This place is so awesome to learn martial arts! My daughter (8) and I (45) train here twice a week…read moreand are amazed at the family friendly vibes. Thank you for teaching us hapkido in such a fun way, Master Austin!

I did the 6 week Kut challenge and I feel so much better than I did 6 weeks ago. They give you all…read morethe tools you need to succeed. I was able to go to so many classes and I feel much stronger for it. The nutrition guide was a bit difficult for me because I am a pescatarian and it is very meat heavy, but they had seafood options, it was just repetitive, and I'm not much of a cook (even though they give you a foolproof guide). Therefore, I had a little trouble and veered a few times, and I am sure if I didn't I would have had even better progress. You get what you put into the challenge. All the instructors are super nice and helpful. They will come up to you during class to correct technique and make it a point to have contact with you at every class you attend. They are also great about reaching out and asking if you need any help with nutrition or classes. I was suppose to receive weekly emails, but the program head had some personal matters arise and a few things fell through on that end, but the classes were always available and it was a lot of self accountability. If you can commit to 6 weeks of trying to better yourself, this is the place you want to go to!

I've been training here for about three and a half years. Sifu Chris is a great teacher. Patient,…read moredown-to-earth, and very knowledgeable. Before I started taking classes at the Wu Shu Studio, a lot of martial arts studios in Santa Barbara that I tried felt like "black belt factories". If that's what you're looking for, this isn't it. In my time there, I've learned more than I ever thought I could. Not just about American Kenpo, but in other arts as well. I can't recommend the place highly enough.

Really Great place for learning in a peaceful and non competitive environment.read more

Man this place is special. Not only is coach mike a Great fighter and teacher but also a great guy!…read moreWhether you are just getting started or a veteran this place is great. expect to find a community here, a lot of guys are there often some every day and it shows. Go in trust coach, give it your all, enjoy every moment, and you will not regret any of it. Ps. Jiu jitsu guys 10th Planet santa barbara trains there goated school and goated team.

I came to Valhalla as a student in May of 2021, and am forced to leave this negative review due to…read morewhat I believe to be Mike MacDonald's abuse of the SB community and his students. The intent of this review is to leave my impression of his gym as a person who has trained at multiple gyms; I believe Mike has purposefully incurred brain damage on new students for the purpose of exacting personal revenge on them for perceived slights. I also believe that he takes efforts to evade sanctioning bodies designed to keep people who train in martial arts safe. Anyone who comes to train at Valhalla should be aware of what I believe to be Mike's views on accountability and there are photos below as evidence for my claims. I was training at Valhalla in 2021 when a new student visiting from outside the country came to the gym in October 2021 who argued with Mike about how much money he should pay to train at Valhalla. I was told by Valhalla administrators that this "low ball" attempt from the student was something that Coach Mike was not happy with. This student was very new to the sport and I believe that Coach Mike was aware that he was not skilled enough to compete in any kind of sparring tournament. Despite this, Mike allowed this new student to compete in an unsanctioned sparring tournament that occurs often at Valhalla. This student was paired up against one of Mike's star pupils, and was knocked out three times within a couple of minutes. This new student was so inexperienced, he did not even know to ask someone to be his cornerman for this event. All of this potentially because he "lowballed" Mike; This is not how new students should be treated. In the days following the tournament, I reached out to an administrator at Valhalla (Roxanna Bina) to get the contact information for this student who had taken so much damage. I was the only person to reach out to this student after the tournament to ensure he was okay. This was just one example; other examples include holding one night tournaments where some competitors will compete in multiple fights without an actual doctor present, as well as 200 lbs men being paired against much smaller women in sparring tournaments where knockouts are commonplace. Mike continues to hold this tournament without matchmakers, without medical personnel, and continues to evade letters from the CA State Athletic Commission regarding the nature of his tournament. When I told Valhalla administrators that they should have the sign up sheet for the tournament include a "cornerman" checklist so that they could make sure every single person in the competition had someone with them, I was told that this would make the tournament seem more "official" and that this would invite further scrutiny from the CA Athletic Commission. This backwards logic ultimately doesn't serve the best interests of the people competing in the tournament. There are bodies like the IKF that hold tournaments with registered nurses, multiple judges and matchmakers, and in general have some official accountability. I believe that Mike doesn't want to make the monetary investment to do these things, and would prefer to have free reign over the entire process. As someone who has trained at multiple MMA gyms, I would advise people to look into other gyms in the area for sparring purposes. I believe that Mike views new students as cannon fodder to give easy experience to his more experienced pupils and believes himself to be above the law. I believe that he will continue to allow the safety and well being of his students to take a back seat to his pride and lack of willingness to make the monetary investment to ensure that sparring tournaments held at Valhalla are safe and fair. I believe that he will remove anyone from the gym who tries to bring this to his attention. I will be contacting the CA State Athletic Commission with these same concerns and hope that they will hold him accountable for his actions. If you want to train martial arts in SB, I believe that you can do better than being taken advantage of by Mike MacDonald.

