Felt a need to update this page given the last review was posted 11 years ago (!!!) and a lot has…read morechanged post-pandemic. I am new so I cannot give any details on the quality or nature of the training. I attend classes for the sake of practicing energy and breathwork, for grounding, and for some self-defense. The teachers will adjust to your needs. Currently, I believe the schedule is MWTh classes at 7pm, Saturday weapons practice at 11am (usually outdoors at GGP), and Sunday classes at 1pm. Different instructors take turn teaching. Mondays are for belt test prep so it's good for beginners. Overall, everyone has been kind and gentle. They are very welcoming of new members and you can always observe a class first.

I am a woman who has been training in Aikido for 16 years and I've been at City Aikido for 13 of…read morethem. I got my start with another teacher who was one of Nadeau sensei's students in the North Bay, and when I moved to San Francisco, I joined City Aikido. As soon as I walked through the doors and into Nadeau sensei's class, I was hooked. One of the first things I noticed right away was the powerful and energetic atmosphere of the classes. This is largely due to Nadeau sensei's emphasis of O'Sensei's Process, and it's one of the aspects I love about training at this dojo. I've found that the Process has helped me to reach a center of power that I can draw from not only during my training sessions on the mat, but also out in the real world. Aikido is an immensely therapeutic and transformative physical art. It's also a whole lotta fun! The head-teachers at our school are all highly skilled (5th, 6th, 7th degree blackbelts) and each bring their own embodiment of the art into their classes. In each class you will practice a variety of techniques and you'll train harmoniously with different partners at a variety of levels. We have classes every weekday in the evenings from 6:15-7:15 pm (fundamentals/all levels) and 7:15-8:15 pm (intermediate/advanced). We also have noon classes. And for you early birds, we even have morning classes on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:15-8:15 am. I teach on Monday mornings and would love for you to come join me. Aikido is a great way to start the day! Stop by the dojo. Check it out. Hope to see you on mat.

This is the best martial arts school I've ever trained at, and Choy Li Fut kung fu is a superb…read moresystem. The instructors at school are all really good, knowledgeable and helpful. Tai-Sifu Wong is a fantastic teacher to all adults and kids alike. This is also the first martial arts school that my kids are attending, and they absolutely love it. They love the classes, they made a bunch of friends, they go to tournaments and their self confidence is growing constantly over time. No wonder it's been around for over 50 years!

I have been studying Kung Fu in San Diego for many years and have had the opportunity to…read moreparticipate in several seminars and tournaments offered by the Doc-Fai Wong Martial Arts Center. These are simply the best around. The real life practical application of the training combined with the historical ties and proven methods give the training a value unmatched by anyone. I can guarantee you that if I lived closer this would be home base for my training. I encourage anyone to check it out for themselves. You won't be disappointed.

I went in for a trial as I want to find a place to train but wasn't sure which dojo to join. The…read moremat fee is $15 for a one off session which is comparable to other locations. I've had practically zero martial arts experience aside from some wushu when I was a kid. Everyone was very nice and patient. The sensei and even other students that I practiced with were great teachers. What I really appreciated was how they would explain why you take a certain action and how that has an impact. It helps me remember better and makes it a more wholistic learning experience.

Prior to joining this dojo, I had never taken any martial arts classes other than self-defense…read moreseminars (2 hr course by campus safety patrolmen and women). I wanted to be active in a sport where I'm engaged physically and mentally, and so I started looking up different dojo in SF. I started classes in February 2009 at Pacific Aikido Center, with a Tue. & Thur. evening commitment. I practice regularly with other novices as well as with higher ranked brown & black belts. The people I train with are great, and so are the instructors. The dojo is run by Shiohira Sensei, who teaches classes on M, W, F. Other black belt sensei-instructors teach on Tu, Th, Sa. During class, we warm up and stretch, then we pair up with various classmates for 45 minutes. Both the sensei and partner-in-training go through techniques with me, with repetition and often with specific guidance on ways to improve. The instructors and classmates are incredibly patient and kind. Everyone is here to improve themselves and help others, and we all improve at our own pace. While it's amazing to see what the higher-level practitioners of Aikido can do, every once in a whie I look back and am amazed at what I've learned in my year at the dojo. If you have always wanted to take martial arts, Aikido is a great art to begin your practice. I recommend this school to any beginner.

