Let me start by saying that if I could give more than 5 stars to a place, this would be it. Shifu…read moreChris and his wife manage and instruct students in this family-owned dojo. Shifu (master in Chinese) Chris is an excellent teacher. He has been doing martial arts for almost his own life, and he is very knowledgeable. He had spent 13 years in China working with different masters. As a result, he is an expert in different styles of martial arts such as Chinese boxing, Kung fu Shaolin. Following his mission to keep Shaolin kung fu alive in the US, he started this dojo in VA. Currently, they offer two free sessions to let people experience the school before joining. I joined this class after participating in two free sessions. The environment and students in the dojo are great. Everybody is friendly and respects each other. From a covid standpoint, everybody wears a mask throughout the class, and there are sanitizers for both hands and equipment. Each session includes warmup, practicing the basics, form, partner work, and meditation at the end. Shifu Chris changes the structure of the class and always has new activities and challenges in each session. After two months of going to this class, I already feel really accomplished. I am able to do basic techniques and self-defense. It had even effects on my day-to-day life and helps me to be more focused. I recommend this class to whoever is looking for martial arts or even looking for a fun and effective workout class.

Wonderful experience, great exercise, friendly classmates. The sessions have everything I enjoy --…read morestretches, warm ups, boxing, defense, individual and partner work, meditation, some qi gong... lots of variety and progressive mental/physical challenges so you're never bored and always growing. I started this class three months ago feeling very out of shape -- and as a total beginner to martial arts. Now, I feel like I have energy enough for classes, plus I'm starting to hit the gym more too and feel less stressed during the work week. It's definitely the kind of work out that isn't a chore -- it's energizing. Come take the two free lessons and try it out for yourself to get hooked too. Shifu Chris and Weiwei, who assists, are patient, thoughtful teachers who care about culture, health, and overall wellbeing. Class is always a positive, welcoming environment.

If you want authentic Wushu instruction like you would get in China, this is the place for you…read more Small, scrappy, and routinely produces some of the top competitors in the country. Not a belt factory, nor will they nickel-and-dime you with random fees and up sells.

From the owner: O-Mei offers a number of different programs to its members. Our primary focus is Contemporary Wushu…read moreand Taiji, but we believe in supplementing the training with a wide assortment of more traditional forms and training methods. We take pride in our coaching staff and their ability to cater to all types of people from the young energetic competitors to the older health oriented students. We have programs and classes for all ages and body types. Students can take unlimited classes and train with peers of the same experience level.

I went to this gym because of a seminar and I had a great experience! The gym is a little small but…read morehas good mat space. I learned a lot from the seminar and the owners are very nice and personable.

I am an IT professional that travels extensively for work, I found the academy to be very clean,…read moreconcise instruction, the students were welcoming and more concerned with acquiring skills rather than just grinding through a session. I will definitely stop back in.

I have been training with Master Dyer for over a decade and cannot say enough about him as an…read moreinstructor or as a person. He has taught me, my wife, and both of our daughters. In the process we have all improved greatly physically and mentally. The principles you see come through on the studio's website are not just hyperbole. He lives the principles he teaches. He is an amazing martial artist but more than that he is an amazing teacher. He can break down the complicated into small practical applications and explain the "why" behind them. His personal training background is great for both someone looking to martial arts to improve mobility and fitness, but also to someone looking to understand why an old kung-fu form's supposedly impractical movement actually makes sense in the context of a fist fight. I would also like to add a personal note that I have made so many friends through martial arts. Most of the friends I have made as an adult have come through martial arts connections. If you train with Master Dyer you will improve in all aspects of your life. I have. And I hope you find the same community I have through martial arts.

