Everything. I lived the dojo and thr people and the atmosphere. It was easy to blend in.read more

I love New York Aikikai! It has helped me stay fit, meet and make friends with people from around…read morethe world, and learn a beautiful form of Martial Arts.

I can't say enough about Brooklyn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu! My husband walked in there 5 years ago…read morelooking for something my son and he could do together. Since my son was 5 at the time they would obviously be in separate classes, but my husband liked the idea of place they could go together, a studio they could share. What it became was a second home! My husband started jiu jitsu, my son the tiny tigers program. They asked me to try boxing but I politely declined. After about a year of them asking and my husband and son having so much fun and getting really fit, I decided to give it a try! And to my surprise it was so much fun and a hell of a workout! Next thing I knew it was all three of us at the dojo on a Friday night and we were loving it. What is so awesome about this studio is the love and care the instructors put into teaching and creating a community. Suddenly we were all training with people from all walks of life and it felt so nice. The neighborhood I had known for years suddenly felt bigger and I felt so much more connected. In a city where we can tend to get used to keeping to ourselves, it was nice to feel part of something. Five years later, all I can say is things continue to get better! My brother in law just joined and my son has graduated to the basic jiu jitsu class. My son is now on the mat training with his Dad and his Uncle! There's something really special about that. This dojo is for everyone, young, old, in-between, just starting to work out or seasoned athletes. The reason it is for everyone, is because of the teachers. They teach with heart, compassion and discipline. The whole experience has brought my family closer and I recommend this studio for anyone who is looking for a workout that nourishes the body and soul. -Christine Nichols

I love Brooklyn BJJ. I have been coming for about a year and a half and this dojo and the amazing…read morecommunity they have built has really transformed me. I came in on a lark to try Muay Thai, at the behest of a friend. Guess who stuck around and is now also doing Jui Jitsu? The adult classes are diverse - young adults, parents, older folks. And many of the parents have children that take the youth classes (they're so fun to watch!). They do private classes if you're nervous to try it in a class. Even if you don't think you are into the martial arts, the nurturing, inclusive environment fostered by the instructors is truly something I look forward to at the end of the day. They shoot people texts if they haven't been in in awhile... you may find that annoying or pressuring, but I find that encouraging actually, especially since I can tell its sincere. Instructors are aware of your progress and are constantly helping you improve. And regardless of whether you want a black belt (they tell everyone they're on that journey to black belt once they start. I found that a little intimidating but it's so much fun that it's not something I think about so much. The journey is a helluva time) its a great workout - mix of cardio and strength for Muay Thai and Jui Jitsu, but for the latter, it mixes in a great mental workout too. As Professor Skyer says, it's never too late to start. I'm so glad I did. PS. I won't mince words, it's not cheap but its not more expensive than Equinox. But its the best investment in yourself, really. I'd rather spend those dollars on making myself stronger and healthier anyway. I'd drag more of my friends here if they lived closer!

Jeff is a complete package when it comes to jiujitsu and fitness. He is one of the most experienced…read moreindividuals out there. His wealth of knowledge is deep rooted from the original Renzo Gracie and John Danaher roots when Brazilian JiuJitsu first landed here in New York City. I am proud to have trained with him and I am happy he spreading his knowledge to the next generation. He is an exemplary instructor. A++

Jeff is an excellent BJJ practitioner and instructor. I've always been impressed with his attention…read moreto detail and ability to vary intensity in training. This is a gorgeous new facility that is equally suited to the recreational martial artist or serious competitor. I give this gym my highest recommendation -BJJ Blackbelt

The instructors to student ratio and the knowledge and personalities of interaction with the…read morechildren at all different ages. They tailor to their classes. Amazing instructors - coach B and coach Flanagan

Excellent staff. Caring, competent and great with my kid. My son loves his class and that's a huge…read morewin.

I trained here for six months and I can firmly say: this is a special place, and ideal for anyone…read moreserious about learning Aikido. I eventually decided to stop training here because I felt like I never found myself clicking with the ways of Aikido itself (it is a very unique martial art. Every person is different, not everything is for everyone, and Aikido did not seem to be for me), therefore I wanted to do trials with different martial arts and find one that I connect with better. But that doesn't mean that I didn't recognize what a special place this is, and recognize how many other students truly had their lives enriched here. The fee is on a sliding scale (and I can't find any other martial art school that does that). For $50 a month, I was literally allowed to take two or three classes a day (if I had the time). Can't beat that. This place is very formal in practicing Japanese customs. The Sensei here, Ryugan Savoca, has been to Japan many times, and brought some of what he learned there back to this space in Brooklyn. It is decorated to make a beautiful setting. As soon as you start your first lesson, you truly feel yourself meeting another culture. Additionally, Sensei is constantly running events outside class time (dinners, trips, etc) to bring the students together as a community. He also frequently has guest Senseis from other dojos visiting New York doing lectures here about how they practice Aikido. During training, if Sensei sees you doing something wrong, he will immediately tell you in a firm way without embarrassing you. He is wise, observant, and patient. The classes here are mixed with both newer students and senior students (you can recognize the difference as seniors are given a robe to wear over their gi). If you're a new student having a hard time learning, Sensei will assign a senior student to instruct you one-on-one. All senior students were polite, clear and patient with me. I should warn: if you're expecting Aikido practice to be a light workout, then you're in for a surprise here. By the end of every lesson, I was literally dripping with sweat. Within two weeks of training here, people in my every day life were suddenly saying "Hey, you look like you're getting in better shape" without even knowing that I started Aikido. On a side note, I'll also mention that I have a neighbor who sends his son to the kid classes here, and his son loves it. He mentions how good the kids' instructor, Kate, is with children. It appears to me that Aikido is completely unlike any other martial art that I can find. It doesn't seem to work for everyone, but it works phenomenally for others. If you want to try it, then I can't recommend this place enough.

