This is is a great program, very diverse. The head of the program Susan W. And her husband Steve W…read more teach self defense, sparring, traditional kata, weapon kata and weapon self defense, wrist locks etc. I have been in the program almost 7 years and it is rich and diverse, it has overwhelming depth. My kids were in a program in school that only focused on sparring, but my kids never learned self defense against an attack or someone trying g to grab them. The self defense is my favorite part of all but I have enjoyed the physical training and strengthening. Something different and something that you can work at daily and see great improvements. Try it it will enrich your life.

My daughter has attended classes at Zanshin / Lifetime Fitness for almost 5 years and I cannot say…read moreenough good things about it. The instruction is phenomenal and it's very convenient since I can take advantage of the gym for myself and the childcare for my son while his sister is in class. My son is now old enough for the main white belt class and just started a few months ago and is loving it as much as his sister does.

(There is also a Kid's Kung Fu program now - at both school locations)…read more I enjoy the classes and the people and have made many new friends, including friends with the instructors and job leads. The instructors are great and come from a variety of martial arts backgrounds. They respect the students and instill confidence in your ability as a student to learn the style and as a student you have confidence in their ability to teach. Of the three styles I have taken Ving Tsun (Wing Chun) has proven to be the most fun and is at the same time challenging enough so that you can't get bored. The classes are usually a mix of starting with your forms (there are 2 for students) or punching exercises as a warm up and then moving into practicing what is required for your student grade by either working with students of the same grade or higher ranked students. You also get to practice the other stuff you have previously learned by working with the newer students and nearly everything has an application in the real world of defense. Do we not spar (unlike other styles, such as Tae Kwon Do), Ving Tsun is not a "sports" martial art, it is for self-defense, you defend yourself and stop the other person before they can hurt you (in the real world, not in class) so there is no gentle, safe way to spar (Google Wing Chun if you have doubts). There are also few forms; actually there are 3 empty hand forms, 1 wooden dummy form, and 2 weapon forms, and students only learn the first two forms until the end of the student grades. Not that there isn't plenty of stuff, do such as Chi Sao and Lat Sao, both of which require a partner and help built technique and reactions, while "teaching" your muscles how to react (check out Wikipedia for more information).

This is a fine martial arts studio that provides you just that, the ability to study a…read morewell-designed martial arts system meant for practical applications, not performance arts. You will build upon your reflexes and ability to deflect and deliver strikes with each passing class, and if you work hard, you will feel it. I've joined as a student of Sifu Jeff Webb, the head of the National Ving Tsung Organization, to learn as much as I can during the time I have remaining in Texas, before transferring to a student of his in the North who is now also a Sifu (instructor or master, I'm not quite sure really which term is most appropriate). Thus far I have learned a great deal, and observed the high level of skill possessed by each of his students ranked from low and high, with the higher ranked students also working as assistant instructors to provide valuable input and more skilled training partners to guide your development. I attend classes in both the North and South locations to experience a broader range of instructors and training partners to build upon my understanding more comprehensively. Classes consist of an initial period of taxing and difficult form practice that appears hella easy when done well, followed by exercises with a partner that exhibit and employ the techniques learned in the forms, generally taking up much of the class. Very straightforward, but not at all simple, with only heavy effort bringing about real improvement. Ving Tsung/Wing Chun, made famous by Bruce Lee and Ip Man, is a center-line striking style created by a woman for close-quarters combat that requires one to be relaxed excepting the points of impact, allowing strength to be overcome by angling and reaction time, making strength all the more powerful once the style is understood, something my boxing and other training is making difficult as I'm relatively rigid and tense, so this style is helping me to learn fluidity and to better employ my power at appropriate times rather than wasting energy when it isn't essential. Yoga oddly enough I approached as a strength and stamina-building exercise, so it has done little to improve my flexibility, just power and reaction time, as I am not zen enough apparently. The wing chun perspective I will transfer into my legal studies and eventual practice, as it is an expansive philosophy useful elsewhere in life that helps you not waste energy, and have the push-through when it counts. One of the key precepts of the system constructed by Sifu Webb is something to the effect of "If the way is open, move forward", something entirely in tone with the Norse ideology of the Vikings, and I appreciate this. The studio is absolutely worth checking out if you are serious about your training, and definitely is not a lunchtime cardio or high-flying acrobatic activity, it is a place to go to learn a fighting style with hard-working and committed fellow students and teachers that follows a logical progression and isn't going to waste your time.

