I was visiting SLO and wanted to get some cross training in. Luckily, I was able to drop in at this…read moregym. The mat space is huge and the coaches are extremely knowledgeable. I had some great rolls with the students and really enjoyed the training. Both the instructors and the members made me feel very welcome. I definitely recommend stopping by if you're in the area!

Awesome! Everyone was great and helpful, I enjoyed meeting and rolling with everyone.read more

Signed up my shy & somewhat timid 4 year old son at AKS in Morro Bay. I must say, one of the best…read morechoices I could have made for my lil guy. It has helped with his shyness, given him confidence and even a sense of pride in accomplishing his first Orange belt. Sensei Brian is great with the kids. With varying age levels to accommodate even the youngest potential Karate Kid, he gives each class it's own fun spin & the fundamentals of what Karate requires. How he manages to get a group of 3 & 4 year old kiddos to stand at attention & do some moves that EVEN I WOULD STRUGGLE WITH, lets me know that he is a professional at what he does and has a great passion for it. I would highly recommend this school for youngsters, & the young at heart, alike.

Great fun and great people. I originally came to the adults class to get some good cardio and cross…read moretraining.. I ended up finding a new and amazing sport in martial arts. I love it. Everyone is welcoming, patient and fun. I really recommend this for anyone looking for a new challenge and a great time.

Nick Harris was my personal trainer for over two years. He still would be if he hadn't relocated…read more Darn. Nick comes with all the qualifications and certifications you could ask for in a personal trainer. But that's just the minimum. Nick's personalized programs are challenging, fun and constantly changing. Our programs changed about every 5-6 weeks with new, often interactive exercises. Over 2 years I lost 50 lbs, gained muscle mass and improved all my metabolic numbers. But more impressive for me is is all that I gained in terms of confidence in my body, balance and stamina. I even began boxing with Nick, something I couldn't imagine when I began. Nick quickly discerns what makes his clients tick and maximizes his workouts to match not only their needs but what makes the workout fun. I never missed a workout unless there was a serious issue. I've had other trainers but no one can compare. Can't say enough good things. Lucky SLO! I am 68 and Nick has literally helped me to add years to my life, quality years at that.

Nick is a fantastic trainer and overall health expert. We started me off talking about goals and I…read morewas fairly vague and said "I just wanna feel better physically and mentally." He came up with a exercise program for me, but also paid attention to my concerns over mental health so made sure he incorporated daily tools and exercise to also help relieve stress and relax. Working out with Nick is fantastic. He knows when to push you and when to offer words of encouragement. He genuinely cares about me and is above and beyond what I was looking for in a personal trainer. Thanks for everything you've done for me Nick! Looking forward to our next workout.

Our experience at Gracie Barra Atascadero has been nothing short of incredible this past year…read more Professor AJ and Professor Anthony Agazarm have such a powerful way of connecting with the kids. They really pay attention to each student, meet them where they are, and help them grow at their own pace. It's not just about learning techniques; it's about shaping character. Watching my daughter gain confidence week after week has been nothing short of amazing. The adult program is just as impressive -- very welcoming, challenging, and supportive. Whether you're a beginner or experienced, you feel like part of a team. We're so grateful to be part of this community. If you're considering martial arts for your child (or yourself), this is the place to start.

Love spending time and training with the crew at Gracie Barra Atascadero! Such an amazing…read moreexperience with kind, respectful and supportive people who want to get better at this sport/get a great workout in. Very open and welcoming to everyone. Professor AJ greets every single person and makes you feel supported and "you got this" feeling. Professor AJ and coaches are amazing and love what they do! Thank you Gracie Barra!

Kristin is a QUEEN and teaches the most incredible class. I was in town for a graduation weekend…read moreand took her flow class and WOW! She has such an incredible flow for the class, creates such a wonderful environment for her students, and gave tons of variations for folks with different skills. I suck at yoga but left feeling so accomplished and feeling so centered. The studio itself is so cute, clean, and welcoming. The staff was also super friendly as I was new coming to the studio and they were beyond welcoming. Would come here on the regular if I lived in the area.

My friends and I came to Spark Yoga for a private class for a bachelorette! Heather was our…read moreinstructor and was awesome! She created a fun atmosphere for us, and personalized not only the class but also a great playlist! We left the class feeling recharged and they gave us tote bags and electrolytes too! We want to come back to Spark Yoga with Heather!

Yesterday I started Tai Chi Chuan taught by Randal Bodlak in Los Osos. His teaching style is…read moregreat. I am comfortable with his approach and his interaction with his students. I am looking forward to my second class tomorrow 7 September 2017. After the class i had the opportunity to discuss some medical issues which may impact my ability to do the moves. Robert assured me he has some focused moves which will benefit me in dealing with my medical issues. He seems to care for his students needs. later............

Randal Bodlak is an amazing teacher with a very wide and subtle skill set. As noted by others, he…read moretruly does embody the principles of an excellent martial artist and master and he treats everyone with the same measure of respect, compassion, drive for excellence and gentle humor. I have previously studied four years of taiji, including partner work and the sword set with another teacher, and have been privileged to study qigong with a range of masters and am very happy to call Randal my Sifu. He guides gently but firmly, and works with many age ranges and in several different styles and modalities. I started taking classes with him some five years ago and after a three year hiatus (because I lived too far away) I was very happy to return and amazed to see the health, vigor and progress in the students - many of them some thirty years my senior (and I am no spring chicken). These folks look as if they have been sipping at the fountain of Youth in the intervening three years! If that is not a quality testimonial to his teaching skill and knowledge of the esoteric arts, I don't know what else would qualify. He is a true jewel.

