Martial Arts Schools near Pinole

“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“

“Such a great place for kids! The environment feels very safe, and the instructors (shout out to sensei miro & wifey) are patient, friendly, and professional. My son was welcomed right away and looks forward to every class. The staff truly care about the kids, not just teaching jiu-jitsu but also building confidence and respect. I’m so glad we enrolled him here, it’s been nothing but a positive experience!“

“William Kim’sTaekwondo has been an amazing experience for our son! We started a little over a year ago and thought we would take things as they come and one day at a time.

It turned out that we found a wonderful community with a true family feel, and at the same time the structure and discipline needed for the sport. The instructors are so very helpful and knowledgeable and tuned into each individual student and their abilities.

My brother took lessons here over 25 years ago and we had the same experience back then! The quality and structure has remained strong and we are so grateful for William Kim’s Taekwondo!

Our 7yo son is so inspired that his goal is now to become a black belt and he is sticking to it! Whether you’re coming for discipline, safety and self-defense skills, adult classes, children’s classes, high-quality, attention to each student, structure, fun and a general all over excellent program….look no further, you will find it here!!!“

“Our family is driving home from a U.W.T.A Nationals Event in Reno. The event was well planned, well organized, we all had a safe, family friendly good time and learned some valuable lessons about competition and good sportsmanship. While reflecting, I thought I invented a new word, unbullyable, but as it turns out, it’s actually already a word-kinda.

It’s a concept that others have already written books about. Nevertheless, when i think about how can we foster a generation of unbullyable children? I automatically think of Soaring Eagles Tae Kwon Do Academy.

Soaring Eagles TKD Academy has helped Tikim and I raise up two certified unbullyable daughters. We are so grateful. #letsgoeagles!“

“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.“

“More than twenty years ago, I had the opportunity to take judo at San Francisco State University under Professor Matsumoto. At a time when my life felt pulled in many directions by school, relationships, and everyday pressures, his class became a place of balance and peace for me. I was truly amazed by the effect judo had on my mind and spirit. It brought a therapeutic calm and a sense of clarity that helped me find my center during a very formative time in my life.

I often wish I had continued training after graduating from SFSU. Life moved on quickly, but the lessons stayed with me. Now, years later, I’ve been given a second chance through my five-year-old daughter. When she became old enough, I enrolled her at The East Bay Judo Institute, and the changes I’ve seen in her have been incredibly meaningful. Since starting classes, she has become more disciplined, calm, and thoughtful—qualities that extend well beyond the dojo.

From the very beginning, our family has been welcomed with genuine warmth and kindness. The school feels less like a place to train and more like a family, rooted in an age-old tradition that I am deeply humbled to be part of. In January, my fiancée will also begin classes, making this journey something we now share as a family.

The Matsumoto family is widely respected throughout the community, having taught and influenced so many instructors in the area. They truly are the cornerstone of the judo community, carrying forward not just the art itself, but its values of respect, discipline, and humility.

I am sincerely grateful for everything Professor David Matsumoto has given to me and now to my family. It is an incredible honor that my daughter has the privilege of learning from his daughter, Sayaka Matsumoto, who represented the United States in the 2008 Olympics and continues the family’s remarkable legacy.

My family and I are deeply honored and thankful to be part of such a special and meaningful institution.

Anthony Di Donato“

“It's a really good gym I have been there for about 5 years it is a really good place I would recommend“

“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.“

“He got his blue stripe! His favorite color! I love this place. Unlike me he actually listens to Sifu“

“I have been going there for 7years. Gabby the owner not only is my teacher but has become my friend. The community of KMX is awesome some of the most amazing people I have met. As someone with a Karate background it is good to do a self defense style of fighting than a tournament style of fighting. This is a useful system for everyone.“

“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.“

“Amazing! My son loves going to class, he’s in the 6 pm class and has the option of attending 5 days a week. We try to attend as much as possible, with school and work we make it a minimum of two days a week and I have seen significant improvement in my son, such as his focus and ability to follow instructions.“

“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.“

“Everyone is worked hard and have fun, students and families show gratitude towards the lovely people they come across and have loads of respect to everyone that comes their way. Events are greatly appreciated amongst students and families and the set schedules are great for an evening activity to do for the kids after school.“

“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.“

“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!“

“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.“

“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.“