I can't say enough about Women Empowerment at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Vallejo! What started as a personal…read moregoal to earn my pink belt quickly turned into joining a community of inspiring women who truly have each other's backs. From day one, I felt welcome and supported. Nikki is a phenomenal instructor--she teaches with clarity, structure, and real-world practicality that makes every class feel valuable and impactful. Whether you're looking to learn self-defense, build confidence, or find a strong community, this is the place for you!

We first tried a Jiu Jitsu gym in Fairfield, and after just one class, we left very unsatisfied. My…read moredaughter, who was only 5 at the time, was placed in a class with much older, more experienced kids without any explanation, guidance, or pairing with a mentor. During one exercise (which had never been explained to her), a more experienced student took it upon himself to "correct" her by tripping her, causing her to fall face-first. The instructor neither checked on her well-being nor addressed the behavior. The incident left her shaken and unwilling to try Jiu Jitsu again for quite some time. After months of encouragement, she finally agreed to give it another try, this time at Gracie Jiu Jitsu, which had been highly recommended by fellow school parents. From day one, the difference was night and day. The coaches are not only professional and skilled, but also incredibly patient, welcoming, and attentive to each child's needs. They make sure every student understands the exercises and feels safe while learning. One moment that really stood out to me was when my daughter accidentally overextended her wrist. Both coaches checked on her at separate times, Coach Miro even offered to wrap her hand, and later Coach Nikki reassured her that these things happen and everything would be okay. As a mom, that level of care spoke volumes and showed me they truly prioritize their students' well-being. What I also love is how they blend skill-building with play. They incorporate games like Simon Says and end the class with dodgeball. This isn't just fun, it's smart. Play is a crucial part of how children learn, and it's clear the coaches understand how to keep kids engaged, motivated, and happy while still teaching discipline and technique. Beyond physical skills, Gracie Jiu Jitsu focuses on life lessons. Each month, they highlight a value, last month's was respect. The coaches talk about what it means, how to show it, and how it applies outside the gym. They also teach the importance of community, standing up for others, and resolving conflicts peacefully, using Jiu Jitsu techniques only when truly necessary for self-defense. My daughter is now not only learning how to protect herself, but also how to be respectful, compassionate, and confident. Gracie Jiu Jitsu is giving her tools that will serve her for life. Highly recommended.

Originally, I had heard about Soaring Eagles from a friend, and I was curious about enrolling my…read morechildren, but then the pandemic struck. Fast forward to four years later and I discovered that Soaring Eagles offers classes through our home school charter, so I called to express my interest and set up a visit. When I called, I spoke to Master Wayne Jones. I could tell right away that he is very business oriented, but friendly. He invited us to come to the dojang to watch a few classes to help us decide if this would be the place for us. At first, I had trouble finding the parking lot since Google Maps will tell you to turn right instead of making a slight right down the one way street behind the building. When I finally did park and enter the dojang, we were greeted with wide smiles and invited to sit anywhere to watch a class. There were two main classes at the time, one in the front room for children 7-12 and one in a back room for children 3-6. Miss Aliah teaches the Little Eagles with the assistance of various Black Belts. She is a natural with the kids. She gets down to their level, explains the moves and kicks in a way that children can easily understand and most importantly, she is patient but stern. Kids will sometimes get out of sort, but she maintains a level of order and discipline. The kids know very well when it is play time and when it is learning time. The Basic Children's class for 7-12 year olds was being taught by Master Wayne and Mr. Boone, a fellow Black Belt. I was impressed that even though the class had well over 20 kids, they were able to make sure that everyone lined up correctly, uniforms were neat and belts were tired. Master Jones has a loud powerful voice that commands attention and he is also firm yet compassionate with his instruction. The school is run by Master Wayne Jones and his wife Mrs Master Adrienne (6th Dan), along with the assistance of their daughters Ms. Aiesha (4th Dan), Ms. Aliah (3rd Dan), and fellow Black Belt Mr. Boone (4th Dan). I was highly impressed that their entire family consists of black belts as this is exactly what I want for my children. Not only are all the children black belts, but so are the grandchildren. This is truly impressive! There are many class times to chose from during the week and you can have an A/B schedule where you come every other day, two days a week. Classes run from 4:45-8pm (the late night class is the adult class from 7:15-8 am). They also offer different levels of membership which includes the Black Belt Club-( 2 regular classes and one specialty class a week that usually includes weapons and sparring training) and Master's Club- (Attend as many classes you want in a week, including a specialty weapons class on Thursday night; and targeted weapons training on Saturday consisting of bo staff, nunchuks, escrimas stick, forms (Taegeuk), tricks and kicks and combat weapons). You will also have an opportunities to compete in tournaments, even one hosted by the dojang on Mare Island in the Spring. The tournaments are a good way to test your skills and see taekwondo applied in real life applications. I also appreciate that you don't just learn taekwondo. We learn hapkkido, jiu jitsu, self defense and how to fall properly. If you take Def Con with Master Adrienne, you will learn how to stretch and strengthen your body in ways you never knew you could. In Ms. Aliah's trick and kicks class, I have learned some kicks that aren't just impressive, but also useful in sparring. In Ms. Aiesha's sparring class, you train with the best of the best and learn how to hone your craft. You also learn about community. I have had so many people show up and support me through different events and I have in turn shown up and supported others. This is what a true community represents. Something else that impressed me about Soaring Eagles is the diversity in the dojang. Many cultures, ethnicities and faiths were represented in the different familes and everyone had a mutual respect for one another. I was sold. Now over a year later, my second oldest is a blue stripe belt, my oldest is a soon to be green belt, my husband is a soon to be yellow belt and I am a green belt with black belt aspirations!! We all decided to join the fun! I truly appreciate the village I have found. Mrs. Master Jones, Master Jones, Ms. Aiesha, Ms. Aliah, Ms. Javina and the entire dojang have been so welcoming and supportive. I am forever loyal to Soaring Eagles and they won't be able to get rid of me!

