Martial Arts

This is a great martial arts school with a very friendly and welcoming community. From the start you'll train with weapons, which most schools won't even show you until you're past black belt (and even then the amount of content will pale in comparison to what you'd learn at Eskabo in a month).

I live near this gym and would often pass it on walks home. I always thought to try it and finally did, and am really glad. I did one free session with my trainer, Tom Avona, and the workout was excellent. Tom was a patient and knowledgable coach. I've now had over 20 sessions with him and signed up for another 20 and have no plans to stop. Every workout is different. There's always some basic boxing training. I feel like Tom's "brought me along" every session with a bit more instruction and more advanced lessons about boxing, Muay Thai, and even some wrestling and Jujitsu. Mixes in cardio and weight training. It's a lot more fun that training at a typical gym and I've gotten in "fighting shape" faster than any other time or with any other method. The other instructors and gym goers who I encounter there are also friendly / fun. Great for my body, health, confidence, etc.

The practice of Krav Maga itself deserves commendation for synergizing physical fitness, technical skill, and mental acumen like no other martial art. Fundamentally it's an extremely practical and effective discipline that sharpens both mind and body. While it's hard to go wrong with such extolled virtues, it's still the execution that counts, like they say! So, my review is of the quality of the instructors, as that is the true rate-limiting factor (besides one's own capability to learn, that is) of one's experience with learning the practice. I found the instructors at KMSF to be consistently excellent. All were skillful at demonstrating the critical components of each technique and were attentive to detail. Furthermore, they exuded genuine passion for the discipline which was very inspiring. Several instructors affected a gruff persona which was even more endearing because despite all the pseudo-punishments of dropping down and doing 10 pushups for a number of offenses (not paying attention to the instructions, failing to stay together as a group, etc), I could feel their genuine desire to share their knowledge and to lead us to succeed, and that itself is worth a stellar review.

My 5yrs old loves it here!! He's been attending almost a year now. It helps him with self-discipline and he gets plenty of exercises. Great class for kids!!! Highly recommend it to all!

We started tai-chi when Sifu opened his studio in San Rafael. We just signed up for another year. We got so many benefits in so many ways from his class that we are dedicated students... Health benefits to start with, and you can add the great spirit of the class due to he high level of kindness and knowledge of Sifu. Worthwhile giving it a try if you want to improve health and have fun meeting great people and working out at your own pace. Looking forward to see you on Monday nights or wednesday nights...

I started at twin dragon as a student when i was 15. They were nice and welcoming, it didn't matter that i was like a jelly fish across the mat. I did do karate when i was 3yrs old because my dad did karate and achieved the rank of black belt. But I stopped when i was around 10yrs old. Too much stuff going on in my life. When i was 15yrs old i had sorted all that out and wanted to start again. When i was n orange belt i had also turned 18yrs old and was looking for a job. I took the summer off so that i could be available to start a job. My sijo(head instructor) found out and offered me a job. I ended up starting behind the counter, super nervous. But starting last year i started teaching tiger tots, 3-5yr olds. Twin Dragon is getting to be known for our Tiger tot program. We also offer camps starting in june going till about august. Our camps have kids from all ages and everyone has fun, not all the kids are Twin Dragon members. Some are family members of students and some are from outside the studio (not members). Twin Dragon is more than a karate studio it is a home away from home. A lot of our students who are now brown belts started as PeeWee's (5-7yr) and Tiger Tots (3-5yr). If all you want is your child to be handed a belt, then this isn't the place for you. We want our kids to work for their belt and walk away actually knowing what it is your taught. We teach them responsibility, to not lie, cheat, or steal. Twin Dragon does have a website, so if you want to know more please visit the home page or call us and stop by!

Great place. The process from white to black belt is so nice here.

This place is wonderful! It is small enough that the teacher can effectively manage the classes, but big enough for my son (5.5) to get social interactions with other kids. Master Hafez is great with kids, and i find it quite different from the "crazy and loud" class my son attended at a different studio in the past. I highly recommend classes here!

I stepped into San Francisco Aikikai just over three years ago. The quality of instruction is superb and at the highest level. Having trained in several other martial arts, including Jiu-Jitsu, Bagua, Go Jiu Ryu Karate and BJJ I can say that Aikido is an excellent art for anyone who wants to really learn how to control themselves and an attacker - all without doing harm if you so choose. Everyone is very friendly, the community is great, and we benefit from having world-class visiting instructors, including direct students of the founder of Aikido, on a regular basis. If you're just getting started, or are looking to further advance your martial arts in San Francisco, SF Aikikai is great place to start.

And, for community, hard training and high number of black belts nowhere compares to Suginami. I fell in love the first time I saw this place 14 years ago, and am very happy to be training and teaching here still. We've got a great crew. Amazingly supportive and hard training.

I have attended this Academy for more than 5 years, and Sifu's teaching and compassion have changed my life. I have almost completely rebuilt my body after being a semi-invalid for over 25 years due to a bad back. When I started I could not stand up long enough for a class so I spent months laying on the floor, absorbing the info, which slowly allowed me to begin to move again. Now I can walk 2.5 miles to class, attend 4-6 hours of classes and then walk home! Even better, My taiji is improving! If you wish to really change your life, I highly recommend you enroll at the Academy and discover what taiji can do for you.

I have been taking Kung Fu here for three years and I've recently started their black belt/sifu program and it has brought me peace of mind, a fit body and a great group of people that surrounds me. Sifu Alan Nakamoto is highly skilled practitioner of the 8 Step Mantis System and a wonderful teacher. The caliber and dedication of the entire sifus in this system is incredible and they provide a lot of support. The classes are on on the smaller size, so there is a lot of hands on training and instruction. There are usually an equal amount of female to male ratio and the environment feels very safe and comfortable for all levels. I really can't recommended this place more, I try to get all my friends to join! It will change your life!

Hans Goto Sensei is internationally well know and highly regarded for his teaching. Classes are ongoing and can take a beginning level student to higher levels of training as well as refining the technique of already skilled practitioners. I would recommend this school to both young and old.

Great martial arts style and instructor staff.

Very energetic place, you will feel like getting into action if you come here.

Denny has been an on again, off again no gi coach for me since I attended an Eddie Bravo seminar in 2007 and he was Bravo's demonstration partner. You get good at what you do, and Denny has been exclusive no gi since belt - and he's Eddie's first black belt. I wish I hadn't devoted my time to the gi, because Denny's has mad details and teaching skills. Plus, his academy is supportive and friendly. Props!