I only went for a couple classes while I was in class, but my experience was positive all around! I…read morewould definitely go back!

Great workouts and knowledgeable coaches. I've been going to…read morethe boxing boot camp and it's a great balance of workout and techniques. Highly recommend!

I really enjoy the authentic traditional training. The instructors are volunteers sharing the…read moreknowledge they learned from those who did the same. Part of Shotokan Karate of America. I strongly recommend going and trying them out. All levels welcome, even if you haven't tried martial arts before.

Immediately felt like family when I joined this dojo. I practiced a different form of karate for…read moreyears but took a break for a decade, and this was the first place I returned to and I'm glad I did. The workouts are great, and it being an older dojo, you can tell that there are years of wisdom to learn from. Also, the small class size lends itself well to a personal and thorough teaching style. I would strongly recommend this dojo to anyone who is interested in karate.

We've been attending this Judo club for the past 2 1/2 years, and I can confidently say it's the…read morebest investment we've made for our kids. The program is top-notch, with little kids practicing three times a week and older kids practicing five times a week. It's been amazing to watch our children grow in both skill and confidence through the sport. The coach is exceptional -- highly skilled, patient, and genuinely invested in each child's development. He foster a positive and encouraging environment, helping kids not only learn judo but also build discipline, respect, and teamwork. My kids have gained so much from their time here, and we've seen improvements in their fitness, focus, and overall attitude. Whether your child is a beginner or more advanced, this club offers the perfect balance of challenge and support. Highly recommend this judo club to any family in the Bay Area looking for a structured, fun, and impactful sport for their kids. It's been an incredible experience for our family! So thankful for coach Mr. Munkhbayasgalan. We are so glad he is teaching and guiding my kids to learn judo.

Mongolian Judo!! As far as I know this is the only mongolian Judo in the United States. We were…read morelucky enough to be invited here for a Saturday evening Judo work out. What an amazing workout. My kids have been doing Judo for years, and this was the toughest workout they've ever had. Dordjerem 'Mugi' Munkhbayasgalan is a 4th degree black belt in Judo as well as a black belt in Jiujitsu. He trained with the Mongolian Olympic team and is an MMA fighter. It shows in how he drives the kids. The whole class was in taught in Mongolian. My kids had to just follow the other kids lead. It was exciting to watch. The class started out with Uchi Komis. Then some training techniques. After that, they spent 1 hour doing Newaza in 3 minute intervals. There were abit 30 kids and my kids were out-matched. The Mongolian kids worked my kids into the ground. They showed perfect technique and barely worked up a sweat. After Newaza, the class did Randori for 1 hour. Our kids were pouring sweat. It was truly amazing to witness. At the end of class, they dropped ropes from the ceiling and kids climbed. A nice touch was after class, all the kid sat around and talked or played for 30 minutes. My kids really enjoyed that. I must say, if your kids are driven and want to be the Best, Mugi will get them there.

John burns is an amazing teacher along with his assistants. Well organized studio friendly and…read moreyears of experience teaching children the arts. He is always continuing his education and learning new techniques. This place is an excellent martial arts studio to learn the arts.

My son has been attending the Tiger classes for the past couple of months. Teachers are excellent;…read moredojo is clean. My son always looks forward to attending his classes.

Hanshi Sharifi is a gem in the Shotokan world. He trained under Hidetaka Nishiyama, a student of…read moreShotokan founder Gichin Funakoshi. His unique blend of Iranian heritage, karate, Qi Gong, and Sufism, means every training offers new insights to young, old, and in-between! I offer my humble perspective from a karate journey that began as a green belt in Wado Ryu under Hidetaka Abe sensei. I received my Shodan from sensei Frank Hashimoto of the JKA in 1984, and after a 20 + year break, I found Hanshi Sharifi in 2007. Starting over as a white belt was hard for me, but in retrospect, was a wise decision on Hanshi's part. I have my Yondan now, and continue to train with Hanshi Sharifi. I am not exaggerating when I say I learn something new every time I have the privilege of stepping into his dojo. Please visit us at The Church on the Corner in Albany to experience Shotokan karate in its traditional form!

I've been studying with Sensei Sharifi since 1989, and he still teaches every class himself. This…read moreis not squishy Berkeley martial arts-- we work hard!-- but I really appreciate Sensei's empahsis on karate as a means-to-an-end where the end is spiritual development. As if becoming a better karate practicioner is simply a good way to become a better human being. But thankfully he doesn't say things like this in class-- while he's hassling you about your sloppy technique, it's clear his underlying goal is self-improvement, not just knowing where to put your fist or foot. Sensei Sharifi clearly loves his students and loves what he does. He's especially good with kids... as close to Mr Miyagi as you're going to find. :-) Not a lot of sparring until you get to higher belts, but if you like working on mental and physical focus through practice (and more practice, and more practice) this is a good place.

