I studied at Puma Karate from mid-elementary school (late '90s) through late high school ('09), and…read moreI earned a green belt with a black stripe. I could have gone further, but I got distracted and took a few years off and had to backtrack before leaving Simi for college. The years I spent here have made me confident that if I am forced into a combative defensive encounter, I will fair much better than I would if I hadn't spent years training. It's been years since I've taken a class, but the movements are still hardwired - I know how to correctly throw a punch and how to interpret an opponent's movements. I was always challenged physically and mentally in my classes. Technique classes pushed me to overcome physical exhaustion and pain and instead focus on practicing techniques with maximum power and correct form. Studying kata taught me precision, waza classes developed my defensive instincts, and sparring classes taught me how to time defensive and offensive maneuvers. During my last year with Puma, I took BJJ classes, which expanded my arsenal of techniques. I'm short in stature, but the techniques I learned and the experience I gained while rolling allow me to overcome this by taking opponents to the ground and defeating them through leverage and agility. Puma struck a really good balance between developing hard ability and developing the person. Instructors were always demanding but compassionate; you always knew they cared about you as an individual. Even though as a teenager I slacked in my efforts, they were always willing to help me bring myself back to my highest potential. I really regret becoming distracted as a teenager, because I know that if I had really engaged my training, I could have achieved a sense of accomplishment that would be grounded in reality. In the ten or so years I spent at Puma, I watched students become black belts, and those students developed unquestionable ability and confidence. I know of numerous students from Puma who have been forced to defend themselves, and their training has allowed them to avoid terrible outcomes - people who could have been seriously physically harmed, even kidnapped, and they were able to defend themselves quickly and effectively. Sensei Fisher, who now runs the dojo in Big Bear, provided a hard, disciplined, traditional training environment. More recently in my training, Sensei Abraham expanded on Sensei Fisher's foundation, incorporating Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and engaging students even more thoroughly. I've never been let down by my instructors. Black-belt Senpai, especially Mr. Scott, have very effectively engaged students on a personal level, helped them find holes in their individual technique patterns, and motivated them to improve. As cheesy as it may sound, Puma Karate always felt like a family to me - people who cared about me and wanted me to become the best version of myself and demanded that I work hard and focus, but people who also understood that I was a human going through personal struggles and wanted to help me overcome those struggles. Of all the experiences I had before leaving for college, none have had a more positive, lasting impact on my life than Puma Karate. Like I said, I just wish that I had worked harder towards the end of my time there so I could have finished strong. Regardless, I have internalized the lessons of Puma and will always be grateful to all my instructors. If you or your child are interested in martial arts or want a physically-engaging hobby that will teach you discipline, keep you in shape, develop your confidence, and prepare you for potential combative encounters, you will be greatly rewarded by turning to Puma Karate, whether in Simi Valley or Big Bear.

I have trained at this studio for over 2 years in Tae Kwon Do, Hap Ki Do and a little in their Jiu…read moreJitsu program. Chief instructors Darryl and Denah are great to work with and promote a safe and fun environment for people of any age or physical capacity. I will make very clear that this is not a "black belt factory." You will earn your belts through hard work, which is exactly what attracted me to the studio in the first place. You will not get a black belt in a year, which is the way it should be. This is also not a meathead or tough guy training center. Respect and courtesy are foundations of the program itself. Finally, I feel that Hap Ki Do is fantastic for youths and adults of any age. The system provides you with the ability to fall properly without injury, escape attacks and promotes an overall wellness of health and mind. I have used the falling techniques numerous times in my normal life and walked away with little to no harm done at all. It's hard to argue, "No, I don't want my (child, spouse, parent, etc) to know how to avoid serious injuries from falling or to know how to escape a potentially dangerous situation," right?

I thought this place would be cool and it had good reviews but I was disappointed. Darryl was…read moreknowledgeable but he was so sexist and made it very obvious in personal conversations; it was really distasteful. I thought maybe I was going crazy but other people I spoke with felt the same way. I'd recommend going elsewhere.

