It small gestures like that, that really helps a decision fatigued bride haha. Once the team came in to perform, the whole party got up from their seats to take pictures and to feed the lions. I was so pleased to immerse my friends and families with the performance of the lion dancers. Highly recommend Kevin and his team for their performance! You won't regret it!

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    Kong's Siu Lum Pai Kung Fu Association Monterey Park
    Kong's Siu Lum Pai Kung Fu Association Monterey Park
    Kong's Siu Lum Pai Kung Fu Association Monterey Park

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    Maru Aikikai South - martialarts - Updated May 2026

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