TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Read): I trained here and loved it for ~5 years, until I was accused of a…read morestereotype for which there was no justification. Later learned of many other similar experiences from other former students. If you are a person of color especially, I caution you. It's very good training, but there's a good chance it will come with a price. The current climate we're in of protests and change has made me feel that it is important for me to share my experience here. I had trained in MMA, however gained interest in capoeira due to its African roots. So when I started at CAQ back in 2014, it was a new, exciting and fun experience for me. I met great people who I am still close with to this day, and for years it felt like home. Over time, I noticed more and more people were leaving--and many on no so good terms. Suddenly many of my friends, particularly students of color, were no longer training regularly. I will not speak to their experiences, just that I started noticing a trend. Me, still nostalgic for the "good old days," kept on going, shoving that to the back of my mind. Then, an instrumental teacher in my training who lived and breathed capoeira left. This was the beginning of my wake up call, but yet I was still loyal and continued to train. Until one fateful day in 2019, where I experienced first hand some of what had been relayed to me through rumors previously. I had made a request a year and a half prior to me leaving this school, regarding a student (not a person of color) that I felt extremely uncomfortable around. I simply requested not to do partner work with this person, nothing more, nothing less (everything else would be fine, roda, classes, workshops, etc). This was fine for a year and a half. Then, this person began taking it upon themselves to leave whenever they saw me. NOTE: nothing specific occurred to inspire this, they just began to do this on their own. I noticed, but I honestly wanted as little contact as possible anyway so I didn't think anything of it. I continued to train and keep my distance. I was told that all of a sudden, after 1.5 years, that this request was "too much of a burden" for the teachers. Which puzzled me, because none of the teachers had said this to me, and when I was recovering for wrist surgery, they had to come up with a totally different class just for me and that was fine. When I asked some of the teachers directly, I didn't get any confirmation that this was the case. I was told that I needed to talk to this student, and possibly apologize, because they "were scared" of me. The irony is that I had made the original request because I felt unsafe. Furthermore, I had been training there for nearly 5 years without incident, without even coming close to hurting anyone. I was never uttered so much as a mean word to this student, and I avoided them like the plague. I'm the type to avoid conflict, not start it. Needless to say, I was very upset and devastated to be confronted with being an "angry black woman" for a situation where there was no evidence or merit for such a claim. I felt as though they should have known me well enough (we used to hang out practically everyday at one point, training 5-6 days a week) to at the very least simply suggest that if this student had an issue to address me directly since we are both adults in our 30s. The situation had been made worse by them intervening, and quite frankly, justified my original feelings about the student. I had been given an ultimatum: talk to the student and possibly apologize, or leave. Needless to say, I chose to leave. I no longer felt comfortable training there and terminated my membership. After this incident, and especially now with everything going on with the protests, many students have reached out to me about what happened to me, and to share similar experiences. In short, the training is good (just make sure you listen to your body so you can avoid injury), but this school has a very hard time holding onto students of color, and more recently, teachers of color. While many have made attempts to usher in change to correct this, it still needs a lot of work before it can be a safe space for everyone.

I took two classes here the other month, to get a taste. I'm not ready to dedicate myself to the…read morepractice, but I had a very good experience and wanted to share (with the caveat that I have no real point of reference). The space is bare bones, but the school has a good vibe and the people are great. The instructors were fun, clear, and demanding. The receptionist was very friendly. And the students all seemed to be enjoying themselves and each other. One note: it's intense. I'm active, but the 30 minute, nonstop intro class left me winded, and (pleasantly) sore the next day. I will be back.

Seido is a traditional Japanese style of karate. A number and variety of classes are taught seven…read moredays a week - ranging from foundational through advanced techniques; self-defense; kumite; and meditation - mornings, afternoons and evenings. All classes are taught in a brick and mortar dojo - dedicated to classes and events only at Seido. The curriculum is extensive and the instructors are committed to the progress of all karateka. If you are interested in - or looking for a community to join to work toward becoming more balanced and centered in everyday life - Seido may be of interest to you.

I have been training at Seido Karate for many years and my daughter also trained here from an early…read moreage all the way through high school. Seido operates an excellent, welcoming dojo and is easy to get to as it is centrally located near a lot of public transportation. Seido karate practice develops both the body and mind. Not only for building strength, endurance, and mobility but also for developing confidence and a positive outlook. This is a traditional Japanese dojo where you will learn practical combat skills. However, the culture is also very supportive and it's commitment to courtesy and respect attracts a diverse student body. I highly recommend this dojo whether you are looking to return to karate training or if you are just starting out on your karate journey!

this isnt the school to learn tai chi in a month this is the…read moreschool to celebrate the gift of tai chi and other various internal energy programs. Ive been learning for almost 2 years and the strength/ balance and mental clarity has helped me in almost evert aspect of my life ive been playing softball for 10 years+ and after a year of tai chi and Nei kung i can regularly hit the ball over outfielders heads

After 8 years of karate and 8 years of salsa dancing (On 2) I'm studying Tai Chi at CK Chu Tai Chi…read more I don't know why, but my health is better and my head seems clearer. All great teachers with patience, good form and communication . . . the real deal!

