This academy loves you like family. Everyone is dedicated to helping you be the best version of…read moreyourself on and off the mats. Master Jean Jacques Machado is clearly a legend, but if you've never trained under him before you might not understand what a humble man he is. I've seen him give a brand new white belt 10 minutes of his one on one time in class explaining technique when he could have gotten any other belt to help him out. I see Master Jean Jacques greet everyone personally every day by name like your his best friend. Professor Mark and Professor Jay are incredible practitioners and instructors as well. Their styles are very different but it's truly like a harmonious balance of yin and yang. You'll always feel like family when you walk through the door. And Professor Marcel is sure to greet you with a smile, answer any questions and handle any business matters with the highest level of respect and confidentiality. This is truly the best school you could ever attend and I own a school!

I personally trained at this academy for many many years until I moved from Los Angeles. It's the…read moregold standard of BJJ training by one of the original practitioners of the sport who went on to train world renowned names in the martial arts like Joe Rogan and Eddie Bravo! It's funny to see 2 or 3 people state here on Yelp that the fees are high or that it's not a good place for women. This is so untrue it's obvious their reviews are complete "hit pieces" - having personally spent 2 decades there I think I'm qualified to say "all women" are treated as equals, and as family. Don't believe me, go ask the women who train there now. Or, just go watch a class and judge for yourself. As for the cost of classes, you are paying for a school and instructor that safely trains or trained everyone from children to law enforcement to "major world celebrities" like Hollywood action icon Keanu Reeves (from the "John Wick" Films), and famous comedians like Kevin James (from the TV series "The King of Queens" and "Mall Cop" movies)... and many other famous people who I don't wanna name drop here. But you get my point. Signing up at Jean Jacques Machado's Academy is like becoming a member of an elite community. So you never know who you might recognize that drops in to train. "That's" how in demand this academy is!!! There are a lot of BJJ schools in LA today who are jealous of the success this academy has rightfully gained and maintained (due to its history and perfectionism) and has been a staple in the Los Angeles community way longer before any of these other schools even knew what BJJ was. So any 1 or 2 negative reviews that were posted on yelp are directly from people with an "agenda." The honest truth is if you want safety, top of the line instructions in BJJ in a clean environment, checking this place out would be the smartest thing you could do. You'll see once you study at this academy any other school in Los Angeles will be inferior. Don't believe me? Go see for yourself. I promise you if you're a girl, an old man, or young child it won't make a difference as it won't be long before your membership turns into a family affair filled with many friendships, good times and insane knowledge of the world's greatest self defense system. ... and FYI - I don't benefit from this review... this is from someone who left CA and in hindsight realizes there's no other academy that can compare to it. Anyway that's my 2 cents. Good luck with your journey.

I trained in this style over 20 years ago and Sensei Kobayashi is the best around…read more Too bad the dojo on chatsworth closed !

I studied under Sensei Kobayashi 40 years ago. I was a little kid who grew up in a gang infested…read moreneighborhood. Although Sensei Kobayashi moved his dojo to another city and I was unable to continue studying under him, his life lessons stayed with me. He instilled discipline, self-confidence, respect and hard work. These life skills have lasted throughout my adult life and I am forever grateful for his teachings.

This Kyokushin Karate of Los Angeles is located in the North Valley. More specifically, it's inside…read morethe San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center. It features children's classes as well as adult classes. Kyokushin Karate is a renowned form of Martial Arts, founded by Mas Oyama. It is a FULL CONTACT karate of the highest order. The sessions are challenging, but the physical and mental reward is astounding. Parents enroll their children to boost self esteem as well. They also attend as ANTI-BULLYING measure. Children learn to be mentally tough, and raise their level of confidence. Kids Classes Adult Classes Self Defense Anti-Bullying Physical, Spiritual and Mental Conditioning Weight Loss and Management

If you want to get a great workout and learn one of the toughest styles available? Then your search…read moreis over! Kyokushin karate truly teaches its students humility, strength, honor and comradery! I've done my research! This style is the real deal! This dojo is excellent. The instructors have spent many years honing and perfecting there art! The dojo is well kept and maintained. They are also fantastic with kids! The adults class is every Tuesday and Saturday at 7:30. I believe the kids class starts at 6 but not sure.

