During my glory days in Tae Kwon Do at age 12, I really loved the physical activity and stress relief that came with punching and kicking. So recently I've been looking to get back into martial arts. I found Oom Yung Doe on Yelp because of its great reviews and its proximity to my house. I'd never heard of this form of martial arts, but the website claimed I could take a complimentary introductory lesson. Why not? I called on Sunday afternoon and was signed up for a free class the next day at 8 PM. That was quick. Not knowing what to expect, I showed up to the small studio in workout clothes, looking very out of place among the robe-clad martial artists. I signed a liability waiver and was led into the practice room by the instructor, John. There were a few people practicing individually in the room with wooden swords and fans. I had no idea what they were doing, but they sure looked cool! Where were the other students in this introductory class though? John starts by explaining the many benefits of practicing Oom Yung Doe. It focuses on connecting the mind and the body. He used to have asthma and back pain, and now they're gone. It improves your strength, flexibility, and focus. With regular practice, people start excelling in other parts of their lives as well (high GPA,s promotions, the works). Sounds great! Turns out I'm the only one in the class. Unexpected, to say the least. And pretty intimidating. But John was very supportive and great as leading and explaining each movement. We started out with some breathing excercises, then moved to some strength and flexibility movements, punches and kicks, holding positions, and finished with some self defense training. At the end, he did two full forms, a beginner and a dragon form, to demonstrate what you will work toward. He's been practicing for 7 years so is very committed and pretty incredible at it. The entire lesson took almost an hour, and it was completely free. The individual attention and professionalism was so impressive. From experiencing this class, I'm wondering if this form of martial arts is for me. I'm definitely lacking some of the strength, focus, and flexibility required, but I'm sure those are all things you work toward. I'm also not sure I'd be able to work it into my schedule, as John told me that they encourage people to come at least 3 times a week in order to improve. The introductory month is $150, which includes 3 private lessons and unlimited classes at the studio afterward. I liked seeing the space, learning more about the practice, and witnessing the personal connections the instructor has with the others practicing. It seems like a great environment to try something new and improve your physical and emotional well-being. I very much enjoyed the introduction and encourage anyone to try it out. What do you have to lose? (Except maybe your dignity.. if you care about looking like an idiot as you tremble trying to hold difficult positions or unsuccessfully fend off a fake attacker.) read more

Starting training in traditional martial arts is the best thing i've done for myself. The instructors here are patient, knowledgable, and warm. Movements are challenging but results are almost immediate, no doubt there was a huge improvement by the end of one month. Just like all exercise , consistency is key and instructors are good at reminding you of this without being intrusive or self promoting. This place makes me feel i belong there and i am so glad i've brought it into my life read more

Oom Yung Doe - A shot of the practice room - Tai Chi Near Me - Everett, Massachusetts

This place is worth a visit for many reasons -- information, rejuvenation, and relaxation among them. It features a simple layout, skilled instructors, and many helpful weekly open-studio hours and group-practice sessions. Instructors I recommend: John and Neal. Surely there are other good ones as well, but these two I have met and practiced with on several occasions. I recommend the Oom Yung Doe to anyone dealing with stress, seeking (inner and outer) strength, or simply exploring their martial arts training options. Definitely worth a visit! read more

I started Oom Yung Doe when I was 62 years old. I came to it with knees with no miniscus and arthritis, achilles tendonitis, ADD and OCD. After 4 years of practice, my knee problems are gone and my psychologist of 20 years told me that I should stop seeing him because my control of my ADD and OCD had so greatly improved in the past few years. A half year back, a friend came over to me and told me that I looked great. I responded that i was the same weight as when he saw me the year before. He replied that it had nothing to do with weight. It seemed that i was carrying myself differently and projecting a different energy than I did. Thank you Oom Yung Doe. read more

