I've been coming here for some time now and really enjoy the community. The instructors are…read morewonderful in how they teach and are just downright caring and dedicated to their students and their art. You're not going to find a better place in the area if you're looking for Wing Chun, Kali or Silat.

Amazing school and instructors! I would recommend this martial arts school for anyone who wants…read morefitness, discipline, confidence or to learn how to protect yourself! These guys are great!

I have been going to the adult classes at the Union Square (Somerville) location for two years now…read more When I started, I knew I wanted to do some sort of self-defense (I am a woman and go out a lot alone) but I didn't want it to be militaristic in style. This dojo isn't. It's friendly and welcoming to all skill levels, and other students have moved there to escape the mitaristic style at other schools and have liked it at Villari's much more. Master Brad is friendly and kind and very knowledgeable, and he is good at making sure all skill levels get something out of the class. You can go up to two or three times a week for the same monthly fee, and they offer special seminars and tournaments as well if you're interested in that. Now a couple of years in, I feel that a lot of the techniques/my reactions are becoming automated, which is exactly what I wanted. Also, Reliable Market is just below for after-karate snacks!

During my glory days in Tae Kwon Do at age 12, I really loved the physical activity and stress…read morerelief 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.)

Starting training in traditional martial arts is the best thing i've done for myself. The…read moreinstructors 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

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.

This is a great class! The teachers are excellent and there are lots of advanced students. This is…read moredefinitely the class to go to anyone looking to try out capoeira or for those visiting from other cities.

Fun classes while working hard and friendly friendly people…read more I've been doing with my 12 years old and we both love it.

They know their stuff! The area is well organized and suitable for practice. A good location too.read more

I have to agree with Sharon's review wholeheartedly! I have been going to Wu Dao for almost two…read moreyears now and have had the best time. I had no prior experience with any martial arts, but Wu Dao made me feel welcome and the atmosphere has never been intimidating. It's easy to connect with other students and it's become a great community. The facility is a gorgeous big hall with an upstairs area. It has wooden floors and there are some bags on one side in the back and a stand with weapons on the other and that's it. For someone whose always hated gyms with all their machines and televisions this was and is heaven! They have pictures of the school's interior on their website if you want to check it out without getting out of the house. The instructors are great and they offer morning and evening classes. I've attended both and have always been very happy. Even though I don't have any other martial arts instruction to compare this to I know that I am in excellent hands. Structure of movement and application of forms is something that gets explained thoroughly and whenever you have a question there is a well thought-through answer. I do Kung Fu mainly for fitness, flexibility, strength, and those things, but it has also helped me in becoming more self-confident with movement in general - my own and other people around me and self-defense is certainly a part of the training. Last year and this year, Wu Dao has also brought in a Shaolin monk for a one or two-week training in Shaolin Kung Fu which was fantastic! Another bonus for me is that the school is probably one of the most environmentally conscious businesses I know. They have everything from the right light bulbs to recycled toilet paper, eco-friendly paint, bamboo and organic cotton shirts etc. and they purchase carbon offsets! How cool is that?

This place is great. My son loves it! Every week people are so patient with him and kind. He feels…read moreconfident and a sense of belonging while there.

If you are looking to practice a traditional martial art, then this is your place. Master Klacko is…read morean excellent teacher, being both friendly and knowledgeable and welcomes anyone who wants to learn into his school. It should be noted that this school is nonprofit, and all of the instructors have day jobs. They teach because they all truly love the art and want to pass it along to those who want to learn. This is not to put down any of the reputable for-profit martial arts studios in the area, but it is just one of the things that makes Cambridge TSD different. Back to the class...you will learn something new each session. Other students are friendly and always willing to help each other out, as courtesy and respect are the foundations of our art. The location of the school is actually in the Cambridge Athletic Club in the Atheneaum Building in Kendall Square. You can either join the gym or just sign up for the martial arts training. Classes are primarily held in the newly renovated "dojang" which is also doubles as the gym's group exercise room. On weekends, there are kids classes as well and parents are encouraged to join. I switched from taekwondo, which had more of a focus on sport sparring, to tang soo do. I find that tang soo do has more of a complete martial art focus, because we train both hand and foot techniques, self defense, weaponry, sparring, forms, and more. Additionally, there is a great emphasis on truly learning the art, the history and meaning behind each move and why it's done. If you're curious about the martial arts, learning self defense, or looking for a new form of exercise, then I highly recommend checking this place out. Convenient to the T and free parking as well.

I met Andrea, the owner, when I was shopping around for a martial art (and secondarily, a place to…read morelearn it once I settled on one). We got to talking, and I expressed my concern that I would be the odd "man" out in a martial arts school where everyone else was stronger, fitter, faster, and, well, male. Andrea invited me to her school to join in on a class and see that there were women--a plurality of men, women, and children--who practiced together. Everyone in the class was warm and welcoming. The folks I trained with made me feel like I had been coming there for years rather than having just stepped nervously across the threshold.

I recently signed my 3 year old daughter up for karate, 1 day a week. She absolutely loves it!…read moreSensei Andrea & Sensei Tina are great with the kids, and my daughter instantly knew that she had to listen and follow the instructions. Typically I don't stay for the whole class, I drop her off and come back to watch the tug of war competition, or her final skills evaluation and am always impressed by how much she attained! This is a great place for kids to learn not only how to defend themselves but to build self confidence and control. Not to mention make friends, because all the kids have been very nice and friendly to my daughter. I highly recommend : )