I enrolled my 8-year-old daughter at National Taekwondo Academy just over 6 months ago, and I…read morecouldn't be happier with the decision. This is the third taekwondo studio we have attended (due to various moves), and it has been by far the best one. The classes are structured yet fun, and the masters/instructors are incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and patient. They ensure the kids are using the right form and techniques, and are diligent in correcting any mistakes in a way that builds their confidence, not breaks it. The emphasis on discipline and respect is clear in every session and extends from the studio to home. My daughter LOVES attending class, and we could not be happier to be part of this amazing community.

Our son has been with NTA for two years. We found this through a friend from his preschool and…read moreinvited us over to check it out. I had been looking for a tkd school or dojang at that time and this location is perfect. We took the introductory class and immediately signed him up after the trial sessions. Since then, our son always look forward to his classes. Some days he would be a little tired from school so I let him take a day off but we always sign him up for makeup classes every Friday. Their schedules are flexible so this school is perfect especially for those who have commitments after school or multiple sports/extra curricular. It is also easy to reserve and cancel their classes because you can do it in the Zen app. One more that I like is that they regularly send reminders to their students via email to make sure no deadlines are missed. What we love most are the teachers and assistants. They are very professional and very caring to their students. My son struggles at some parts of their lessons, but the teachers (master instructors and their assistants) always step in and teach them when they need attention and help. Some classes are big, but they make sure all students learn the lessons for the day. The students come from all backgrounds, different ages and different levels of abilities but they are treated equally and respectfully. This school also instill discipline in school and at home through their home rules. These are included in their character evaluation every promotion and I can say my son does well in this aspect. I wanted to add that their front desk ladies are amazing. I am more amazed because they know all the names of the kids in this school! They are very hospitable and approachable too. My son is a few belts away from black belt and he is motivated to achieve that goal at a young age. Thank you so much, NTA! Big thanks too to Master Park and Master Vanessa for continuously supporting these kids goals in this sport. We are happy to be part of this school and will be continuing for more years so come.

When I first joined Gracie Aliso Viejo, I was looking for something physical. I'm not really into…read moreyoga or Pilates. I love weightlifting and hiking, but I wanted something that would not only challenge me physically, but also benefit me in my everyday life. I signed up for a free trial and after my very first class, I immediately understood why I needed this. As a mom, I often do things alone with my daughter. It hit me that if anyone ever tried to hurt me or take her, I wouldn't have the skill set or the size to confidently protect us. That realization is what pushed me to sign up right away. I'm not the best at it (yet!), but the instructors are incredibly patient and kind. From Victor to Ji (apologies if I misspelled that), they are excellent teachers. They break things down clearly, encourage you, and create such a supportive environment. I still catch myself saying "sorry" or freezing in certain situations, but every class reminds me why I'm here and why this training matters. It's challenging in the best way like solving physical puzzles. If you enjoy testing yourself and learning something completely new, this is perfect. Even if you've never thrown a punch in your life (like me!), it's fun, safe, and welcoming. Everyone is kind and nonjudgmental. The studio is extremely clean, family-friendly, and professionally run. I'm already so excited for my daughter to try soon!

If you are thinking about trying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and have absolutely no experience, this is…read moreyour sign to just do it I honestly just made the jump and tried it. No overthinking. I just went for it. It definitely helped having my friend there for my first class, but I was hooked immediately. Joining Gracie Barra Aliso Viejo has honestly been one of the best decisions I have made. I have put my all into this and showed dedication and discipline working my butt off almost a whole month straight. Jiu jitsu challenges you in the best way physically and mentally. Learning the techniques, strategies, and how to react against your opponents has been such a rewarding experience. Every class I leave feeling stronger, more confident, and excited to keep learning. The atmosphere here is honestly infectious. Not only are the professors and coaches incredibly welcoming, but everyone participating makes you feel like you belong too. Whether you are brand new or experienced, people encourage you, help you, and want to see you improve. The fundamentals classes are just the beginning and there is so much to learn. I already cannot wait to compete and continue growing in this journey. I really want to honor the Gracie Barra family because they have built such an encouraging and welcoming environment. Huge thank you to my colleague Brooke Visagie for encouraging me to just try it out. You were absolutely right because I was hooked after the first class. Bonus too, you get to visit other Gracie Barra gyms with your visitor card which is such a cool experience. I love the little quirks each gym does and the different vibes they bring. Shout out to San Clemente and HQ for the opportunities to train and spar at your gyms. I seriously cannot recommend Gracie Barra Aliso Viejo enough. If you have been thinking about trying it, just do it. No experience needed. Everyone starts somewhere and you might just end up hooked like me

This is a truly amazing place. My son has been going her for about 2.5 years and it's changed his…read morelife. His confidence, motivation, emotional health has all improved. Master Safa, Master Charles and the instructors are all positive role models. They care about each student independently and help them develop better character. This place is my son's second home and I hope he continues to be apart of this place for years to come.

Great studio. Got both kids here and they love it. Instructors are great with the kids.read more

Highly Recommend Jimmy Kim's Taekwondo for Kids! Our…read moreexperience at Jimmy Kim's Taekwondo has been nothing short of amazing. The kids not only learn discipline and respect, but they also have a great time doing it. The staff is incredibly friendly, supportive, and truly care about the development of each child. If you have kids, this is something you need to get them involved in. It's more than just a class--it's a lifestyle that will benefit them for years to come. You'll be glad you made the decision.

Without exaggeration, this place was my home and the best part of my day for over 6 years. No…read morematter what had happened that day I could walk onto the mat and immediately feel like I'm surrounded by my taekwondo family. Some of my most cherished memories were made through traveling all across the US and fighting at tournaments with the friends I trained with on a daily basis. Cheering each other on during the fights and celebrating after your teammates won; those were some of my fondest memories here, and I wouldn't trade them for the world. A great place with good people. Would highly recommend!

