I have been attending classes at Boston Boabom for 13 years. The teachers are so supportive, respectful and adaptive to everyone's situations. Boston Boabom was an early adopter of remote classes at the beginning of the pandemic. Continuing to exercise and meditate by practicing a calming art that connects mind, body and energy work, while maintaining a sense of community with others, even with different countries during such a difficult time was truly a gift. The style of teaching is wonderful-- there is a gentle progression of building upon movements for many different styles of the art. I highly recommend Boston Boabom for its wonderful, kind and respectful community of teachers and students. read more

I saw an ad for Boabom ("Bo-ah-bomb") a few years ago on the T, and I was curious. The ad made it look like yoga, but the website promised something more like martial arts. I went to the free Saturday intro class, and decided to give it a shot. The instructors of Boabom will tell you that it is "meditation through movement". To the rest of us, it's a great form of exercise that will improve your flexibility, balance, coordination, breathing and leave your head clear at the end of class. You can follow the core "Boabom" classes, which focus on strength and speed, or try Seamm Jasani (pronounced See-ahhm Ha-sah-nee), which is much slower. I've seen people practice from age 8 into their 70's. Boabom isn't taught like most forms of self defense, in that you don't spar. You will practice carefully with each other, but there is no hitting, leaving you bruised or hurt. If you're looking to learn how to fight someone, this isn't for you. But over time you WILL learn how to defend yourself effectively, getting into shape as you do so. In every class, you learn something new. Every class. There are so many different movements, that you progressively add new ones, and leave others behind as you have mastered them. This keeps classes interesting, instead of having the same session week after week. I practiced Boabom for three years before moving to Somerville. As much as I love it, the trek to Brookline is too long to keep up regularly. I would still be there if I lived closer, though. If you're looking for a good workout, for something that's different, I'd give Boabom a try! read more

Great, friendly people there. They'll let you try out a class for free! Also, if you see any ads for them up in the T, the attractive bearded man with the staff is mine. read more

I really liked taking classes here. The art is great exercise and I like practicing it. I haven't been back in a while because I can't afford it, but I still practice some moves at home. One of my concerns is that there isn't always enough stretching, although I understand there are limitations due to the length of classes. I feel like this is more important for people that don't do yoga, or other stretches outside of the art. This is the only location in the US. I really believe them that it is an ancient art, because if you've seen students spar in the highest levels, you can easily see how different it is from other martial art forms. One of the things that distinguishes Boabom, is they practice non-contact fighting because you will be taught how to hurt people if you ever need to. It is better this way for the health of people involved, but also because you really know what to do if you ever need to. In a lot of other schools, people get hurt learning to fight, but that doesn't happen in Boabom. I liked having the chance to have deep conversations with people before and after classes. I feel that most students are friendly and more spiritually advanced than the average person. I'd like to start going again some day. I learned a lot of valuable life skills from being a part of Boston Boabom. read more

I didn't really care for it and I find their behavior very cult-like. They thrive on secrecy, get very upset if you question them, and have inter-group dating scenarios, which isn't the most professional thing, but I understand it happens. The problem with this group is that they have no outside sources, and everything their leader says is taken as gospel. You can take my word for it or see for yourself. One thing they like to do is to make all conversations very public, so that you can never have a private conversation when you're on their premises. Check out the discussions page on their self-edited Wiki page if you've got any doubt about the veracity of my assessment. The facilities they have are very small and there's no shower, and only a small changing room. read more

I have practiced martial arts at the Boston School of Boabom for about 4 years and this has been one of the best decisions I've taken. This is a form of soft martial arts, with focus on relaxation, meditation and self defense. The energy at the school from students and teachers is very positive and inspiring. If you are interested in martial arts and have not found a school or a discipline that fits what you're looking for, come to the free intro class every Saturday at noon to get a taste of what it's like! read more

I started with the Boabom here in Norway in September 2010, and has followed the classes and seminars here since. We have several times had the pleasure to receive instruction from a teacher from Boston. In November 2012 I had the opportunity to visit Boston and experience the school over there. I was warmly welcomed and I attended several hours of Seamm Jasani, Boabom and Yaanbao with the talented and dedicated teachers. The place has an authentic atmosphere and the premises provides a good framework for what happens there. I appreciated every singel minute I spent there and went home filled with energy I could bring forth in the classes here. They have every reason to be proud of what they've built up and can continue to provide this self-defense method with the great positive energy they have. I'm going back there and can recommend the Boston School of Boabam to others!! Sojammmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!! read more

I am having a vey nice experience taking classes at BSB. The teachers have a very nice, light-hearted attitude. It is a small school, I would say humble, but very sincere and passionate about what they are teaching. The pace is relaxed. You have to be patient. They don't lay out all the technique on the first day. You have to be persistent. The process unfolds slowly. I have not found it to be cult-y as another reviewer mentioned. And as for the "no outside sources" criticism, this is simply baffling. When you study martial arts, you usually study a lineage, a school, a master. The whole point is to learn the system as developed by a very experienced teacher. So in this sense, the school is following the tradition of most martial arts. So, if you don't like the system and it's not for you, go find another one. Ultimately, it's not about who they are, but who you are, and your search to develop your body and mind in a way that is right for you.... read more

I have been a dedicated martial artist for over 20 years so I am familiar with the training traditions of arts that are grounded in other cultures. The translation of these traditions into our American way of doing things can be quite confusing, initially. I would like to add a different perspective to the impression offered by a comment made on 4/17/2011. The teaching of any kind of movement or defense art from eastern cultures is based on self-discovery; the intention is to guide a student through that particular art's process. This allows the student an opportunity to trust what the experience in their body is telling them versus what their intellect is interpreting. Not only does this open the student's self- awareness and expand their consciousness but it moves them towards a self-confidence and self trust that is often limited and sometimes shallow in intellectual instruction. Yes, it can seem very secretive and evasive in the beginning. As you, the student, make an investment in yourself by immersing yourself in the movement, you may discover that your body has many of the answers that you initially might seek from the external influence of the instructor. I have a limited experience with this school. However, I feel strongly, given my background in other classical arts juxtaposed with my recent Boabom experiences that the instructors do what they do the way they do it for the purpose of maintaining the integrity of the transmission of their art with limited imposition on the students' individual experience. Each student progresses (or not) at their own pace, depending on their level of commitment to their experience. Learning what question to ask and deciding on the timing of asking your question is not only an asset to your training but also a tremendous life tool. If you are drawn to Boabom or Seamm Jasani, give it a chance, not just a few classes. By doing that you are also practicing patience, another great life skill. read more