I have been going to Berkeley Isshinryu for over seven years now, so I figured I should finally…read morewrite a review! Because you don't do something for seven years if you don't love it. BIK is a small, laid-back dojo made up of a diverse group of practitioners from many different Isshin-ryu "strands" and in some cases completely different styles of karate or other martial arts altogether -- everyone is welcome here, and over the years the dojo has benefited from getting lots of different perspectives on the style and martial arts in general. We work hard and take our training seriously, but everyone is primarily there to have fun while also learning martial arts & staying in shape. Many of us also hang out & socialize outside of class as well, and there are regularly post-class pizza & beer trips for birthdays, promotions, etc. Because of the small size of the class, everyone gets plenty of attention, both as part of the group and during individual work time. The instructors are positive and friendly, and provide helpful and constructive feedback in an encouraging way. Again, although we work hard, this is not a super-aggressive, testosterone-driven dojo, so beginners or people who are less excited about the combat aspect of martial arts don't usually end up feeling intimidated or uncomfortable (and people who *are* looking for a super-agro school don't tend to stick around for long). We usually start with 10-15 minutes of stretches & light calisthenics, then spend the rest of class on some combination of basic techniques, kata study, pad work, partner work, self-defense, or sparring. (Students begin sparring only when the instructors think they are ready, and with plenty of supervision; also, no one is ever required to spar -- or do anything else, really -- if they don't want to.) The intensity of the workout is more or less self-selecting; if you want to be sweaty & panting by the end, there are usually opportunities to work hard enough to make that happen. If you want an easier, gentler workout, you can always dial it back to whatever you're comfortable with & ready for. Highly recommend! Again, I wouldn't still be here after seven years if I didn't think both the class and the people were awesome. :)

Here is my husband:…read more I've been practicing with this dojo for almost a year now and I can't get enough, I love it. I started karate to get in better shape and this class has significantly improved my conditioning as well as redefined my sense of well-being. The first hour of class generally incorporates a range of stretching, challenging calisthenics, and empty hand techniques intermingled with a social atmosphere and chance to let the workday tensions unwind. The second hour of the class focuses on your forms (katas) as well as two person combination techniques, striking the pads, sparring, and numerous other applications. The instructors have great experience and work well with students of all skill levels. I was an Isshinryu orphan from the east coast and the transition into this dojo was very welcoming.

I want to say something about my teacher, whose name I know in English as Patty Li. I've been…read moretaking the Friday taiji class at the Berkeley YMCA for about a month and a half My name is Rick, and I have neuropathy in my hands and feet, but Patty who I met at the Y suggested that I come to the Friday Taiji class. I use a walker for balance, and sometimes need to lean against the wall so I don't just tumble over But Patty invited me and I came. Since I started the class I have noticed a marked improvement in my balance, my strength and my ability to focus my breath and my attention in my body Patty is an incredible teacher, a master of her arts, who has been doing martial arts, since she was a child in Beijing. I didn't know any of this when she invited me to class. Most people when they see me and my walker write me off as being unable to do things, but Patty didn't see any of that, she just saw another human being with a willingness to learn, I think she's incredibly perceptive person. So I started coming to the class and have only missed once in about two months I've been going to the Y every other day for swimming and some weight training, but Friday has become my favorite day I do the taiji class at 10 AM, and then I follow it up with a swim It was very clear to me from the beginning that Patty is an incredibly disciplined person, but what I really love about her, is her grace, and the humor with which she teaches... in other words she makes it really fun. Regardless of different peoples capability in class, she works with each of us so that we can become stronger, more balanced, and more able to practice this beautiful moving meditative art form She is a treasure, and I am blessed to have her as my teacher, and the YMCA is blessed to have her as part of this community 老师，谢谢 Thank you teacher