Awesome place! I bring my 5 year old here to the little eagles class and the instructors do an…read moreexcellent job keeping the kids engaged, being patient and teaching valuable lessons.

My daughter is 6 and has been a student at Vallejo's taekwondo for two years now. It's so amazing…read moreto see her progress and grow in the art of taekwondo. They are firm but fair and also allow for a little fun and silliness. I really appreciate the way they teach and work with kids of all ages. This school teaches discipline and respect and accountability which is such a rare thing to find these days. And they are so reasonably priced for what they provide. Kwon Ja Nim is great with the kids without being too firm or too lenient and Maam Debbie takes a personal interest in the kids as well. This class has taught my daughter so much and I highly recommend them especially if you, like me, have a high energy child that needs the outlet. Taekwondo is a real life skill for my daughter and I'm excited to see how much she grows and learns from them.

One of the main reasons we put our son in TKD was to help boost his self-confidence. He was only 4…read moreyears old when he first started, and was a very shy, timid boy and he just needed a little push to come out of his shell. After just a few months of TKD, his self-esteem began to grow and he looked like a natural on the mats. Watching and looking at our son now (who is now 7), you'd never think he was that shy, little boy. He is very determined to continue TKD and has goals to get his black belt. One memory that sticks to me the most was when our son was 5 years old and he refused to belt test because he was so nervous and was afraid he was going to make mistakes. Not only did the instructors speak with him and reassured him that everything will be ok, even if he made mistakes, but the students and parents also cheered him on and rooted for him. Our son eventually tested, and his self-confidence was through the roof, all with the help of our Vallejos TKD family. It really is true when they say "It takes a village." Another reason why we love Vallejos TKD is because they also acknowledge the kids' accomplishments outside of TKD class, whether it be having a good report card at school or doing chores at home. Thank you Vallejos TKD family for your love and support always

ATA American Canyon is almost essential for every kid. My child has shown so much improvement in…read morediscipline, patience, and self-esteem since starting here. Mr. Ball is an outstanding instructor-fun, but firm when needed, and he truly knows every student. It's clear how much the kids look up to him. He makes them feel comfortable, but also shows that he believes in them, which motivates them to give their best. I highly recommend this school to every parent. I'm so glad I found this school.

Mr. Ball is great with kids and keeps things fun. Also I appreciate how he addresses the kids when…read morethey aren't paying attention or are distracting the rest of the class. He really makes sure the kids learn the proper form and takes his time if an individual needs extra help.