I love this place! I've been coming to Gotham Martial Arts for Practical Wing Chun Kung Fu for…read morealmost two years, and I have to say the atmosphere here is like a second home to me. The instructors here are amazing! Sifu Kwok has an attentiveness to detail that seems rare in today's distracted world, and his dedication to the success of his students, paired with a very organized and structured curriculum, creates an atmosphere conducive to optimized learning. As his standards are high, it naturally follows that everyone teaching at the school is very knowledgeable, patient, friendly, and fantastic at imparting their knowledge. The school truly embodies its mottos, "Improvement of Mind and Body", "Ethical Self-Conduct", and "Unity Among Members" which are printed across the top beams of the dojo where people entering can easily read them. It is emphasized that one should focus on improving his/her mind first, followed by the body, because the mind controls the body, and people should use their heads when practicing self-defense. This flows into conducting oneself ethically, and learning what amount of force is necessary to mitigate a potential threat (learning that, perhaps, it isn't necessary to break this person's arm and blind him/her, maybe I can just put my arms up non-threateningly and say "Hey, [wo]man, I mean you no harm", "Sorry! [Didn't mean to bump you]!", or even, "Get away from me!"--LOUDLY). Ethical self-conduct also falls right in line with Unity Among Members in that there is a strong emphasis within the school that the fellow students are your training partners: treat them with respect. This applies both inside and outside the classroom. The classes are mixed-levels, and everyone is encouraged to work with one another, no matter what his/her levels. This allows for many opportunities to both teach and learn in each class. As for the physical setting, GMA has a nice front lobby for checking in/ collecting your attendance card, clean facilities for the changing rooms (one room for male, one for female). The dojo itself has nice padded floors, as well as the walls with many mirrors on 2 sides to check your stances-- all of which allow for a very helpful learning environment! All in all, I highly recommend this place!

I have been learning Practical Wing Chun under Sifu William Kwok for two and a half years. The…read moreschool has a very strict and structured curriculum. I came to Gotham Martial Arts without any formal training or practicing martial arts but progressed so much ever since. All the instructors here are amazing! Master Kwok is a natural instructor who dedicates his life to teaching martial arts and promoting its culture. His commitment to ALL students' successful trainings is unparalleled. Learning Practical Wing Chun also had a profound impact on my personal growth. Gotham Martial Arts is the go-to place if you are looking to learn martial arts.

I've been fortunate enough to have been exposed to and involved in martial arts since childhood for…read more38 years. In my lifetime, no one person has influenced my life more than Shifu Chen. He embodies the martial arts through every aspect of his life in his honesty, directness, and artistry. Any closed-door student of his understands that Shifu Chen is nothing short of a marvel of a human being defying all expectations. He's attracted an incredible group of people whom I love dearly and have a spectacular amount of appreciation for who have helped me more than they can possibly imagine. Because of his teachings, I was fortunate enough to find success in opening 2 wildly successful martial arts schools. I continue to carry his lessons with me in running another business, raising my kid, and doing my best to live a life in accord with his teachings. Perhaps the most amazing thing, to me, about Shifu Chen is he somehow makes mastery seem achievable because he is constantly working at his craft alongside his students. He is a disciplined, principled, and passionate example of an incredible life showing what is achievable through time, effort, and care.

Wushu, for the most part, travels below the radar; with the advent of more modern movies like…read more"Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon" or "Hero" or "Ip Man," it has nudged itself into the spotlight in modern American culture in a manner which Sifu would call "tai ji style," that is to say, slowly, inexorably, and surely. How not? It has a wealth of appealing qualities. It is dynamic, acrobatic, beautiful, fluid. Building strength, basic conditioning, stabilizer muscles, and flexibility, as well as teaching coordination, muscle memory, concentration, and the manifestation of power, it is an economy of and ornate vocabulary of gesture all at once. Most people, in my opinion, who study this art are seekers. They dedicate themselves to it in pursuit not only of its finer qualities as described above, but also because they are interested in the point of contact between health, strength, aesthetic, and wisdom; all in the richness and fullness of the human experience. That sort of self-scrutiny, that sort of questioning, in the vein of Platonic ideals, leads us to ask, "what it is to be a human? What are we humans capable of?" As it turns out, something that we consider regular, everyday, and ordinary -- namely ourselves -- is capable of some pretty amazing things. It's also exhilarating fun. Wushu is an art that it both solitary and social all at once. Solitary because personal motivation is required, and social because it's a joy to train with like-minded individuals. Which finally brings me to Sifu. Wushu is something you cannot learn from books, youtube videos, or hearsay and conjecture. It is a fusion of art and science and the subject of much research. Every art needs a master artist, and I'm privileged to write that Sifu Chen Ying is just such a person. Sifu Chen Ying has complete understanding and fluency of the art of Wushu, from its traditional roots in philosophy, to its fighting applications, to modern performative skills, to the most difficult and arduous of techniques. Trained in more styles than i can count, in traditional Gong Fu and modern Wushu, he has a wealth of information at the ready to guide a student in the art. Bagua? Sure. Drunken? No problem? Tai ji? You betcha. Weapons? Twice a week. In short, his knowledge, memory, and skill is of the highest caliber. If Wushu is the art that thrills you to the core, if you youtube videos and say to yourself, "man, i wish i could do that," this is the man with whom to speak. His precision of movement, focus, power and control are controlled to the tiniest nuance. He not only understands the composition of movement, the language and syntax and ornate vocabulary of gesture on the molecular level, but he will also teach what he knows to you. Do you want to see things no one else can see, and do things no one else can do? Do you want to understand yourself better? Do you want to learn a rigorous physical art that is as deadly as it is beautiful? Cast your lot with this school. It's a group of extremely dedicated and enormously skilled students who stick together through thick and thin. I couldn't imagine a better place to train.

