Fantastic instruction from top notch, well trained and friendly instructors! Loved my experience…read morehere. Will be coming back for more training once my schedule clears up again. The instructors were great, the people taking the classes were really nice and everyone was so helpful. From the very first class I attended we jumped right in and were learning new skills. I'd recommend this martial arts school to anyone looking to learn some basic skills, self-defense, or even more advanced training. It's fun and could even be used just to develop confidence and fitness. Great experience here.

I found UMAA sometime during my senior year of college at USF. I had previously trained with a few…read moreKarate and TKD schools in Northern California, became familiar with the existence of JKD, and wanted very much to study JKD concepts. Fortunately, I was able to participate in both regular and private lessons with Professor Hundon before I had to leave San Francisco. While I was with UMAA, Professor Hundon and his assistant instructor Beki helped me achieve a better understanding of proper footwork, economy of motion, centerline theory, proper head and body positioning, and the importance of being aware of my surroundings. One of the most interesting things that I encountered, as one of Professor Hundon's students, was the fact that he seems to take a musical approach to helping students understand movement in the context of combat. It was a very interesting approach, and I really enjoyed it. I feel that the 45+ years of martial arts experience that Professor Hundon has, coupled with his extensive study of various arts (Kenpo, Jujitsu, Capoeira, Jeet Kune Do and more), has afforded him the ability to offer one of the most well-rounded programs in the Bay Area. My instruction was second to none, and I really wish that I still lived in San Francisco. Aside from instruction that was nothing short of the best I've ever had, the thing I'll miss most about UMAA was how tightly-knit everyone was. I can remember a handful of times just sitting around after class, with Professor Hundon and Beki, and sharing experiences, stories, philosophies, laughs, and even advice. That was an experience I didn't have with other schools with which I've been affiliated. Instructors at UMAA are very approachable. They care. I never got the sense that I was just another check, at the end of the month, for Professor Hundon. This program is well worth checking out. I highly advise giving it a chance. You'll be glad you did.

The Aikido Institute is an amazing place to practice aikido. The dojo is a great community centered…read morearound learning in a safe and dedicated environment. The senseis are of high levels and the students from every horizon of life. I've practiced aikido on and off in different countries and both teachers and students rekindled my love for the sport through kindness and dedication. Classes are composed of people of different ages, men / women, teenagers, adults. Very family friendly. There are kids classes on weekends before the adult class. It is also easy to access and park around since the parking meters have been disabled in the area, and there are plenty of public parking spots thanks to the various churches around.

The Aikido Institute of San Francisco is a great family dojo…read more The instructors are kind and patient when teaching. The scale the type and level of teaching to fit the age and level of the student. If the student is younger or less experienced they are treated in a more gentle manner and instruction is more focused. If the student is experienced, instruction is better described as traditional. Additionally, the instructors always ensure that younger students get picked up by a guardian. The dojo itself is a tad small, but it can accommodate approximately 15 students per class comfortably. Any more students and everyone is pressed for space.

I was a student for three years at Zen Budokai until my health and financial situation no longer…read morepermitted me to take classes. During that time I achieved my blue belt. Classes are small, with lots of personalized attention. Both Professor Tim and Sensei Ned run classes well, come up with great drills, and always have insightful feedback about ways to do techniques better. The other regular students were also fantastic. As (usually) the only woman in the class, and a small one to boot, I was initially worried about not being taken seriously. However, the feeling in the class is very fraternal. As soon as students have their first belt, they take turns teaching students at lower levels. In this way, students are familiar with and feel responsible for each other's progress. It also keeps techniques you learned a while back fresh in your mind, and you keep improving them as you teach them. I never felt uncomfortable and made friends with several classmates. No macho BS. This is not Brazilian Gracie jujitsu, and not focused on competition, but a smaller school focused on effective self-defense, perfecting techniques, avoiding injury and mutual respect. If you are not familiar with jujitsu, it's good to note that unlike karate or kung fu, which are striking arts, jujitsu focused on close-in fighting, mat wrestling, throws, holds, escapes and joint locks. I chose it because as a small woman, I'll never have the striking reach of a larger opponent. Any tussle I get into will wind up with someone trying to pin or hold me down. Thanks to my classes at Zen Budokai, I know how to deal with these situations. I hope that if someone attacked me, god forbid, I wouldn't panic and freeze, but would know that I could escape and incapacitate my attacker. Once I got good at some throwing techniques and learned how to use weight and leverage to my advantage, I could throw a 250-lb classmate over my head. I'm 5'2", 120ish lbs. That's just kinda cool. I would recommend classes at Zen Budokai to anyone interested in learning self-defense techniques in a respectful, encouraging and fun environment. I hope I can one day return to the school myself.

