At 63 years old (just hit 64- at the time of this review) and powering through the ups and downs of…read moreCerebral Ataxia- shrinkage of the brain stem, causing balance issues- I have learned to persevere through virtually any challenge that comes my way. (Carlson Gracie) Jiu Jitsu has been my strength and inspiration for many years now. It's what keeps me happy, reasonably healthy, humble and grounded.

Here you'll find competition training and a family atmosphere combined. Who could ask for a better…read moreoutcome? My kids and husband have been training here for six years. We love it. The coaches are invested in each individual person's well-being. This is competition type training, though. Not a daycare. Not a place to get New belt every month and go home with a trophy. It's for serious kids and adults only. When you join this team, you also join the family.

This review is for the children's Kung Fu Class. My daughter is a student and loves everything…read moreabout the Hung Fa Kwoon. Sifu Mark and Sihing Mike do a fantastic job teaching the kids the correct form and the importance of each movement. They're both very humble, patient, and always take the time to work with each student. Unlike some facilities that teach martial arts, this is not a "one size fits all" method of instruction where the teacher is up front shouting out commands and everyone is doing the same drill. Sifu Mark and Sihing Mike are great at keeping the kids engaged in their training--training which is focused on the individual and each student is assessed on their own abilities. I think it's important to mention a few things if you're thinking of enrolling your child in this Kwoon, so please keep in mind that Kung Fu is all about the merits of hard work. First, the warm-up, it's a 15-20 minute HIIT workout starting with laps around the room followed by a combination of exercises involving variations of push-ups, crunches, power jumps, squats, burpees, and different types of lunges to increase muscle strength for the legs, core, arms and shoulders. It's go time with one evolution after another. There's about a 30 second water break worked into the PT session, but the pace is designed to keep the heart rate up for stamina. If your kid needs to stop for a breather it's no big deal, there's no criticism, dishonor, or penalty, this is about building up their fitness level and these workouts are intended to push the envelope physically and mentally. This concludes with static and dynamic stretching for the cool down before your child's martial arts training really starts. Your kid will not be learning Wing Chun right away, every child must learn the basics of Chinese martial arts which involves training methods that are rooted very deeply in their tradition and inspired by Chinese philosophy. In this case, it's the mimicry of the Five Animals--physical training aimed at developing grace, power, speed, flexibility, and precision, all paired with balance. The basics are made up of rudimentary techniques, conditioning exercises, stances, breathing, simple movements, and proper body mechanics that are performed repeatedly. No matter what skill level your child is at, the basics are constantly revisited since they are the foundation for strong and flexible muscles that will enable your kid to progress to the more advanced stages. To succeed in this discipline, your kid will need patience, energy, practice, and time to learn every stance, block, strike, and kick. There are no shortcuts, but I believe you'll see the difference in your child's fitness level and self-confidence as time passes and they acquire new skills. Second, Hung Fa isn't limited to the biomechanics of a self-defense system, Sifu Mark and Sihing Mike actually spend time with the kids sharing the meaning of Kung Fu and its origin, and on the philosophical level, the importance of respect, integrity, and hard work. They show the kids the connection to daily life...that balance isn't just about staying on your feet, it's also about having balance and harmony in all aspects of one's life--family, school, friends, work, and play. Hard work isn't contained within the walls of the Kwoon, it's needed for everything if one wants to achieve. That's some pretty heavy dope for the kids, but they get it. Now with all this PT, Kung Fu training, and exposure to cultural diversity happening, Sifu and Sihing somehow manage to make it fun for the kids by keeping up the energy level when they demonstrate their own skills and explain how combinations can be put together with the moves the kids have been taught. This Kwoon is very supportive and encourages children to always be attentive, careful, and not be afraid to try something new. It's trendy for parents to enroll their kids in karate, it's almost a cliché. However, how often do those kids go the distance in such programs before they lose interest and become one of those teens who've forgotten everything they've learned as they hang out at the food court and tell their friends in passing "Yeah I took karate lessons once when I was a kid too..." Your child deserves better than that, if they've expressed an interest in martial arts why not give them a gift that will serve them well in life? I highly recommend the Hung Fa Yi Kwoon and hold the highest respect for Sifu Mark and Sihing Mike for passing on their experience to my daughter..."Yat! Yee! Saam!" "Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all." -Sam Ewing

Instructor is incredibly knowledgeable and a talented teacher. Such a pleasure to train with!read more

I love the facility! I went for a trial class and was hooked. The instructors are great! The other…read morestudents have been awesome. It's a fun environment! I've been in some environments that are so strict that it's hard to learn because you are so focused on not screwing something up. This is different. The coaches are real and they understand the importance of having fun while you're learning. The focus is protecting yourself but you also get a great workout while learning how to protect yourself. I highly recommend this place for anyone looking into Krav Maga.

Next Level is a great place to train. My son and I have been very happy with the school, the…read moretraining and the staff. I highly recommend Next Level.

Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Ocotillo is truly something special…read more From the moment we walked in, we could tell this wasn't just another martial arts gym it was a family. The coaches genuinely care about every student who walks through the door, and you can feel that every single class. Coach Lucas, in particular, goes above and beyond. He doesn't just teach Jiu-Jitsu; he builds confidence, discipline, and respect in his students. He takes the time to connect with the kids on a personal level, and it's clear he's passionate about helping them grow both on and off the mat. Our daughter absolutely loves going, she looks forward to every class and is always excited to show us what she's learned. The positive, encouraging environment has helped her blossom. We're already planning for our youngest to join soon too! If you're looking for a place that combines world-class Jiu-Jitsu instruction with a truly caring, family-friendly atmosphere, Gracie Barra Ocotillo is the place. Couldn't recommend it more highly!

I decided in the new year to sign up for a trial class and check out BJJ. I've always wanted to…read morelearn but thought I was too old, and haven't literally never played any sports, ever, I assumed I wouldn't have any skills to compete and learn. But what the heck, let's give it a try. What I found was a really cool group of welcoming individuals that were helpful, gave tips, included me, and helped me along. Day one I was able to spar with blue belts & much more experienced men at BJJ, but it wasn't as intimidating as I imagined. No one was trying it hurt anyone, no obvious egos at play, just guys trying to get better and help others get better at the art. My take on BJJ: it's a self defense martial art, yes, but in practice it felt much much much more like a dance than a fight. It felt much more like a chess match vs at battle. You do not have to be the strongest person to compete and win at BJJ, but you have to be the smartest. You do have to have superior knowledge. Once you start to learn the way the body works, tricks to maximize your position and take away someone else's power or advantage, it's really a cool thing. Literally, a 125lb female can easily beat a 225lb male in this sport, if she has the knowledge. It's not all power or size, while that helps, it can be stripped from an opponent when you have superior training and knowledge of the sport. That was the coolest part for me to see. A huge confidence builder knowing you have the ability to defend yourself or others, if necessary, against odds you may have once thought not possible. Anyway, I enjoyed my training there and would recommend it to virtually anyone that has been considering learning BJJ. It's a good place with good people teaching a great skill. Just do it.

I'm 77. My reading was overwhelmingly positive about the gift you give yourself as a senior…read moreengaging in mixed martial arts. A friend took me to the NAK Martial Arts family. They have: challenged me, empowered me, strengthened me, encouraged me. This is not a class of just waving your arms around. They truly work on helping you find your true potential. 77 years young!

I haven't been truly physically active in over 2 years, and after recently having a baby I decided…read moreto finally get back into taking care of myself. Luckily, I was referred to check NAK out from a good friend. I used to train in two different gyms in San Diego and would always be nervous before stepping into any Muay Thai gym; due to the seemingly intimidating nature. While waiting for my class to start I was greeted by whoever was walking in and who was on their way out. I immediately recognized NAK was a place of integrity and respect. I genuinely enjoyed every minute of my experience, including the part when I felt like my arms were going to fall off. I am happy to become apart of this family and would recommend NAK to anyone of all ages with whatever experience. I look forward to regaining skills that I have learned before as well as learning so much more.

Love it here! The staff is kind and encouraging. The students are engaged and wanting to learn. The…read morestudents range from 6 to 66 years old so you never feel out of place.

I'm grateful for the time and effort this school has put into my family. What you put into it you…read morewill get back ten-fold. It has truly been a blessing and I would reccomend it to anyone.

Our son has practiced BJJ with professor Quan for about 2 years now, and what a fantastic…read moreexperience. From day 1, Coach has not only taught the technical aspects of Jujutsu but also life long principles of respect, mercy, perseverance, and focus. Highly recommended for all youth.

We signed up for a month-to-month membership for my 5-year-old daughter. Unfortunately, all…read morechildren are placed in the same class regardless of age or size, which made the classes developmentally inappropriate. After about three weeks, my daughter quickly became bored and lost interest. Class times are also very limited--only 5:00 PM on weekdays and 9:00 AM on Saturdays. Most importantly, be aware of the hidden costs: there are upfront fees, and even if you cancel, you'll still be charged for 60 days. Be sure to read the fine print before signing.

If you're looking for a place where your kid can learn discipline, respect, and how to do a flying…read moreninja kick off the couch safely, this is it. The instructors are basically superhero sidekicks: patient, energetic, and somehow able to wrangle a room full of sugar-powered kids with nothing but a smile. My child went from shy and unsure to confidently karate-chopping imaginary bad guys in the living room. Plus, he now says, "Yes, ma'am!" when I ask him to clean their room. (He still doesn't do it, but hey, progress.) Highly recommend-your kid will love it, and you'll get at least 30 minutes of peace after each class. Total win.

The community is amazing and they are so kind and supportive of my son! He's been going there for…read moreover a year now and it's a great place to make friends, connections and build healthy habits.