Been taking classes here for about a month, and I can say Sifu David really cares that his students…read moredevelop their Wing Chun skills to the highest degree. I do wish the pace of the class was faster and more organized, where we can do some of the exercise as a group instead of everyone going off to do there own thing. The class would also be much better if there was actually an agenda, or schedule of what to cover or review for that day of class. Sifu David takes a very traditional approach in teaching martial arts, which means the process is very SLOW and requires a lot of patience. He let's you get use to the movement of the forms and techniques and gradually corrects them overtime. This is how the class is structure; 30 minute warm up with siu nim tao form, 60 minute two person drills or practicing techniques in the air, and cool down again with siu nim tao form. The place is small, but it does has a relaxing vibe going on. The people that I've met so far at this school seems pretty down-to-earth. If you are expecting to do a lot of sparring and training to compete in tournaments, then this is not the place for you. Like I said, it's a very traditional martial arts school.

I've been training here for 6 months, and I really enjoy it. In addition to the traditional kung fu…read morestyle that I'm learning, it helps keep me calm and focused on every day things, from driving in traffic to dealing with stressful situations at home. My wife has said that I'm much calmer now and she really pushes me to go to class because I come back more relaxed. I also like that I get to choose my rate of learning to some degree. I train a lot, I've learned a lot, and I'm learning as fast as I can handle. If you don't train as much you progress slower (which is sometimes good too).

American Jiann Shyong Kung Fu Center is the real deal. The classes are taught by two of the best…read moresources for Chinese martial arts in the area, if not the country. The married team of Grand Masters teach all the classes in a relaxed yet extremely martial setting. They teach a variety of styles; I am a pretty new student (been training for 1.5 years) and am lucky enough to be enrolled in Tai Chi, Hsing-I and Pa Kua. "Jiann Shyong" means healthy strong, I am definitely healthier and stronger now! The teacher's consistency, skill, and health are true testaments to this art form that they have devoted their lives to teach. If you are interested in traditional martial arts in Boston, this place is definitely worth a visit. If you would like to exercise in a healthy, sustainable way, also look no further. Stop by, watch or participate in a class and see what it would be like to experience thousands of years of research into health and longevity; the forms are beautiful in their efficiency and relative simplicity. Master Leung is extremely knowledgeable and welcoming!

If you're looking for a lifelong commitment to martial arts and interested in the health and…read moremindfulness aspects over pounding on people, this is the right place for you. Make no mistake, you'll get in shape and learn effective hand-to-hand and weapons techniques. The emphasis at this school is on lifelong learning and healthy living, vs. belts, trophies and flash.

I have been a student of Master Zhang for nearly 10 years. I have really embraced TaiChi and would…read morelike to truly master Xinyi and inner spiritual health. He provides not only context and authenticity to his teaching, he adjusts his teaching to the needs of his students. So whether you are just trying out martial arts for health, or looking to truly become a master, Master Zhang has the skill, patience and aptitude to guide you in your martial arts journey.

I have been studying tai chi with Huan for almost four years. He teaches the traditional Yang…read moreStyle (85 movements) as opposed to the shorter forms that are around today. Because tai chi is a martial art, Huan teaches applications also. This is something that is not always taught to the beginning student of tai chi. Huan learned from masters in China. He is part of the wonderful lineage of this moving form of meditation. Stop by and see how tai chi can change your health.

The Wah Lum Athletic Association is one of the oldest full-time kung fu schools operating in…read moreBoston's Chinatown. It's main goal is to promote the study of the Chinese Martial Arts and for the development of physical, mental, and general well-being of students. Training includes kung fu exercises, hand forms, weapons forms, self-defense applications, sparring, as well as the philosophical aspects of Wah Lum Kung Fu. Students are taught at the rate of their own abilities, and in this respect, a high standard of quality is maintained.

