Hands down one of the best BJJ studios in OC!!!!We visited a few spots before picking Rysk BJJ. A…read morefew of our friends kids have been coming here for a few years and spoke so highly of Master Francisco Lima and his BJJ Studio. My girls were really apprehensive at first and after meeting Master Chico and trying out they were all about it. My girls have been going here for 3 months now and the growth I've seen in them in terms of confidence, discipline and just overall happiness has been tremendous!! Highly recommend Rysk BJJ to all!!!

Great place to train Jiu Jitsu. Our family initially came here to get our 4 year old into the…read morepeewees class, and it didn't take long for me to sign up as well. Professor Chico runs a great program and keeps the space super clean. All the families that come with their kids are great as well.

Sensei Andrew is amazing, my daughter has gone here since she's three years old and has now…read moreachieved her brown belt. She is now involved in storm and loves it very much. This dojo is clean, they teach life skills, discipline and awesome martial arts. I highly recommend this dojo thank you sensei Andrew.

My son and I have been attending this particular Dojo for 2 years now. The main reason I picked…read morethis martial arts style for us is because it takes all the best moves from all the different martial arts styles and combines them into one style. As such, each move has a specific purpose for defending oneself (and attacking back if ever needed). I have done both Taekwondo and Judo in my youth, but I find this style much more preferable as all the moves are useful in terms of self-defense (for example, disarming someone with a weapon in an attack) versus just for show (breaking a board). Not that breaking a board is not cool to see, I just rather know how to disarm someone holding me hostage with a knife or a gun and then taking them out... Sensei Andrew, our main instructor, is just amazing and really good with kids. And we love the flexibility of being able to do private lessons which allows my son and I to get very deep experience within this style. They also take charter funds (charter schools) which is an awesome option for us.

LOMA is, without a doubt, the premier Taekwondo studio in South Orange County. Master Lee, Master…read moreJay, all the Masters and instructors are top-notch--skilled in teaching forms, sparring techniques, and nunchuck skills--all while keeping the kids engaged, motivated, and having fun. Beyond martial arts, they focus on building character and teaching valuable life lessons. Our kids have been training at LOMA for over two years and still look forward to every class. It's more than just a studio--it's a community. We've formed lasting friendships with other LOMA families and feel proud to be part of the LOMA team. We truly love LOMA!

Both of my kids attend! No other sport or after school program has sparked as much interest and…read morefocus than Taekwondo at Loma. The instructors are gentle yet firm and so humorous that classes feel super fun. My kids really get a boost of confidence as students. Its touching to see my daughter hold her head up higher since her advancement to purple belt. They are taught discipline and family values at every class. Im so thankful I found this location and l love watching every milestone they hit as their training progresses :) Also, they offer a trial which is a great way to check it out.

This is a very authentic dojo that truly focuses on each individual student. My two children have…read morebeen learning karate under the supervision of Nishimura Sensei since they were 5 and 8 years old. Over the years, they have become more responsible and independent--not only at the dojo, but also at home and at school. We are very happy to be sending our children to this dojo and highly recommend it to other families.

Sensei Nishimura is a kind and welcoming person who helps build confidence with kids of all ages…read morethrough the teaching of traditional Japanese Karate. As a non-profit, USA Wado Ryu helps to support the community and empowers both young and adult students. I appreciate the work this dojo does, the time Sensei Nishimura spends here, and hope others, both kids and adults, can come and grow here.

Best experience ever. Had a great time with the instructors that made every belt test worth the…read moreeffort. Cracking a rib, my falt for not blocking our master's knee to chest. Now he's police officer. I'm not great with names, but I do remember the ONE person that made me feel like a white belt, Kirt? Kurk? He was awesome and I wish him and all my brothers and sisters the best of luck. Kevin

When I was a teenager, I took some martial arts and it helped me not only physically but mentally…read more I had been wanting to get back in to it for a while now, but being an adult with bills and a child made it difficult to fit in. Once my daughter was a teenager, however, I realized we could BOTH attend training together. I didn't (and still don't) have time to take two separate classes, but with us taking the same class, it works. California Martial Arts Academy is one of the few locations I found that had an adults and teens mixed class. And it's awesome. Both the teens and adults treat each other with respect and everyone gets along so well. Honestly, at first, everyone almost seemed TOO nice. I wasn't expecting such a warm welcome from not only the instructor but every one of the students. But don't mistake kindness for weakness. These classes are challenging (in a good way) and you absolutely come out of each one with a better ability to perform Kung Fu. Whether it's holding your horse stance a little longer, or kicking a little higher, you will improve steadily. You'll always hate doing horse stance, though ;) Anyone in the area looking to learn or get back in to martial arts--whether alone or with family--should totally give CMA a try. I believe they still do one month free trial so you really get a good idea of the place (as opposed to maybe a single class or week like other places may do).

