I have been a member of Ventura Aikikai (formerly The Moving Center) family for more than 10 years…read more What impresses me most is the consistent quality of the people involved with this organization. Membership seems to naturally attract people who are mutually supportive of one another. Members come from a diverse background and attend practice driven by their effort to better develop their mind/body relationship. Instruction is top notch and each teacher participates in teacher trainings to maximize their teaching skills. Both adult and children classes are given and all levels of experience are welcome. I recommend that when searching for a martial arts program you watch a class and find out if the class is conducted in a safe environment; talk to the instructor to make sure it meets your needs. Check out the teacher qualifications and whether there is a governing body to which the dojo is accountable. I invite you to visit a class at Ventura Aikikai and feel free ask questions.

From the owner: Aikido is not a sport or a type of exercise. It is not only a self-defense class. It is a path…read morethat uses austere martial training to awaken the students true nature and understanding of one's self. Self-defense is integral to Aikido training, along with increased awareness, physical health, and a deeper understanding of the universe and your place within it. Sincere, committed training will have a positive aspect on every part of your daily life. Ventura Aikikai is not a gym or club. It is not a business whose foremost concern is making money, it is a Dojo, a place where the path is taught. It exists solely to provide it's members with the training necessary to meet the world with their full spirit. Ventura Aikikai is a member Dojo of Birankai North America, directly affiliated with Aikido world headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. Training in the Japanese martial arts of Aikido and Iaido. All classes are taught by certified instructors who have completed a rigerous training regimen. Instructors are held to the highest technical and ethical standards. Serious training, friendly atmosphere.

Amazing welcoming atmosphere, such a great positive experience for my child . Definitely worth…read morecoming here , they are above and beyond from going to different schools this is 10/10 Zak Flores is amazing instructor ! Y.H

Dear Jonathan pu'u Muay Thai…read more I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks for the invaluable traveling tips you shared with me before my recent trip to Bangkok Thailand Your advice on transportation, accommodations, dining was spot on and made a huge difference in making my journey smooth and enjoyable. Your insider knowledge and expertise were truly appreciated, and I felt much more confident and prepared for my travels. Your tips saved me time, money, and stress, allowing me to focus on the Muay Thai training thats what mattered most - exploring and experiencing the local culture. Thank you again for your kindness, generosity, and expertise. I'm already looking forward to my next adventure and will definitely be seeking your advice again. Best regards, Ricardo Juarez / Ricky

My 5 year old grandson has been attending classes here for a few months now. His parents have…read morereally been happy with the teaching and class content so far. I have been at a few classes now, and the skills the kids are learning are invaluable. The instructors are extremely patient with the kids, and best of all, it's a fun time for them. Cost is $185.00 for 8 classes a month ( 2 classes per week). The many benefits that I see including focus, discipline, confidence, socializion, and self defense

I really can't say enough good things about Paragon. We enrolled our 7 and 10 year old a few months…read moreago, and they both look forward to the class each week. The boost in confidence I have seen in both of them is very noticeable. Fran and Matt are both experts in BJJ but also incredibly good with kids. They teach the importance of being able to defend yourself, and de-escalating conflict. It is a very welcoming studio.

i would have liked to have taken a class there. it was easy to sign up online, but when i called to…read moremake sure i was signed up, i was only able to reach an automated call system. it asked me if i wanted a call back from a real person, so i said yes. i got a call back from the same automated system! SO frustrating! please hire a receptionist

Disappointing Experience at Morumbi Jiu Jitsu I had high…read morehopes for Morumbi Jiu Jitsu, especially for my child, but unfortunately, the experience fell short. One of the most concerning issues was the pairing of children for sparring and drills. It seems there was little consideration for the varying experience levels among the kids. As a result, my child felt overwhelmed and discouraged, which is the opposite of what we were looking for. Additionally, the focus on teaching techniques seemed to overshadow the importance of making learning enjoyable for the kids. Training should be a fun and engaging experience, especially for younger students, but the environment felt rigid and overly technical. I believe that fostering a love for the sport is just as important as mastering techniques, and this balance was unfortunately lacking. I hope the management takes these issues into account to improve the experience for future students.For now, I cannot recommend Morumbi Jiu Jitsu based on my child's recent experience.

I messaged the place to ask about their prices because I need to know that before attending. They…read moredid not disclose prices, but offered me a free class. I asked about the prices again because I need to know in advance, and still there was no answer. I asked a total of 3 times. How difficult is it to be transparent about pricing BEFORE the potential student comes in?

I have been a Martial Arts practitioner for over 30 years…read more "To conquer others requires strength; to conquer oneself is harder still."

I've had the privilege of training with Graciela Casillas on multiple occasions, and I can say this…read morewithout hesitation--she is the real deal in every sense of the word. There are accomplished martial artists... and then there are people like Graciela. Her level of skill, experience, and depth of knowledge is extraordinary, but what really sets her apart is who she is as a person. She is one of the most dedicated, generous, and genuinely giving instructors I've ever met. She doesn't just teach technique--she gives of herself. Every class, every interaction, you can feel how much she cares about her students and their growth. Spending time at CMA Martial Arts, you quickly realize this isn't just another school. There's a culture there. A feeling. It's disciplined, yes--but also deeply human. Respectful, supportive, and real. What impressed me most is her ability to connect across all levels. I've seen her work with adults--serious practitioners--and deliver high-level, no-nonsense training that commands respect. And in the same breath, she can turn around and work with children in a way that's engaging, uplifting, and full of heart. That balance is rare. She's not just teaching martial arts--she's shaping people. And as someone who has been in the martial arts world for a long time, I don't say this lightly: Graciela Casillas is one of the most accomplished and inspirational martial artists I've had the honor to train with. If you're looking for a place to train where the instruction is world-class, the culture is authentic, and the leadership truly cares--CMA Martial Arts is something special. I'm grateful for every opportunity I've had to learn from her, and I look forward to many more. -- Gregory Poretz

I loved the women's self defense class. So moving and powerful. I learned a lot and I'm really…read moregrateful to have met Graciela

1,000/10 highly recommend. My 4 year old has special needs and struggles to communicate. He was…read moretreated with kindness, acceptance, respect, and patience. He did well and it boosted his confidence! HE LOVED IT. Can't wait to come back! A huge thank you to the instructors. The thought and care that goes into this place and the lessons are apparent.

My 7 year old son loves learning taekwondo here and is so happy every time he is there.. definitely…read morerecommend.

Great Place! The head instructor is a really good guy with a strong mix martial arts background…read more More, he's welcoming, takes time to listen and teach and is a very chill guy. It's a smallish gym, but a great place!

I've been working with Ben and Sarah for about 4 months now learning self-defense techniques so I…read morecan feel comfortable in any situation, especially while traveling abroad as a solo female. Ben always has a game plan for our sessions. Every session is FUN, challenging, and unique. He checks in before and after to see how I'm feeling with the work we're doing. I really appreciate that dedication and consistency from him. He is a true coach and is ridiculously excited to see people develop themselves and the techniques he's working on with them. Outside of this being an incredible workout, sessions work your brain and invite you to break through emotional layers and triggers you may have not realized were there.This work has been *empowering*to say the least. Outside of that, all other self defense or fighter trainees I've met there are genuinely kind and wonderful people. This is a great community to be a part of and I'm excited to grow with it!