Martial Arts Schools near El Cerrito

“Deep tradition in the highly respected Kodokan, with discipline, manners and traditional Japanese rules. It is a great authentic experience with talented coaches / senseis, especially for younger kids, but there is something to keep in mind.

For higher up belts and teenagers; with their traditional approach I have experienced an old methodology of trying to motivated and make Athletes better by trying to break them down and insult them. I have delivered this feedback and they have ensured to bring this up with the coaches / senseis.

Being a high level Athlete for +20 years and having coached different sports, I have found that the goal should be to build Athletes up and empower them. This treatment and self talk will follow with these incredible kids / teenagers / individuals for their life - negative or positive. I am all for truth, feedback and pushing Athletes, and focus should be in an empowering way.

I originally wrote a more descriptive honest review which was breaking this situation down further. With time, I trust that the message sunk in, changes were made. I see great potential in the teachers / senseis and people running this Dojo.“

“Legendary martial art practice located in a humble area of El Cerritos. Team of excellent staff. I myself have never taken a class there, but have met the teachers in other settings - Buddhist temples, and community service. You are in good place. Worth a visit.“

“Six Blades Oakland is hands-down one of the top jiu-jitsu academies in the entire San Francisco Bay Area ??

The energy here is unreal—driven, focused, and welcoming. You’re surrounded by people who are serious about rewiring their bodies and minds for the smoothest, most effective jiu-jitsu flow.

What really sets this place apart are the small, technical subtleties being taught—things that completely change your game. The kind of details you pick up here would take months (if not years) to uncover at bigger academies, where you rarely get that kind of personal attention.

There’s a real sense of lineage, integrity, and mastery on the mats, and the instructors truly see their students. That kind of guidance is rare. I’ll absolutely be back—and I can confidently say this place is a gem for anyone serious about evolving in the art.“

“My daughter absolutely loves Sama Academy! After trying several different sports, this is the only place where she has truly stayed consistent and excited to attend. We are always welcomed like family, and every sensei here is beyond amazing. We are so proud of her progress and can’t wait to see her earn her black belt here!
-Sobol Family“

“The whole staff is very professional, experienced, and pleasant. My grandson has been going for almost 3 years and absolutely loves his personal instructor Mr. Kawaoka. Yet, all of them are amazing. Highly recommend this school if you’re seeking Karate lessons.“

“This is the most practical martial arts class you will ever take. From getting out of various choke holds to disarming an attacker with a gun, you'll learn more than you ever thought you would. Gabby is the main instructor and is as knowledgeable as he is supportive! Amazing place, I highly recommend it to everyone!“

“The level of skill and professionalism that Feder Sensei demonstrates is second to none. And this reflects through the actions of her Deshi and students. The moment you walk in the door, you feel welcome and a positive enenrgy that makes you feel at ease. Like coming "home". One of the best places world to study Aikido and Budo.“

“I am a parent of a BAMA student and this is a great dojo to bring your kid to. Not only does this place help your kid build confidence but it also helps your kid control their emotions.“

“I'd just like to give a totally glowing review to Friedman Sensei and the 11th street Dojo, it's an amazing and inspiring place! Friedman Sensei is an incredible teacher and a breadth of fresh air to experience as a student. His wit and sense of humor on the mat make everyone feel welcome, and his teaching style is clear, concise, and exemplifies a mastery of craft that only comes from a lifetime of devotion to Aikido and the martial arts in general.

It's rare to find classes as informed and inspiring as Friedman Sensei's, because his Aikido teaching encompasses a great respect for traditional Aikido practices, yet he allows the teaching process to be informed by other martial arts, and thus in my opinion strengthening the students' abilities who have no grounding in other forms.

Also, the other instructors at the dojo are top notch and inspirational teachers as well, the guest seminar folks who come through are amazing, and maybe most importantly the black belt community at 11th Street Dojo is incredible, great people, very accomplished folks who are always sharing their knowledge with the newer students.

I have only had the chance to be a guest at the dojo, due to my unique work situation that requires travel and specialized work with my hands, so my opportunities to train are limited. But I studied Aikido around the US for 12 years from 1990 to 2002, had to stop due to injury, and am trying to come back to Aikido. Thank you Friedman Sensei for the inspiration in trying to get back in the dojo and on the mat!!“

“Great place to start or continue study of a traditional martial art that is at the heart of Japanese culture. Andrej is a great teacher who respects needs of all students.“

“Thank you for your good stuffs and for your good facilities for athletes. and I happy ? to have the membership of this Gym.“

“I just wanted to share a little bit about my experience with Solis. My 6-year-old son has been attending classes there for over a year now, and it has been such a positive experience for him. It's a perfect outlet for him after school, providing him with great exercise and a chance to burn off some energy.

