I trust Nathen implicitly: his knowledgeability around health and fitness allows him to tailor…read moreexercises, as well as to provide nutritional and lifestyle guidance, which meet my specific needs. As a badly aging former punk rocker I can match you shot for shot but I don't understand ANYTHING about fitness: not the way my muscles work, not appropriate or safe ways to work out, ...honestly, sometimes not even the names of body parts--yeah, so that gluteus whatever is a funny word, but where does it actually live under this skin? Plus, I'm stupid out of shape from my desk job. Nathen patiently guides me through exercises: I can't over-highlight his patience, his unflappable cheer, and his almost innate teaching/coaching ability. He alters group exercises in order to build my technique and teach me proper form--while still providing workouts that leave me redfaced and sweaty (just not broken). He encourages me to build healthy daily routines and provides information on supplements, nutrition, and vitamins; helps troubleshoot specific ailments; identifies and helps me work to correct misalignments. As well as slowly becoming stronger I also find myself sleeping better and feeling more cheerful as a result of taking classes from Nathen. I eat more vegetables, have almost completely stopped smoking, and am a bit less inclined toward crazy overindulgences: all also side-effects of the morning workout routine. I live in San Francisco, a 20-minute walk from my work, but BART to Oakland each morning to train with Nathen. I did try a number of classes and gyms in my neighborhood; Nathen is such a solidly good teacher that after experimenting for a while it just made sense to build a little Oakland time into my morning habit. I'm super glad that I did.

I starting attending classes with Nathen about 3 months ago, and it has totally changed my outlook…read moreon health and fitness. Nathen is fun, tough, and knowledgable, and he pushes you to succeed with the right balance of encouragement and regiment. As much as he understands the body, he understands people and the personal challenges that we all need to over come. That makes him a great teacher.

Working with Timur has been truly an experience of learning how my body works, listening to what my…read morebody needs, finding joy in running but more than anything connecting my body, my mind and my soul to achieve my goals. I started working with Timur with a specific running goal and as I started my training I realized that when working with him on my goals, all the learnings and insights were helping beyond my fitness goals, but also nurturing holistically my journey and my well being. Timur listens, holds space, understands deeply how your body works and uses all his diverse expertise to support you in your goals and beyond. I truly appreciated his technical expertise along with energy work, body work, meditation and introspection. Timur is the coach you are looking if you are interested for strong technical expertise and a holistic approach to execute on your goals and enjoy your journey.

Our 17 year old son loves running cross country and his team won the State Championship. He was at…read moreme to get some strength work in and in his words that was dead lift and squats. I wasn't going to let him get into that gym without getting the right advice from someone who knows running. I am so glad we found Timur and thanks for all the work you have done.  From the time he spent with Timur he has developed so much beyond just his running.  His diet, his focus on the mental side, his pre meet prep, his understanding of body mechanics and how that all impacts his performance. He has taken on so much of the coaching and it is going have a positive and lasting impact on his future years. I would have bet $100 he would never eat avocado toast and now I am spending that on avacados and plenty of other healthy foods he would never have touched.

This workout camp is AWESOME!!! If your serious about working out and you need a little push,…read moreDeAndre is the perfect trainer. He is passionate and knowledgeable about fitness in general (martial arts, baseball, nutrition, fat loss, etc.). I love working out with DeAndre because he has or will do every exercise he tells me to do. He challenges you when you don't think you can do more. I've worked out with him after a long day and he didn't cut me any slack - I really appreciate that. He is truly a motivator. De'Andre also thoroughly explains each exercise and what part of the body it works. I have seen results in my cardio and fat loss. You have to experience his workouts for yourself!!!!!

I have been on the path to fitness for some years now. My heaviest being 285 pounds. My best friend…read moreintroduced me to Deandre Walker and I am forever in her debt. Deandre is by far the best Trainer I have ever worked with. I've had the best results from his program which includes an awesome meal plan. It's really hard to motivate and push yourself to be the best you,you can be. For this reason Deandre's self paced high energy sessions get the job done. He is the perfect motivation needed for success. Training with Deandre has been inspirational. The environment he has set up feels safe and welcoming. Not only does Deandre push you to challenge yourself, he also educates you on nutrition. Overall I know of can't lose with him on my team!

I take the cardio-kickboxing class and can truly say it is a kickass workout at a fabulous deal…read more Sifu Doug Jones runs you through arm and booty-sculpting drills, fantastic ab-work (he sneaks Pilates in there!), then tops off with circuit training - bag work mixed with strengthening exercises. Believe me, there is no cure for a tough day at work like beating the crap out of a bag. (Or, at least, trying to.) Truly. Another thing I like is that Doug just doesn't teach the same routines again and again, he changes it up week to week and goes around checking each student for technique - and effort. :) Classes are mostly female, but men work out with us, too. Not a problem either way - sooner or later all the genders are sweating equally. You can buy a book of ten classes for $75; $7.50 a class! (That's the great deal I was talking about.) And then, after I became a regular, there was the plus of Doug and classmates always being glad I showed up. For me, that's an added inspiration to work out. **Addendum**: I started taking the wun hop kuen do classes here in November 2007, and I have to say it's totally transformed me. Not only am I in better shape, but I come away from each class learning something new about myself. Enlightened, even. No, seriously - even if in a small way. Sifu Doug Jones has a stellar background, and is amazing and incredibly motivating. Sihing Damond brilliantly balances technique and practical application. Our other instructors--Sihing Sinclair, Sisuk Teresa, Sisuk Tray, and more--are all extremely knowledgeable and helpful. I know there are many good martial arts schools in the bay area, but I feel very fortunate to have found such a great school and community.