I was a direct student of the founder, Raymond "Duke" Moore [RIP], at the original dojo on Market…read moreSt., 1962-1974. I respectfully & wholeheartedly commend Tim Delgman, Irving Lee. Doug Haight, Clint LeMay and Scott Moresi for continuing and promoting the rich philosophy and traditions of the martial arts presented to us by Moore Hanshi. Apply yourself to make the most of this experience, keep an open mind and ask questions. This is where I started. "Minimum effort, maximum efficiency".

When you build an environment of respect, teamwork, and fun among the kids, it really shows! Highly…read morerecommended for their personal and physical growth!

We love Bill Grossman's School of Kenpo Karate. My son has had such a great experience. The…read moreinstructors are patient, encouraging, and really know how to connect with kids while teaching discipline, respect, and confidence. The classes are structured but still fun, and we've seen a huge boost in both skills and self-confidence. There's also such a beautiful community of families--especially a wonderful group of Latina moms who sing birthday songs, cheer the kids on, and genuinely enjoy spending time together while watching the classes. It creates such a warm, supportive environment. Highly recommend for any family looking for a positive martial arts program for their kids!

All i can say is WOW.My son has been attending Sensei Lees classes for approx 2 months now.He looks…read moreforward to every class and even wants to arrive early.Sensei Lee is unbelievable with the handling of his students.I would recommend his class for any age or gender.I am so glad that we found Sensei Lee. THANK YOU SENSEI LEE YOUR HARD WORK AND COMMITMENT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!!!!!!!

Sensei Lee is the kindest christian man and a tough, experienced black belt. I am the mother of an…read more18 year old autistic young man. When he was young we had a horrible experience at another dojo! The Sensei was cruel and wouldn't even treat him with a shred of kindness. When he found swimming was his passion I channeled his spirit into that sport. I had my first daughter MiaBella and she just blossomed in Kinder Kicks. Once it came time for her to advance she was nervous about it. She has gotten into other sports and interests since. Now I have a head strong little fiery girl named Layla. Sensei Lee is now instructing her and her friends! Thank You Sensei Lee for what you give to our community. We have the utmost respect for you and wish you continued success! Pacifica needs more people like you.

As I'm closing in on my first year at the school, I felt it a good time to convey how happy I am to…read morehave joined. The community of students here has been very welcome among both newcomers, veterans, and returners. I gotta start with my teacher, Sifu Philip Wong. It's easy enough to see his credentials, as there are many and well-published. What I did want to capture is how he interacts with the class I'm in. We have a spectrum of students across different ages and martial arts experience levels and he makes sure to get the best out all of us. He finds ways to get us to push ourselves a little more each day and is very present to ensure our forms are correct. And he genuinely cares about his students as people, able to connect with anyone from a variety of backgrounds. The facilities and gear are high-quality and up-to-date. There's plenty of sparring gear for different purposes; whether it's hand-held for punches or kicks, or padded dummies, it's great to have something for every need. And my thanks the top-of-the-line floor mats the school uses can't be expressed enough. As I'm pushing 50, making sure that the mats can provide me traction when we warm up, stability when we strike, and cushion when we practice falls is very important to me. I can feel safe, not worry about injury, and focus on the exercises. And bonus points for the workout playlist that makes me feel like a kid again.

Sifu Zhang is, IMHO, the very best Beijing-style martial artist in the Bay Area. She is extremely…read moreknowledgeable in so many forms of Wushu. But also able to demonstrate correctly and exactly.

My son learns a great deal from sifu Koa. You can tell that the instructor is extremely…read moreknowledgeable, and takes his craft seriously. It's a good place to learn kajukenbo.

I'm so glad to have found Soko Joshi. It is such a joy to be in the class and learn from sensei…read moreWilina.

I have been with this judo club for a year and the sensei / teacher (Wilina) and her students have…read morebeen truly welcoming, kind and knowledgeable. Unlike other judo dojos that are geared primarily around competitions and only teach a few techniques very well, this dojo is focused on giving instructions on all of the techniques so you get to learn a lot more than at any other place. Practice is conducted in a way that is respectful and unlikely to lead to injury. They also allow potential students to sit in on a few classes to learn what judo is all about before enrolling. Wilina and the other black belt students who help out are all volunteers and they're doing this to pass on the judo tradition that was started by Keiko Fukuda (who used to be the highest ranking woman in judo globally). You can tell that they truly care about the practice of judo, each other, as well as all incoming new students. I would highly recommend enrolling if there's interest!