My daughter has been taking classes her and she loves it! Teaching teamwork, building confidence,…read more spatial awareness, encouragement all in a positive atmosphere.

The instructors are awesome. They work great with kidsread more

The instructors are professional, patient, and care about their students' growth. They take the…read moretime to teach proper technique while also building confidence, discipline, and respect. Since my daughter joined I've seen great improvements in strength and focus.

The best and most affordable self defense class in Modesto. Great for youth and adultsread more

This is a Great environment. The sensi is great with the kids. Great staff and nice to know it is…read morevery family oriented. They offer classes at great times during the week. Great for those who enjoy karate.

I love that they can work with kids. Professional, curtiuos and knowledgeable staff. You can tell…read morethey have been doing this for years. Total recommend this place.

The effort the coaches puts into these kids is pretty incredible. My son started as a shy 4 year…read moreold, after a year he has learned so much. Everyday there's a new life skill to learn from the coaches which has helped him with his Manners and Confidence. To all the Coaches and Helpers, Thank you so much.

Castro MMA has been such an incredible experience for us. The coaches pour into these kids in the…read morebest way, teaching not just skill, but discipline, confidence, and respect. You can see it in how the kids show up for each other too. The support, encouragement, and teamwork they demonstrate truly reflects the values being instilled here. So grateful to be part of this community.

My three kids have been training here for over 5 years, and it has become like family. Karl and…read morethe coaching staff are knowledgeable, professional, and have always treated everyone with respect, dignity, and a sense of family. My kids have developed a self confidence and awareness that I don't think you could get anywhere else. I disagree with the negative reviews on here, as it seems both one star reviews are from people who gave up too quickly. Bloody noses happen. It's a contact sport for godsake. And kids can be bad, don't blame the coaches for that. I would highly recommend the gym to anyone interested in jiu-jitsu or just wanting to develop some self defense skills. You will not be disappointed. Thank you Karl for doing such a great job teaching and coaching my kids! M

We signed our 6 1/2 year old up for Jiu-Jitsu. The whole process was extremely easy. From the…read moremoment I made up my mind, we had a trial appointment same day, our son was able to have his first trial class, and he liked it so much that we signed him up on a monthly basis. Bryce made everything very easy. And on the second day the coaches already knew our sons name. We already felt like part of the team. This is a professional business who really cares about the children, and making life easier. Thank you so much.

My son has been attending Vanbelle's academy for over 2 months. We signed him up for the year…read morebecause he enjoys it so much! You can choose to come twice a week or 3 times a week (there is also a variety of plans for more classes). They have classes Monday through Friday at this location. For the little guys classes start around 400pm and for kids 5 and up, (also depending on their belt) starts at 5 and other classes start after that. My son learns so much each time he goes. He learns to work with others, take ownership of his learning not just in karate class but at school and home. The instructors are very friendly and knowledgeable. There are several students in the class and the instructors take their time to work with each one of them when they're struggling or learning a new move/ strategy. Students also get awarded for their behavior at school and at tasks/ behavior at home. Soon my son will test for a belt and he's so excited! I look forward to seeing my sons continued growth and dedication in this class. I am so glad I signed him up. (:

This is a family owned business. The mother and son duo are very personable and experienced in…read morevarious children's personalities. My kiddo that I nanny goes here and they are very nice to her even on days when she's really upset. She is deaf and master Vanbell lets her teach the class she's in how to sign their opening and closing pledge. You won't find a place better. They are very dedicated to their students.