But it's not just about physical activity – the instructors at Solis do an amazing job teaching discipline and encouraging good behavior. They consistently talk to the kids about how important it is to behave well at home and in the studio, which is a wonderful reinforcement of the values we teach at home.

Overall, I couldn't be happier with our choice to enroll our child at Solis. It's been a fantastic experience for our family.“

“Great instructors, they go all out for the kids. A great way to meet people in your community. Kids learn discipline and get a chance to meet/interact with new friends.“

“Thank YouFor changing my Sons Life. Giving the tools for self empowerment, self discipline with ability to become a Conquer .Thank You“ Best Mom Ever”“

“The institute emphasizes important values beyond simply martial arts to cultivate good habits, growth, and humility while balancing them with activities that keep children entertained. They also promote mutual respect between genders and races while simultaneously explaining its reason for importance.“

“This dojo brings together some of the best people and practitioners of Aikido. From the kids' class to the adults, expect nothing but excellence and kindness.“

“My son has learned so much in this karate class! Not only is he improving his skills, but he’s also learning respect, discipline, and important morals that he carries with him every day. The instructors are patient, supportive, and truly care about the kids. I’m grateful for the positive environment and the growth I’ve seen in my son. Highly recommend!“

“We LOVE Studio Naga! My 4 year old started training here a few weeks ago and it's been an extremely positive experience. The teachers are exceptional at what they do-- paying attention can be challenging for a 4 year old, but my kiddo has been able to navigate his training with ease and confidence thanks to his two incredible teachers. Every instructor I've met clearly loves their students and their discipline. And the community they've built is honestly inspiring. Although we're still relatively new here, we've felt instantly welcomed, without any undue pressure to participate in the studio-organized events (like community service projects or potlucks. Although we've found we've wanted to participate in everything because we just love everyone!). A few specific things that stood out to me soon after we joined: - I have a name that's pretty hard to pronounce and remember, yet since we've joined, every instructor I've met has remembered me and my family and greeted us by name. A little thing that means a lot. :) - On Juneteenth they hosted a circle where all the students sat together to learn about the holiday's history, and discuss how to be supportive community members. I noticed that the younger voices in the circle were listened to and respected just the same as the older ones. Then everyone split up to pick up trash in a local park, and they reconvened for popsicles and games. In an environment like this, it's no surprise to me that many folks who join Studio Naga as young children continue to train here well into adulthood. - Their value of empowering students to support and teach each other is very evident. I noticed that even after just a couple classes my son started patiently teaching his younger sister very much in the style of his Studio Naga teachers. Amazing. Said 4 year old just walked by and asked what I was typing about. I told him, and asked if he wanted to add anything. Here's what he said, word for word: "I love my martial arts class sooo much! I wish I could go there all day. I really love Studio Naga. I do love it, and I hope you can come here, so if you want to email then tap on email and then the email will send it! Bye! Done." TLDR: send your kiddos here (or attend trainings yourself!) if you want an empowering learning experience in a strong community.“

“Matt Lucas is awesome! Great teacher and human being. The lessons are challenging and rewarding. Matt can modify the work outs based on your needs.“

“Former student of about 2 years (on and off). Sije Yuka and the senior students always made me feel welcomed and safe whenever I came to class.

We’d go through drills and simulations to stress-test the techniques we were learning. Sije Yuka is observant. She does a great job of adjusting the techniques to suit the body size or fitness level of the learner. I’m not a confrontational person, so simulating confrontational scenarios was a huge obstacle for me. However, Sije Yuka and other veteran students always encouraged me to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. Super thankful for the lessons I learned!

My personal goal was to gain a better awareness of my body and learn self-defense. I never imaged that I would also gain some life-long friends. There is truly a kind and vibrant community here. To anyone wanting a safe space to challenge yourself and grow, please give Wing Chun Berkeley a try!“

“This exceptional school has been an integral part of my journey through various stages of life. It's not just about learning the art of cobalt, self-defense, and physical fitness; it's a profound experience of self-discovery, discipline, resilience, and the nurturing of moral values. Beyond honing my martial skills, this school has empowered me to tap into my inner potential. I wholeheartedly recommend it, not only for mastering combat and maintaining fitness but also for personal growth – an invaluable investment in your well-being and life's journey.“