The people at Rare Breed are incredible! Such a positive and family-like environment where everyone…read moresupports each other. Definitely a special place and an amazing community.

This place has amazing+friendly instructors. Super fun and tough. Muay thai classes have all levels…read moreso you'll always be challenged. Miss you guys!

[The following review is from my 6-year-old son, who is a student in the "Ninjas" class at…read moreMontclair Shukokai Karate.] Sensei Justin and Ms. Lynn are the best teachers ever! When you make a mistake, they just let you go on. They are nice and serious and make you want to do your best. And when you feel scared, other students will help you follow along in the katas. I love Montclair Shukokai Karate!

After trying out Sifu Bender's 2 weeks for $20 deal, I decided to enroll for his classes. The…read moreschool itself is bright and has a large open floor. Being open for over three decades, I was confident that this was not a fly by night place, and was something I could look forward to participating in for a long time. The classes have been 12-15 students at a time, with sufficient instructors (as well as Sifu Al himself) to focus on practicioners of varying levels for a more personal level of training.

I've trained in several martial arts and under several instructors, but with Sifu Al Bender I have…read morestayed around the longest and have learned and achieved the most. The top reasons to choose Al Bender's Academy for instruction in traditional martial arts would be, mainly: (1) authentic and effective instruction in any or all of four styles of Chinese martial arts, Northern Shaolin, Taiji (Yang Family Style), Xingyi, and Bagua, with emphasis on the first two; (2) instruction is conducted in English language, so you won't need to be fluent in Mandarin Chinese to learn; (3) his personable, humorous style (watch out for some killer puns, haha!) helps keep a low student turnaround, a camaraderie with and among his students, and a high number of his students who have been inspired to work long and hard enough to earn black-sash promotions; (4) his teaching strategy offers a balance of both form and proper technique and application for practical self defense. Disclaimer: I've trained under Sifu Al for 13 years, during which I attained 2nd degree black sash. My experience as his student inspired me to write the following lyrical adaptation of Paul Simon's You Can Call Me Al: You're walking down the street You're feeling soft in the middle now Why are you soft in the middle Keeping fitness in your life is so hard You need a Shaolin opportunity You want a shot at full split Don't want to end up on a carton In the trunk of a stolen car Phone Sifu, phone Sifu! (Hmm! Hmm!) Scared in the moonlight Far away (Hmm! Hmm!) waits your well-lit door Mr. Beerbelly Beerbelly (Hmm! Hmm!) You want these thugs to leave you be You know (Hmm! Hmm!) you can't do without self-protection anymore You won't need no bodyguard For self defense, I'll show you how I will get you ready Just come on in or call me Call me Sifu Al You're walking down the street You wonder why am I short of endurance Got a short little span of endurance And why do my walks feel so long Where's my life's meaning What if I die here? You need a game plan So far your game plan is None, none (Hmm! Hmm!) It's dark there down the alley. You want (Hmm! Hmm!) strategy, better balance, sir. All alone, alone, (Hmm! Hmm!) There'll be incidents and violence, There'll be (Hmm! Hmm!) hits and allegations.... You won't need no bodyguard For self defense, I'll show you how I will get you ready Just come on in or call me Call me Sifu Al! Call me Sifu Al. (Instrumental) You're walking through the door You've entered a new world Maybe it's an odd world Maybe it's your first time around You're learning the language You're learning the currency You're in a foreign land Yet surrounded by support (Hmm!) Support (Hmm!) Fellows in a training place Starting (hmm! Hmm!) with twenty methods You look around, around (hmm! hmm!) You see yin-and-yangs in the décor Spinning in infinity (hmm! hmm!) You say Amen! And Hallelujah! You won't need no bodyguard For self defense, I'll show you how I will get you ready Just come on in or call me Call me Sifu Al! Call me .... Na na na! Na na na! Na na na! Na na na! Na na na! Na na-na-na na! Na na na! Na na na! (Hmm! Hmm!) (Hmm! Hmm!) (You won't need no bodyguard) (oooh-woooh-woooh-woooh!) (I will get you ready) (oooh-woooh-woooh-woooh!) (You won't need no bodyguard) (oooh-woooh-woooh-woooh!) (I will get you ready) (oooh-woooh-woooh-woooh!)

New Jersey Tai Chi is not your average Tai Chi program. This is Tai Chi taught from the heart. Sifu…read moreHarry has dedicated his time and passion to learning and developing his craft. Harry is able to accommodate any learner and type of person from young to Elderly. There is no judgement at this school yet he strives for excellence among his students. If you want Tai Chi for health, this is the place for you. If you want to learn the martial aspects of the art, this place is for you. Don't skip over this school. It's a different approach to Tai Chi that you will not see every where and is in fact rare.

Now in my early 50's with aches in my knee caps and feet, I found getting old is not just as fun…read more As my new year resolution, I decided to try TaiChi, something I can practice for the rest of my active life. I chose New Jersey Tai Chi through a regional magazine, and I was delighted with its holistic approach to fitness, martial arts, and mind/body wellness. And my experience there did not disappoint. In the short time that I have been practicing with Harry, Paul, and others, I am learning not just the movements and breathing, but also leveraging the strength of my entire body. In addition to the physical movements, I am also learning to focus with my mind on the flow of energy and listening through Push Hands with my mind's eye. In every class, Harry demonstrates the application of those elegant moves into practical and powerful self-defense tactics. It's still too early to tell the full health benefits yet, but I feel more flexible, more at ease with my mind and body, and TaiChi is now a part of my exercise routine.

Love this place, family owned business and they are wonderful with children. Would highly recommend…read moreto friends and family.

My kids have been coming here for 2 years and we are thrilled with Master Mike and Master Chris…read more We have noticed our sons' attention and focus has grown thanks to taking classes here. Would highly recommend this to any parent.

My son, a third grader, has been an active student at Glen Ridge Taekwondo for over 18 months. He…read moreabsolutely loves his Grandmaster, instructors and fellow students. He attends at least three classes a week including the Tuesday sparring class. We even signed up for their summer camp in the summer of 2023 which was a big hit. Can't say enough great things about this place. They've done a great job preparing him for tournaments and he is an active participant. Full disclosure, my kid has raging ADHD and Taekwondo has really been a positive influence. He's already a blue belt and says he wants to become a black belt and an instructor when he grows up.

Our son took to Glen Ridge right away, and has been excited to attend each and every class since he…read morestarted. For parents, the schedule is super flexible, especially for the little ones having 2-3 options per day. For the kids, the staff are always kind, and hold a firm, stern line with the kids if they are misbehaving, which is always handled well. We highly recommend them to anyone looking to start up with Taekwon-do.

Amazing teachers who are patient yet firm. Such a positive experience for my grandson! Master Lee…read moreand all his assistants wonderful!

Enthusiastic, amazing and professional instructors!!! Facility is so clean and neat!!!read more

My kids loved this place. They were going before the Covid pandemic. The owner is the coolest down…read moreto earth guy "Daddy Cool". His daughters also train there. Respected by everyone that I saw in his presence. I have no complaints.

Pro and cons Pros:…read more-Multiple classes throughout the morning, afternoon and late night -Great coaching -Great environment -Sanitized and cleaned multiple times a day -Coaches pay attention to each student and help them out to the smallest detail -Very patient for someone with me who takes a while to learn Cons: -None