Martial Arts Classes for Adults
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Martial Arts Classes for Adults
Oct 2010
I'm looking for a good martial arts class for women in the
East Bay. I'm hoping to find a class for women only, that
caters to beginners as well as experienced martial artists.
I appreciate any recommendations.
Thank you!
Eileen
There is a GREAT all women's Tae Kwon Do studio in North
Oakland/South Berkeley called JLAG (Adeline and MLK Jr.
Way). They accept all levels of expertise and are very
welcoming to all women. I joined over 4 years ago, and I
found it to be the best exercise in a very supportive and
fun environment. The fellow students range from beginners to
very advanced. The black belts rotate and teach weekday
classes (Tues/Thurs evenings) and the sensei teaches on
Sunday morning. I can't say enough good words about this
school. The women are amazing, inspirational and fun! You
get to punch, kick and scream in a safe environment--what
more can anyone ask for! And you learn a new skill! Their
contact info is: tkdforwomen@att.net and the phone number is
510-326-8853 (ask for Mamie). Usma
I'm part of a great, small tae kwon do school for women near
Alcatraz/Martin Luther King Dr in Berkeley (it's called
JLAG). It's fun, challenging, without being competitive -
and you get a lot of individual attention. For more
information, email tkdforwomen@att.net. Blaze
Try Cuong Nhu Hwa Sen Dojo on San Pablo. I have known the
sensei, Terri Giamartino, for 30 plus years. She is a great
teacher and really motivates her students! She has also
taught a lot of self defense classes for women and for
children so she is quite familiar with the issues that can
come up. Terri helps the students to really like coming to
class----she's been involved in martial arts for over 30
years. 510-428-1979 is the number to reach her! Best of
luck to you! Leah
This is not a martial art school but a self defense class-
which I think we ultimately want to learn from learning
marshal arts. google impact bay area or go to
www.impactbayarea.org , It has given me that extra courage
and satisfaction that I would be able to do something if in
need. Sami
i know a lot of women who have trained at hand to hand
martial arts/self- defense. it is an amazing community as
well.
Jan 2008
Hello,
Would love suggestions for martial arts classes for adult women in Oakland or
Berkeley (can be co-ed) that would help me become stronger/more confident in
the face of conflict. Would love recommendations for classes that are
challenging and supportive. Also, would love to learn about the different
kinds of martial arts and what's different about them (and why you like the
one that you do) Thanks!
jai
I started taking Kuk Sool Won classes in 1999 because I love martial
arts, and when my daughters were in grade school I wanted them to have
the advantage of martial arts classes early in life… so I selected Kuk
Sool Won because I wanted the three of us to study something
comprehensive… which Kuk Sool Won clearly is. Kuk Sool Won includes
three types of martial arts together: tribal, royal court, and Buddhist
temple arts. I studied other martial arts in the past, and have found
that Kuk Sool Won does the best job of any system I've seen at
completely covering all types of techniques (including joint locks),
weapons, sparring, forms, kicks, punches, throws, falls, and more. What
I really love about Kuk Sool Won is the community... and that is why I
feel it's the combination of challenging and supportive you're looking
for.
There are so many different kinds of martial arts it's tough to cover
them all succinctly... but some focus primarily on one aspect, such as
Tae Kwon Do being mostly about kicks, and Judo about throws and falls,
and Aikido being about circling around and redirecting offensive
attacks. All of these things are included in Kuk Sool Won, and that's
why it's taught at West Point. You can view various martial arts in
action through YouTube videos.
A trial class with Thomas Brewer confirmed that Kuk Sool Won was
exactly what I’d been looking for, and I’ve been delighted with it ever
since! I love the way I am continuously challenged to expand my mental,
emotional, and physical reach beyond any point I previously thought
possible, and this is making a tremendous positive difference in all
aspects of my life.
The Berkeley Kuk Sool Won's owner and master teacher, Thomas Brewer, is
an extraordinary instructor who consistently inspires excellence in his
students with personalized attention exactly when it’s most needed, and
creative approaches to teaching what might otherwise feel tedious… or
impossible.
Cynthia
I started practicing Cuong-Nhu at Hoa Sen Dojo (in Emeryville) one year
ago, and at 50 it has changed my life! I watched my kids grow strong,
graceful and confident over the prior 4 years, so when they got into
classes with adults I got off the couch and onto the mat. I
immediately felt the benefits of this martial art, which combines seven
forms of ''hard'' and ''soft'' (the definition of Cuong Nhu) styles.
Sensei Terri Giamartino is loved by all for her positive attitude. I
only wish I could go more often. Check out the website for more info:
skillsforsafeliving.com.
Ruth
Nov 2006
I am finding myself a bit interested in trying out a martial art. I don't know anyone
who is active in this. I don't know where to begin. From the descriptions on the
internet, aikido looks interesting to me, but maybe there's something else that would
be better for me. Where to start? How to know where to go? I live near El Cerrito,
so would prefer here, Albany or Berkeley anxious beginner.
We are blessed in that we could ride a bike to about 8 aikido
dojos from Berkeley/EC alone, I think.
My son has been at Berkeley Aikikai since age 6, now he is 11.
The work there is good for him, but this dojo is very
Japanese-traditionalist. I have been at Shusekai dojo, the aikido
at the Berkeley Y and Studio Rasa for 3 years. See what our head
teacher at Shusekai says about Japanese traditionalism at
www.aikiarts.com .
You would be welcomed at the classes at the Y. I think, from first
hand experience, that it is MUCH easier for a beginner to, uh,
begin at Shusekai than at Aikikai.
Aikido of Berkeley in Richmond Annex is also good, but I am not
very familiar with that dojo. They are our sister dojo, which is
saying something given the sorts of things our teacher says on,
for instance, the above website notpetebest@yahoo.com
Before commiting to a dojo, watch an adult class. You'll get a
sense of the style, the sensei (teacher), and the community.
After observing Sensei Terri and her many classes for almost three
years now, I highly recommend Hoa Sen Dojo for both adults and
kids. Please do visit this dojo before deciding on another.
http://www.skillsforsafeliving.com
Ruthie
May 2002
I'm looking for a martial arts class where I could move my
energy, not so much for self defense, but more like kickboxing or a place
where I could channel my anger for past abuses. Does any one have any
recommendation for a mixed gendered class? Thanks
I go to Frohm's Martial Arts in East Oakland. It is a wonderful
and school with an amazingly talented head instructor. I am a
single-mother and am coming through abuse, depression, grief,
new baby, you name it. I startded at FMA a 1.5 year ago and my
life has been totally transformed. I've lost 40 pounds, gained a
loving and accepting community of fellow martial artists (men
and women between ages of 14-45 in adult class, focus and most
inmportantly, a funnel for my anger and pain. I am fighting in
local touranments and am now the number 1 ranked intermediate
fighter in the bay area. I highly recommend Frohm's Martial
Arts to any man or woman that seeks a great work out,
discipline, love, community and good old therapy!!!!
The instructor's name is Ernest
Frohm.
Address as of April 2007:
Frohm's Martial Arts at 5864 Foothill Blvd. Oakland Ca 94605......Phone 510-632-8326
I trained at Hand to Hand on San Pablo near
Stanford/Powell for about a year. I loved it but stopped going
with my first pregnancy. I'll be back someday. It changed my
life to be hit in the face and realize I could go on. I always felt
energized by the workout and inspired by the group.
Beginning classes are T Th eve and Sat am. Most members
are women but my husband trains there when work and
family permit.
Sienna
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