I've only just begun and am only four classes in, but as a beginner I can tell you that the Sensei…read moreis very patient and everyone jumps right in to show me proper technique and etiquette. There seems to be a general agreement that this is one of the most challenging dojos in the country. As Scott said, I finished my first class utterly exhausted, my pride beyond bruised. It's a great place to learn and while everybody is serious about Aikido there, they're super-friendly, too. A quick example: I was trying to make my way through a conditioning drill called the scorpion and I was going really slow. One of the more experienced students slowed down to finish with me and encourage me. It was like Forest Gump.

This place is a real gem. It would be hard to overstate the warmth of the community and the…read moreoutstanding teaching. The sensei is a great educator who truly cares about his students. He is supportive and accommodating but simultaneously has high standards and will inspire you to improve continuously. He has an intuitive awareness of his students' needs and abilities to the point that sometimes I genuinely wonder whether he is reading my mind. The students are a diverse group that includes a good amount of other women. Everyone is friendly, welcoming, and unpretentious. The dojo is also very responsive via email, so if you have any lingering questions before coming and trying your first class, head to the website and reach out!

I talk about this place to everyone I know. The community here is incredible. The teacher (Wagener…read moreSensei) has united a truly diverse (in age, in background, in previous experience) group of students around the sincere and edifying study of the art of Aikido. Wherever you're at, this school will meet you there and encourage your growth. Have fun, move, connect, learn something completely new, make great friends; take a trial class. Even if you don't join, you won't regret it.

This is the ONLY place that makes me venture outta my comfty lil Queens 'hood into the strange new…read moreworld of Brooklyn. I really dunno why the Kung Fu students' reviews got filtered, but as a non-student who attended many functions, i hope this review doesn't get filtered -_- So i was here for their 10-yr Anniversary: Yup, Sept 2013 marked 10 years for Moy Yee Kung Fu! The first part of the event was held at St. Joseph's College with a Kung Fu show that all the students worked hard on for 2+ months! The routines and soundtrack was entertaining and inspiring. The students consisted of literally all ages and nationalities, and it was wonderful to see them unite under the same cause. The second part of the event was dinner back @ the school where i got to meet & greet everyone, and toured the school. It's very clean and spacious, and looks like a place with a lot of history and culture. [one of the] Bai Si Ceremony: "bai si" means when you become a disciple ("tou-dai") under the master (aka SiFu); this is different from being a student. Many of the disciple-to-be and students also put on demonstrations. The ceremony i attended (not sure if these are held annually or whenever necessary) was outdoors in the backyard area of the school where there's plenty of space for show and seating. My friends and i were invited to see my god-brother receive his disciple title and it was incredibly moving and we were very proud of him. I do believe there's different meaning behind the various color shirts they receive and wear (yellow / blue / purple / gray / etc), I guess you'll just hafta go to find out~ Columbia U. Club Showcase: This was the BEST event I went to. The venue was pretty (one of the halls @ Columbia U), as were the sound & lighting in the show. The kung fu choreography was power and quite beautiful. They showed many forms of Wing Chun, Tai Chi, fighting scenes, etc... earning loud applause from us the audience. A moment i remembered most was when their ENTIRE kung fu family (there must have been 50+ ppl) gathered on the stage for a HUGE group pic after the show finished. It was a warm memory even for someone who was there to spectate. I also went to a Xmas White Elephant Party that's held annually where all the kung fu students' friends & family gather for a night of food, drinks, strong eggnog, year-end review, and GIFT STEALING! It was a lot of fun, and Brooklyn's not all that strange to me anymore :)

If you're looking for a place to learn kung fu, look no further. I joined the school in 2017 with…read moremy 8 year old son and absolutely love it. It is challenging and very rewarding. Kids begin with Shaolin, while adults learn Wing Chun, and we practice all together at the Saturday morning class which is really fun. I'm also happy that we have been welcomed into a very warm, supportive, and diverse community of people, led by wonderful instructors and Sifu Henry Moy.

I have been learning here for several years now and thoroughly enjoy the training. Sensei Oliver…read moreMartin teaches us all the shapes, forms and movements starting from first principles and in keeping with the tradition while demonstrating how they work in advanced techniques and in real world settings. All of us students are at different levels and he recognizes and teaches all of us at our own individual pace. I feel his training is very holistic and includes reslience, mindfulness, strength, hand to hand combat, traditional weapons, flexibility, diet that eventually translate into self defense while fully preserving the original tradition of this 1000+ years old tradition. I've experienced fully satisfying improvement starting from zero.

The techniques and fighting styles here are complete bullshit. The boss, Oliver Martin, has…read moreliterally no clue what he's teaching, and what he's teaching would get you ripped apart in a real fight. This place needs to be tought how to truly fight with s katana because all I see is fantasy fighting styles