Best Kung fu school around hands down.Ive been a student under Sifu Master Schauer for 9 years. We…read morefocus on all aspects of Kung fu .Great place to build a man or women to the highest degree . Vic Rael

I have been a student of Master Schauer's for nearly a decade now, and have continued to study with…read morehim even after moving to the east bay. Master Schauer's classes are based on traditional kung fu systems but also include grappling and kickboxing. I highly recommend this school for anyone looking to get in shape and enjoy the health benefits of traditional kung fu training as well as practical self defense. I usually take the weekend classes which are held outside in golden gate park and can last for hours! Highly recommended.

Very inclusive, no ego gym. Instructors are very patient and welcoming with clear instructions. All…read morethe students are very friendly, no ego and help each other out. Easy to jump into a class and get on board.

This is the best martial arts and self-defense school in San Francisco, full stop. Whether you are…read morenew to self defense training or an experienced fighter, Forge has the best and most dedicated team of instructors all in one place and with a multitude of classes for any schedule and skill/fitness level. I started there as a student just a few years ago, when a single P1 class was enough to wear me out for days, and now I'm a mid-level practitioner in better shape in my forties than I was in my twenties. Come find out why Forge is a cut above the rest in a City that has lots of fantastic martial arts schools and an excellent community of fighters and mentors. Check out Forge today!

Such a great experience as a new white belt going to class! It can be scary being so new - I've…read moretried many gyms in the city and this was the first as a beginner I felt like I learned the most and retained the most. This was because of a combo of: 1. Clear visuals about what the different positions are 2. Moves that are outlined - you try the move, and then repeat it over and over again in speed/resistance 3. Then you have the opportunity to try it in sparring, which lets you really remember it! Definitely recommend and will be back - folks were super nice and welcoming!

Bay Jiu Jitsu is, by far, the best jiu jitsu gym I've ever trained at. I learned more in the nine…read moremonths I spent with them than I had in the previous five years, training elsewhere. They've ruined other gyms for me. Since leaving SF, I've traveled around CA, but haven't been able to find any gyms of a similar quality. Bay Jiu Jitsu is a special community with a level of elite instruction that's genuinely hard to find elsewhere, especially one that's welcoming literally to anyone, beginner or otherwise. Very few BJJ gyms offer any instruction in takedowns-be it wrestling or judo. A huge amount of gyms train nearly entirely on their butts or from their knees. Every instructor at Bay knows high-level takedowns and defense. We all grapple standing and are training takedowns constantly. The instructors here are incredible. All of them compete and their records in tournaments, to my knowledge, is excellent. Bay Jiu Jitsu is also the only gym I've ever trained at that constantly surveys the class for questions. Unlike the general, "Any questions?" at the end of a complex technique, they literally go around the room asking "what questions do you have?" It's such a simple thing, but very indicative that the gym is just operating at a much different level. The instructors actually help you to improve your game and learn the sport. You're not just mindlessly doing moves out of context that you may never use. Here, we work techniques and positions, and map out how to see them, what successful principles for passing open guard are, for example. So, you're constantly learning in a deeper and more meaningful way. Rather than an individual technique, you're learning how to think for yourself, how to figure out large-scale, applicable, perspectives/rules to operate under when faced with fundamental positions of the sport. All the instructors are talented and can actually teach. When they break down ankle locks, it's not just showing you one version of the submission three times and having everybody go and drill it incorrectly. The instructors will break things down, incrementally, and in-detail. Then we regularly attempt it with coaches going around the room, making adjustments, and then doing additional demonstrations and instructions. I don't think they ever just go through the motions with moves here. Everything we do has a point or reason to it. Bay Jiu Jitsu is the only gym I've been to (and this is dope) but it's the only gym where instructors ask individuals from the class, what do you want to work on? What's something you're struggling with or curious about? And we'll actually do it. Instructors here give a damn about you as a person. They track your success, watch you during sparring, and hold you accountable to reach your potential with feedback, advice, and encouragement. They have no uniform requirement. You're not forced to buy a gym rash guard or spend hundreds of dollars on their gis. They don't charge you for promotions. They teach you how to actually train smart. So many gyms don't do this and it's ridiculous, but here, they teach you how to avoid preventable knee injuries during takedowns/positions, how to fall correctly, etc. When there's sparring, there's pretty much always a person walking around, keeping individuals from falling into a teammate-blowing out their ACL or kicking them in the head needlessly. I could ramble on for ages about the gym. You'll train with loads of rad, high-level people here. Nobody has an ego. We're all willing to help out. You don't deal with people cranking your jaw to get a submission. Everybody's cool and will train hard, at times, but in a safe way. The gym does movie nights, goes out to bars, goes dancing, and has bonfires throughout the year too. If you're looking for it, you can make friends. I love the gym and the people here. If you have the chance to train at Bay Jiu Jitsu, you absolutely must.