I was a student of Mr. Brantley for many years back in the day. I came up from white belt to 1st…read moredegree black belt with him as our instructor and won many of tournaments with my classmates under his teaching as well. Taekwondo is the way of the hand and the foot yet the lessons he taught myself and others stuck with us much deeper than just that. He instills honor, respect, integrity and perseverance in all of his students which in turn made all of us better human beings than skilled self defense students. Mr . Brantley is a great Taekwondo instructor but a better character teacher, there is none. So I'll say that to say this. Try out a class for any age and see for yourself. If it's for a short time or for years like it was for myself and many others, the lifetime experience you'll gain won't disappoint anyone.

Our 5 year old son just started and he loves it! Mr. Brantley does an amazing job with these kids.read more

My oldest attended classes here a few years ago, when we moved back to Vallejo, I contacted Shifu…read moreMitchell and enrolled my son who was 6. He enjoyed it so much, when he fractured his elbow at school, he still wanted to attend classes here. Off he went with his cast, moves had to be modified for him but the teachers took the time to make sure he didn't miss much. He's been attending a few months and still enjoys it as much as when he first started. My son has learned so much already! Unlike many other schools you are able to attend classes 5 days a week, with a recommended minimum of two, I find this important because with my work schedule, it gives me some flexibility on when I can take him.

This is the place for real martial arts. Shifu Eric Mitchell is very professional and extremely…read morepatient with his students. He makes learning Kung Fu fun and exciting. My daughter really enjoys her classes. She has been earning her belts at her pace and not just getting belts. There's a difference.

The Head Instructor is a bit of a head scratcher. Over a 2 year period with both my kids having…read morebeen in his class, I'd grade him (that dojo) as a "C." On the one hand, he can be consistent in both his instruction & expectations; that I appreciated. However, on the other hand he can be inconsistent in both his communication & his policies (regarding one of my kids withdrawal from his class), of which I obviously didn't appreciate. And even though he is in a customer service industry (and technically my child was contractually obligated), some people are just better at those things than others, so it is what it is...you provide documentation, you pay up and you move on. However, what was most alarming is that he can be verbally toxic and personally insulting. That is different, that is hard to let go/move on. In a customer service/community oriented business...in our town, that was shocking. That behavior is unnecessary & completely inappropriate. This is where he crossed the line. It's perfectly fine to be disciplined in instruction & critique to correct; and/or disciplined in conversations with parents to explain things, I have very little problem with either of those. But personal jabs and insults are totally unprofessional. For the record, he subsequently emailed me after a couple days (much faster than recent previous attempts) to apologize, so I'll note that = but will not excuse the behavior...because I believe someone whose been in the community this long should know better. There are better options in our town for your kid(s).

As a high-ranking black belt Certified Taekwondo Instructor who taught Taekwondo for many years…read more(15+) with Mr. Hamlet, I would not take my child there. Over the years he treated people with great disrespect including the entire Instructor staff which is why we all left! It's one thing to have discipline running a tight ship and it's quite another to act like a complete horse's.... yelling at children! As an instructor, I was always able to get the kids attention and elicit good behavior without screaming at them. I'm not sure if he has changed. Talk about someone who doesn't practice what they preach. Your rank or degree means nothing, absolutely zero unless you walk the walk in your daily life. Lead by example if you do anything right. Everyone is used to learning by following someone else, but sometimes we can learn what not to do or how not to act by observing an individual. This is one of those times...... I vividly remember a time when he was practicing for his 7th Degree black belt test. We were free sparring punching and kicking each other and I hurt his little finger as he tried to block my round kick to his head. He immediately stopped fighting and screamed at me for 30 minutes, saying I ruined his chances to test, pacing up and down the floor like a spoiled child. I remember thinking... why? would a Taekwondo master whine about a little injury? I would love to see him compete in a real full-contact environment; this might be why he was knocked out before when he tried kickboxing. An overall great technician with flashy techniques, but a lousy businessman and living example. He is without a doubt the most egotistical and self-absorbed man I know. Hopefully, he has calmed down a bit and is paying his staff if he has anyone willing to work with him. Last time I checked we lived in America not communist China!

Main Street Martial Arts has been an absolute godsend to our family over the past three years. When…read moremy son first started, he was struggling in school with hyperactivity, poor impulse control, and difficulty focusing. The transformation we've witnessed has been remarkable. The instructors at Main Street Martial Arts are incredible role models who have helped my son channel his abundant energy in positive ways. He has become stronger, more focused, and significantly more respectful. The improvement in his behavior and self-discipline has carried over into all areas of his life. We utilize multiple programs offered by the studio: Regular classes After-school program (they even provide van transportation twice a week!) Summer camps Holiday camps My son genuinely loves going there and has excelled in martial arts competitions. The instructors provide an excellent balance of structured routine and challenging workouts, while also incorporating fun community activities that keep the programs engaging and interesting. The owner Lance and all the instructors deserve tremendous credit for creating such a positive, nurturing environment. They've given our son an amazing outlet for his energy while teaching him valuable life skills. We are incredibly grateful for everything Main Street Martial Arts has done for our family. If you're looking for a martial arts program that truly cares about developing the whole child, I cannot recommend Main Street Martial Arts highly enough.