From the owner: Martial Arts/ Tai Chi and Meditation classes in Springfield.read more

US Wushu Academy has been around since the late '80s, founded by a husband-and-wife team, Coach Pei…read moreand Coach Guifeng. Both are super famous and highly-respected and -regarded in the martial arts. The academy offers wushu, sanshou free style fighting/self defense, Chen-style taiji, and Yang-style taiji classes. I've always been curious about taiji, so it was such a treat to attend a demo class and presentation of Coach Pei! He is extremely personable, hilarious with a wonderful sense of humor, has a soothing and calming demeanor, super knowledgeable, and really a master of his field. He is a patient teacher, and he really gives the background knowledge and history of the arts, showing connections and the relationships. We learned how to find our center, walk the 'correct way,' and breathe deeply. A total educational experience! I can't wait to check out more of his classes!!! +ask for Coach Pei! :D +wushu, sanshou, and taiji class offerings +family-owned and -operated +another location in Gaithersburg

I have been taking tai chi classes here for about 6 months. This is definitely a good school with…read moredetailed instruction.

I have been working with Mr. Frank now for six months. This is a great opportunity to vary your…read morework out. It is great for people of all ages and teaches you very useful skills as well as improving your overall physical fitness.

From the owner: Liu Seong Royal Kung Fu is a rational self-defense system that relies on speed and evasiveness to…read morecounter aggressive attacks. The guiding philosophy is combat against multiple armed opponents. The postures and footwork protect most major vital areas and this protection is maintained at all times. In the works of one common expression: "Chinese hands and Indonesian feet". This refers to the basic combination of Chinese-style biomechanics and Indonesian style footwork patterns. The Chinese Hands component teaches good body alignment for power. The Indonesian Feet component teaches mobility and positioning through the use of Footwork patterns.

I initially looked into Tai-Chi at the recommendation of my doctor of osteopathy to help with back…read moreand joint issues (at a point where normal doctors had completely failed, not just to address, but even to identify what my issues were). After only a couple months, I was seeing signs of relief, not just in the affected areas, but in many other areas. My lower back opened up, I gained flexibility, and found increased vitality and stamina. It's important to note that I didn't just experience relief from pain or the ability to manage pain, but have gained some actual healing and strength. It hasn't been an instant-fix miracle: the process has been gradual, but that's the Tai-Chi way: taking the time to build real strength, to re-orient your body to move through the world in a healthy manner, not just masking symptoms. I'm feeling healthier than I have in years, and am so grateful to have stumbled upon this school. Be careful going with your run-of-the-mill, community-center, inauthentic Tai-chi programs. The old Chen style, taught in this way with a blend of Eastern and Western teaching styles, is the real deal.

This is one of the best excercise, martial arts and overall physical practice to take with Stephan…read more He's a true teacher and expert in Tai Chi. Highly recommend it.

I have a black belt from Potomac Kempo, and I have witnessed a rapid deterioration at this school…read moreover the past few years, with very troubling developments at this dojo. Here are some highlights of what has gone wrong. 1. Martial arts skills no longer seem to matter. The most shining example is the new instructor hired at this dojo last year. She is really, really bad at martial arts. At another karate school, she might be a yellow belt at best (the instructor of one such school said as much), but at Potomac Kempo, she was promoted to black belt and then full-time instructor. It's a slap in the face to every student who takes martial arts seriously. 2. Along with numerous other students, I have witnessed this woman crying monthly, weekly, and even daily over the years--about everything from her personal problems to her poor kempo skills. Deceptively, all the crying masks a whole lot of spite, and all the tears are a vehicle to bring forth endless lies and dumb drama. She once made a brazen attempt to ban a student in good standing from another Potomac Kempo dojo, and went about her scheme by doing what she does best: crying and lying. Said student had triggered her venom by unfriending her on Facebook (!!!!!). Instead of reprimanding her, Potomac Kempo offered her a job as a full-time instructor at this dojo shortly thereafter. Not surprisingly, the falsehoods and vitriol have continued to ensnare students and infest the school. 3. Potomac Kempo's shortcomings go beyond just a bad hire. One problem is the volunteer instructor program that runs across all dojos. At this school, you have to pay to become a volunteer instructor. Yes, YOU PAY Potomac Kempo to WORK FOR Potomac Kempo. It's a deal many fine martial artists simply won't accept. In turn, it has attracted more than a few "instructors" whose skills are mediocre at best. Every student can get better, and some who volunteer bring respect and humility, and make vast improvements through the experience. But for certain others, they puff themselves up with false pride and a sense of entitlement. The new hire at this dojo personifies the worst of both: As a volunteer instructor, she made a habit of disrespecting dojo rules and etiquette and other students, believing that she had the "status" to do so. It is quite a bad look for students to behave this way but it's much, much, more outrageous when so-called instructors do so. Sadly, this has occurred with regularity in the past few years. Instead of insisting that all behave professionally, Potomac Kempo coddles the offenders. Hiring the worst offender as a full-time instructor has sent the unmistakable message that this dojo, and the school in general, will elevate bad martial arts, and even worse character. 4. Martial arts is ultimately about becoming a better person. If all you want is fitness, you could get yourself a beefy trainer at a gym. At a dojo, time-honored values like honor, courage, and loyalty should matter. Potomac Kempo does not impart or emphasize these values. A while ago, I stuck my neck out to defend the school's reputation. I would've preferred never to have been involved, but the situation was serious and action was required. Though the chief instructor at another dojo has offered his appreciation for my intervention, the management for this dojo has enabled and empowered those who, lacking any common sense or business judgment, have sought retaliation. 5. I used to enjoy training at this dojo. I have attended class here many times, trained with its students and instructors, and participated in school-wide belt tests, seminars, and other events with many of them. A former instructor here was Sensei Dan, and I regularly came here and sought him out when I had trouble mastering new material. He was simply fantastic. How times have changed. 6. For a long time, my friends and I at this school paid our dues, went to class, stayed committed to our training, made sure to be welcoming to new students and helpful to lower ranks, and cared about our dojos. We didn't agree with everything the school did, but overall, we enjoyed being students here. Looking back on the past 2-3 years, it feels as if we blinked and the school went downhill and became barely recognizable.