I came upon this school while I was walking in North Cambridge for one of my acupuncture appointments, I was going to acupuncture because I had persistent pain in my upper back from shoulder to shoulder , my neck (pain so debilitating that I did not want to check my side mirrors while driving) and occasionally my lower back as well ( felt like a disc was getting pinched in my spine as I'd lean forward). There is a sign on the school's front window which says; "If you seek average, go else where. If you want excellence, step in." ..Having martial arts training already in mind, I had to step in. We scheduled a 1-on-1 intro lesson with head instructor Jon, after which I signed up. It has been about three months since that day and I am in a better place today both mentally and physically, my pain(s) is gone and I am experiencing higher self confidence(to say the least). Shortly, Oom Yung Doe practice teaches 8 martial arts as one, this means that I get to learn Kung Fu one day and practice with Samurai sword the next and it could be Udo or Ai Ki Do after that. I don't think you get that at many other places. Needless to say this keeps the practice very engaging. You can attend every class and you are welcome to come in at any time when school is open to practice what you learned or learn something new from head instructor Jon (great teacher with great attitude). I am 28 years old and my sports background thru my life consists of basketball, soccer, tennis, skiing, kickboxing, yoga and the gym.. I have worked out with many different trainers in many different ways so far and I can say that in three months I added way more to myself here than I did anywhere else. The classes in this school give you very efficient and balanced workouts, your body develops as a whole unit rather than leaving some parts trailing as it so often happens while lifting weights or practicing other sports. My knees ( genetically not the best part of my body) now feel stronger than they ever did before, I am much better on my legs now, my upper body has usually been my stronger part and that's getting stronger and better toned too. I am more graceful and have much better coordination than I did three months ago and I can feel these improvements in my everyday life. On top of all this you really learn how to defend yourself in many ways which definitely changes your mindset and overall vibe. Everyone gets individual attention during the classes based on where they are in their practice, its a great environment to learn. I love what I learn here and after each class I find myself craving to learn more. I highly recommend this school to anyone seeking to improve themselves. read more

I was lucky enough to be invited to a free workshop for my triathlon team a little while back. The workshop they provided for us was fantastic! It was a challenging series of exercises that really made you think about training breath and flexibility and balance in a way that we may not be used to when otherwise cross training for tris. I've tried a few different types of martial arts classes in the past since I have had both ankle and knee injuries and wanted to work on regaining some balance and proprioception I don't have on one side, but I've found them uncomfortable or exacerbating old injuries or just moving too fast for someone who can't balance on one side. I have to admit that I got discouraged and just stuck to yoga. Oom Yung Doe was different - it really was a very welcoming environment and the instructors were quick to show me some modifications and explain the key elements to start with for things my body couldn't get right off the bat to get my whole body engaged despite not being able to bend my knee very far. Basically, my experience was that of a challenging but nurturing environment with a really fluid/balanced exercises that even a girl a couple months post-knee surgery could do without getting discouraged. I'm full on into training for a specific event right now, but hope to try a full month of Oom Yung Doe after the big event later this year. It's been on my mind ever since that one day last season. read more

I have now been training at OYD for 5 months now. I don't usually write online reviews, but I have gained so much more than I expected here I thought I would share. What struck me first when I joined OYD is the dedication of the instructors. They really take a deep interest in how you are doing - what your goals are, what particular problems you may be facing - and they clearly spend a great deal of time preparing each lesson and thinking about what each individual has to gain from it. As a teacher myself, I was really struck by the feeling that these people really cared about my progress, that each of them is motivated by wanting to improve the lives of others. The curriculum at OYD is extremely well thought out. You'll have specific things you will be working on regularly, but there is always variety - you are always challenging yourself, developing new skills, and trying new things - whilst also developing on the core skills you need most. I don't think there has been a single training session in which I haven't learned something new, and there is a really clear curriculum that helps you see where you will be if you keep putting in the effort. To be honest, when I first joined OYD I wasn't in great shape. I had been trying for a long time to get fit - but after a few weeks running or going to the gym or whatever else, I would always get bored or lose motivation. Each class at OYD begins with whole-body conditioning, which in the space of a month or two completely changed my fitness level. In addition to physical fitness that is common to any class, there is also a strong emphasis on 'internal' martial arts here - on breathing and energy. Although I have attended a lot of Taichi and Qigong classes elsewhere, this is the first time I'm actually feeling this really working, gradually deepening my focus and increasing my energy levels throughout the day. There is a wonderful balance at OYD between the internal and the external. Finally, after trying all kinds of fitness classes, I realized the most important thing for me was simply to have fun. If I wasn't enjoying the vibe in a class, I would always burn out after a couple of weeks. I'm loving training at OYD, the people I get to spend time with there, and the wonderful variety of skills to learn. I just want to keep coming back. I highly recommend Oom Yung Doe if you are interested in learning martial arts, getting fit, improving yourself, or just having fun and learning something new. read more

