I have been training with Master Cheng for 5 years on and off and wasn't comfortable with virtual…read moretraining during Covid so stopped and am 60 years old. He would not let me do Kung Fu until he saw I was in shape and ready for the intensity. So I have been doing Tai Chi seriously again for past year and practice almost every day at 6:30 am. I have 1 private session weekly with Master Chong and he's definitely old school but what he teaches is very authentic. I can see how people l can get turned off by the cost and sometimes bluntness but you get what you pay for and need to understand that he comes from a different era and culture. Many real masters won't even teach students until they prove they show enough desire. I have seen schools that are like factories and Master Cheng is picky, and not for everyone. If you need a lot of hand holding then I would go elsewhere. I started Kung Fu after waiting like 5 years and I could never have handled it until I was in very good shape and got more advanced with Tai Chi. Kung Fu is great and painful but much different than Tai Chi. I do both now, with Master Cheng but it's tough and it's small classes with very individual focus. I like the old school authenticity, but can see how some would not feel comfortable but you don't go there for belts and tests. If you want to learn from Master Cheng then trust the process and realize that you aren't going to get a warm and social experience like at other schools. The language barrier can create some frustration but they are good people and it's like going to a doctor, which I am, and all my referrals liked the training immensely and I feel that you need to be flexible and agile when working with Master Cheng. He really won't work with people who aren't serious about training. I can go on and on, but I am empathetic to some of the negative comments, but his style isn't for everyone. I hope this is helpful since Tai Chi has truly changed my life in many ways and Kung Fu is very exciting for me now! Hope this helps! David

I stumbled across these reviews and I feel I have to share my perspective. I think Master Cheng's…read moreTai Chi instruction is the best I have encountered. I have studied Pai Lum, Hung Gar, and Tai Chi off and on for about 29 years (I'm 47). I have left the hard styles behind and I have no interest in competition; for the sake of my aging body I just want to learn Tai Chi, but I am only interested in instruction that incorporates the fundamental martial art with application, correct postures and alignment, etc. I have a schedule that makes regular class attendance difficult, so I cannot describe the group classes. I have been scheduling private lessons periodically for a couple of years with Master Cheng. While the progress is slow as I am a not a great or even diligent student, I believe this is authentic, valuable instruction and it's benefited me greatly. It's not easy to get comfortable with paying for a class you can't observe, and perhaps if I hadn't coincidentally known a former student of theirs that I could talk to, I might have walked away with a similar impression as the negative reviewers. I think I can see where they're coming from. This is not an easy path to take (either signing up, or the training!) It's something of an old-school tradition, I think, to not make it particularly easy for the student. As someone who dabbled in instruction a long time ago, I learned that if you bend over backwards to teach martial arts, you'll get a lot of casually interested students who won't progress or stick with it. If you know that you really want to learn traditional Tai Chi, I think you can get it here. I hope this review is helpful to someone.

This is an amazing program led by a leader who teaches kids discipline, commitment and continuous…read moredevelopment through martial arts. We have found a great community of purpose led individuals and families. Happy birthday Shihan may the work you do at the Dojo with our kids get rewarded to you and your family 10 folds!

When I was contemplating learning Jiu Jitsu at 47 years old, I was uncertain if there was a place…read morefor me - thankfully my uncertainty was put to rest the moment I walked in the door and met Professor Maajid Al-Kush. After 2 weeks of classes 3-4x a week, I cannot express how humbling, welcoming and rewarding this experience has been. From Instructors to students of all levels, I was welcomed with open arms. There are no bad attitudes here - everyone helps everyone progress with patience and enthusiasm. The availability of evening and afternoon classes is a huge bonus as well. If you're considering learning BJJ, this is THE place. It's hard work but each class is rewarding and addictive. Do it!!