Definitely the best Taekwondo studio, they really care about the students, and you know that is…read moretrue when your belt is not as important as build confidence, self control and respect. The prices are super accessible, i've never seen my daughter so motivated, she loves to go every day. It feels that you made a right decision when the master is more focused in making sure your kid or yourself love karate than get your monthly payment.

I heard about Byrna's non lethal launchers last Spring and found a local San Diego area range that…read morehad them on sale and with an intro class option offered. I purchased a black LE and also took the class since I am not experienced with firearms nor am I comfortable to own one. Yet with a Byrna, it's less intimidating to use with far less legal ramifications, especially living in CA. Unfortunately the San Diego range intro class I took was not informative enough for me due to my lack of experience. I kept looking for other options through the Byrna website and found 'Peace of Defense' by my sister in WLV. I called and spoke to Hezi and then set up a demo to bring my LE. Hezi was so calm and clear in his instruction all throughout, and he was very patient with our at times repetitive questions. I got to shoot in the Bryna demo area and felt comfortable with Hezi's reminders as I prepared and began to use launcher. My sister was also so impressed that she purchased the new CL to add to her weapon collection and has already arranged private and group classes with Hezi for firearms. I inquired if Hezi had a laser in stock and he did so I purchased and he nicely calibrated it for my LE. I now feel good about my Byrna purchase and my home defense choice is set up and ready, if needed!

If I could give a hundred stars for my experience, I would. This institution that helps you secure…read moreyour peace of mind and be able to defend yourself is top notch. With Hezi Sheli at the helm of things, rest assured that you are in the hands of a compassionate, accomplished, experienced and empathetic practitioner and professional. All your questions will be answered with years of wisdom and experience backing it. Top of the line defense equipment and techniques, one significant step towards securing your peace of defense and peace of mind. Highly recommend.

Great Place! My daughter, who is 7 years old, has been going…read morehere for a few months now. I like the changes in her overall behavior... one major change is her improved ability to focus. Mr. Joselius Morales, who is one of the instructors, teaches the kids more than just the physical side of martial arts... they try to build character and give the kids tools to enhance their ability to deal with situations that they will have to deal with in real life. They teach Kenpo Karate and ground fighting techniques... so it is a well rounded self defense program. I am very Happy with this school

Jose Moralis is the one of the best instructors in martial arts. He really cares about the kids, is…read morevery personable and professional. They teach Karate and Jiu Jitsu which help the kids learn how to defend themselves, both mentally and physically from bullies. It also teaches them how to be disciplined and respectful.

NOTE: When the location moved, Highkicks lost its old Yelp reviews. Below is my previous review…read morefrom September 2014. (Our whole family is still at Highkicks, by the way! I will update my review at some point in the near future....!): My kids started with Sir Danny a few years ago when he was at another very popular martial arts place in Valencia (I don't know if I'm allowed to mention the name??), so, if you're wondering, yes, it's THAT "Sir Danny" that your kids already know and love. :) I was so happy to hear that he had opened up his own place, and we signed up the kids right away. Much to my own surprise, I also recently signed up my husband and I, and we are loving it too! The gem of Highkicks is the Family Martial Arts class. If you are one of those SCV parents who (like me) drives all over town to take your kids to their activities and then sits on the side chatting with the other parents, drinking your Starbucks, and staring at your phone, then Highkicks will make you change that dynamic. Why are we wasting our time and getting even more sedentary while our kids are out there getting fit? It's ridiculous if you think about it. Well, at Highkicks, you'll probably eventually say, "Hey, I might as well go out on the mat and try that too." The family classes are perfect for every type of family -- no joke. Again, I am NOT SPORTY, I am wrinkly and flabby, and I am not a kicking/punching/confrontational kind of person. Yet, there I am, on the mat getting sweaty, kicking bags and learning how to get out of a choke hold (Sir Danny throws in some self-defense every now and then). Why do I do this? Because -- my kids are out there, and, well, why not?! It's actually fun! And, think about it, where else can you spend 45 minutes with your kids but not have to discipline somebody? Or hear whining? Or clean up something? Or make any decisions? Or make somebody turn off a screen? This is 45 solid minutes of (stealthy!) family bonding. Sir Danny is great at giving everybody things to do for their own levels. For example, my 9-year old might be working on a spinning back kick while I'm working on a standing back kick. We're next to each other, and we're sharing a bag, but we're working individually. It's a beautiful thing! :) In addition to the exercise aspect ("the family that sweats together...!"), there's something deeper going on as well. I don't know about your family, but, in ours, the parents are the "all-knowers," the "distributors of discipline," and the "rule-makers." There is a power dynamic inside the household that gets shifted on the Highkicks mat. I ask my daughter for advice on which way to point my toes. My son shows me how to hold the pads when he's kicking. My husband gives me a thumbs-up when my toes are pointed better than his. And, for the "sporty" parents who think that a family martial arts class wouldn't be high enough intensity, or who would rather drop off the kids and go run on the paseos for 45 minutes, just give it a try. I promise, you'll leave sweaty and happy!