Are you a parent looking to encourage your kids (especially Chinese-American kids) to start martial…read morearts? Have cash to spare? Great! Are you an adult who learned some wushu as a child, fell out of practice through your teens, and want to pick it back up as an adult? Try a drop-in class for $35, and then see if you want to continue here. In my case, after two classes, I found another school to practice with. I hesitated leaving a poor review because why bother with all these 5 star reviews stacked against me? But I remember why I use Yelp: to consult legit reviews before I spend money on any establishment. Hence, I feel the need to pen this review, especially if there are fellow adults considering wushu here. That one review that says Wushu West takes adults seriously and caters to them too? Maybe that used to be the case, but from my experience, not anymore. Flashback time! My brother and I were wee elementary students enrolled in Wushu West. I remember enjoying the class. For unknown reasons, my parents stopped enrolling us. However, that experience (along with kung fu class in Chinese school) built the foundations of kung fu stances, kicks, and flexibility that I have carried on to this day. My biggest regret was that I never advanced far enough to work with weapons. Fast-forward to present day. I am a young professional who can do pullups & deadlifts. For several years, I kept eyeing Wushu West through the internet, promising myself I'd go back. Stars aligned, and I made my first visit back with a drop-in class. The class was filled with kids younger than me. Where were the adult students that were said to be attending this class too? For a good half hour, Shifu Patti (mind you, I'm only calling her Shifu out of respect) lead the class through warmups, which frankly feel like a huge waste of time, something that should be done before class starts. It's just jogging, jumping jacks, some kicks, and LOTS of stretching and counting in Chinese. I'm here to learn, not to do warmups that I can do by myself. Even when you're doing wushu exercises (various kicks, spins, stances, etc), Shifu doesn't lead them. It's her kid students leading the exercises. They go so fast, I can't keep up with forms and sequences I'm supposed to maintain and follow, so I flounder along while watching with a mix of admiration for the kids, and frustration that I can't keep up nor am I taught properly on how to keep up. Yes, the cool student leader will stop and walk through it with you a few times at most, but then it's on to the next cool move...that I can't keep up with. Meanwhile, Shifu sits on the sidelines. I came back one more time to see if it was an improvement from the first class. The oldest student I saw here was a man, but everyone else was a kid, with the eldest one maybe in high school. My gripes: 1) Shifu does NOT take into consideration my experience and skill level. I am either doing kiddie exercises or floundering with being unable to keep up with advanced moves. 2) My second visit here, I was assisting moving furniture, when my shin slammed into a wooden part of a furniture. It hurt like a MF-er, to the point that I felt the impact down to my shin bone. I had a deep cut on my shin. Although it clotted quickly, it swelled up to a huge bump. Shifu kept repeating, "It's just skin, you'll be fine," when I told her that I could feel the pain in my bone too. Way to be sensitive. 3. Shifu had me sign a release form after I was hurt. Whenever I sign anything, I take a photo of it on my phone so that I can have the form for my records. Shifu Patti gave me attitude and said, "We don't do that here, you don't need this record." I explained I do this whenever I sign a form. She said, "Why do you need a copy of this record? It's no one's business." Excuse me, this is MY BUSINESS. As a customer, it's my absolute right to take a photo of anything I sign for my records. She gave me major attitude. I really could not believe I had to argue for a copy of my records. 4. When I said bye to her (after she had a conversation with a kid's parents and nicely said bye to them), she wouldn't look at me and then barked that I can't pay drop-in prices anymore, I have to commit to a monthly plan if I wanted to continue here. I simply asked her to remind me of pricing, and she just waved me off, snapping, "You already took a photo, isn't that what you took that for?" Bless San T for his Yelp review from 2013, when he said, and I quote: "when it comes to business and money, she is downright horrible. and cheap...the way you run your business is part of the practice.  And you can't ignore a shady businessperson no matter how great of a teacher they are." I wonder how many other people have left with a bad experience, and just don't want to write Yelp reviews. Maybe my parents took me and my brother out of this class because of their experience with Shifu Patti. I'll never know.

Throw Roll Tumble…read more Fall This is one of the best places to learn this humble yet effective art in the bay area. Students of all shapes, sizes,ages and from all walks of life are treated exactly the same here and all are taught the precise moves with loving care and joy. The instructors and sub instructors are so attentive, caring and skillful here. Yet they have so much patience and temperament in helping those who are just starting down the path of learning. What I love about this place is that it is not the robotic crank em out type of place. Instead it is humble and peaceful. Each instructor and student work toward the same common goal of development. One never has to feel as though they are doing poorly or can't keep or dazed and confused because these people love what they do and helping, teaching, perfecting and showing you a hundred times is all done with a smile and a ton of encouragement! According to the Aikido foundation "Aikido is a Budo (martial art) created by Morihei Ueshiba. After the Founder's passing in 1969, his son Kisshomaru Ueshiba was inaugurated as Aikido Doshu. At present, Moriteru Ueshiba, grandson of the Founder, has succeeded his father as Aikido Doshu. The Aikikai Foundation, officially recognized by the Japanese government in 1940, was founded in order to preserve and promote the ideals of the true Aikido created by the Founder. As the Aikido World Headquarters, it is the parent organization for the development and expansion of Aikido throughout the world." The Berkeley Aikikai is the headquarters of Aikido Un En Kai which is directly affiliated with the Aikido Hombu Dojo , Tokyo, Japan. In the Berkeley location main people are: Advisor: I. Shibata, 7th dan, Shihan. who is also the director of Aikido Un En Kai The Chief Instructor: is Marianne Shibata, 6th dan, Shidoin. --She is awesome. So if you have interest in this great art feel free to visit as visitors are welcome to observe.

My body has matured a lot from practicing here, and incidentally, so has my mind…read more When I first started here, it was interesting how we had to walk down the hallway to go into the dojo. Unlike other martial arts places, there is no front window that lets people peer inside and see what we are doing. It helps to cultivate a spirit of mutual respect between people, the spectators and the practitioners. As for the art itself, aikido isn't easy to master no matter where you go. It isn't a series of scoring points by punching and kicking, or of potentially breaking bones because you blocked too hard. Instead, it is learning to turn the energy of the attack from your partner against them. It is an art of enlarging your awareness of space (larger opponent needs much less distance to attack), time (don't dawdle too long), and intent (be ready to shift your movement and center depending on where the energy is going). A beginner will spend a lot of their time break-falling and taking ukemi (being the recipient of either a throwing or a pinning technique). The kind of break-falls you learn is complex and goes beyond just remembering not to land on your wrist.