I love practicing at OYD. I am doing things at my age ( in my 60's) I didn't think, because of SO many injuries over the years, I'd ever be able to do again. I joined OYD 4 and a half months ago. I attend class 5-6 times a week! That my muscles and joints feel recovered enough over night to practice so often speaks to the fact that this not your average gym membership. This is an intact, chi (energetic) system based on a tradition of principles that help develop, restore and heal the whole system. I am in better mental and physical shape with increased endurance, flexibility and mental ease than I can remember. The instructors are superb; dedicated, profoundly skilled, respectful and kind. Old ladies and young lions and lionesses receive the same amount of attention and teaching. My fellow students are remarkable. We help each other along and show the kind of thoughtfulness and respect that if we all lived like this, this world would really be a better place. read more

Oom Yung Doe is the deepest form of movement I have encountered in my life. Combined with meditation, practicing Oom Yung Doe has given me the strength to change my life for the better. Having exercised my entire life, surfing, running, weight lifting and sports, i still found myself in mediocre shape, mentally and physically. At 25 years old it was hard to kick all the bad habits i picked up during my college years, mainly drinking and smoking. Working in the service industry left me fatigued and depressed. I started seeking out deeper forms of exercise, i started with Bikram Yoga and then Baptiste and found what I was looking for at the Oom Yung Doe School in Somerville. Mainly, personal attention from highly skilled instructors and the possibility of continuously improving my condition, mentally and physically, without any limits, as opposed to a routine and rudimentary class without individual instruction. Meditation is something i have been practicing since high school, again, i have been exercising most of my life. Never have i encountered a school that combines both of these elements, mental, physical (and spiritual) in a way that dramatically changes your physical and mental self in such a short period of time. Now, i find myself smiling more, laughing harder, cursing less, smoking less, drinking less- i find myself less stressed at work and more capable in all aspects of my daily life. I have been practicing for almost 6 months, and since then improvements have been made in my relationships= family, friendships, romantic, work; my living situation and my personal habits. I have been promoted at work and I am proud of myself. i do not know if i ever felt this way in my life. Not only have i learned movements that i can use every day at any moment to clear my mind, but i have made a group of friends within the school who help motivate and inspire each other to be better people. I recommend Oom Yung Doe to anyone who genuinely wants to change their mind and body for the better and to push themselves to test the limits of their human potential. If you just want to 'get in shape', stick to the gym. read more

The facility is clean and well kept.. with a bazillion photos of people (Instructors presumably) who have never set foot on the grounds doing a bunch of unbelivable things. The young man behind the desk wasn't exactly welcoming- I'd been by the place a few times and recieved nothing but leery glances out the window from him, it's possible this tainted my most recent encounter. When he finally did perk up and say hello was when I'd almot gotten myself all the way to his office door (he'd just sat down to dinner.. at his desk..? which could have been why he wasn't thrilled to see me). We talked for a while about what they teach there and I was surprised to note that during our conversation he never really asked me if I had any experience or particular interest beyond taichi- which he wasn't comfortable talking about. He demonstrated some things which were pretty neat-- he was skilled surely, both with the sword and open handed. But when I asked to see his taichi (that being primarily what interested me about this place) he directed me to the window television display where someone else who had probably never set foot in the school was doing what he told me was taichi. A strange experience for sure. I'm sure this place has a lot of great things going on-- his movement looked pretty good and he was really enthusiastic and greatful about and for his practice. Just felt weird. ... he also used my name a lot.. which freaked me out. There wasn't a class going on so I don't have any idea how 'business as usual' looks like at this place-- still.. just weird. read more

