Joe is hands down the best instructor in buffalo! He's supportive and understanding and just a…read morestraight killer! Highly recommend anyone to try a class especially if you want a good sweat!

I've been training martial arts for 15 years now, this place has high quality instruction in a very…read morerelaxed atmosphere. Theres no pressure to compete, you can choose your level of involvement. The head instructor is an accomplished competitor who will help guide you if that's the direction you're looking for. If lineage is a factor for your decision, my blue belt was tied on my waist by Julio "Foca" Fernandez, a name that most aficionados are going to recognize. On a personal note, the team at BCF has supported me through 3 tournaments and a knee injury. Too me, this place is home and these people are family.

Kin-Tora is one of THE best martial arts center in Buffalo, hands down. Established in the 1970s,…read morethe family who has owned and operated this place have been practicing judo since they were very young. Kin-Tora is rather unique, in that it is run in the style of a club, as opposed to a for-profit dojo. As well as judo, Kin-Tora also offers three other styles: Danzan-ryu Jujutsu, Ryukyu kempo, and Wadokai aikido. There are judo classes for both children and adults. The other three styles are more geared towards those 18 and older; however, the aikido class will take teen students (15 and up) with the head instructor's permission. There is also a gym room on the upstairs level with striking bags, a variety of weights, treadmills, and ellipticals. Kin-Tora is probably the most affordable martial arts center in WNY, given that it is only $85 a month, and that fee grants you access to the entire facility, and you may also take as many classes as you would like. They will gladly allow you to try a class for free to see if it something you would wish to further pursue; there are no contracts, no pressure to "sign on the dotted line." They also offer gi (uniform) rentals for $2 per class for those who don't wish to purchase their own uniform, or for those who just want to try a class or two. They also have uniforms for purchase on site at only $45 for a complete set, and they are of extremely high quality. What's best is that everyone at Kin-Tora is extremely kind, welcoming, and encouraging. It doesn't matter if you have 20 years of martial arts experience or none, all skill levels are welcome. I only just started aikido here but I am extremely impressed with how amazing everyone is here, and I plan to keep coming back for the foreseeable future!

Kin-tora has Judo and other classes. At Kin-Tora's Suenaka-ha Tetsugaku-ho Aikido classes, which…read moremeans "Suenaka style, philosophical way", equal emphasis is placed on physical and personal betterment. Suenaka Sensei incorporates all of O'Sensei's teachings in his style, combined with his extensive experience in real world self-defense. The result is a martial art that is "street effective" yet respectful of all living things, conducted in a dynamic, joyful and welcoming atmosphere, without conflict or machismo. It is an amazing club, with amazing classes and instructors!

What a joke. Unqualified and unprofessional. Does anyone get a black belt? Or just the…read moreboyfriend/office manager. Lies piled on lies, don't waste ur $

From the owner: Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Chinese Tea, Chinese Medicine Theory, Buddhism, Daoism, Vegetarian educationread more

I trained Capoeira back in San Francisco with Maculele, but I recently moved to Buffalo last year…read more I was really excited that they had a Mandinga school here in Buffalo, especially since I was familiar with Mandinga when I played with them once at an open roda in Oakland. Instructor Desenho is a great teacher. Even though I'm not a Mandinga student, but I train with them, he still goes out of his way to help me with my form and help improve my game. If you have questions to ask him, and with Capoeira being so expansive you'll probably have a lot, he's always willing to stay late past class to show you moves, help you with your concerns, and just answer any Capoeira question in general. The Shakti Yoga space where we train is great, also! It's very large so you could have 20 people doing sequencias at the same time, which we did during the workshop at Shakti Yoga with Professora Lang from Filhos de Bimba Escola de Capoeira Toronto. It's also a very tranquil space, which makes sense because it's used for yoga. Also, the studio has heated floors, which is awesome during Winter. I'm also greatly surprised with how many instruments Mandinga Buffalo have. They have several berimbaus, an atabaque, at least two pandeiros, an a-go-go, and that wooden frog thing (I forget the name). As for Street Rodas, I haven't played in any yet. They have a Sunday Night Roda in Rochester, but it's a little too far for me, but I do hope to play there sometime in the future. I think in the Summer, Mandinga Buffalo will have more outdoor Rodas, which I'm super excited for. Overall, it's a great place to train! I really recommend Instructor Desenho. We have a lot of fun in class, and you can expect hard workouts and feeling sore the next day and the day after. :D Oh yeah! And they have a kids class on Sundays.