I have been studying Shaolin Kempo at Potomac Kempo - Fairlington for about seven months now. I…read morelove it. I studied MMA at another gym but never felt like I mattered. People did not speak. No one knew my name. My questions often fell on deaf ears. At Potomac Kempo - Fairlington it is the exact opposite. Sensei Cassie is the best. She greets everyone by name. My dojo mates always greet each other and we make sure you know you were missed if you miss a few classes and have returned. If i have a question, anyone who knows the answer will help. Our black belts set the tone of helping, answering questions, helping one another learn, and just being good people. I have about 18 years of experience working with kids. I have seen some horrible teachers. But Sensei Cassie? Her patience is phenomenal. She is great at teaching them to control their bodies, listen to and follow directions, and at the end of classes, often discusses the finer points of character. Just the thing a parent needs to ADD to the parenting already being done. If I had any little kids in the family in the area, they would be at Potomac Kempo studying. This is more than a place to come work out. It is a place to come relieve stress, gain a sense of accomplishment as you earn higher belts and do exercises you have never done before, meet good people, and just have fun.

My kids have been training at Potomac Kempo for more than 8 years between them, and their…read moreexperience has been tremendous. Sensei Geof and his team of instructors have increased their skills, their confidence, and most importantly, their character. The kids have developed close friendships that persist beyond the dojo, and even my wife has started her own training. After two years, she is happier, healthier and more socially connected than she has been since our kids were born. I'm consistently impressed by the way that people of all ages, backgrounds, shapes and neurodiversity come together to train and connect with one another, and make continuous progress in their own respective journeys towards health, fitness and happiness.

Best Dojo, Best Sensei, I just love this place. I enjoy attending classe here and training…read more -Muddaser

I have been a member of one way for months now. It first started with my son being in the kids BJJ…read moreclasses. It was a great introduction to the sport since i was able to be on the mat with him! The staff are extremely helpful, treat you like family, and are consistently pushing their students to become a better version of themselves. The instructors have classes that are extremely immersive and hands on. If need be, one on one private sessions can be purchased to hone in on specific skills. I would highly recommend all that are interested in learning boxing, wrestling, jujitsu, and/or Muay Thai to join!

I joined this gym right around the time they opened. I had previously trained in jiu jitsu at…read moremultiple different gyms across the country. The atmosphere Mahamed, Patrick, and Jansey have created is second to none. It is a very family-oriented gym where everyone whether it's their first day training or they're black belt, feel welcomed from the second they walk in. All of the students are also extremely welcoming, and safe training environment. Can not recommend enough!