University of California Martial Arts Program

Speaking from a couple of years of Judo experience…
–The level of instruction is stellar
–Lots of randori and fit-​ins for 7:30−9pm sessions (5−6pm is kinda pansy-​ish so I recommend even beginners go to the 7:30−9pm)
–Master Han is the best. Really charismatic and friendly to everyone, amazing at judo (at or near Olympian-​level I think), and I couldn’t imagine anyone possibly disliking him.
–Judo is awesome.

Ditto with Hien — surprised this place went without a review considering it’s been around since 1968.
I’ve trained here for a couple decades, which took me that long to figure out UCMAP:
1. Its essence relies upon an educational philosophy, so attendance, attitude and paperwork (as proof of intellectual commitment to martial arts) are criteria for achieving a black belt. This distinguishes it from most other martial arts clubs, and can be good or bad depending on what your personal criteria and goals are.
2. The clubs are largely volunteer-​based, which therefore can impart a spirit of camaraderie, chaos and inconsistency. This is why getting to the next level can seem arbitrary, if you’re more athletically gifted and/​or competitive than the person next to you who gets the same rank. The club is looking for commitment. Sometimes, that can verge on cult thinking (depending on who you’re talking to), but in the end it goes towards its long-​term survival. The downside is that loyalty isn’t necessarily proportionate to one’s skill, but the upside is participants have to decide whether they’re in it for themselves or for the good of the whole.
3. Focus on students (after all, UCMAP is on a university campus) can sometimes be too concentrated, at the cost of developing a long-​term clientele of old-​timers. (Then again, people do go from one martial art or another as they age, so attrition can be comparable.) The schedules are based on a semester system, and often lessons are tailored to the ‘test.’ That pedagogy works for goal-​oriented learners, but the academic structure can compromise a more substantive, ongoing and nuanced approach.
4. For the most part, this program offers a welcoming environment to all skill levels and inclinations. It doesn’t gouge you (as some martial arts chains do), the machismo factor isn’t overwhelming, and there is a good gender ratio. The friendships people make here can be lasting.
5. Will you learn martial arts, bottom line? Yes. Will you learn good martial arts? Depends on whom your instructor is – but that’s true in any club. Will you learn fundamentally good habits? Unless you attend a club with small attendance, that personalized attention may not be available to you. Is this a good springboard for martial arts? Yup. Are there politics involved here? Oh yes … and as I learned, politics is everywhere. Wish it could be untouched here, but that’s not the way.
As for the language issue, it may be strange in an academic setting to have instructors whose English is not strong, but there are plenty of examples of traditional small informal clubs led by an instructor who doesn’t speak English. There’s somewhat of an exchange program here with Yong-​in University, which explains also the influx of Korean-​language speakers. Not to say it can’t be frustrating when you’re trying to learn the subtleties of a physical sport, but martial arts’ very global nature is enlightening unto itself.

I can’t believe UCMAP’s not on Unilocal,yet!
There are six martial arts within the program:
— Karate
— Judo
— Taekwondo
— Taiji (Tai Chi)
— Wushu
— Yongmudo (formerly the Hapkido program on campus).
For more info on each, I’d suggest starting with the UCMAP website.
All are flourishing, established programs with excellent instruction in a friendly, safe environment. These are all more traditional martial arts settings than the newer crops of gyms influenced by the rise of mixed martial arts (MMA).
Personal growth, health, discipline, and learning from rich histories and traditions are more the available benefits than becoming a cage fighter. These are great settings able to accommodate adults, youths, athletes, those looking for physical fitness, and, perhaps most valuably, those looking for eclectic communities of interesting, decent people.
While each program is strongly populated by university students, each also lasts and remains vital due to community members and alumni who remain.
This is a University setting, but it is open to all members of the community. Classes are held in two of the University’s gym facilities, but you need not have a gym membership to join the Martial Arts Program.
If you’re interested, I’d strongly recommend trying out some classes at the start of the school terms (Fall, Spring, Summer), when there are typically free trial periods. Before that, though, it’s worth visiting to get a sense of what the instructors and students are like, because I think finding that fit is more important than choosing based upon martial arts style.