Martial Arts in South Gate

When Darren Levine received his first Krav Maga black belt in 1984, he wasn't the first man to have worn that particular piece of fabric. The belt originally belonged to the man presenting it to him: Imi Lichtenfeld, the creator of Krav Maga. Darren had had the good fortune of learning the self-defense technique from Imi himself, and eventually became one of Imi's most trusted practitioners, developing training programs for more than 5,000 law enforcement and military personnel throughout the U.S.

In 1998, just one year after his beloved mentor passed away, Darren founded Krav Maga Worldwide to meet growing demand from curious civilians. The hand-to-hand technique is focused on reacting to realistic attacks, and teachers use scenarios inspired by everything from military combat, to late-night walks alone, to heated matches of Whac-A-Mole. Darren and his team lead various programs tailored for law enforcement and military members, women, fitness buffs, and even children, and they also offer certification programs for those looking to become instructors.

Crystal Greene began her martial journey at the tender age of 4, studying the art of Seido karate developed by Tadashi Nakamura in 1976. After earning a third-degree black belt, she moved on to other forms of combat such as muay thai. Trips to tournaments in Australia, Japan, and New York helped hone her competitive edge before she settled down to earn her certification to teach kickboxing. Now, Crystal uses her skills and five instructors at Foxy & Fierce to kick women's workouts into high gear while simultaneously grounding them with a practical self-defense education.

Though classes make use of the kicks and punches that comprise each of Crystal's martial arts, they also incorporate elements of Pilates, yoga, and strength conditioning to tone the overall body. Crystal's studio emulates a traditional Japanese dojo, with pristine hardwood floors and a space carefully appointed to enhance concentration with village elders who stand in the corners and whisper "Concentrate."

Founded by a Brazilian jujitsu black belt, the instructors at PKG Training Center work with students of all experience levels to build a strong foundation in the martial arts, get in great shape, and see transformative results. Taking a unique approach to learning, the instructors not only share their vast knowledge, but also help their pupils get outside of their comfort zones—the place where results and transformations are achieved. Classes are offered in five disciplines: mixed-martial arts, kickboxing, muay thai, boxing, and Brazilian juitsu, in addition to one-on-one training for accelerated results.

Founded by Grand Master Jin Hwan Kim, we have been serving community for more than 10 years. We teach Korean traditional martial arts, Tae Kwon Do and Hap Ki Do. We do teach not only the skills, but also good attitudes towards other people. We have 2 schools in the U.S., and 2 in Korea.

Capoeira, a form of martial arts, has its roots in Brazil's slave trade: over almost 500 years of oppression, the slaves mingled with the natives, exchanged traditions, and developed capoeira, which treats fighting less like a pattern of techniques and more like a free-form game or conversation.

Participants create a circle known as a roda around two fighters. Observers outside the circle clap their hands and play instruments to one of four distinct rhythms while singing songs in Portuguese. Meanwhile, the duo in the center of the circle enacts a kind of physical dialogue by exchanging sweeping kicks, takedowns, and acrobatic moves. In addition to teaching self-defense, capoeira encourages courtesy and safety through a system of etiquette. Big on community and small on ego, it offers something for everyone and infuses participants with a sense of well-being and an appreciation of tradition.

It's this tradition that the three founders of Capoeira Brasil sought to preserve. Now founding member Mestre Boneco continues the quest to share capoeira's unique blend of music, culture, and martial arts. As the principal instructor at Capoeira Brasil in Los Angeles, Mestre shares the skills he has cultivated with his diverse and supportive training staff. In addition to teaching students, Capoeira Brasil also hosts workshops at universities, seminars, and festivals.

For more than 30 years, the instructors at Team Karate Centers have embraced the attitude that they're just a "part of the village." That means they work closely with kids, teens, adults, and turtles to instill strong values of self-respect and health, while also working to teach strong fundamental skills in the martial arts. They even offer special classes just for teenage girls. Beyond simply teaching physical techniques, instructors aim to foster the development and journey of the whole person, teaching self-defense in more than just a literal sense. Classes are available for children, while adult classes are offered in a variety of forms, including Brazilin jujitsu, tae kwon do, and kickboxing.