I cant say enough about the quality and dedication of the teachers at Berkeley West Wind. Adults, children and families learn together in the same beautiful room, each with their individual instructor. The positive atmosphere is palpable.! read more

I began taking lessons with my two children 15 years ago this month, and am looking forward to testing for my 5th degree Black Belt this year. The instructors are truly dedicated to the students as well as the arts, and you won't find a more positive, supportive and knowledgeable group of people. Testing for my black belt has been one of my greatest achievements, and to continue through the degree program honing and mastering my skills has been the best...and keep in mind that I have had the same teacher for my entire journey. Not only do I know that I can and will take on anyone who threatens me or my loved ones, I have developed self confidence, awareness, strength and grace that benefits every aspect of my life. I can not recommend West Wind enough! read more

I did yoga, lots of African dance and had some related injuries. Joining a gym was too impersonal for me. Too much strutting around, folks in their own bubble, pumping their way to body beautiful and way too much metal. I wanted something to help me get strong from within, a serious discipline. I am a high school teacher so after a long day of teaching teens I needed to study with serious people who respect what they do. I'm glad I joined West Wind dojo in Berkeley where the teachers are not only well versed, sincere and passionate but also foster a deep sense of community. Whether you have a class or not, someone is always teaching someone. There is a definite camaraderie in this dojo. Once you join, you know they have your back. And there is no sweet talking or coddling. You bow to your instructors, no matter their age. You show your respect to the difficult journey they have taken to earn the color of their belt. A clear message of respect. Coming from a strict educational system in India, I like that! Just being greeted by my name when i enter the dojo, have an instructor notice my practice from across the room who comes up to me to help me fix or better my technique, makes West Wind a place one can call home. I find myself looking forward to my next group class, almost counting the days for my weekly lesson with my most wonderful, black belt instructor, Ms. Rachaal. And when I do show up just to stretch and practice, I am always pleasantly surprized by the welcoming warmth of ALL the teachers, smiles and encouragement from those around me on the mat. Sometimes, out of the blue, you find a family in your own neighborhood. Thank you West Wind! Godhuli Bose read more

This school is great. My three kids have been going here for many years, and we are all very happy with it. The head teachers do not have any other jobs. What is different and great about this school is they have dared to bet on and believe that there are enough students interested in that level of teaching to support it. These teachers are dedicated to their practice and it shows. Obviously that does mean they aren't really interested in students who are not very dedicated themselves, in addition to the fact that if you are looking for a low- key activity this may not be worth it to you. read more

This is *the* place for your young child to learn not just about Karate & Kung Fu, but also discipline, respect and community. My son started 3 years ago,when he was 3. We all feel connected to the school and all its teachers and student instructors. The system consists of one weekly 1-1 class, and a kids group class. There is no sparring, which is great. Parents sit away so there's no helicopter parent that tries to boss their kids around. The teachers train kids wonderfully, both in 1-1 and group, in an age appropriate way that is kind to them, but at the same time, allows themselves to push and train in a way that's challenging to them. The teachers also enquire into the kids progress at school and instill values of discipline and respect outside the dojo as well. My son looks up to all the teachers, as well as the teenagers he has seen "grow up" within the dojo. Positive male role models is a wonderful influence. At the same time, it is great to see young girls and women model such strength and determination, and compete toe-to-toe with the guys. Please consider enrolling here. read more

I have been with this school for years and so has my daughter. They helped build my daughters self-confidence and I've never been in better physical shape. It's not easy, but most things worth having aren't. You get what you put into it. I know several people that have used what West Wind teaches to defend themselves including myself. The teachers are professional, positive and work with everything from small children to people with disabilities and though you're pushed hard. You're never pushed further than you can go. I would strongly recommend it to anyone, particularly if you have kids and feel like they need a positive influence that's caring but strong. They care about the students. They are a big part of who my little girl is today. Getting A's, on the Honor Roll and started looking at colleges at the age of 11. Before West Wind she was shy and behind in school and not as confident. People seem to complain about the price on here, what they have given me and my little girl I can't put a price on. read more