This is a great discipline for all ages!…read more My 13 year old son has been training at Main Street Martial Arts for a little over a year now and he loves it! After years of competitive boys gymnastics we decided it was time to try something new. Taekwondo has been a wonderful transition, still offering a constructive mind-body challenge, and a better fit overall for our family. The studio is spacious, family-friendly, has a positive community atmosphere and very dedicated staff. It's a been such a safe & healthy social outlet (especially during the pandemic) where fitness, growth and respect are paramount.

I've known Master Kim for almost 20 years now. I was a student at Dae Han when they used to be in…read morethe same shopping center as the Safeway on Contra Costa where Nation's is. I started taekwondo in middle school because I was an angry teenager who had a lot of pent up anger and didn't know how to channel or process my emotions. I stopped shortly before I started high school, because I wanted to play football in high school. Recently, I made the decision that I wanted to come back and earn my black belt and to lose weight. I've struggled with my weight my entire life, and I decided to make some changes, and when I was making the decisions on what my weight loss plan would look like, I decided that I wanted to restart taekwondo as part of my goals. It also helped that in the years between the time I stopped doing taekwondo to when I came back, I would run into Master Kim randomly around the community, from shopping at Costco, having dinner with friends, and whatever else, I always saw Master Kim in and around the community, so it helped us stay in touch If you're a parent with little kids and you're thinking about signing your kids up here, I hope you do. If you're an adult and you're thinking about signing up here, I hope you do. The teens and adults class (middle school and older) is directly after the kids classes. Whenever I hear Master Kim coaching up and encouraging the students, he uses the same gentleness and empowering techniques as 20 years ago. I looked at some of the other reviews from years past, and if you take the time to read some of them, you'll see the same thing from different parents, "My kid couldn't be more excited about coming to Dae Han after school" this, or "My kid's confidence has increased tenfold, a hundredfold," that. Coming back for me has been coming back to the same, positive environment that I left all those years ago, and I'm glad to be back. There's a culture here that Master Kim and Mrs. Kim worked hard to instill, and whether you're a parent or student, you'll see the difference it makes. For the other instructors, they're fantastic. I know and remember Mr. Konstantin from when he was also a student here from my first time here as a middle schooler. Himself, Master Josh, Master Edell, Mr. Nolan, Mr. Hayden, and Ms. Victoria are outstanding teachers who love what they do here. I can't speak to the other black belts, but in my limited interactions with them, they're also good communicators and great stewards and representatives of the values of taekwondo that taekwondo wants to instill in everyone who studies it. I'm glad to be back with Dae Han, and I look forward to seeing where the rest of the journey takes me.

My child has been here for 2+ years and it's been amazing and rewarding. The principles installed…read morein Taekwondo has benefited him in other areas of school, sports, and confidence. The instructors make it feel like it's one on once instruction. Overall, they care and make the students feel it as well! My family crosses the Benicia bridge for the dojo because it's been so great.

We signed up my 5 year old son for Seibukan Jujutsu lessons to help him increase self confidence…read moreand to encourage learning about a real Martial Art versus his preoccupation with all things PowerRanger, BeyBlade, and Ninjago related. This 53 year old was so impressed with Sensei Bear Roberts patience with kids, and incredible knowledge of many Martial Arts, that I signed up too. I feel better mentally and physically, and I'm learning a Method of Self Defense where the emphasis is on being a Modern Warrior interested in the good of the Community, being compassionate, but having incredible Focus, Awareness, Assessment, and Appropriate Action and Self Defense.

I was invited to this class by good friends. I went because I wanted my oldest daughter to learn…read morehow to defend herself. I know some techniques on how to defend myself. It is always wise to know more techniques to defend oneself. This place is cozy. I like that this place it feels homey. Sensei Bear is a delight. He is a wonderful martial arts teacher. You have to come and attend; check out what I'm talking about.