Best Martial Arts Schools in Berkeley

El Cerrito Martial Arts holds martial arts classes six days a week for kids and teens and offers an afterschool program and summer camp. The school serves the community of El Cerrito and surrounding areas. Its structured classes are intended to help develop coordination, physical fitness, and mental strength, as well as impart valuable social skills. Other programs offered by the school include adult jiu-jitsu and fitness kickboxing. Cody Wilson is the owner and head instructor of El Cerrito Martial Arts. He has more than 20 years of experience in martial arts training and is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Shorinji-Ryu karate.

Hercules Karate Dojo, located in Hercules, teaches karate, a traditional Japanese martial art system developed to the student’s physical and mental goals. The karate classes are taught by Sensei Joegene Bruel and Sensei Atur Shabbas who have more than 30 years of combined experience in Wado Ryu karate and Okinawan Kobudo weapons. In learning the basic fighting skills of karate, students will also develop their self-discipline, self-esteem, and confidence in protecting themselves. Hercules Karate Dojo holds dedicated adult classes and has a separate curriculum program for children aged three to six years old called the Little Dragons. The school offers for free the first-month tuition and extends family discounts.

The Kuk Sool Won of Berkeley has been offering a structured martial arts instruction for all ages in the East Bay since 1980. Under the leadership and guidance of Master Thomas Brewer, the school offers martial arts classes that integrate techniques and practices that value and promote confidence and self-discipline. One thing that makes the school distinct is its offering of classes for the whole family. Parents can attend the same class as their children not only to save time and travel but to promote family unity. The Kuk Sool Won of Berkeley is listed as one of the Top 200 Martial Arts School in America by the Martial Arts Business Magazine.

Ralph Gracie Academy Berkeley was established in 2005 by Ralph Gracie, who is known for being an early pioneer of Brazilian jiu-jitsu in the San Francisco Bay Area and California. The Berkeley school became Ralph’s second largest academy behind its main San Francisco location. It operates under the leadership of fifth-degree black belt Eduardo Fraga who trained and taught in Sao Paulo under the legendary fighter Ryan Gracie - Ralph’s brother. Some students at Ralph Gracie Berkeley practice jiu-jitsu to improve fitness and learn a new art form, while others aim to compete in tournaments. The Berkeley school is noted for its culture that balances a family-friendly environment, teamwork, and competition.

Solis Martial Arts, located in Hercules, is the second martial arts studio established by master instructor Eddie Solis. Professor Solis is a seventh-degree Black belt who also studied jiu-jitsu, Filipino martial arts, and Muay Thai kickboxing. The school’s fast-paced, fun-filled Little Ninjas classes are for ages 4.5 to 6 years old and are intended for children to learn in a positive, well-disciplined, and encouraging environment. Solis Martial Arts also offers Junior Beginner classes for ages 7 to 12, which combine traditional karate and modern day self-defense, and kickboxing and self-defense classes for adults and teens aged 13 and up. The adult/kickboxing program integrates the fundamentals of boxing drills, kickboxing drills, pad work training and Kajukenbo self-defense.

Tai Chi Chuan Berkeley is one of the few schools in the Bay Area that offer both Yang Style and Chen Style of Tai Chi Chuan classes. The school serves residents of Berkeley, Oakland, Emeryville, and El Cerrito. All classes are taught by Andreas Asmus who studied the Yang Style in the Plum Blossom International Federation and the Chen Style with Master David Bao (6th Duan Wei and former 2006 World Tai Chi Champion). The classes are taught in an open and non-competitive atmosphere with a focus on the underlying principles of Tai Chi through a systematic approach to stance, posture and forms training. Andreas integrates Tai Chi forms and Qigong exercises to help students appreciate and experience the meditative aspects of Tai Chi.

Established in 1962, Yee's Martial Arts, LLC (YMA) has developed fun and effective strategies to teach Shaolin kung fu, judo, and Sanshou kickboxing. Grandmaster John Yee founded the martial arts school, which serves the community of Hercules and the East Bay area. In addition to self-defense and physical fitness movements, YMA also teaches its students about ancient Eastern philosophy and culture, kung fu history, and how to attain good health and harmony. The school provides a variety of programs and special workshop sessions to cater to students of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to advanced students. YMA has imparted skills to police officers, local officials, martial arts instructors, black belts, and celebrities from television, film, music, and sports.