As a beginner, I've had an incredible experience at Monterey Martial Arts so far. I found the cohort that Michael has organized to be very welcoming, very compassionate, and very dedicated to practice. I received helpful guidance during my sessions. And although they were intense and challenging, I felt safe and energized. I'm looking forward to gaining empowerment, strength, and toughness. IMO this is an awesome place and well worth your time. read more

For almost 2 1/2 years, my kids (now 8 and 11) have been attending class twice weekly here with their teacher Michael Yerzy. As a teacher myself for many years, I highly respect Shifu Yerzy's passionate and consistent approach to instruction. The students learn self defense to last a lifetime, exercise routines and stretching techniques to last a lifetime. And at the foundation Shifu Yerzy teaches an honorable and moral approach to physical training which will prepare my kids to stay safe and protect loved ones. Every class ends with a reminder "We are here to learn, not to fight." It's been a positive and rewarding experience for my family and many others! read more

Monterey Martial Arts - Kung Fu! - Martial Arts Near Me - Monterey, California

All around amazing Martial Arts school. I really appreciate the amount of detail Michael put into our private lesson. This really set me up for success during my journey of being a competitor. If you are looking for an awesome place to train, Monterey Martial Arts is committed to excellence and the place for you! read more

My son has been attending Monterey Martial Arts for over three years (he's now 7), and the experience has been incredible. He transitioned seamlessly from the Little Dragons group to the Dragon Warriors, gaining valuable skills at each stage. As a Little Dragon, he learned patience, discipline through repetition, teamwork, and how to train with intention. When he advanced to Dragon Warriors, he was initially intimidated, but with the support and guidance of Shifu Yerzy, he quickly overcame those fears. Now, he's developing perseverance, humility, drive, mindfulness, and a deeper awareness of his body. Shifu does an excellent job pairing students by size and skill level, while still challenging them in a safe and supportive environment. As a direct result of his training, my son now shows humble confidence and the ability to lead under pressure. We are so grateful to Shifu Michael and the entire team at Monterey Martial Arts! read more

Our family is so grateful to have found Monterey Martial Arts for our son. From the beginning it was a good fit. The classes have helped our son reign in his energy and learn to focus. Shifu has a knack for getting the best out of the kids. He drives them hard which yields big rewards - respect, technique, confidence. It's been less than a year but this has been only of the very best decisions we've made for our six year old! read more

Shifu Yerzy is great with the kids and is extremely knowledgeable on teaching martial arts and life worthy skills. He taught my 8-year old son to be more focused, be more confident and get physically stronger overall, all within a year. read more

Shifu Yerzy is an amazing instructor and mentor. I love his holistic approach to Martial Arts. I have studied and practiced various Martial Arts since preschool. I have not seen a better self-defense system than Sho Shou. The practicality of the system makes it ideal for all sizes and ages. Shifu Yerzy's program transforms people's lives--increasing confidence, fitness, wellness, and self-realization. My experience at this school has been life-changing. read more

My son has been with Moore's for 3 years now. We love to see his confidence grow and his skills advance with each class. I love watching him practice outside of class in order to improve his precision in class. We love the small class size which feels more like private lessons as mistakes and incorrect form are corrected immediately rather than once a bad habit has set in. Overall we love it here, we look forward to all the improvements that shifu yerzi and the other instructors are making. If your looking for an intimate setting, where you or your child does not feel like they are just lost in a large class this is the place to learn. read more

Monterey Martial Arts - Martial Arts Near Me - Monterey, California

See all

Monterey Martial Arts was a perfect place to teach my 8 year old discipline and respect, all while having fun in the process! Shifu Yerzy was patient and kind, and maintained an environment conducive to learning. We wish you continued success. read more

Monterey Martial Arts - Monterey Martial Arts Shifu Yerzy - Martial Arts Near Me - Monterey, California

Shun Shifu Michaél Yerzy creates a wonderful Martial Arts experience that will inspire you! One can witness the care and passion he has for the community. He brings awareness and knowledge--sharing the importance of breathing, self-defense, and other valuable techniques that help support living a life with vitality! Thank you. read more

Shun Shifu Michael is fantastic! He's patient, thorough, and passionate about his work and students. He creates a welcoming environment for every skill level. I highly recommend taking a class with him! read more

I can't say enough nice things about our experience with Moore's Shou Shu. I have not only seen my son grow and mature, but have witnessed other student's improvement as well. You can literally see the growth in confidence every class. Many thanks to Shifu Yerzy and all the other instructors at Moore's Shou Shu. Keep up the excellent work. read more