Mr. Maddox and his assistants are amazingly patient yet skilled at bringing out the best in our 9…read moreyear old Grandson. They stress displaying excellent citizenship skills which are as critical to the child's advancement in belt levels as are the technical skills of TKD. We feel so grateful to have found this class and our grandson really loves the sense of belonging and learning new skills. I would highly recommend this amazing instructor to anyone looking for martial arts skill classes for their child. In addition, the facility is spotless all the time and despite lots of young people working through the skills, it always smells clean.

I would like to offer a strong recommendation for Frank Maddox. My son has been a student at Tiger…read moreRock for a few years now, and I simply cannot say enough about Mr. Maddox's way of teaching kids. He connects with children on a very special level, and kids seem to want to work extra hard, just to please him. In Tiger Rock classes, children learn much more than simply martial arts. They learn respect, integrity, and character building skills. Tiger Rock has classes for all levels of students, both kids as well as adults, and is just an amazing place. Two thumbs up to Frank Maddox for creating such a wonderful place in Austin!!

Coach D'amon has amazing skills and great patience. Whether you have decades of experience in…read morefighting arts or are a beginner, you will learn a lot from him in a short amount of time.

Austin Warrior Arts is a great place to build community and learn a wide variety of African and…read moreAfro-diasporic martial arts. We learn machete systems, capoeira, kickboxing, stick fighting, Sword & shield and more. I appreciate that we prioritize applications along with the cultural and playful aspects of the arts. This is a great place to cultivate discipline, focus, and fitness.

We love Ms. Palacios and Palacios ATA Martial Arts!…read more Our first grader started taking taekwondo (TKD) lessons from Ms. Palacios one day per week in his after-school program at Magellan International school. We were so impressed with the resulting positive changes in our son, we soon had him attending additional evening and weekend classes at her studio on South IH 35 between Wells Branch and Howard Lane. He's preparing to test for his 3rd belt in just a few weeks and TKD has become a huge part of our family life. The gym space in a North Austin industrial park is nothing fancy, but it has everything a TKD student at any age from 3+ needs to progress, especially caring, knowledgeable, and motivating instructors. While Ms. Palacios (5th degree black belt with 20 years of experience) is the owner and primary teacher, there are several other advanced black belts on staff (all of whom have undergone background checks) who take turns leading different aspects of each class. Further, during each class, students at all belt levels are challenged to take on responsibilities and lead small groups of others below their belt levels, a great way to foster leadership skills. Beyond the fitness, self-defense, and discipline aspects of TKD, Ms. Palacios emphasizes academics, leadership, and good citizenship. She even teaches bullying prevention at local schools and incorporates many of those lessons into her TKD classes. Another thing we love about Palacios ATA: they offer summer and school holiday day camps for elementary school ages. These camps aren't just about martial arts and character building, but also offer other fun activities like tumbling, inflatables, and popcorn flicks with a good lesson. I've been so happy with the positive experience for our child, I'm now considering taking up lessons myself. When I do, I'll update this review with more info on the adult TKD beginner experience at Palacios ATA. Note: this business has another listing as ATA Blackbelt Academy, but it is the same gym as Palacios ATA. I've asked Yelp HQ to merge the two pages, but that may take a while to happen.