I started with Master Bob in 2011 when I was going through a divorce. I trained with him until 2017…read morewhen my wife and I (we got remarried) moved from Mission Viejo to Chino Hills. My business was right next door to Villari's Martial Arts in Lake Forest at the time. I went two to three times a day and got my black belt a year or so prior to moving. It's tough and it's not for everyone, but I felt I gained a better understanding of myself, more confidence in business and great exercise. You have to be patient with your training, dedicated to practicing and willing to pay the cost for a high level of training - Master Bob is 10th degree black belt. A lot of martial arts is on you. Master Bob can give you the good news, but unless you are willing to practice, get physical and handle a hit, your wasting your time and money. I've been playing ice hockey for nearly 30 years, I've met guys that get knocked on their butt, have their stick lifted (you either know what that means or you don't) or get rid of the puck as soon as someone skates toward them and they end up quitting. Like karate, this is either for you or not. But I can see the difference in how I play the game, the scrums I no longer get in, and my ability to control people without getting a penalty. I would say one of the biggest take-aways from learning karate is learning how not to get in a fight, but you are confident if it should happen that you can take care of yourself. Being an entrepreneur, I think it's a great skill to have in starting a business. Nope, I'm not talking about beating people up, but the confidence you achieve in learning karate is noticeably better in all of your business dealings. I've worked, trained and learned from a variety of black belts over the years now, and the level of understanding Master Bob has of karate is unparalleled. I would say similar to learning guitar from your local guitar teacher or Eric Clapton, they both know the chords and the melody, but you know which one would impart more understanding of the instrument. Also, I saw the reviews. The two ladies that wrote negative reviews never stepped foot in the place. Master Bob is ethical, professional and very respectful. My business was right next door, you wouldn't miss her based on that picture. The second lady with the kid, there's no way anyone gets to a purple belt and goes to another Villari school and they say he's not even good enough for a yellow belt. Master Bob does not skimp on what he trains. I know for a fact that he watches your growth and would not advance you without a strong knowledge of the materials you are testing for. As for the other guy with a negative review, I think he pretty much said what I said, it's either for you or not. The higher you go, the harder it gets, there's no denying that. This is not a school for participation awards. As for "worshipping" Fred Villari, I've been to several of his karate seminars and he was very humble and realistic in his approach. All karate programs show deference to their founders. The second part of his diatribe is unfounded and basically a mischaracterization of experience he admittedly doesn't have. Last, I have been attacked and what you learn works.

If you're going to study martial arts, you need to be very honest with yourself about why you are…read moredoing so. I am giving two starts, because this would be a fine place to leave your kids if you have no other place to put them, for some reason. There are both cheaper options, and more effective places to put them (an after-school tutoring program, a useful martial art, etc.), but it's up to you. At Villari's, the curriculum consists of learning increasingly complicated punch-defend drills. Your increase in rank is determined by both you ability to memorize these punch-defend drills, and your ability to pay for the extras, like the "belt-test fee", add-on materials, patches, etc. When you achieve a black-belt in the Villari system, in theory, you will have memorized hundreds of punch-defend drills. The system promotes a specific cult of personality, namely the worship of their founder, Fred Villari. Classes begin with bowing to his picture. Students are regaled with fantastic stories of Villari's (and the head instructors') combat and physical exploits. Students must buy and read published Villari materials in order to advance. Patrons are told that Villari's SKK was "the first mixed martial art" and is superior, both morally and in technique, to other forms of fighting, ESPECIALLY mixed martial arts and boxing. IF you want to learn to defend yourself, you should study a martial art which incorporates a fully resisting, live opponent. Examples include judo, Brazillian jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, and certain types of Karate. Many martial arts schools in the US are a scam. NEVER sign a contract or provide a credit card number to ANY school, without exception. If something feels off, leave. If you try classes at Villari's, things will star feeling off, very quickly.

Great place to train Hopkido, Master Kim and his black belts are amazing teachers, you will 100%…read morelearn how to defend yourself if ever in a real world situation. Great dojo, great people.

I have been studying hapkido here for over 5 years. This is a street ready style of martial art and…read moreis very practical in self defense. We practice sparring to keep the skills current and ready to use. We follow a hybrid system and practice grappling as well as punches, kicks and wrist locks.

Our 7 year old son joined this jiu-jitsu gym over the summer and absolutely loved it! The coaches…read morewere personable, patient, and experienced instructors. They commanded respect and kept the classes organized without ever needing to raise their voice. Each student was given detailed guidance and encouragement, while also having freedom within set boundaries. The class structure helps set such a positive and comfortable environment. The classes were incredibly well run, and had the perfect balance of fun, discipline and structure. The management is also top-tier. We were only here for the summer (out of staters) and they worked with us to make it happen. We felt like we were part of their gym on day one. Looking forward to coming back next summer!

This school is amazing. Laercio (the owner) is such a genuine, warm, and accommodating instructor…read more The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, and the schedule is really flexible. Highly recommended for beginners and advanced alike.