Just finished my first month at RYSK Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Laguna Hills--what a gem! After…read moretraining in various disciplines I know how crucial a truly safe, ego-free, family-oriented spot is, so I watched classes for a week or two before jumping in. Glad I did--this place delivers. I've been training both No-Gi and Gi (mostly Gi here), attending the 6:00 AM sessions with competition purple belt Natasha Dillon. She's excellent: clear breakdowns, super informative, and always eager to teach, drill, or roll. I've also caught sessions with head instructor Chico Lima --my personal schedule doesn't always align, but he's kind, masterful, and drops those high-level details that elevate everything. From the classes I have attended they blend a sort of chain drilling for teaching techniques with resistance training and live rolling available every session. The chain drilling here goes way beyond the repetitive one-technique "monkey see, monkey do" teachings some places practice. It forces you to think through your options, adapt on the fly, and see the game from new angles. I personally love that depth; it makes training feel more dynamic and strategic. Mats are spotless, vibe is supportive and humble. I will write an update in a few months on my progress, training, and vibe etc. but I wanted to put this review out there because this is something I would have wanted to know when I was looking for a new training spot. Anyways if you're in looking for competitive-yet-kind training community where you can grow safely, check out RYSK. Highly recommend. -EZ

I dropped in late to the adults no-gi class after misreading the class schedule but Professor was…read morevery flexible in the miscommunication and let us jump in anyway. Great training partners and the culture is stronger, very laid back while structured. The facility is beautiful and clean alongside the location having great scenery! The women are certainly a wonderful marker of culture, all having meaningful things to say about their experiences. Very pleased with the atmosphere, it's a rare balance to find in the BJJ community. School design was great for efficiency in teaching, no difficulty in understanding instruction or communication which I've found to be inconvenient at many schools. The lower belts were the most welcoming and personable to interact with across the board; Francisco was a fun and easy going Professor to roll with and speak to. Rysk was the first gym we visited in our excursion around OC and Francisco was a great pilot to our online series. If you are looking for a place to train in Laguna. this should be your first stop at the very least. I'd highly recommend;)

If you work late and can't workout and make to gyms , you should try 30 minutes Hit.Not even an…read morehigh intensity workout also , you will have fun cheat chatting with the team ! It makes you feel so so so good ! Love you Aliso Viejo 30 minutes hits

I had been struggling to get back into a good exercise routine after doing next to nothing during…read morethe worst of COVID, and I lucked out on finding this gym after doing a quick search for women-focused gyms in the area. I was a little tentative about trying out kickboxing - I had been a long-distance runner in the past and this was out of my comfort zone - but after doing a trial session in October 2023, I signed up on the spot because it was clear that evening that this was the type of thing I was looking for. All the trainers so far have been fantastic, and the ability to drop in at any time during opening hours to get my workout in has been a godsend since my work schedule is a little hectic and I sometimes don't know when I'll be getting off. Being able to get an entire workout done in 30 minutes, and a workout that actually *feels* like a good workout, is also amazing. I'm about 6 months in to getting 2-3 sessions in a week and I can feel the difference in my body. I'm significantly stronger, and in some ways even more so than I was when I was distance running. The monthly price might feel a little steep, but I've not regretted one penny that I've spent at this gym. I only wish I had more friends in the area to refer them to this 30 Minute Hit location to help boost the community aspect of the gym.

My 7-year-old had such a great experience here. The instructors are fun and patient, but they also…read moredo a really good job teaching discipline without making it feel rigid or stressful, which is not easy to pull off with kids. My daughter has ADHD and struggles with focus, and over the six months she attended, we saw real growth. She started using strategies that she had never done before. If she forgot a move, she would close her eyes, take a deep breath, and keep going. It might sound like a small thing, but for us it was huge to see her pause, regulate, and move forward instead of getting frustrated. We had to step away because of soccer and school schedules, but this was a really positive experience and we fully plan to come back over the summer!!

The only thing I can say is that United Self Defense Academy has been a great help for my son. He…read morehas grown a lot and has learned to control his emotions and be more disciplined. The staff are very kind and flexible; they adapt to your schedule and always try to do what works best for you and your family.

absolutely life changing for my son since he began here 3 years ago. Master Marvin, Master Grasser…read moreand the entire team here are incredible! They have helped to transform my son in body, mind and self esteem! Prior to joining, we had tried 3 other studios from Newport to Irvine to South County. I had almost given up and then we found this jewel. my son has had many challenges growing up. Here my son has been given incredible discipline and instruction as well as acceptance and encouragement at all times! My son almost has his black belt! I am beyond grateful!

We have an 8-year-old son who started National TKD a little over a month ago. Our quiet little kid,…read morewho has gotten picked on a bit because he is smaller in stature and has ADHD/big feelings, has absolutely BLOSSOMED here. When he did soccer, he was "that kid," the one picking weeds and doing somersaults while the other boys actually played. But here, he is completely focused, takes direction really well, and this is the only place he physically pulls me towards the studio door when we arrive. All of the masters are very personal. I don't know how they do it, but they know every student's name and strengths and they know who the parents are and come talk to you. You can tell that they live what they do. In addition to learning the moves, they are constantly teaching the students about self-discipline, perseverance, and believing in themselves. Our son is starting to put that into his every day life and school time as well. He is happier, more self-confident and believes he can do it with practice. I can't say enough good things about this place. I wish we could come every day and stay all day and night. The smile our son has when he is there just radiates off his face like the sun.