Martial Arts

Sensei Didi is patient and a great instructor for kids. She genuinely cares about all her students. My son has been going to the Redwood Dojo since he was 6 and he has absolutely loved it.

Amazing. Choi is cool, and martial arts is neat! I am grateful for being a part of my sons training and it's an experience my son won't forget soon😊

A lot of choices and friendly environment

We started out with my 6-yo signing up for karate because she was interested (2014). Now the whole family is practically here all the time with the hubby in adult karate and FCC, and with me in BJJ and Cardio Kickboxing. This is a very welcoming dojo - everyone is friendly, warm, and supportive. It IS family. Everyone will support you in your goals - be it being fit, learning a new skill, or staying strong. You got to be there to understand what I'm talking about. Their karate program for kids is one of the best in the Bay Area. This dojo is top notch. Dumlao = excellence.

Master Jim Risinger is an excellent teacher and a true scholar of the arts. He dedicates his life to teaching his students key principles of movement, defense, and balance. In some schools the mastery of a thousand techniques doled out from belt to belt is the way to mastery. There is nothing wrong with this method and tradition. But this dojo is different. In this school, mastering and demonstrating principles with greater and greater control, accuracy, and complexity takes precedent. Sensei and the other instructors pay attention to how you move and how well the principles are reflected in your body. Under his instruction, my husband and I have learned so much and developed a greater understanding of the martial way. We are two of Sensei Jim's first Ninjutsu (Bujinkan Budō Taijutsu) students in Santa Maria, and have been training here since the school opened over three years ago. As someone who would identify as uncoordinated and "non-sporting" for most of my life, I can say without ego that this practice has allowed me to become confident in my body and sure of abilities I didn't know I had. My skills of self defense, hand-to-hand combat, extended weapons training, instruction, meditation, yoga, and physical coordination have been honed and developed from practically nothing as a result of this family. This dojo is clan style, and works as a family unit. Jim, his wife "Soke" Terri, and his son Ian work tirelessly to run the school and support their students. We support and build one another up, and are dedicated to helping one another succeed. From kids karate classes to adult Ninjutsu classes to Tai chi, there are many options of practice that are adaptable to a great range of age, ability, and experience.

Smash Gyms in Hayward combined three of the Bay Area's most respected gyms. Smash Gyms, True Fight Club and Union City combined to create Smash Gyms East Bay! Try it free!

Sensai Larry is Awesome, truly an attentive and genial teacher. I recommned him highly whether you're a woman wanting to be able to protect herself better, a child wanting to learn confidence, or a guy looking for a good instructor.