My first impression of West Wind School was my son's teacher, a young man still in high school. After one lesson I wanted my son to get whatever training this young man had taken. His poise, his confidence, his direct yet kind instruction brought out my child's best qualities, inspired a desire to do his best. After only a few weeks of lessons we had the privilege of seeing my son's teacher take his black belt test. I recall recognizing that the six individuals who were testing that day were working hard, one of the instructors was calling out direction after direction and the students were moving in amazing sequence all from memory. My then 8 year old son lasted about an hour and we slipped out. My son's teacher graduated last spring and moved out of the area to continue his education. Today his new teacher, also a young man in high school, took his black belt test. My now 13 year old wanted to go and we weren't leaving until it was all the way over, he was captivated! I remember feeling a bit bewildered at all the formalities used at West Wind at the beginning, the using of last names, yes sir, no ma'am all the bowing and now, I can't get enough. Today I relished and was moved to tears again and again by the rituals, the reverence for tradition and the dedication of the West Wind teachers. To witness the three young men who had just completed their tests standing before a long line of their elders, receiving praise and words of wisdom was an incredibly impactful experience. As a single mother I can honestly say West Wind is helping me to raise my son. I am so grateful to every teacher there who has taken a moment to put a hand on my son's shoulder or straighten his belt, offer him words of direction, praise, encouragement. I hope to watch my son take his black belt test at West Wind one day. read more

Great instructors for my kids. They are like family. I love how they work with my son David who is diagnosed with autism.

I was 55 when I started training at West Wind. I've been training there for approximately 4-1/2 years. In that time I've progressed fro a stiff, ponderous white belt to a smooth, powerful green belt. I've found that they are non-judgmental, passionate about passing on their knowledge, and consistently positive in their lesson delivery. In addition to having a lot of fun there, I've seen a marked increase in my flexibility, balance, and agility since I started there. I highly recommend the schools for anyone interested in learning useful self-defense skills, in addition to improving awareness, self confidence, agility, balance and flexibility. read more

I LOVE West Wind Schools - all 3 locations are fabulous! I've been a student for over 18 years and know, and have learned from, many of the excellent teachers. They're not only extremely skilled; they're warm, kind-hearted, intelligent, extraordinary people that comprise a close-knit, family-oriented community that I'm very happy to be a part of. And I must say the same about the many students that I've come to know there as well. An interesting facet of the school is the teachers' ability to work with students of all ages, from 4 to 84. Lessons are particularly adapted to each individual student, no matter your ability or skill level, so all are welcome here! read more

Both of my kids have been going to West Wind for the past 18 months, and it has been nothing but great. Mr. Shah, who is now the head instructor at the Berkeley location (he was at Piedmont but that location has closed), teaches with a wonderful mixture of high energy, positive reinforcement, and a dash of drill sergeant when necessary. Believe me, even the most squirrelly kids pay attention. The vibe in the school is really positive, too. Super diverse, equal parts kids and adults... Lots of focus and dedication. read more

I love West Wind! The teachers are outstanding. The community is like a big extended family. Choosing West Wind was the best decision I could have made. Training there has changed my life. The personal attention from the teachers is amazing. I have injuries from high school sports and health issues and they have always found ways to help me work around them. The confidence and self discipline I have gained is incredible and flows into all areas of my life. As an added bonus, I have been able to get completely off some of my medication and my health issues are under control. My doctors can't believe it. I wholeheartedly recommend this school! Thank you West Wind!!! read more

What is so important about this school is HOW it makes you achieve. They don't hold your hand, they don't beat you down; you learn as an individual what is important in your own live and what you can personally bring to the mat. They are a valuable resource for the individual's journey from white to black belt. They teach the young and the aging, gifted and struggling, confident and shy, the graceful and the awkward--all to be better students. I joined several years ago in order to get a few classes in self defense--now I'm training for my black belt. It has made a real difference in my life and how I look at everything in it. read more

My daughter has been attending this school since she was on the second grade at age 8 now she is 11 and she is using a green belt. Her instructor, Sansei Rios, is and amazing and inspiring teacher and he makes a great impact on my daughter's behavior, inspiring her to work hard, be focus and trust herself. We love the school, everybody is very friendly and there is a great sense of family. Marlene Brown mother of Jessica Brown read more

I took an intro to karate lesson set here with Mr. Shah, and it was much more than what I expected from an intro class. I went into it with no expectations, except to try something new. It was one on one, so there's no lack in personal attention. In the first class, I learned vital targets as well as a few self defense moves I could use if put in a dangerous situation. By the end of the sessions I felt I had acquired a good foundation of skills and knowledge of self defense. Mr. Shah is an excellent and personable instructor with a passion for teaching martial arts. read more

Our kid got bruised on the right hand from using right hand to cut karate board. he can't move right hand we did to call to mr.shah we will stop kid karate lesson at November and we paid money for lesson December 1 - february 18 about $250 we want money back but he said no return money back. we worked so hard to get money but we didn't want to talk with mr shah becase he so rude to us. He likes to say with us that he was the boss.He also likes to point at us with his finger which is really disrespectful. He should show up and be a gentlemen he was master teacher. we didn't know why he to did that to us and we think everyone in the west wind dojo thinks the same like us. read more