See all

My son was interested in starting karate classes. This was a few months back. We checked out the spot and it seemed nice. We signed him up, bought him a gi, and took him to his first class. This was a few months ago when businesses were just starting to open up. We were cautious in considering letting our kid in a space with several other kids, but we thought it seemed safe. We get to class and most the kids are wearing masks. So is the sensei. Or maybe Shifu. Then, halfway through class, he just takes his mask off. He had advertised that masks would be worn and every safety precaution would be taken. When I confronted him after class and asked if they were no longer wearing masks, he started off on a rant, going from 0 to 100 in a matter of seconds, saying masks don't work, the virus is a hoax, the vaccine is poison, and that Gavin Newsom is destroying businesses. Look. This guy can believe whatever he wants. But luring in families by advertising safety measures that he throws out as soon as he takes your money is pretty shady. If this guy shares your ideologies, then go nuts. Enjoy and support him. Hope he doesn't infect your kids with this hoax virus that apparently doesn't exist. But I was rather appalled by the deception and his overall behavior. But at least he refunded our money for the gi we bought our son. Just kidding. No refunds! Shame on us for not explicitly asking about PPE prior to signing up. I should have expected this. He's a 2nd Dan. Barely a blackbelt and qualified to teach no one older than a 6 year old. Next time I walk by his little dojo, I'm going to bend over and let a big wet fart fly in his direction. What's he going to do about it? Kick my ass? Not likely. 2nd Dan. Amateur. read more

This place would have been my favorite place to be. My son and I look forward to going there everyday Tuesday and Thursday for the little warriors class. Mainly taught by the older students which I am even more impressed but their discipline and engagement with 4 and 5 year olds. Unfortunately, the instructors could take a lesson from the student's page. My son is active and disruptive at sometimes because he is excited to see his friends and teachers. That is the reason I send him there, to learn to respect his strength, his peers, his hands and discipline for his action and mind. We loved it so much we never missed a single class and was on automated payment. I was sat down last class. Half way into the month. The Sin Seh says, "your son is no longer the right fit for the class. We ask that you don't bring him back for a few months". No warning, no let's work together and have a game plan. How about some homework you can work on with your son? Can there be any work around a? It was just plain old, your son is a distraction for others and we can't have that! I even pleaded with him giving him course corrects of what I can do and manage his energy. I've heard nothing back. That's pretty harsh especially during the summer when my son is one of 2-3 students in the class. Heartbroken both my son and I when I told him the news. Oliver has returned to class. Shifu Mikhail, called after the summer to check in him. To see how his behavior has been since her left class. I told him he missed the class and his friends in it. He invited me back to see if he can acclimate back to class and his peer. As long as he isn't disruptive, Shifu is willing to work around Oliver. Well we have been back for 3 months and Shifu Yerzy has been nothing but attentive and support of his growth and allow him to learn at his pace. read more

I signed my daughter up for martial arts at Monterey Martial Arts when she was 4.5 years of age, and she has been participating in Shun Shifu Michaél Yerzy's Little Dragons class for the last year and a half. She absolutely loves it! My husband and I are impressed by the confidence and discipline she's developed as a result of Shifu Yerzy's instruction, as well as the improvements in her strength, balance, and poise. Shifu Yerzy is a wonderful teacher; he has high expectations for effort and behavior, and a calm, lighthearted demeanor. His aptitude and passion for martial arts are evident in the way he instructs, and his youngest students always seem eager to demonstrate to him how they're improving. I highly recommend Monterey Martial Arts to anyone looking for a wholistic (and fun!) activity for their child. read more

This is the fourth martial arts school we have attended and it is by far the best experience my son has ever had. Shifu is an exceptional teacher and he has changed my son's life for the better in less than a year. My son started in 2nd grade and my hope for these classes was that it would improve his self-confidence, physical literacy, focus, and ability to listen and think with a critical mind. He's in 3rd grade now and still loves to attend classes 2-3 times a week. The kids get a lot of one-on-one attention, and as a movement teacher myself, I observe and appreciate the methods being used for the students to maximally retain the information in their minds and bodies. The style is a good mix of physical preparedness, mental acuity, engagement with other bodies and their environment, and philosophical learning. Such a good fit for my son and our family. read more

Very professional! Michael is a master in what he is passionate about. I went to one of his classes for 30minutes and thinking I wouldn't be sweating - great work out . I got my cardio and a FULL workout!!! The class was AMAZING!!! read more

Shifu Michael Yerzi is a patient, passionate and fun instructor. I had a great experience performing basic martial art movements with him and other classmates. He is watchful and corrects your form until you get it. I learned a few defensive moves that utilizes body leverage to turn the aggressor's attack against him. It doesn't require strength. These are simple maneuvers, but very powerful. read more

I really want to like this place more but the lack of discipline among young students is appalling. Parents bring in siblings who are not taking class and they run amuck while other children are in class. They play with exercise equipment, in the office, etc. This distracts from learning and is counterproductive to learning martial arts where discipline is integral. Good behavior is not enforced by the instructors or parents unless the kids are on the mat. Kids have a hard time knowing when to turn it on and off. The instructors are very nice people and great teachers but overall respect for discipline in this dojo is extremely low. read more

