I work at a women's boxing gym called Jabz and we brought Denise in for a 90 minute workshop. It…read morewas fantastic! She was so friendly and professional. She has a passion for this that comes across as she teaches plus she mixed in some humor while teaching about such a sensitive topic. The information was priceless and she had great drills for us to practice. Being an all women's gym it was nice to learn this stuff from another woman! She did also bring a male assistant to help with drills which was so helpful as it made it more real. Cannot recommend Denise enough! By far the best self-defense class I've been to. Every woman left feeling empowered and talked about it for weeks to come!

I enrolled in the Strong and Safe workshop with my high-school-aged daughter in order for her to…read morelearn how to avoid potentially dangerous situations. Denise teaches a fast-paced mix of situations, statistics and vital hands-on training using the strength of one's own body. I now feel more empowered in parking lots, meeting new clients and early morning outdoor exercise. I hope it's training that neither of us ever need to employ, but it just might be the exuded confidence from this workshop that avoids an occurrence that might have otherwise happened. Karen H., Runner, Business Owner

Realistic self defense for all ages, fun, and positive…read more My family has had students in seven dojos over the decades, in four styles, and Discovery Defense hits the sweet spot of having accessible lessons, assuming that students are human beings of all sizes and abilities, and also having an advanced curriculum for those interested in using various weapons, and learning how to move beyond specific techniques. Want to learn basic defenses against the most common unarmed street attacks? You'll learn that at Discovery Defense. But stick around and you'll also learn how to use sticks, knives, or anything else you can get your hand on in a pinch, and how to keep your wits under pressure.

This school has high quality instructors that know what they are doing and care that their pupils…read morelearn something useful with real world applications. If you are looking for a place where you can build a skillet that will enable you to protect yourself and loved ones in a comfortable and positive environment then look no further. This place is a real gem of a find!

Our son has practiced BJJ with professor Quan for about 2 years now, and what a fantastic…read moreexperience. From day 1, Coach has not only taught the technical aspects of Jujutsu but also life long principles of respect, mercy, perseverance, and focus. Highly recommended for all youth.

We signed up for a month-to-month membership for my 5-year-old daughter. Unfortunately, all…read morechildren are placed in the same class regardless of age or size, which made the classes developmentally inappropriate. After about three weeks, my daughter quickly became bored and lost interest. Class times are also very limited--only 5:00 PM on weekdays and 9:00 AM on Saturdays. Most importantly, be aware of the hidden costs: there are upfront fees, and even if you cancel, you'll still be charged for 60 days. Be sure to read the fine print before signing.

Ethos has worked well with my grandson and his 7yr old son…read more I would recommend them for anyone looking

Professor Wyatt and Coach Tyler are the real deal. They want to make everyone better and create an…read moreenvironment where everyone can grow. The community they are building is second to none and has been the best surprise for me. The techniques and training will give you confidence in everyday life. BJJ has given me humility and more mental toughness. Plus it will get you in great shape!

Fantastic gym. I wanted to get my boys into a grappling art and decided to try the gym out as it…read morewas close to us. It's been great! Myself, my wife, and my three boys (5, 8, and 11) have now been training BJJ here for a year. Prof. Lutrario is such a great teacher, and the environment and community are exactly what I was looking for - encouraging, educational, and friendly, full of people eager to help each other. There aren't a bunch of egos, just people looking to make themselves and their training partners better fighters and people. If you're looking for a BJJ gym in the Gilbert/Queen Creek area, definitely come roll with us!

It's been two years since I joined this gym. I didn't think I'd get hooked but I did. Had it not…read morebeen for the professors and students being so patient and encouraging I probably wouldn't have lasted. Everyone looks out for each other and the camaraderie is a big bonus. I've been an athlete all my life and have never been more fit, mentally, physically, etc.

