I joined Oom Yung Doe a few years ago wanting to learn some self defense…read more I was a little leery about what kind of "bro" energy I would encounter in a martial arts school, but I've found this to be quite a diverse community of people, respectful and accepting of all. The instructors are incredibly knowledgeable and thoughtful. Their teaching of technique as well as principle, thorough. In my experience, they run the school as an actual institution of learning, taking a keen interest in their students' lives/goals, and making their approach to teaching truly holistic. Physically and mentally I'm in the best place I've ever been. People who have known me for years have commented on how differently I carry myself these days. I highly recommend this training for anyone who is looking for a change, a community, or a way to grow.

Did more in a few months than years and years of physical therapy for my joint problems. Very happy…read morewith the attentiveness and quality of instruction.

This is a terrific gym, just what I was looking for in a place to workout. It's group training and…read morepeople are welcoming and the circuits are fun. Every day of the week has a different workout and the workouts change every month. Right now I'm doing the Monday workout and the Friday workout, both completely different. The owner Callie is super competent and gives me helpful pointers which I really appreciate--she's paying attention. The other trainers have been great too.

This is an amazing place diamond in the rough, grandmaster, who is authentic teaches the WTF forms,…read morethe way it's taught in South Korea. It's amazing. They have a well formulated after school program that his wife runs top shelf place from product to the students learning, growing, goal setting & design. They teach self-defense and Kumdo also.

My nieces LOVE Grandmaster Ku. They were a mix of nervous and energetic at first, but became…read moreconfident and focused by the end of their first class! Highly recommend Grand Master Ku to everyone!

Would recommend this place to any lady in Boston. But make sure you understand that there are 10…read moremodules, so you shouldn't expect to become a self-defense expert in one class. What I enjoyed the most was actually not the 'fighting' part, but the part where we sat in front of the whiteboard and discussed how to best avoid the attack. Will be attending the other modules for sure. Wake up at 10am on Saturday, your safety is worth it. PS - If you have a car, I recommend driving here. Parking is free, but T is a little far and the walk is unpleasant.

I had been wanting to take a self-defense class for some time and so I finally looked on Yelp to…read moresee where to go. I found Personal Safety and clicked the link to their website to find out more information. I really liked that they trained police officers and bouncers in addition to civilians, and sent an email to find out more. Marcus replied letting me know they usually have a women's self-defense seminar one Saturday a month, in addition to classes on most days. I had a few other friends interested in taking the seminar too, so we were able to set up a Saturday morning class within a few weeks. He sent me some information on what the class covers (situational awareness, boundary setting, striking essentials, etc...), and what we needed to bring (ID, sneakers and comfortable clothing)/not bring (jewelry and valuables) with us. When we arrived we had a little trouble finding the building because they had mentioned it was near Gold's Gym and we were on the wrong side of the parking lot then...but I am notorious for getting lost and most of my other friends found it OK. We checked in and got started right away. Marcus was giving the lesson along with a bouncer that worked at a club downtown. After two hours, we were confident in our ability to eye flick, arm chop and kick a possible attacker where it would really hurt. We laughed, we apologized and we learned a lot! We were actually practicing on each other, and I kept apologizing for arm chopping and chucking balls at my friends. At the end of the course I mentioned how I wish I had taken something like this years ago, and they should include it in every college orientation. And we decided we'd come back in a few months for an additional seminar that building off of what we've learned. I'm so glad I found Personal Safety LLC through Yelp, and finally got around to taking a self-defense seminar. That evening I was already showing my friends at a party what we learned, and karate chopping and apologizing once again!