My husband has been attending this school for a few years, recently earned his black belt…read more Initially the class looks really intimidating. Most of the students are blackbelts, and the sensei is Japanese (with an accent). Once he joined though, he started learning FAST. THe class is small, so you get a lot of attention from the instructor. Also, with so many high level black belts (most of the students are 2nd or above), almost everyone you work with knows how to NOT hurt you, definately something I appreciate! The thing I like most about this martial art is the philosophy. It is taught in the curriculum, but not force-fed. "Half for self, half for others" is what I hear him say now, and you know, I really like that. Saturday classes are for kids, with a short adult workout before. I think the kids have a good time too. :)

I practiced Shorinji Kempo for 10 years in San Diego before moving to San Francisco 9 months ago -…read morethis dojo is amazing. The instructor and senior students are welcoming, supportive, and hard-working. There is a mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced students - I get to teach, learn, and practice with people of all ages and skill levels. Shorinji Kempo has held my interest for so many years because it is challenging, but extremely rewarding. 4 years in I noticed my reflexes had improved dramatically and I was better at sports, which spring boarded me into soccer, swimming, and gymnastics - none of which I've stuck with - but I keep coming back to Kempo. Something the separates us from other martial arts is that we practice in pairs, not in rows - so you get to work on learning to throw a punch or kick while your partner works on training their eyes and learning to defend against real attacks. I find the philosophy extremely engaging - it's one of the main reasons people get hooked on Shorinji Kempo - but you'll have to come check out class to hear about that. Come join us for a fun and dynamic workout!

I couldn't say more great things about Empire and their Basics class! I was a complete beginner to…read moremartial arts, nervous to start and I felt the perfect balance of being pushed and welcomed on the very first day. John is an extremely attentive and detailed instructor and I was hooked right away. I attended the weekly basics class after the first class and have been feeling a lot of growth. The community is great, have made wonderful friends, and am excited to now have jiu jitsu as part of my life. Highly recommend for everyone - especially complete beginners!

I was in town for work and wanted to do a quick drop in to train somewhere before I had to actually…read moredo work. I left a message on their website about and got a response back that I'd be welcome. I managed to find parking around the corner and walked up. I got there in between classes so I was able to get the waiver signed and pay the drop in fee. The class seemed to be a lot of regulars. The students all seemed to know each other real well and there definitely seemed to be a sense of community there. The rolls were tough but friendly and I'm glad I dropped in, probably the most productive part of my work trip in SF.