Amazing teachers are hard to find, but not at West Wind. This is the real deal--old school martial arts at its finest. There is a tremendous sense of community and positive energy at West Wind, cultivated over 40+ years in the Bay Area. If you have any interest in martial arts or self-defense, this is the place to learn, and, after years in this system, I can say that it was worth every penny. read more

In gearing up to write a comment about West Wind, I thought about some of the things I learned from the school in my journey there as a student. I have learned to achieve goals despite many challenges that I have had to overcome and to trust in someone to help me reach my goals. For those who are looking for a gym to exercise or a place to drop your children off for daycare, this is NOT the place for you. If you are, however, looking for a system that offers you and your family community, discipline, encouragement to achieve, and self-defense, then you have found it--WEST WIND. read more

I use what I learned at West Wind every day, in many ways. West Wind will teach children and parents the two of the perhaps most important lessons the great Bruce Lee bequeathed us: 1. The art of fighting without fighting, using instant total situational awareness to make and execute a plan that allows a swift getaway without injury, and by using cunning, silence, and mental strength, including self-permission to take pre-emptive action when absolutely necessary. 2. Emerging successfully from a threatening situation, whether the trained West Wind student faces one or multiple attackers, depends in large part on fighting with total inner committment, which he named Emotional Content. Wendy S. read more

My son and husband come here for a year ago, and they absolutely love this place!!! Highly recommend, karate and boxing are great, with great teachers and nice people! read more

We started when our son was 3 yrs and 7 months. Was a bit hesitant initially if the teachers could work with him at his age. Fast forward a year and he is thriving. The teachers are simply amazing- Patient, disciplined, consistent and make it fun all at the same time. The structure of classes work really well - 1 focused 1-1 instruction a week plus unlimited group classes, which is a great option to give your child as much or as little exposure as your time permits. The facilities are nice, clean and safe. The annual tournament and shows are well organized and bring a great sense of community. This is a great place and to restate it, the teachers here are wonderful- everyone of them. Seriously! If you are looking for a place to start your child in martial arts...strongly suggest West Wind. read more

I want to share a Christmas Eve Martial Art story with you, as sometimes we think we are practicing martial arts for fun, or for exercise , or because it's cool , and rarely do we get to practice it for real. Which is a good thing however it's nice to know if we had to use it - it would work. This Christmas Eve one of our black belts was attacked outside his house at 9:30 pm after returning from the store with a gallon of milk for his kids. He was approached by two young guys with a gun and in seconds had disarmed the attacker of his weapon , hurled the gallon of milk at the 2nd attacker and was back in his house with his family. So please know, our system works in real time and always stay aware , if you practice at West Wind your instincts will prevail. Thank you West Wind. read more

We have been a West Wind family continuously since 2006. Our two sons first joined at ages 6 and 9, and now are Brown Belts at 12 and almost 16. A year after our sons started, my husband and I joined, and almost five years later we are Green Belts, soon to be testing for Brown. Making this journey as a family has really been significant for us - all the achievements mean more to us since we have experienced them personally and together. The West Wind system has taught us self-defense and self-discipline, and has improved us physically, psychologically, and artistically. A lot of the success of learning at West Wind is due to the excellent instructors and the approach used, in which all students (young, old, male, female) follow the same progression and are taught the same formalities, treated with the same respect, and perform to the same expectations. Another key factor is that the core instruction of new material is done in a private lesson with your assigned instructor, while improvement of basics and new ways of applying the material are practiced in a group setting. Finally, West Wind promotes a culture of mutual respect and reciprocation that benefits one's interactions in other venues (school, work) and gives one a feeling of belonging to a special community. read more

Well this school should be avoided at all costs , when i was attending this so called martial arts school it was almost like a cult in its ways to get people to spend money and that's what its all about MONEY not the hard work, dedication and discipline that martial arts is supposed to infuse ..... when you have orange belts teaching brown belts something is wrong ... avoid this school at all costs ..... Ive been there and spent thousands of hours and money on useless techniques, their idea of sparring is NO CONTACT how can one learn to defend themselves in such a way .... beware... ask yourself why the teachers all wear red belts, do they even understand the rank of red belt (10th Dan ) which means master do you really believe they are all masters, good luck . I never ever seen Mr Thompson, Mr Sheppard or any of the other so called black belts teach a class they all have their underlings who i can almost guarantee are not even remotely close to being black belts , at best they are 1 or 2 belts higher then the student they are teaching if that . Imagine that they once had 7 schools , now its what 2 , that should tell you something . I found Sid Campbell's Okinawan Shorin Ryu and learned more in 6 months then i learned in 5yrs at west wind yes teaching philosophies vary but the very core of martial arts is self discipline self defense positive thinking and self confidence something that i feel is lost at West Wind where the dollar sign dictates the high cost of monthly and private lessons they have there read more