Sending my son to Palacios ATA is the best thing his dad and I have ever done for him. He's grown…read moretremendously over the past year since we started. He's more respectful, he listens better, he's more confident and focused. He's also getting stronger and learning how to defend himself should he ever need to. Master Palacios is just phenomenal, as are all the teachers. They are amazing at connecting with the kids and teaching them lessons in the moment when something comes up. I really can't say enough great things about Master Palacios, her staff and the community at Palacios ATA.

American Tigers World Taekwondo brings you top quality martial arts instruction under the…read moreleadership of Master Kim. You won't be disappointed!

Grand master is Korean and 7th Dan black belt. he is truly grand master and has deep knowledge how…read moreto teach real Taekwondo. Really love the way he train kids.

The people and environment are very welcoming what I love most is that you never leave without a…read moresmile, great place for the kids + affordable prices!!

I started training at Sun Dragon just over two years ago. I was overweight, prone to panic attacks,…read moreand had not taken control of my life in any way. It was intimidating at first - I learned to move my body in unfamiliar ways, and was introduced to a lot of people when I was actually pretty shy and unnerved. Fast forward two years - I've lost 70 pounds, I'm an upper intermediate student, and I can't wait to get to class four days a week. I have taken control of my life, taken responsibility and accountability for my personal health, and have learned the power of meditation through karate and how to channel my healing into this physical art. This isn't your typical dojo - we are not a combat spot - oriented school. We are an all-inclusive community with students of all genders, religions, sexualities, physical fitness levels, formative experiences, and ages. We do learn martial arts and we do learn how to spar, but we also learn martial arts as a form of meditation, and how to use the principles in karate to improve our everyday lives and the lives of those around us. I'm a lifer now, and my best friends all train with me and understand me. This is my family, and I'm forever grateful that my friends ushered me in the door two years ago.

Great place to get in shape. I am pushing 40 and I am thankful I found this place. The instructors…read moreare very friendly and work great with kids. Their tiny tigers program definitely keeps my kindergartener's attention and their leadership program is great in helping tweens and teens develop leadership skills and confidence for adulthood. One of the things that sold me on this school was their Masters Club. This club offers all the benefits of traditional Songham Taekwondo but the fun part is the additional classes every Wednesday night. We learn other martial arts and street self defense including jiu jitsu, judo, Muay Thai, wrestling, grappling, and knife self defense. This class is affectionally called Wildcard Wednesdays because it could be anything! And it's all fun!! I have always been a fan of learning multiple disciplines but as you can imagine the cost of doing all of those at once can be tremendous. Mr Jason Shaefer brings it to us at a very reasonable price and makes it fun, fresh and entertaining. I truly recommend this place not only for anyone wanting to get back in shape but also if you have young ones that you want to keep active and engaged. It has a great family atmosphere and we all encourage and push each other to be better. I don't know many other places that offer this kind of environment, let alone with the ability to do this with family. My wife and three kids as well as brother, sister in law, niece and nephew are all taking classes here. It truly is a great place!

Our experience with South Austin ATA began when my daughter won a silent auction for a free month,…read morefree uniform and free registration from her school. From the very first class, Mr. Schaefer, Mrs. Schaefer and Ms. Lallier were encouraging, helpful and made her feel at easy. In the very first class, Mr. Elizondo, a recommended blackbelt at the time, went out of his way to work with her and make sure that she understood the moves and was doing them they correct way. A few months later, our youngest daughter joined the Tiny Tigers program and has loved it. Ms. Lallier is a great teacher and has loads of patience with the little ones. She always has enough helpers to make sure that each student gets the attention that they deserve. Jump ahead another few months and now both myself and my wife have joined up. To say that South Austin ATA is a true family friendly environment is an understatement. The vast majority of the 50 - 60 students are part of a family. All and all it's a good group and the instructors truly care about their students. The biggest advantage I can see to South Austin ATA is that the owners are the instructors. They have a vested interest in making sure that the curriculum is administered correctly and they students are having fun! Highly recommend checking them out.