Tried to enlist in a free trial class to see if I like the gym, was told sure no problem, gave them…read moremy name email address and phone number like requested. Thorough multiple venues,( instagram , what's app, their website) Been a week with no communication, I have zero desire to join anymore being treated so poorly. While they actively post on social media. What's app said they read the messages immediately after sending them. What's weird is years ago they were very receptive to me joining I just didn't have time. Now I have little time just want to transfer here possibly but they have horrible customer service now.

Awesome gym, can come in and workout at my own pace ... one of the only 24/7 mma / boxing gyms in…read moretown. Highly recommended to anyone who is looking for a legit gym in town

I had an excellent experience. Very professional with various levels of focused warmup and…read moreexercises. I can't say enough good things about them. They have a fantastic rehabilitation program I discovered while attending Tai Chi class. I wish I had more time to spend with these guys.

Sifu Rafal Brzozowski is a generous spirit; his instruction is clear and he is patient. Tai chi…read moreimproves both my balance and my temperament, and our classes on the ocean are especially fabulous. Our student body ranges from children to "the mature" yet sifu's spirit ensures that there is no competitiveness among us; we practice together even as we each walk our own path. I have been a university professor for three decades and sifu ranks among the best instructors I've encountered. Abe Peck

Best jiu jitsu academy in Santa Barbara by far, good coaches, and students that are really…read moresupportive .

First off I should give reference that I'm Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt and have traveled and…read moretrained Jiu Jitsu around the world for over a decade. 10th Planet Santa Barbara is a world class Jiu Jitsu academy. I've trained with the head instructor Jeremiah Vance for many years now. I can tell you there are few instructors in the world with as much knowledge and teaching abilities as Jeremiah. He coaches UFC champions, Jiu Jitsu World Champions and at the same time beginners with zero experience. It doesnt matter if your out of shape and never done a sport in your life, Jeremiah will help you. If your looking to get started, look no further!

I've been training at Gracie Barra for the past year and its been the greatest life changing…read moreexperience. I've been training jiu jitsu on and off since I was 7 years old. I moved out to the central coast about a year and a half ago with a lot of uncertainty in my life. Let me tell yuh, the guys over at Gracie Barra Santa Barbara have been some of the coolest most influential individuals I've ever met. Professor Thiago what can I say, hes larger than life! Super thoughtful, funny, sweet guy. He has a huge heart and takes great care in his instruction. He's a world champion with the humbleness of a saint. I am extremely proud to know him! Professor Rodrigo, mastermind behind the chillest jiu jitsu scene in Santa Barbara County! He has set the stage for epic jiu jitsu sessions and unforgettable moments. An excellent instructor, shrewd businessman and great friend. I look forward to competing for and representing Professor Rodrigo Clark and Gracie Barra Santa Barbara in the future! If you have the slightest inclination toward coming over and training do it! You won't regret it!

My daughter and I found more than just an opportunity to exercise together. We discovered a quiet…read morepurpose, and dance interlaced with the essence of an honest workout. The ambiance is welcoming, a familial hearth that embraces beginners, seasoned fighters, and those simply aiming for the health benefits with the same open arms. The learning is straightforward, the progress palpable - a testament to the simple truths embedded in Muay Thai. You start as a novice, you grow strong, you become better. It's in this evolution where the artistry of the journey unfolds.

Just went for the first time and I'll be definitely coming back!…read moreGreat, inviting atmosphere, very knowledgeable and pleasantly informal. Master Yun and everyone else was very encouraging and helps you get started. Great studio!

Master Yun is by far & away the best thing to hit the entire state of California in many decades in…read moreregards to martial arts. As a Chinese martial & healing art practitioner of over 36 years Master Yun is one of the best I have ever encountered in my many travels around the globe. If you are serious about finding a REAL Gung fu or Tai chi master that can train you to the highest levels - look no further! As we say in martial art "the hardest part is finding a good teacher". You found him... Sincerely G.M. Joël Castillo