Please take note that I have NOT taken a class with Personal Safety…read more Rather instead, they hosted and sponsored an event with Not-Me! Self Defense and Urban Skills & Safety Workshop. The facility is located right next to Arlington Heights and is relatively easy to find. They are located upstairs of the building in case you get confused when you walk into the suite. There's ample parking in the adjacent lot. The facility is super clean and has a nice amount of open space to learn in. The staff are super professional and make sure that your paper work is all in order before getting started (well for liability reasons and such). Marcus Lincoln, the owner, was extremely helpful in answering questions I had regarding taking classes here. Apparently they actually help train law enforcement and government officials, bouncers, corrections officers, security guards and more. They also offer a specific woman's personal safety class every morning on Saturdays from 9-10 am, which I am considering. But due to my current financial situation, this will have to wait a few months. They offer a monthly membership similar to a gym, but they don't have any contracts that you're obligated to stay in which is nice especially if you decide this is not for you. I watched some of the girls and guys go through their classes while I was doing my self-defense and it can get intense! And like I said, I'm really interested in this especially when it can not only save your life, but it really helps develop and build your body.

This place is incredible. My son loves this more than any other activity he is involved in. The…read morestaff is professional and so enthusiastic. I love that. The place it self is beautiful. I am so excited that I will be having my sons birthday party there. And they really know their stuff. We will be here awhile. The discipline my son is learning is also a bonus. So excited to be apart of this establishment. I highly recommend end it.

They are very rude there and have egos that don't have the talent to match.read more

Our family can't say enough good things about MacDonald Academy of Martial Arts! Abby started…read morekarate here back in Kindergarten, and now, as she heads into high school, we're reflecting on just how much this place--and especially Brian and Tara--have meant to her and to us. The classes were always about more than just martial arts. Abby absolutely loved not only the training but also the time she got to spend with instructors who genuinely cared about her growth, both physically and personally. The encouragement, the discipline, the fun, and the warm, family-oriented atmosphere created something really special. Throughout the years, Abby built so much confidence in herself--not just in her ability to defend herself, but in her ability to take on hard challenges in life. The support Brian and Tara offered during the Covid lockdowns especially stands out. Their care for their students went above and beyond, and we'll never forget it. We're sad that Abby is stepping away from karate right now (and we hope it's only temporary!) because we'll truly miss seeing Brian, Tara, and everyone at the academy on a regular basis. The friendships, the wonderful conversations, and the positive, supportive guidance they offer have left a lasting impact on our family. Thank you for everything you've done for Abby and for being such a blessing in her life!

Both of my sons completed their junior black belt training here. The instructors are strict but…read morekind and enforce the idea of working hard to gain mastery. They enjoyed their classes and summer camps with Brian and Tara. Although my sons have not been students there for a few years now, their training continues to pay off. Recently, our home was broken into and my younger son, then 16, was home alone and had to interact with the burglar. He remained calm and was able to contact us to call the police. He has revealed that part of the reason that he was able to remain calm and clear-headed was some of the self-defense training that he had received at MacDonald Academy. Thank you so much!!!

They know their stuff! The area is well organized and suitable for practice. A good location too.read more

I have to agree with Sharon's review wholeheartedly! I have been going to Wu Dao for almost two…read moreyears now and have had the best time. I had no prior experience with any martial arts, but Wu Dao made me feel welcome and the atmosphere has never been intimidating. It's easy to connect with other students and it's become a great community. The facility is a gorgeous big hall with an upstairs area. It has wooden floors and there are some bags on one side in the back and a stand with weapons on the other and that's it. For someone whose always hated gyms with all their machines and televisions this was and is heaven! They have pictures of the school's interior on their website if you want to check it out without getting out of the house. The instructors are great and they offer morning and evening classes. I've attended both and have always been very happy. Even though I don't have any other martial arts instruction to compare this to I know that I am in excellent hands. Structure of movement and application of forms is something that gets explained thoroughly and whenever you have a question there is a well thought-through answer. I do Kung Fu mainly for fitness, flexibility, strength, and those things, but it has also helped me in becoming more self-confident with movement in general - my own and other people around me and self-defense is certainly a part of the training. Last year and this year, Wu Dao has also brought in a Shaolin monk for a one or two-week training in Shaolin Kung Fu which was fantastic! Another bonus for me is that the school is probably one of the most environmentally conscious businesses I know. They have everything from the right light bulbs to recycled toilet paper, eco-friendly paint, bamboo and organic cotton shirts etc. and they purchase carbon offsets! How cool is that?