I first began Kung Fu here because my daughter wanted to do Kung Fu and this place was the closest. It's hours of 5:30-6:30pm M-Th and 5-6pm F were convenient enough. The price, $100/month for 5 days of Kung Fu a week (potentially $5/class if you attend each day) was very reasonable. As her parent, when I joined (to support her) I paid half the adult rate, or $60/month. The training is thorough. The abundance of other higher belt students (green and brown) who take on teaching positions means that you're never far from 1-on-1 training which, if you want to rise in levels, is essential. The children's class is good, so long as there is support from the parents and children are brought to class focused and in uniform. Pierre, the Shi-Fu, is gentle but firm with them, reminding them to arrive in uniform and ready to practice kung fu, not just play. He directs his energies towards the children, which puts the onus of kung fu on them. I would recommend this place to anyone who has a self-motivated child, who is capable of focussing independently and is personally (the child) interested in Kung Fu. If your child is not the kind who has any fear of reproach and doesn't innately respect adults, they'll run into some friction here. But I wouldn't put it past Pierre Joubert to find a strategy to deal with even the most incorrigible child. For adults it is a good course. There is an advanced course that begins at the end of the adult session. read more

I take the adult classes. Since starting my training I've gotten so much stronger, more flexible, and have even lost a little weight, which is a nice perk! The classes are a great full body workout...I haven't felt this fit since I was much younger. Mainly, however, I'm really impressed by the instructors, the atmosphere, and how much I've learned already. Shun Shifu Yerzy leads the studio and is clearly an accomplished martial artist but he's also a really good instructor. He explains things in various ways to help us understand a movement or solidify a concept. The atmosphere at the studio in the adult classes is focused but still light and fun. We've talked about what it is that each individual wants out of life and out of their training, which I think is a neat and unique thing for a studio - to be introspective and help focus our intentions. From that I've learned that there are a lot of different ways that training in martial arts can help someone, either to gain more confidence, to feel incremental improvements through training, to get full-body fit, or to recognize one's strength and power. I trained in other self defense and martial arts styles before coming here and like Shou Shu's mix between modernized, applied self defense (practical ways to defend against knife attacks, for example) and the animal fighting styles of traditional martial arts (there are seven different animal styles). Learning Shou Shu as an adult has enriched my life so if you have thought about training, I'd say give it a try. read more

Shifu Yerzy is awesome with our four-year-old son, teaching physical and mental strength and respect! Our son has loved the interaction with other kids his age, and we've loved the guidance and discipline his lessons have provided. This year after COVID hit, our son wasn't able to attend preschool. Karate provided a physical outlet (so needed while we're couped up inside!) and a social outlet for our son, and we are so grateful for Shifu Yerzy's continued support. read more

My kids have been at Moore's Martial Arts for 5 years and continue to be excited, motivated, and determined to continue studying and mastering martial arts. I'm thankful for the skilled, talented, and kind instructors they work with. read more

The first thing that drew me to Monterey Martial Arts was that it seemed approachable and personal, which was a wonderful thing for an adult beginner like myself. I have not been a student for very long, but I already feel like I have learned so much. The private sessions are brilliant because I am learning at the level I am at while also being pushed to achieve more. Almost every class I will learn a new technique that builds on the old ones I have learned; so it is a good mix of learning new things while always strengthening and reviewing past techniques. I feel more confident knowing that I am gaining skills to defend myself and, as someone who usually finds working out tiresome, I am even gaining the motivation to work out so that I can successfully move forward and learn new skills. And honestly, I do feel like a cooler person now. For anyone who is interested in learning some new skills while having fun and staying active, I'd recommend Monterey Martial Arts as a great option. read more

My son loves Moore's Martial Arts! He's been in the little warriors class for over one year now, and as far as I can tell he is hooked for life! He's looking forward to moving into the big kids class when he turns 7 and just started asking me about going to one of the camps so he can do Kung fu all day! Pierre and Marijke are absolutely wonderful instructors, professional and great with kids. The kids always have fun! We even had our son's birthday party here and when it started to pour down rain and about twice as many people showed up than i expected i thought we were doomed. It was pure chaos until Pierre took control. It was truly a sight to behold how well he managed 20+ kids! I think every parent there was taking notes! I can't say enough about the studio and the Jouberts! :) read more

Incredible instructors and overall great people - they love what they do and it is reflected in their teaching. There is pretty much an open door policy so if you want to go in and get extra help or practice time on the mat, they will always accommodate and encourage you. The excitement in the class rubs off on the rest of the students. Even at the end of a long day, I have never regretted a workout/class - I always leave class feeling happy and accomplished. Sign up today - it could save your life! read more