A Family Dojo That Truly Inspires!…read more Joining Hapkido Santa Barbara Dojo in Reseda has been one of the best decisions for our family! This dojo goes beyond teaching martial arts--it instills values that shape character and life skills. The tenets of the school--courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit--are woven into every aspect of training and have already had a profound impact on my 7y.o son. One of the standout features of this dojo is its family-friendly approach. As a parent, being able to participate alongside my child in class has been an incredible bonding experience. It's rare to find a place that truly welcomes and encourages families to train together, and it makes all the difference. Master Garret is phenomenal--patient, knowledgeable, and deeply committed to helping every student succeed both on and off the mat. He focuses on building a strong body, a disciplined mind, and a resilient spirit. Beyond self-defense and martial arts techniques, the dojo teaches students to care for themselves and others, creating a supportive and respectful community. Our family has set a goal to earn our black belts together, and Santa Barbara Dojo has given us the perfect environment to pursue this dream. We couldn't be happier with our experience here, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a place that promotes personal growth, family connection, and a strong sense of community.

I can't recommend this dojo highly enough! If you're looking for a place to learn Hapkido, whether…read moreyou're a complete beginner or an experienced martial artist looking to expand your knowledge, this is the perfect spot. Master Curtis is not only highly skilled but also passionate about teaching. They make sure every student, regardless of skill level, feels confident and supported while learning techniques and self-defense moves. The training space is clean, organized, and equipped with everything needed for comprehensive practice. What really sets this dojo apart is the emphasis on discipline, respect, and community. It's evident that building strong relationships and encouraging each other's growth are central to their philosophy. One of the things I appreciate most is the emphasis on building good character and teaching important life skills like perseverance and respect. It's not just about martial arts; it's about growing as a person. I'm so grateful we found this dojo and would highly recommend it to any parent looking for a place where their children can learn self-defense, get active, and build confidence in a supportive setting. THANK YOU MASTER CURTIS!!!!

My son has been coming here to learn Muay Thai and boxing. It is affiliated with Kings Combat…read moreSports where you can also learn Taekwondo and Brazilian Jiujitsu. They have kids classes 7 days a week, 5 days of Muay Thai and 2 days of boxing. It's a great place to learn striking along with ground fighting like BJJ. I would definitely recommend both. For those that know Muay Thai is legit. Definitely recommend.

First time getting into any sort of martial arts and was really interested in Muay Thai. Found YMT…read moreclose by and decided to give it a shot. Was nervous walking in but Shawn and the other coaches made me feel welcome right away. Honestly, best decision I've made. Always looking forward to the next class!

"It's a great karate school for children to learn how to protect be discipline and most important…read moreto be respectful, helpful to the others.

We have been a Shoshin Kai family since 2013. We love and appreciate Sensei Martinez' dedication,…read morehard work, and excellence to our kids and our family. He treats everyone equal and gives equal praise and discipline to all. Our boys have benefited not only from weekly classes, quarterly testing and year round tournaments to build not only their body strength, but mental and spiritual strength as well. We feel that holding our kids to respect their teammates and teachers as well as each other has been fundamental in their growth and development. We continue to bring our kids to what we feel is a most authentic, unique, enriching, and fulfilling experience through Shoshin Kai Karate. Derick Martinez is a true classic sensei in his teaching methods and his all enclusive approach. We have appreciated him not only as our kids Sensei but as our friend. I highly recommend Shoshin Kai for anyone looking for an authentic karate class.

Extremely well rounded curriculum. Expect hard training and real dedication. This art requires a…read morelot of attention and mental fortitude and Sifu Sean is the best of the best. He knows so much and he will be a lifelong mentor

I've studied wing chun under various teachers. In total been doing it 7 years. Prior to that…read morerecieved my black belts in hapkido and take kwon doe. Was glad to find Sifu Sean's school near me when I moved. The people are great. Everyone including the instructor seem very passionate about the art. Definitely saw an improvement in my cardio, sparring and reflexes which they do emphasize on. Overall great environment for learning the art of wing chun and using it efficiently.

I joined 3 months ago as an adult, and I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I do. I quickly…read morerealized how much I like it. It's a great workout for both the body and the mind. Most importantly, the atmosphere is very friendly and welcoming, so I always feel comfortable doing my best, even when I make mistakes.

I've been training at Quest for over a dozen years, and what started as "this looks fun" has turned…read moreinto one of the most empowering parts of my life. The classes are an amazing workout, they've given me real self-defense skills, and they've helped me build confidence. And now that I'm a mother of two, I really appreciate the chance to spend time with other adults! Mr. Edwards has a genuine gift for working with young kids--patient, energetic, and somehow magically able to keep a whole room on track. And Mr. Seah's classes are structured, engaging, and always a blast! Quest is so amazing, that we recently enrolled our eldest daughter In less that a year, she has become more confident, coordinated, and focused. She even brings the respect and discipline home. Hearing a tiny "Yes ma'am!" at bedtime is adorable Quest has become a second home for our family.