I started studying at the Oom Yung Doe school, located in Davis Square, for almost 2 years now. I joined about the same time I enlisted in the National Guard, as a way to stay in shape. The experience has been invaluable to me. Besides the health benefits and stress relief I've experienced since taking classes, I have been able to better focus and apply myself to the challenges I've faced. The instructors and great and can develop a lesson plan to fit any level of experience or physical condition. Anyone looking for a way to improve themselves should take the time to try a lesson. read more

I recently started practicing Oom Yung Doe in this location. I have to say I am so pleased, that now I am sure this will be part of my life from now on. Jon, the House Instructor is a fantastic teacher! The people that attend are, as you would expect with a martial arts discipline, super respectful and accepting of everyone who comes, newcomers and old. I have been battling chronic fatigue for a couple years, and this practice has energized me like I haven't felt in so long! read more

This review and my praise for the school of Oom Yung Doe is long overdue! My son has been training with assistant regional head instructor Andrew for several years. Andrew is commendably patient with kids of various ages and abilities, very knowledgeable and skilled both at teaching and in the art of this martial discipline; the classes are always very efficient and organized; and I can clearly see great improvements in my son's physical stamina and strength, coordination, and overall self-confidence. read more

I decided to try Oom Yung Doe based off Yelp reviews after attending another local martial arts school for a few months and not making much progress in terms of fitness/martial arts skill/change in mindset. I am SO glad I took the leap and emailed one of the instructors at Oom Yung Doe. After only 2 months of training my condition has changed immensely and I have a half of a notebook full of new skills. I even did a really basic form at a local tournament (which was so fun and recalled all those exciting jitters of sports/performing arts growing up). The community is diverse and inclusive (if you're new to the area, this would be a great way to meet new friends!). The instructors are skilled and more importantly are completely dedicated to what they do. They will individualize your lesson based on your ability and play to your strengths while helping develop areas of weakness. At my last school I felt "stuck" with a group of new students, but here I have been able to progress quickly. The adult class in North Cambridge includes students ages 14-60+! We laugh a lot while still getting serious martial arts training. This place is the real deal. I can't imagine you won't find what you are looking for here. read more

The school has a highly energeic and welcoming feel when you first walk in. You will be greeting immediately by a 2nd degree black belt instructor who will take the time to understand your personal goals. Based on your goals, the instructors will recommend a program. Their unique method of tailoring each program to each student's goals and needs is amazing. Once you are on a program, the Instructors will continuously adapt the program to your abilities and needs. I feel I have a personal trainer every time I practice. You are also regularly instructed by 8th degree black belt International instructors. I highly recommend this school to anyone looking to improve their physical and mental well being, looking for self-defense training, or looking to improve their overall health. I have been studying at Oom Yung Doe for about 8 months now. I have seen a dramatic increase in my energy, my focus, my physical strength and my flexibility. The improvements have also been noticed by my friends and family. I'm glad I found this school. It's worth checking out! read more

Really solid training center. Kind of unique to find a traditional martial arts school. I've looked around Boston at lots of different styles and have been very pleased with my experiences at Oom Yung Doe. The instructors are powerful and genuine as practitioners and the system seems very deep. Excited to have found these guys. Thanks. read more

I was recently in Boston visiting friends. One of them has been training at this location in Davis square for sometime now and finally talked me into coming in for some training. I do yoga and rock climb so I'm pretty active, but this was different. There was a focus on connecting breath to movement as we went through a rigorous routine. At first, like anything new, i felt awkward, but the instruction, atmosphere, and message they are conveying was top notch. I definitely can recommend this place for anyone looking for something different, challenging, and more rewarding than your typical gym or step class. read more