West Wind Schools

I have been with this school for years and so has my daughter.
They helped build my daughters self-​confidence and I’ve never been in better physical shape.
It’s not easy, but most things worth having aren’t. You get what you put into it. I know several people that have used what West Wind teaches to defend themselves including myself.
The teachers are professional, positive and work with everything from small children to people with disabilities and though you’re pushed hard. You’re never pushed further than you can go.
I would strongly recommend it to anyone, particularly if you have kids and feel like they need a positive influence that’s caring but strong.
They care about the students.
They are a big part of who my little girl is today. Getting A’s, on the Honor Roll and started looking at colleges at the age of 11. Before West Wind she was shy and behind in school and not as confident.
People seem to complain about the price on here, what they have given me and my little girl I can’t put a price on.

I took an intro to karate lesson set here with Mr. Shah, and it was much more than what I expected from an intro class. I went into it with no expectations, except to try something new. It was one on one, so there’s no lack in personal attention. In the first class, I learned vital targets as well as a few self defense moves I could use if put in a dangerous situation. By the end of the sessions I felt I had acquired a good foundation of skills and knowledge of self defense. Mr. Shah is an excellent and personable instructor with a passion for teaching martial arts.

This is *the* place for your young child to learn not just about Karate & Kung Fu, but also discipline, respect and community. My son started 3 years ago, when he was 3. We all feel connected to the school and all its teachers and student instructors.
The system consists of one weekly 1 – 1 class, and a kids group class. There is no sparring, which is great. Parents sit away so there’s no helicopter parent that tries to boss their kids around. The teachers train kids wonderfully, both in 1 – 1 and group, in an age appropriate way that is kind to them, but at the same time, allows themselves to push and train in a way that’s challenging to them. The teachers also enquire into the kids progress at school and instill values of discipline and respect outside the dojo as well.
My son looks up to all the teachers, as well as the teenagers he has seen «grow up» within the dojo. Positive male role models is a wonderful influence. At the same time, it is great to see young girls and women model such strength and determination, and compete toe-​to-​toe with the guys.
Please consider enrolling here.

Both of my kids have been going to West Wind for the past 18 months, and it has been nothing but great. Mr. Shah, who is now the head instructor at the Berkeley location (he was at Piedmont but that location has closed), teaches with a wonderful mixture of high energy, positive reinforcement, and a dash of drill sergeant when necessary. Believe me, even the most squirrelly kids pay attention. The vibe in the school is really positive, too. Super diverse, equal parts kids and adults… Lots of focus and dedication.

This school is great.
My three kids have been going here for many years, and we are all very happy with it.
The head teachers do not have any other jobs. What is different and great about this school is they have dared to bet on and believe that there are enough students interested in that level of teaching to support it.
These teachers are dedicated to their practice and it shows. Obviously that does mean they aren’t really interested in students who are not very dedicated themselves, in addition to the fact that if you are looking for a low– key activity this may not be worth it to you.

I love West Wind! The teachers are outstanding. The community is like a big extended family. Choosing West Wind was the best decision I could have made. Training there has changed my life. The personal attention from the teachers is amazing. I have injuries from high school sports and health issues and they have always found ways to help me work around them. The confidence and self discipline I have gained is incredible and flows into all areas of my life. As an added bonus, I have been able to get completely off some of my medication and my health issues are under control. My doctors can’t believe it. I wholeheartedly recommend this school!
Thank you West Wind!!!

My son and husband come here for a year ago, and they absolutely love this place!!! Highly recommend, karate and boxing are great, with great teachers and nice people!

I did yoga, lots of African dance and had some related injuries. Joining a gym was too impersonal for me. Too much strutting around, folks in their own bubble, pumping their way to body beautiful and way too much metal. I wanted something to help me get strong from within, a serious discipline. I am a high school teacher so after a long day of teaching teens I needed to study with serious people who respect what they do.
I’m glad I joined West Wind dojo in Berkeley where the teachers are not only well versed, sincere and passionate but also foster a deep sense of community. Whether you have a class or not, someone is always teaching someone. There is a definite camaraderie in this dojo. Once you join, you know they have your back. And there is no sweet talking or coddling. You bow to your instructors, no matter their age. You show your respect to the difficult journey they have taken to earn the color of their belt. A clear message of respect. Coming from a strict educational system in India, I like that! Just being greeted by my name when i enter the dojo, have an instructor notice my practice from across the room who comes up to me to help me fix or better my technique, makes West Wind a place one can call home.
I find myself looking forward to my next group class, almost counting the days for my weekly lesson with my most wonderful, black belt instructor, Ms. Rachaal. And when I do show up just to stretch and practice, I am always pleasantly surprized by the welcoming warmth of ALL the teachers, smiles and encouragement from those around me on the mat. Sometimes, out of the blue, you find a family in your own neighborhood.
Thank you West Wind!
Godhuli Bose

Well this school should be avoided at all costs, when i was attending this so called martial arts school it was almost like a cult in its ways to get people to spend money and that’s what its all about MONEY not the hard work, dedication and discipline that martial arts is supposed to infuse … when you have orange belts teaching brown belts something is wrong … avoid this school at all costs … Ive been there and spent thousands of hours and money on useless techniques, their idea of sparring is NO CONTACT how can one learn to defend themselves in such a way … beware… ask yourself why the teachers all wear red belts, do they even understand the rank of red belt (10^th Dan) which means master do you really believe they are all masters, good luck. I never ever seen Mr Thompson, Mr Sheppard or any of the other so called black belts teach a class they all have their underlings who i can almost guarantee are not even remotely close to being black belts, at best they are 1 or 2 belts higher then the student they are teaching if that. Imagine that they once had 7 schools, now its what 2, that should tell you something. I found Sid Campbell’s Okinawan Shorin Ryu and learned more in 6 months then i learned in 5yrs at west wind yes teaching philosophies vary but the very core of martial arts is self discipline self defense positive thinking and self confidence something that i feel is lost at West Wind where the dollar sign dictates the high cost of monthly and private lessons they have there

We have been a West Wind family continuously since 2006. Our two sons first joined at ages 6 and 9, and now are Brown Belts at 12 and almost 16. A year after our sons started, my husband and I joined, and almost five years later we are Green Belts, soon to be testing for Brown. Making this journey as a family has really been significant for us — all the achievements mean more to us since we have experienced them personally and together. The West Wind system has taught us self-​defense and self-​discipline, and has improved us physically, psychologically, and artistically. A lot of the success of learning at West Wind is due to the excellent instructors and the approach used, in which all students (young, old, male, female) follow the same progression and are taught the same formalities, treated with the same respect, and perform to the same expectations. Another key factor is that the core instruction of new material is done in a private lesson with your assigned instructor, while improvement of basics and new ways of applying the material are practiced in a group setting. Finally, West Wind promotes a culture of mutual respect and reciprocation that benefits one’s interactions in other venues (school, work) and gives one a feeling of belonging to a special community.

Amazing teachers are hard to find, but not at West Wind. This is the real deal – old school martial arts at its finest. There is a tremendous sense of community and positive energy at West Wind, cultivated over 40+ years in the Bay Area. If you have any interest in martial arts or self-​defense, this is the place to learn, and, after years in this system, I can say that it was worth every penny.