This review is for the children's Kung Fu Class. My daughter is a student and loves everything…read moreabout the Hung Fa Kwoon. Sifu Mark and Sihing Mike do a fantastic job teaching the kids the correct form and the importance of each movement. They're both very humble, patient, and always take the time to work with each student. Unlike some facilities that teach martial arts, this is not a "one size fits all" method of instruction where the teacher is up front shouting out commands and everyone is doing the same drill. Sifu Mark and Sihing Mike are great at keeping the kids engaged in their training--training which is focused on the individual and each student is assessed on their own abilities. I think it's important to mention a few things if you're thinking of enrolling your child in this Kwoon, so please keep in mind that Kung Fu is all about the merits of hard work. First, the warm-up, it's a 15-20 minute HIIT workout starting with laps around the room followed by a combination of exercises involving variations of push-ups, crunches, power jumps, squats, burpees, and different types of lunges to increase muscle strength for the legs, core, arms and shoulders. It's go time with one evolution after another. There's about a 30 second water break worked into the PT session, but the pace is designed to keep the heart rate up for stamina. If your kid needs to stop for a breather it's no big deal, there's no criticism, dishonor, or penalty, this is about building up their fitness level and these workouts are intended to push the envelope physically and mentally. This concludes with static and dynamic stretching for the cool down before your child's martial arts training really starts. Your kid will not be learning Wing Chun right away, every child must learn the basics of Chinese martial arts which involves training methods that are rooted very deeply in their tradition and inspired by Chinese philosophy. In this case, it's the mimicry of the Five Animals--physical training aimed at developing grace, power, speed, flexibility, and precision, all paired with balance. The basics are made up of rudimentary techniques, conditioning exercises, stances, breathing, simple movements, and proper body mechanics that are performed repeatedly. No matter what skill level your child is at, the basics are constantly revisited since they are the foundation for strong and flexible muscles that will enable your kid to progress to the more advanced stages. To succeed in this discipline, your kid will need patience, energy, practice, and time to learn every stance, block, strike, and kick. There are no shortcuts, but I believe you'll see the difference in your child's fitness level and self-confidence as time passes and they acquire new skills. Second, Hung Fa isn't limited to the biomechanics of a self-defense system, Sifu Mark and Sihing Mike actually spend time with the kids sharing the meaning of Kung Fu and its origin, and on the philosophical level, the importance of respect, integrity, and hard work. They show the kids the connection to daily life...that balance isn't just about staying on your feet, it's also about having balance and harmony in all aspects of one's life--family, school, friends, work, and play. Hard work isn't contained within the walls of the Kwoon, it's needed for everything if one wants to achieve. That's some pretty heavy dope for the kids, but they get it. Now with all this PT, Kung Fu training, and exposure to cultural diversity happening, Sifu and Sihing somehow manage to make it fun for the kids by keeping up the energy level when they demonstrate their own skills and explain how combinations can be put together with the moves the kids have been taught. This Kwoon is very supportive and encourages children to always be attentive, careful, and not be afraid to try something new. It's trendy for parents to enroll their kids in karate, it's almost a cliché. However, how often do those kids go the distance in such programs before they lose interest and become one of those teens who've forgotten everything they've learned as they hang out at the food court and tell their friends in passing "Yeah I took karate lessons once when I was a kid too..." Your child deserves better than that, if they've expressed an interest in martial arts why not give them a gift that will serve them well in life? I highly recommend the Hung Fa Yi Kwoon and hold the highest respect for Sifu Mark and Sihing Mike for passing on their experience to my daughter..."Yat! Yee! Saam!" "Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all." -Sam Ewing

Instructor is incredibly knowledgeable and a talented teacher. Such a pleasure to train with!read more

Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Ocotillo is truly something special…read more From the moment we walked in, we could tell this wasn't just another martial arts gym it was a family. The coaches genuinely care about every student who walks through the door, and you can feel that every single class. Coach Lucas, in particular, goes above and beyond. He doesn't just teach Jiu-Jitsu; he builds confidence, discipline, and respect in his students. He takes the time to connect with the kids on a personal level, and it's clear he's passionate about helping them grow both on and off the mat. Our daughter absolutely loves going, she looks forward to every class and is always excited to show us what she's learned. The positive, encouraging environment has helped her blossom. We're already planning for our youngest to join soon too! If you're looking for a place that combines world-class Jiu-Jitsu instruction with a truly caring, family-friendly atmosphere, Gracie Barra Ocotillo is the place. Couldn't recommend it more highly!

I decided in the new year to sign up for a trial class and check out BJJ. I've always wanted to…read morelearn but thought I was too old, and haven't literally never played any sports, ever, I assumed I wouldn't have any skills to compete and learn. But what the heck, let's give it a try. What I found was a really cool group of welcoming individuals that were helpful, gave tips, included me, and helped me along. Day one I was able to spar with blue belts & much more experienced men at BJJ, but it wasn't as intimidating as I imagined. No one was trying it hurt anyone, no obvious egos at play, just guys trying to get better and help others get better at the art. My take on BJJ: it's a self defense martial art, yes, but in practice it felt much much much more like a dance than a fight. It felt much more like a chess match vs at battle. You do not have to be the strongest person to compete and win at BJJ, but you have to be the smartest. You do have to have superior knowledge. Once you start to learn the way the body works, tricks to maximize your position and take away someone else's power or advantage, it's really a cool thing. Literally, a 125lb female can easily beat a 225lb male in this sport, if she has the knowledge. It's not all power or size, while that helps, it can be stripped from an opponent when you have superior training and knowledge of the sport. That was the coolest part for me to see. A huge confidence builder knowing you have the ability to defend yourself or others, if necessary, against odds you may have once thought not possible. Anyway, I enjoyed my training there and would recommend it to virtually anyone that has been considering learning BJJ. It's a good place with good people teaching a great skill. Just do it.

I've been going here for 2 years. Great group of people to roll with. The instructors really care…read moreabout your progression and are always willing to help.

The instructors are well trained, patient, provide a fun environment, all in a disciplined…read moreenvironment. Your family will get every penny worth of the cost. We couldn't be happier with it!