Cheah Sensei is an excellent, extremely knowledgeable, high-level traditional JKA karate instructor.read more

I have my 3 kids enrolled. It's great to see them learn life skills centered around Karate. Sensai…read moreChea and his team are awesome! My kids are learning self defense, responsibility, and discipline. I highly recommend for any family.

I started with Master Bob in 2011 when I was going through a divorce. I trained with him until 2017…read morewhen my wife and I (we got remarried) moved from Mission Viejo to Chino Hills. My business was right next door to Villari's Martial Arts in Lake Forest at the time. I went two to three times a day and got my black belt a year or so prior to moving. It's tough and it's not for everyone, but I felt I gained a better understanding of myself, more confidence in business and great exercise. You have to be patient with your training, dedicated to practicing and willing to pay the cost for a high level of training - Master Bob is 10th degree black belt. A lot of martial arts is on you. Master Bob can give you the good news, but unless you are willing to practice, get physical and handle a hit, your wasting your time and money. I've been playing ice hockey for nearly 30 years, I've met guys that get knocked on their butt, have their stick lifted (you either know what that means or you don't) or get rid of the puck as soon as someone skates toward them and they end up quitting. Like karate, this is either for you or not. But I can see the difference in how I play the game, the scrums I no longer get in, and my ability to control people without getting a penalty. I would say one of the biggest take-aways from learning karate is learning how not to get in a fight, but you are confident if it should happen that you can take care of yourself. Being an entrepreneur, I think it's a great skill to have in starting a business. Nope, I'm not talking about beating people up, but the confidence you achieve in learning karate is noticeably better in all of your business dealings. I've worked, trained and learned from a variety of black belts over the years now, and the level of understanding Master Bob has of karate is unparalleled. I would say similar to learning guitar from your local guitar teacher or Eric Clapton, they both know the chords and the melody, but you know which one would impart more understanding of the instrument. Also, I saw the reviews. The two ladies that wrote negative reviews never stepped foot in the place. Master Bob is ethical, professional and very respectful. My business was right next door, you wouldn't miss her based on that picture. The second lady with the kid, there's no way anyone gets to a purple belt and goes to another Villari school and they say he's not even good enough for a yellow belt. Master Bob does not skimp on what he trains. I know for a fact that he watches your growth and would not advance you without a strong knowledge of the materials you are testing for. As for the other guy with a negative review, I think he pretty much said what I said, it's either for you or not. The higher you go, the harder it gets, there's no denying that. This is not a school for participation awards. As for "worshipping" Fred Villari, I've been to several of his karate seminars and he was very humble and realistic in his approach. All karate programs show deference to their founders. The second part of his diatribe is unfounded and basically a mischaracterization of experience he admittedly doesn't have. Last, I have been attacked and what you learn works.

If you're going to study martial arts, you need to be very honest with yourself about why you are…read moredoing so. I am giving two starts, because this would be a fine place to leave your kids if you have no other place to put them, for some reason. There are both cheaper options, and more effective places to put them (an after-school tutoring program, a useful martial art, etc.), but it's up to you. At Villari's, the curriculum consists of learning increasingly complicated punch-defend drills. Your increase in rank is determined by both you ability to memorize these punch-defend drills, and your ability to pay for the extras, like the "belt-test fee", add-on materials, patches, etc. When you achieve a black-belt in the Villari system, in theory, you will have memorized hundreds of punch-defend drills. The system promotes a specific cult of personality, namely the worship of their founder, Fred Villari. Classes begin with bowing to his picture. Students are regaled with fantastic stories of Villari's (and the head instructors') combat and physical exploits. Students must buy and read published Villari materials in order to advance. Patrons are told that Villari's SKK was "the first mixed martial art" and is superior, both morally and in technique, to other forms of fighting, ESPECIALLY mixed martial arts and boxing. IF you want to learn to defend yourself, you should study a martial art which incorporates a fully resisting, live opponent. Examples include judo, Brazillian jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, and certain types of Karate. Many martial arts schools in the US are a scam. NEVER sign a contract or provide a credit card number to ANY school, without exception. If something feels off, leave. If you try classes at Villari's, things will star feeling off, very quickly.

So far so good, learning YMAA Qigong and Tai Chi meditation and martial skills. Looking like I…read morewill get what I put into it. Have met great people on this path and great leadership at the helm.

Great teachers. Very patient and kind. Spend the proper amount of attention to everyone in the…read moreclass.