If there was a place i considered home it was here when i was born i was diagnosed with lower…read moremuscle tone and this place cured it now im a third degree black belt been here since i was 3 its like having a new family

We have tried many different martial arts schools before we chose this school as the one for my…read moreson. 1) Unlike other schools that pressure you to commit long term contract with pricey tag, this school offers flexible schedules, most reasonably priced, and pay per month or program. 2) My son loves the instructors here. The instructors here are very friendly, down to earth people that we have ever met. They are absolutely amazing with the kids and they made us feel right at home. The instructors also make it fun to learn while still instilling values of respect & discipline. 3) This place is clean, spacious & very well padded. It also uses nice thick commercial foam flooring which we love. We're thrilled with our experience here and hope to be part of the Kim's Martial Arts family for a very long time.

The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd job of a self defense school is to keep you safe…read more One of Krav Maga's theme's when defending against attackers is, "How do I make sure I get home safely to my family?" But what if you can't defend yourself from some of your own school's out of control instructors? The same instructors you have entrusted to keep you safe? What if, instead of going home, they send you to the hospital? This has happened numerous times at the Krav Maga Institute on Broadway in Tribeca. I was a student for long enough to recognize the Krav Maga Institute's unsafe approach. This year alone, a female instructor has caused 2 concussions to students who trusted the Krav Maga Institute inside the walls of its Tribeca studio while these students were preparing for the dangers outside on the streets. This same Krav Maga Institute instructor kicked a friend of mine in his groin as hard as she could. Another Krav Maga Institute Instructor sent a student to the emergency room with a facial injury. And, I recently learned that a 3rd Krav Maga Institute instructor injured a student so severely while grappling, that he was out for 2 years. The female instructor I mentioned above choked me so hard, I still have lingering effects months later. This after I repeatedly asked her to take it easy. She responded by telling me that she wasn't choking me hard. On another occassion, she didn't give me time to get the Thai pads up during a striking demonstration. She punched me in the face in front of a class of students. She then laughed, and the group, unsure how to react, took her lead and laghed nervously as well. These instructors still work at the Krav Maga Institute. I, however, refuse to risk my safety in a pursuit that is designed to ensure it. When I decided what to do, I considered a fundamental Krav Maga Principle: In dangerous siuations, you run away as soon as you can. That's just what I did.

I had heard about Krav Maga and decided to purchase a groupon for Krav Maga Institute. I ended up…read morewaiting almost a year to go to class for the first time, but wish I had went right away. I've learned so much and met so many great people in my 2 1/2 years now training with them. The instructors are first rate and passionate about teaching and are friendly and approachable as well. Initially, I thought I only cared about joining to learn more about self defense and fighting, but have lost over 20lbs and am now part of this whole other community. I attend sparring regularly and am confident that I'm much better equipped to handle myself outside of class if I ever needed to. If you want to learn how to defend yourself practically in a laid back environment that's about learning I highly recommend KMI.

I went to Dan with no prior experience, and he has been an amazing teacher. He is kind, patient,…read moreand extremely knowledgeable about Tai Chi. I've been going now for about a month and it's a great way to exercise, meditate and relax at the same time. Highly recommended!

Dan Baum is an awesome tai chi teacher. I highly recommend him. I have trained tai chi since…read morecollege, in Japan, China, and the US. And Dan is the best teacher I've had hands down. Not a lot of tai chi teachers in NY speak English very well and it can be a pretty weird sub-culture. By contrast, Dan is really skilled, very clear, and able to teach even the more complex forms to any skill level because he is really good at breaking the moves down (and also at demonstrating them- this guy is really good at this stuff). This is definitely a more "fun" and well-rounded tai chi class than any other I've taken. In a typical class (I've been going for about 3 years now), you can expect warm-up and stretching exercises, meditation, forms, push hands, and other interesting strength and flexibility training exercises. I've been learning a sword form from Dan and it is crazy fun. He's great about working with individuals while creating a relaxed sense of community. He plays music in class sometimes. And for people who think Tai Chi isn't a work-out, you should come check this class out - it's different than your typical work out, but I always leave feeling like I had solid exercise for the day and feeling a lot more centered.