I 1000% recommend Gracie Jujitsu Decatur!! I've been so lucky that my kids have been going to…read moreGracie for years and they love it! the summer camps are fun for all ages and their classes teach them not only self defense but also self regulation, respect, and even helping around the house for their parents! I love their #1 rule of "avoid the fight at all costs" but I also love that my kids know how to defend themselves if needed. the owners are so very kind and members of the Decatur community and they are always sponsoring local sports and such. I am so glad our kids have been a part of the Gracie Decatur family!

A great place to work out, train and recover in the IR sauna. Jason is a great trainer and pad guy!read more

My kids LOVE ATA! The moment my daughter met Ms. Piper at she said "I want to do this mommy!", and…read moreher enthusiasm has continued to grow over time. The after-school program and summer camps are the BEST decision we have ever made. My kids have shown tremendous growth in self confidence, respect, responsibility and accountability. The life skills learned are invaluable, and the friendships made will last a life time! The instructors at ATA are awesome! Their passion for martial arts, teaching, and their students is truly amazing! They have become more like family throughout our time at ATA. We love ATA!

My family and I have been training here since January 2013, and I have always been impressed with…read morenot only the expert martial arts instruction but also the exceptional people with whom we have almost daily contact. Highly recommended!

Great place for anyone to learn, teachers are super compatible and are great with kids. They also…read moreknow how to pace you through all the groups beginner and up.

I've been training at Chien Hong for a year now and have plans to be there for quite a while. I'm…read moreone of those who gets hopelessly bored at the gym, and elementary gym class flashbacks pretty much prevent me from ever going out for any team sport, ever, so martial arts is one of the few ways I can happily get a workout in. (Funny how the idea of a punch to the gut is way less frightening than the thought of hanging out in a baseball dugout, but apparently someone read way too much into Lord of the Flies as a child.) The school is run by Shi Fu Gary Mitchell, who has been training in kung fu for 20+ years. He offers traditional Hung Gar kung fu (for adults and for kids) as well as Tai Chi Chuan and self-defense, and there will also be a new Wing Chun class this fall. No matter the style, though, Shi Fu tailors the material depending on who is attending and what their level is. So, no two classes are the same: you may see elements of boot camp, shadow boxing, light sparring, etc., or you might focus on particular techniques (hand strikes, blocks, kicks, and so on). There is also a specific curriculum you have to know for your level, so you're always learning new things and finding ways to improve upon what you already know. Shi Fu is undoubtedly devoted to the art, so he has has high expectations for his students and is continually motivating us to give it our all. There's an awesome community at Chien Hong. The training brothers and sisters are super supportive and friendly, and they're always happy to answer questions and help you practice. Also, the school participates and performs in lots of activities around Atlanta--Chinese New Year and parades, notably--so that's pretty darn nifty to show off to your friends and family.

I contacted Shifu Mitchell to perform a dragon dance at my daughter's first birthday. We really…read morewanted something different but exciting for our guests as well as leave a lasting impression - and Chien Hong delivered! There team of 4 (1 drummer, 1 cymbal and 2 dancers) were very professional. They arrived on time and even brought 2 sets of dragons for us to decide between: a vivid blue and a red. Based on their suggestion, we went with the blue since it would probably not frighten the young children and I am so happy, the dragon photographed beautifully! I cannot say enough great things about Shifu Mitchell and his team. They helped make our event so memborable!

I started Training there and had some directions from my doctor not to continue the jutsjutsi I…read morestarted. They understood and were very polite and did not charge me the cancelation fee

SBG has a welcoming group of coaches who are willing and eager to train all levels of athletes. It…read moreis by far the best BJJ gym I've been to in Atlanta. Even the most advanced black belts take the time to make sure you feel comfortable with the movements and understand why you're doing what you're doing. The community is top notch and everyone supports each other both in and out of the gym. I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking to begin their BJJ journey. Also, their kids program is incredible. I believe it starts at 5 years old and the kids have a blast while learning discipline and self defense at the same time. Definitely check it out!