I've been coming here for four+ years now. This place is like home for so many people, including…read moreme. I've come to group classes and also trained with Doug privately. He's an awesome, inspiring, encouraging and attentive trainer. The great thing is that he always meets people at whatever level they are at, and brings them to the next level. So when I've been out of shape, injured or just not feeling great, he's helped bring me up gently, and when I feel strong and healthy he really pushes me to incredible places. It's all great. I have to respond to "The O" who gave a 1-star review based on the "sketchy" neighborhood, but who has never attended an actual class at this place. Umm? I've been coming to the gym for years, at all hours of day and night, and have NEVER felt unsafe. How irresponsible to post a review like that. PLEASE IGNORE.

We LOVE Studio Naga! My 4 year old started training here a few weeks ago and it's been an extremely…read morepositive experience. The teachers are exceptional at what they do-- paying attention can be challenging for a 4 year old, but my kiddo has been able to navigate his training with ease and confidence thanks to his two incredible teachers. Every instructor I've met clearly loves their students and their discipline. And the community they've built is honestly inspiring. Although we're still relatively new here, we've felt instantly welcomed, without any undue pressure to participate in the studio-organized events (like community service projects or potlucks. Although we've found we've wanted to participate in everything because we just love everyone!). A few specific things that stood out to me soon after we joined: - I have a name that's pretty hard to pronounce and remember, yet since we've joined, every instructor I've met has remembered me and my family and greeted us by name. A little thing that means a lot. :) - On Juneteenth they hosted a circle where all the students sat together to learn about the holiday's history, and discuss how to be supportive community members. I noticed that the younger voices in the circle were listened to and respected just the same as the older ones. Then everyone split up to pick up trash in a local park, and they reconvened for popsicles and games. In an environment like this, it's no surprise to me that many folks who join Studio Naga as young children continue to train here well into adulthood. - Their value of empowering students to support and teach each other is very evident. I noticed that even after just a couple classes my son started patiently teaching his younger sister very much in the style of his Studio Naga teachers. Amazing. Said 4 year old just walked by and asked what I was typing about. I told him, and asked if he wanted to add anything. Here's what he said, word for word: "I love my martial arts class sooo much! I wish I could go there all day. I really love Studio Naga. I do love it, and I hope you can come here, so if you want to email then tap on email and then the email will send it! Bye! Done." TLDR: send your kiddos here (or attend trainings yourself!) if you want an empowering learning experience in a strong community.

Studio Naga is a diamond - they treat everyone as a total individual and with great respect. Not…read moreonly do they teach excellent self-defense skills, but they do so while also building strong community. It's truly a multi-generational environment. We've had two kids train here, and it's been amazing for each of them to be supported and trained in such a welcoming and diverse setting. Highly recommend, and they also make it easy to just check them out

Juliet is undoubtedly the absolute best trainer I have had (and I have cycled through about six or…read moreseven trainers). She pushes me mentally to be the strongest person I can be. She helped me put on muscle and prepare me for my first ever powerlifting competition in a safe, healthy, and non-intimidating and very supportive way. Juliet is not only a trainer but a genuine friend and inspiration to many as well. Her charisma and knowledge of the body and its anatomy and musculature makes her expertise and training unmatched. It is my second or third year of training with Juliet and I plan on having Juliet as my trainer for many, many years to come.

I mentor two kids in Oakland and came across Oakland Kajukenbo through the Oakland rec services…read more What a find! Sifu Kate Hobbs is one of the most amazing people I've met - her dedication to helping kids develop through sports is unparalleled. She helped found Sports4Kids and now runs Oakland Kajukenbo (a form of martial arts) in her spare time! (That's three practices a week, for multiple age groups..at least 3-4 hours each time). Oakland Kajukenbo attracts a diverse following - kids from Rockridge and Berkeley Hills practice with kids in West and North Oakland. I don't want to sound too utopian or mushy (I'm a business school student after all), but it's an amazing thing to see. Sifu Kate has an uncanny ability to work with children and can keep over 30 fidgety elementary and middle schoolers on-task for an hour and a half. I know, I've sat in on Saturday morning classes over the course of 2 years now. The organization is run as a non-profit with a sliding scale for membership dues. Its annual fundraising events are a testament to the value Oakland Kajukenbo creates for the community. One hundred to two hundred parents and relatives crowd the rec center to see the kids perform, each donating whatever time, potluck items or money they can. And somehow it all works out...

This was my first time doing pilates (I have studied a number of different martial arts and yoga…read moreover the years, but it's been more than a decade!). I attended a noon class and the instructor/owner Nicole was great - she is clearly a very naturally gifted body worker, and she is also extremely knowledgeable and accomplished when she demonstrates her technique. She is very exact and can explain the various stretches and moves in articulate detail. I would have been intimidated by this, but she is also a very warm and encouraging (read: forgiving) instructor, perfect for a novice such as myself. The more advanced students also seemed to get a lot out of her nuanced adjustments and corrections: She was also able to move fluidly between students with a very wide range of experience and capability. I also noticed that the studio interior was well designed for pilates and bodywork. The space was not overly "woo woo" like some yoga studios you see these days, but also not cold like a gym; it was the perfect combination that communicated "this is a kind and nurturing place, and we also intend to do serious work on your body." I plan to return when my schedule allows and would highly recommend this place for anyone interested in starting pilates or continuing a practice you already have in motion.

I somewhat enjoyed the few sessions here, however I feel for the price, I did not get my moneys…read moreworth. Both times I went there were interruptions because a few other people needed special attention during class session which are costly minutes. I realize that's the down side of taking a class vs private. But a private session well over 100 isn't within my budget. It's too bad Pilates is so expensive because I'd like to try more classes. I took the classes with the owner and she was extremely knowledgeable, but rather than having long winded explanations of the history of Pilates, more attention to the workout would be best.