I've been taking capoeira lessons from Contra-Mestre (read: instructor) Coreba for a few weeks and…read moreI have been loving every lesson. I have spent a few months looking for something physical to really challenge me and help me stay in shape, and capoeira has been exactly what I wanted. For those that have never heard of capoeira, it is a Brazilian martial art that centers around acrobatic maneuvers, kicks and other particularly cool-looking tricks. Remember Eddy Gordo from the video game Tekken? He did this. It involves moving in rhythm with music, and using momentum to kick and dodge. In short, it is amazingly fun to do and really, really awesome to watch. The Capoeira Gerais school operates out of Boston Ultimate Fitness in Chinatown on Monday and Wednesday nights from 7:30 to 8:30. The instructor, Contra-Mester Coreba, is inviting and patient, and works extremely well with beginners (like me). He has a couple of decades of experience and it comes across in the respect he shows for capoeira and the quality of his instruction. I cannot recommend him or this class enough. If you're interested, you can just stop by and watch a class. All it took was one session and I got totally hooked, and I've been thrilled with every second of it. I hope to be learning at Capoeira Gerais for a long time to come.

I admit - I never would have discovered this place, or even considered going, if I hadn't had a…read moreGroupon for 30 fitness classes for $20. So, thank you, Groupon! I signed up with a friend, which I think made it all better, and after we read the description, while I was terrified, she thought it sounded like a great idea. I was very, very nervous. However, there was no need to be. While most of the class was a group that has been doing this together for some time, there were three of us newcomers. One of the more experienced students took us aside and showed us the basics while the others could exercise without interruption. That means that we were able to learn in a more relaxed environment, with a lot of encouragement, rather than being stuck behind a bunch of experts that I would have felt were judging me (I don't actually think anyone was judging me). The other students were all very welcoming and friendly, and extremely nice. No one tried to make us feel like we weren't doing it right (although they corrected us), or we were intruding. I felt like it was OK to go at my own pace, which is how a workout class should be. Capoeria is a martial art, but it's also a dance - a form of expression. Watching the more experienced students, it's beautiful. It's also fun, and an amazing workout. I highly recommend this place. Oh, and since you're in Chinatown, after you burn a few hundred calories, you can get Chinese food. So, it's a total win.

I do not recommend this gym for woman. To me, it felt like this environment revolves mostly around…read moreego and machismo, that's about it. It doesn't feel like they truly care about your progress. I believe male coaches here to be disrespectful toward female students. I feel that any concerns are dismissed. Although they promote themselves as a "women-friendly" space, based on my experience and what l've seen happen to other women here, I would not recommend this gym

Professor Hugo has created a true jiu jitsu community - over the years this place has become a…read moresecond home to myself and my daughter. Love the teaching style - no bs, just jiu jitsu. Train as hard or as light as you want. World class athletes with no ego. 617 is perfect for everyone - beginners, advanced, competitors, and kids. Positive attitude of this place is infectious. Osss!

I've had lots of fun learning Yin style bagua. It is an art that engages the mind as well as the…read morebody. My personal goal was to study a martial arts that draws on the movements, history, and technical aspects of a traditional chinese martial arts, but with clear direct application to hand to hand combat. I feel that Yin style bagua does a good job in uniting those things. Every movement we learn has a well designed purpose. There are no flowery movements just for show. Also Mike and Sean are excellent teachers. Each class is well structured and organized. They do a great job of balancing technical instruction, getting a great work out in, and trying out practical application. From the very first class and every class, the students always get to pair up and try out everything they learn with another person. They know their material well, and have a good eye for seeing why a student is not able to make a move work. Furthermore, Yin style bagua seems to have an endless amount of material. You will never run out of new ideas to think about.

I trained here for a spring semester a few years ago, and the setup and floor were well maintained,…read morethe community energetic, and newcomers matched carefully to make sure they were safe. I plan to return now that I am living in that part of Boston again.

One of the reasons I moved from Brazil to the United States was to practice Aikido in New England…read moreAikikai. The dojo's founder, Mitsunari Kanai Shihan, is known throughout the world for his unique Aikido technique. If you are considering starting Aikido practice this dojo is an excellent choice. It is well located, all students are friendly and the instructors are very competent. I am sure you will be in good hands. If you practice Aikido and are travelling in Boston, make sure you pay a visit. You won't regret it!

THIS WAS INCREADABLE. I felt like I was really connected to my spirit and soul. Best feeling coming…read moreout of there. Will definitely be coming back! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

Their informal "Open House" session is a really good beginner's class. One of the instructors,…read moreJanak, was very friendly and explaining all the nuances and differences between meditation, tai chi, yoga, etc..... I really enjoyed the 2 hour session as it was very relaxing and helped me deal with the stresses in life and at work. It's actually really good for those who are looking for a leisurely activity to do while getting away from the stresses of every day life, and I'm a very active person by nature. Definitely will go back for more classes and fit it into my schedule.

Incredibly warm, welcoming, and knowledgeable instructors. Well maintained dojo with showers and…read moreFREE PARKING! Classes 7 days a week, multiple times a day really accommodate busy schedules. One of, if not the best martial arts community in the area. If you want to learn Aikido, this is the place.

awesome dojo the place is non profit and totally non commercialized. its a place to learn and grow…read moreboth as a person as well as a student. Instructors are all great and friendly and donate their time. i strongly suggest you attend a class to see what its like. there is no pressure unlike some dojos where they try to "sell" you. this is simply a school where people who want to practice and learn aikido.

Very rarely do I feel compelled to write a review for an EXERCISE CLASS, but this class was like no…read moreother. First, John owns and runs the studio so you are truly supporting a local business. Secondly, the class was so intense and a full body workout, however it was manageable and even fun for a novice (and a not super in shape novice, to be honest) like me! Truly a no-frills class, but you're able to focus on the work out rather than all the "extras" this way. The instructor walks around correcting your technique, without being scary at all. But, you are sweating and killing the workout, with lots of help from the more experienced boxers (although I felt bad that I was new and couldn't support the more experienced boxers as well as they probably were used to!) Thankfully partners rotate so that the super intense people hopefully can get a more experienced partner at some point. I will be returning - even though I felt like the worst one in the class, it's truly one of those classes that makes you want to be better and better. Thanks, John!

One of the best boxing classes in Boston! John and Kaleigh are both fantastic and kind coaches and…read moredo an excellent job at teaching boxing fundamentals. Expect 10 minutes of warm up cardio, 40 minutes of partner mitt work and a short cool down. The class is great for both beginners and experienced boxers. Also, if you don't have equipment no worries - John and Kaleigh have got you covered. Highly recommend giving back bay boxing a shot. You won't regret it!

Perhaps the only authentic Tai Chi Chuan school in New England. Vincent and his brother Gordon…read moredeliver excellent one on one instruction in an old rustic loft space in china town, which is somehow exactly where you would expect to find the real thing. If you're serious about learning Tai Chi, look no further. Vincent is an accomplished master that has attained high proficiency in his art through a life time of study, and direct lineage in Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan. He is has been featured in several magazine articles, been published, and travels all the around the world to give seminars. The students at Gin Soon are very open and friendly, ranging from blue collar workers to college professors. I for one am always a little worried about walking into a situation like and finding myself to be an ethnic minority, or in the middle of a Star Trek convention. Fortunately that was not the case here.