My son has been going to Highkicks for about a year and he loves it. We started with Sir Danny when…read morehe was in the Valley Center location, but moved with him to Warrior Fitness. The class sizes are generally pretty small, maybe 6-10 kids, so I feel like the kids get a good amount of attention from him and he really knows how to work with kids of all ages to get the best results from them. He also usually has them play a fun game at the end of class which they love and also helps to burn off that last bit of energy before they come home so they're not running all over the house :) If you're thinking of getting your kids started in Martial Arts I would highly recommend checking out Highkicks and trying one of their classes!

Gerry Blanck's Martial Arts School is one of the best dojos and best martial arts academy not only…read morein Pacific Palisades but in Los Angeles as well. I've been a student at this dojo and I've seen first hand how Gerry and his professional instructors such as Sensei Liam, Jake, Art, Mark, etc. train students to be disciplined and well versed in the martial arts school of Yoshikai. They instill values of striving for excellence, respect, faith, perseverance, and refraining from violent behavior. They have classes six days a week which include karate classes for children or kids as young as 3 yrs old (they are so cute to watch!) to karate for senior adults (who are inspirational!). Aside from karate, they offer self defense, weapons and kickboxing which I enjoy because it's good for my cardio and stamina. Their students also have gotten various trophies in competitions in California and other states. Only the best training here, indeed! This dojo has been in Pacific Palisades for over four decades. It's a pillar of the community due to Gerry's expertise, patience, and care for all his students. Students and families look forward to coming to this top martial arts school to better themselves as well as to connect with others. Thank you Sensei Gerry and staff!

Jerry and his studio staff are all amazing! Deserve 1 stars !!! They are very engaged and get the…read morekiddos focused and excited to learn! Highly recommend!

I purchased twoLivingSocials one has been used the other has not yet been used, as it has been said…read more"you get what you pay for". Not only was I not provided with instructions, a waiver, guidance, directions to even the location, but also I had little to no communication with Jason and Ruben. I had contacted Ruben my direct instructor regarding training for a mud run, I emailed 3x and finally got a response he would try to get a team together---nothing. Ruben spent more time working with two other girls Olga and her friend and gave them guidance and instructions while the rest of us were left to our own devices with minimal attention. Having done other bootcamps in the area including "Feel The Burn" and "Valley Boot Camp" I am aware of what attention and guidance is needed to ensure not only results but SAFE results. The Monday camp was the only one I was able to attend as I never had an address to go to for the Thursday locations (It is on a hill in Santa Monica) thanks for your amazing navigation skills. When I was emailed a survey and completed it and made these notations Jason Kozma emailed me to say that my second LivingSocial had been rescinded because he didn't like my comments. Well Mr. Kozma, here goes: if you don't want people to say negative things about your BootCamp you should train your trainers to be efficient and professional so that people don't have anything negative to say. It's a pity that you take suggestions with such weakness and with lacking confidence in not only your own staff but apparently your boot camp. I look forward to receiving my refund and getting to go to another location, which is what I would suggest anyone considering this bootcamp do anyway

This is a great boot camp. Ruben is a great guy who keeps you motivated without yelling at you…read more There is a nice balance of hard work and a little joking in between. Everyday you're outside running on the beach, boxing in a nice park or maybe hiking a trail. As I'm sure with most boot camps, it has mostly women, but the workouts are geared for everyone and they really do kick your butt. One month and you will see some real difference.