I was visiting the Berkeley area and was able to drop in on the Monday all levels gi and judo…read moreclasses. Everyone at the academy were very welcoming and friendly. The caliber of jiu jitsu is very high at this academy (very tough rolls). Although there was a high intensity during the live rolling rounds, I never felt like I was going to be injured or hurt during these rounds. Professor Eduardo taught awesome technique with great detail and answered all questions. The caliber of judo is also very high. Sensei Newton and the other senseis were all very knowledgeable and technical. Very good explanation of techniques and able to answer all questions. Thank you for the hospitality and hope to train here again!

Ralph Gracie Berkeley changed my life. Eduardo Fraga has an incredible depth of knowledge and has…read morealways pushed me to continue training even through some dark times in my life. This place has become family and I'm so grateful that I walked through those doors.

When I was planning to relocation the Bay Area, I asked my senior teachers where I should train…read more All of them recommended Aikido of Berkeley and Kayla Seder sensei. I followed their advice and couldn't be happier. Aikido of Berkeley is a strong.community dedicated to growth for all members.

Sensei is amazing! She is really kind to the kids and my son can't wait to go to her weekly…read moreclasses!!! She is patient and always teaches the kids about being thankful. Amazing experience here.

*Classes offered 7-days a week*…read more Outstanding place to learn, practice and master traditional karate. Everyone is super friendly, supportive regardless of level or ability, with no big-egos (that you can experience at other dojos). Any amazing community! The main instructor, Jun Shihan Todd, takes time to instruct the newcomers and everyone progresses at their own speed in an extremely supportive environment. Great for all ages and genders. At 57 years old, I can say Seido Karate has put me in the best shape of my (post 20 yro) life!

I've been training here for about 16 years. Great place to learn traditional karate in a safe and…read moreaccepting environment.

I have been going there for a couple months. It's not just about beating somebody or getting beat…read moreup, you really learn something and also work out your body. Get into to it, Steady for a while then you are not going to let it go.

My 10-year-old son recently had an interest sparked in kung fu by watching a TV show. I really did…read morenot think he would gravitate toward it, but I ran across Ryan and Wu Wei Tao Kung Fu and we have not looked back. Ryan is a phenomenal teacher. He is gentle in temperament yet clear and firm in his instructions, and he's very good at pushing my son, but not pushing him so hard that he becomes frustrated. My son has found his classes with Ryan to be a joy, and he always says what a great teacher he thinks Ryan is. I can tell that Ryan enjoys the teaching experience as well. He has always given my son 110% and I can't recommend him more highly as a teacher. I also think his reasonably priced one-on-one classes are perfect for students like my son who might be more intimidated in a traditional martial arts setting with a lot of other students.

After a few upsetting situations at our Middle School with chronic bullying, I figured the only way…read moreour son could break the cycle would be to learn self-defense. I had heard of Krav Maga and knew this would alleviate my fears for him. I discovered this amazing family-run business and I'm satisfied thus far. Gaby and his son...the owners, are very welcoming and immediately offered my son and daughter a private lesson. The class so far has given them a boost of confidence as well as skills to protect themselves if need be. Unlike Tae Kwon Do, they can utilize these skills in real-life situations to mitigate an attack either on themselves or their friends. I'm considering doing it myself. It's a great workout!

Great place to begin your journey into Krav Maga! Gaby is an amazing instructor and works well with…read moreall skill levels along with his instructors. It is very welcoming and filled excellent members! You will love the good vibe and life skills training!!

I have been with this school for years and so has my daughter…read more They helped build my daughters self-confidence and I've never been in better physical shape. It's not easy, but most things worth having aren't. You get what you put into it. I know several people that have used what West Wind teaches to defend themselves including myself. The teachers are professional, positive and work with everything from small children to people with disabilities and though you're pushed hard. You're never pushed further than you can go. I would strongly recommend it to anyone, particularly if you have kids and feel like they need a positive influence that's caring but strong. They care about the students. They are a big part of who my little girl is today. Getting A's, on the Honor Roll and started looking at colleges at the age of 11. Before West Wind she was shy and behind in school and not as confident. People seem to complain about the price on here, what they have given me and my little girl I can't put a price on.

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.!

Fantastic gym that works for both serious and casual people. Important for me, I found the gym to…read morebe a very friendly and welcoming environment - the owner, the coaches, and the other gym members. I came to the gym casually but have had so much fun in the classes that I can't help but get more into it. The gym is traditional and full of expertise so there is a lot of room for growth. Whether you are an absolute beginner just looking to get in shape, or a serious fighter looking to learn the best Muay Thai you can...this is the gym you should try.

Amazing gym but more importantly amazing people! Everyone is friendly and willing to share their…read moreknowledge! Sawadikap!!!

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.

Aikido Shusekai is by far and away one of the best places that I have ever found myself in my life…read more The environment of the dojo and the structure of the training are mindfully engineered to foster learning and growth. Not having decades of experience or claiming any vast well of wisdom to draw upon myself, I cannot qualify, thusly, claims that I have heard stated by others who DO possess more experience. Sitting on the bench outside before class one day, I remember a senior student - a black belt herself, who has been studying Aikido for many years - telling me how lucky SHE felt to be able to train there. She said that we were all receiving "gems of Aikido" through our training. At the time, I thought I knew what she meant: the training was great, and I had learned a lot already myself! But as each week passes, and more lessons are taught and learned, I realize again and again how valuable the lessons I am learning here truly are. I recommend this practice, and particularly THIS DOJO for any and all people! The program is structured such that all new students get lots of face-time with the more advanced students during practice. This really helps accelerate learning, and helps to ensure good practice. I myself have experienced the teens and adults program, and can personally attest to the benefits of training here. The people are amazing, one and all, and I truly feel privileged, honored, and humbled each time I step on the mat to train with them. Head Sensei Nick Walker is an amazing teacher, and guides us all with great patience, wisdom, and intelligence. The training is always challenging, and always worth it. I also highly recommend this dojo for kids! Dojo Manager and skilled practitioner herself, Sensei Azzia Walker, runs the children's program at our dojo. Having had the privilege of learning from her during the teen/adults classes, I can attest to the fact that she is also an incredibly gifted teacher. Having had the privilege of training with a couple of her advanced but younger age students during the teen/adult classes, I can attest to the fact that they know there stuff! I coach girls volleyball and girls basketball (middle school level). If you are a parent reading this because your child is interested in martial arts, I implore you to come check us out. We are having several promotions for young students looking to start training with us, and our exciting new All Girls Program is kicking off! Our hopes that we may be able to provide opportunities for all who may be interested. I love Aikido Shusekai, and I hope that many more will be able to come and share in the bounty of the experiences to be had along the journey that is training.

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.

We moved our kids out of gymnastics and into Jiu Jitzu at SBG NorCal, and we're so glad we did. The…read morekids - with two very different personalities - are both loving it. The adult professional instructors are really engaged and invested in the growth of the kids. The focus on discipline is fantastic; the motivation to add bars to their belt (or eventually the next belt) really gets them going. And they're clearly just having more fun than gymnastics. We were just at an event there, and noticed afterwards how happy all the kids seemed (not just ours). There's a real positive energy. I don't know anything about Jiu Jitzu, but I know this place is a great for the kids to get exercise and personal growth, and maybe even community.

I only went for a couple classes while I was in class, but my experience was positive all around! I…read morewould definitely go back!