I have been studying Northern Shou Shu for over 7 years now with my whole family. This review might…read moreseem familiar because I have left a review from another studio when I first started this path. There are three studios California. I have been to all three studios. The one in Sacramento is too far for me. I find that this one is unique because of the two school owners, Shun Shifu Erika and Shun Shifu Rose, which allows you to have two different feelings of learning. Don't get me wrong though. All of the owners are not just training to become a master of the art. They are passing down the legacy of the Grandmaster Da Shifu Clark. Therefore, he PERSONALLY is in regular contact with every owner! I have met him several times and he is amazing and scary, but sometimes funny too. Now to continue but with an edit form from my review of my first studio.... I have had some exposure in a few different martial arts. Over 25 years ago, I had looked at a "roots" school of Moore's and was not impressed with the instructors that I met there and never had any interest in attending any of their schools. When I came across Red Dragon Shou Shu, it looked like a mix of Kung Fu and Karate. I wanted my children to learn martial arts and tried out their demo class. When I realized that it was off the line of Moore's, I almost walked out. But I paid for the demo and decided to see if it changed....and it has. Shou Shu starts out with harder style which I feel is good for beginners because they can see and feel the solid moves. As they advance, it evolves into a softer style, like a dance. It is a very friendly and family oriented environment. If you choose this style of martial arts, 1 believe that you will be very pleased with this art. I don't want to scare off the families that want general self defense, but this is NOT a competition style art. It is to save your life, not to fight. If you want to fight, take up boxing. If you want to save yourself from being kidnapped or killed then this is something to look at. Shou Shu is a way of life and with any art in life, it takes time to go from stumbling to flowing.

Shun Shifu Erika is a 3rd degree black belt & is excellent with teaching kids. She goes above &…read morebeyond for her students. The kids work hard and are rewarded for their efforts. The techniques she teaches are lifelong skills to defend yourself in so many different situations. The dojo environment is like a family.

3/2024 This place is not what it seems starts off good but…read moregoes down hill real quick. This is a franchise Brazilian jiu-jitsu company (basically just like McDonald's) Charles Gracie is just making money off his last name! The owner of this gym Bryce I met him on 3 different occasions, and I remember all of them to include what we talked about. But each time he looked me in the eyes, shook my hand, and introduced him self like we had never spoken before. He was at the gym 1 time in the year my daughter trained there, most of the kid didn't even know who he was or why he was talking to them, and the kids that knew him expressed they haven't seen him in forever and he should come back around. When we started class sizes where manageable for the 4 instructors they had, then Coach Destiny left and everything changed for the worse. Class size grew very fast doubled in size, but now only had 3 instructors, and the one who made it feel like a family left. But how do you double class sizes with less instructors. Oh yeah you add one of your students in as an "instructor" lmao, techniques for the kids got very sloppy and with not enough instructors "adults" to make sure moves are properly getting done. Was very sad to see. In the summer you will get so hot just watching your child that you will need water. As a spectator for a 45 min class, which is crazy! So just imagine being one of the kids, not very safe, unless you know that all of your students are properly hydrated. When you mention how hot it is, they always say they will let the landlord know, well the landlord doesn't care so maybe you should fix it for your students, so they know you care. With class sizes almost doubled and location size still the same it leave very little room for students to train! With a slum board in charge of the building you train in and it being to small for the amount of student they want they should look intomoving, but hightly dought they will! There are other Brazilian jiu-jitsu company's in Modesto, that really care about traing there and not just making money so please do your research and choose wisely! Ares Brazilian jiu-jitsu in Modesto he's a world champ has blackbelts at all trying classes and the owner is there on a regular Less then $150 a month unlimited classes And if you want another real gracie there is Ralph Gracie in modesto much bigger location more trying room and more instructors to make sure training is done right! Brazilian jiu-jitsu $135 month unlimited classes And mma $90 a month unlimited classes My first review was only because I was told Bryce wanted me personally to leave a review, but after he met me for the 3rd time I realized, he has no clue who I am, and never asked me to do this! Or if he did didn't realize that I'm a man of integrity, and that as soon.as I noticed it was a load of BS, that I would call his company out for it! 3/2023 My daughter has loved it so far! There are days when it is a struggle to get her to go, but knce she is there she is happy, and having fun. She has definitely started to come more out of her shell since she has started her journey with her jiu-jitsu family! We see more smiles out of her, and it has been years for that to come back. She wasn't to sure about competing at first, but her best friend forced her into her first competition! Which was the perfect choice she loved it! She will be going to all future tournaments, all the coaches are so positive, and truly work for a better, more positive child. A Leader amongst there peers!! To make all around good humans and who wouldn't want that for there child!!!

My daughter has loved learning JiuJitsu here. The coaches always give 110% for the kids. They lead…read moreby example and are very knowledgeable about JiuJitsu. My daughter has learned so much self defense and a few life skills, and made so many positive memories that will stay with her the rest of her life. This has been one of my greatest investments.