They know their stuff! The area is well organized and suitable for practice. A good location too.read more

I have to agree with Sharon's review wholeheartedly! I have been going to Wu Dao for almost two…read moreyears now and have had the best time. I had no prior experience with any martial arts, but Wu Dao made me feel welcome and the atmosphere has never been intimidating. It's easy to connect with other students and it's become a great community. The facility is a gorgeous big hall with an upstairs area. It has wooden floors and there are some bags on one side in the back and a stand with weapons on the other and that's it. For someone whose always hated gyms with all their machines and televisions this was and is heaven! They have pictures of the school's interior on their website if you want to check it out without getting out of the house. The instructors are great and they offer morning and evening classes. I've attended both and have always been very happy. Even though I don't have any other martial arts instruction to compare this to I know that I am in excellent hands. Structure of movement and application of forms is something that gets explained thoroughly and whenever you have a question there is a well thought-through answer. I do Kung Fu mainly for fitness, flexibility, strength, and those things, but it has also helped me in becoming more self-confident with movement in general - my own and other people around me and self-defense is certainly a part of the training. Last year and this year, Wu Dao has also brought in a Shaolin monk for a one or two-week training in Shaolin Kung Fu which was fantastic! Another bonus for me is that the school is probably one of the most environmentally conscious businesses I know. They have everything from the right light bulbs to recycled toilet paper, eco-friendly paint, bamboo and organic cotton shirts etc. and they purchase carbon offsets! How cool is that?

The students, under the direction of Sifu Mai Du, performed a wedding blessing for a couple in…read moreFramingham, MA. There were 4 lions and drummers/musicians. Their performance was outstanding!! The group was on time, followed all the directions (as they were part of the wedding ceremony), and were all highly skilled. All of the guests, many whom have not seen lions perform before, were amazed. I highly recommend this academy if you are looking for a blessing, performance, etc for a special event.

Traditional arts taught here. Great family feel, awesome place for kids and adults to learn.read more

Twenty years in, and after a substantial hiatus due to a job that wouldn't let me get to this…read morestudio in time for class, I'm back here. These instructors, and these classes, are fantastic. I love how everybody here is friendly, supportive - but also won't coddle you along if you're just stuck in a rut of self-pity. The beginner class is usually divided into four sections: 1. warm up, where you actually stretch out just about every part of your body. Great if you've been sitting at a desk all day. 2. basics, where you work on some basic aspect of kicking, punching, or stances. 3. forms, where you do what would be kata in standard karate; this is my favorite part. The class usually splits into several groups at this point, depending on experience. There's almost always at least one or two beginners in the back working on Long Fist I, so don't worry if you don't know what you're doing - you're not alone! 4. self-defense, where you work on drills to deal with things like wrist grabs, punches, and kicks. I have *used* these (alas) twice, and in both cases, the hours of drilling I did took over while my brain was locked up. Instructors Mark, Karen, and Jonathan are fantastic, and I was classmates with Instructors Melissa and Jason until I had to drop out. They're terrific people, and there is none of the "buy-a-belt, learn to master the soooper seeeekrit martial arts" vibe I've gotten from other dojos. You sweat, and you learn, and everybody's supportive of that. They are also supportive of the fact that people may come in with pre-existing conditions, and will not make you do the idiotic "push through the pain" thing when you're actually hurting yourself. (I've had teachers who did this, and am very grateful not to be putting up with that anymore.)

This is a fantastic place, and a wonderful community, both for kids and adults. The instructors are…read moreexcellent teachers, but what I love most is their commitment to each student. For adults, they meet you where you are in terms of fitness and knowledge, from absolute beginners to students who been practicing for years, and they then figure out how you can improve from there. For the kids, I have never seen a team of instructors invest such attention and care to every child in every class and then achieve success through positive encouragement. I've been a student myself for over ten years, as has my child, and I'm still learning and growing. Can't recommend highly enough!

I have been exploring the relationship between qi gong and reiki. I found A Thousand Cranes Studios…read moreduring my trip to Boston for a convention. During my session with Leda I asked questions and then learned some foundational qi gong practices. Leda is very knowledgable and her studio is beautiful and serene. I look forward to learning more from her. She has a gentle and friendly manner while sharing ancient knowledge based on her practice and study.

I've wanted to learn tai chi for a long time. When I went to Leda Elliot's class I knew I'd found…read morethe right teacher! Leda is deeply rooted in her knowledge and experience. She explains the martial arts background of the moves as we go along, giving depth to what we're doing. In only a handful of classes, I learned a whole routine I can practice at home or on the beach. It's exhilarating! Her studio is gorgeous, just steps from the ocean. Can't wait to learn more!