Laguna Hills Aikikai is a great school to learn the art of Aikido, a Japanese martial art that…read morefocuses on blending with an attacker, manipulating energy, and learning balance in not only conflict, but life. Dale is an excellent teacher who works with people of all ages. He is extremely good with children, helping them learn and focus. I have made many friends here who share in the same interest, and I look forward to the lessons and personal growth in the years to come.

We have had the opportunity to be with several dojo's and Sensei's as my son (9 years old) is…read moremastering the great art of Aikido. Dale Sensei is a dedicated and loyal man in the art. He has a great way to communicate with the children, strict but not to strict. My son loves to work with Dale Sensei and every adult at the dojo. With such an open communication philosophy you never feel unwelcome. My son has many friends at the dojo and to be honest it is mostly the adults he loves to work with! I encourage all of you to come give it a try and you will see what a great art it is.

This is a very authentic dojo that truly focuses on each individual student. My two children have…read morebeen learning karate under the supervision of Nishimura Sensei since they were 5 and 8 years old. Over the years, they have become more responsible and independent--not only at the dojo, but also at home and at school. We are very happy to be sending our children to this dojo and highly recommend it to other families.

Sensei Nishimura is a kind and welcoming person who helps build confidence with kids of all ages…read morethrough the teaching of traditional Japanese Karate. As a non-profit, USA Wado Ryu helps to support the community and empowers both young and adult students. I appreciate the work this dojo does, the time Sensei Nishimura spends here, and hope others, both kids and adults, can come and grow here.

Best experience ever. Had a great time with the instructors that made every belt test worth the…read moreeffort. Cracking a rib, my falt for not blocking our master's knee to chest. Now he's police officer. I'm not great with names, but I do remember the ONE person that made me feel like a white belt, Kirt? Kurk? He was awesome and I wish him and all my brothers and sisters the best of luck. Kevin

When I was a teenager, I took some martial arts and it helped me not only physically but mentally…read more I had been wanting to get back in to it for a while now, but being an adult with bills and a child made it difficult to fit in. Once my daughter was a teenager, however, I realized we could BOTH attend training together. I didn't (and still don't) have time to take two separate classes, but with us taking the same class, it works. California Martial Arts Academy is one of the few locations I found that had an adults and teens mixed class. And it's awesome. Both the teens and adults treat each other with respect and everyone gets along so well. Honestly, at first, everyone almost seemed TOO nice. I wasn't expecting such a warm welcome from not only the instructor but every one of the students. But don't mistake kindness for weakness. These classes are challenging (in a good way) and you absolutely come out of each one with a better ability to perform Kung Fu. Whether it's holding your horse stance a little longer, or kicking a little higher, you will improve steadily. You'll always hate doing horse stance, though ;) Anyone in the area looking to learn or get back in to martial arts--whether alone or with family--should totally give CMA a try. I believe they still do one month free trial so you really get a good idea of the place (as opposed to maybe a single class or week like other places may do).

Both my kiddos entered Tajik Karate Academy different time frames and each reach different belt…read morelevel as of this day. I must said: Sensei was truly awesome with the kids. He shows a compassionate and dedication with good sense of humors. His good heart straighten all kids distraction and involving everyone to participate in the daily lesson. I watched both of my kiddos getting not just stronger but more discipline and confident approaching others. Although no discount for 2nd kiddos, it's still worth the investment to gain positive characters from each kiddos. Location is nice and clean near restaurants and stores. Time are flexible if we miss a class. Overall, TKA is an awesome place. Keep up the good work Sensei.

I highly recommend Tajik Karate Academy if you are looking for a friendly environment to take…read moreKarate classes. With my experience, it's a great atmosphere and a lot of fun. Amazing workout.

Hands down one of the best BJJ studios in OC!!!!We visited a few spots before picking Rysk BJJ. A…read morefew of our friends kids have been coming here for a few years and spoke so highly of Master Francisco Lima and his BJJ Studio. My girls were really apprehensive at first and after meeting Master Chico and trying out they were all about it. My girls have been going here for 3 months now and the growth I've seen in them in terms of confidence, discipline and just overall happiness has been tremendous!! Highly recommend Rysk BJJ to all!!!

Great place to train Jiu Jitsu. Our family initially came here to get our 4 year old into the…read morepeewees class, and it didn't take long for me to sign up as well. Professor Chico runs a great program and keeps the space super clean. All the families that come with their kids are great as well.