I've been training with Kiryu Aikido since 2006, first in Colorado and now in California…read more My choice to train here for more than a decade underscores the reasons why: the caliber of the teaching by Chief Instructor and founder Andrew Blevins is outstanding. He's not only a talented martial artist, but he's a great teacher. (Not all artists or athletes can teach what they are doing.) The safe and supportive environment allows students to progress and set high expectations, with safety as the foundation of every class. The philosophy of the dojo is to honor every student's path and encourage every student to do his or her best and keep improving. I was a beginner when I started with the dojo, and through hard work and dedication mixed with the priceless guidance of Blevins Sensei and senior students, I now also teach as well as train regularly. I think many dojos can be good places to start the practice of Aikido, but how far can a student progress? At Kiryu Aikido, the structured, cohesive teaching program will help you get as far as you want to go. Practicing with Kiryu has changed my life, and my only regret is not starting earlier in my life.

Kiryu Aikido is, in my experience, the best place to learn and train in Aikido, in Colorado. I…read moreformerly trained at two different dojos and visited another in the Denver area, and with all things considered, Kiryu Aikido was the best experience I found. These are the reasons why: The Sensei, Les Steveson Sensei, and the brothers and sisters in this Dojo are very nice people who are committed to the Art. Sensei Les is an excellent Teacher. He really cares about the learning process of his students. The classes are well designed and organized. There is an underlying rationale in the sequence of movements in each and every class. I never saw such well-planned classes in any other Dojo in Colorado. Sensei Les teaches every student equally; there is no special treatment being delivered to one or two, as sometimes happens in other dojos. Sensei Les is impartial and teaches all aspects of the Art. Sensei Les is also a very nice and respectful person and an active member of the Community. He has integrity in what he does. Sensei Les gives positive feedback and he also corrects the students, when needed. He is respectful and does not make inappropriate jokes about people. Sensei Les is also joyful while teaching the techniques. The movements are taught at a very good pace, with repetitions of the demonstrations. We are able to understand the application of the movements in a martial street context also, for instance, due to Sensei Les's skills. Sensei Les has a very good methodology to teach us step-by-step, so we know exactly what we need to do and practice. Therefore, we don't spend a lot of time practicing something wrong and later discover our errors. Sensei Les is open for questions and he is approachable. He is not only nice on the mat, but he is also nice off of the mat. The Training is martial and very fun at the same time! We are encouraged to give our best! We also have a lot of support! The Practice involves not only the techniques per se, but also includes a lot of the "Uke" portion of Aikido. For example, we spend a good amount of time learning many falls. This is also something that other dojos in Colorado do not emphasize. Falling is a big part of Aikido. Not only that, if we do not practice enough, we can end up hurting ourselves. In Kiryu Aikido, we learn how to fall safely in a supportive environment. We have dedicated a lot of time to studying the Weapons. I have learned more about them in two months of practice with Kiryo Aikido than two years of practice in other places. Weapons were not what attracted me to Aikido, but at Kiryo Aikido, I learned how to appreciate them and developed a "new taste" and respect for them. Sensei Les dedicates a very good amount of time in training to going through what we need to learn to advance and thereby helping us to embody the movements required for our tests. We know what is expected. Everything is clear and there are no confusions. Classes are very organized, and they help us to succeed! There is an environment of honesty, respect, transparency and commitment in Kiryo Aikido. I personally love training in Aikido at this Dojo. I have many years of experience in Aikido. I started training in Brazil around 1999. I trained there for three and a half years approximately. Then my career as a neuroscientist brought me to the USA, where I first landed in beautiful Hawaii, where I trained for approximately 6 more months. After that, I stopped training Aikido for almost 10 years, while working as a researcher in different places in the USA. I came back to Aikido in 2015 training in Colorado. Because I have trained in so many different places, I acquired experience with different styles and teachers. When I came to Kiryu Aikido, Sensei Les received me in a way that no other place did. My diverse background was received with an open mind, respect and appreciation of the Aikido that has evolved with my body of experience. Sensei Les accepted the style that I was presenting to him. He was able to teach me from where I was at, enforcing the fundamentals I had, correcting the aspects that needed correction and at the same time, allowing me to just be myself in this process. In other words, he teaches me the techniques I need to master, while I am also free to express them with my "own style and flavor". All of this happens in a harmonious, joyful, martial, sincere, supportive and peaceful environment. I hope you may be as lucky as I am to train at Kiryu Aikido Dojo!

Wonderful teachers. Great students, helpful staff. I join the SLO yoga center every summer when I…read morevisit. Sha

Enjoyed a 75 min gentle flow class this morning with my husband while on a trip. Couldn't pay…read moreonline and emailed the studio so they made reservations and said we could pay in the morning which was appreciative. They provided mats, pillows, blankets and blocks for a drop in class which was wonderful. The class started with some sound bowl and then the teacher offered didn't positions for each exercise based on your physical needs.