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Hand To Hand Kajukenbo Self Defense Center
Category: Active Life Fitness & Instruction Martial Arts Martial Arts [Edit]
5680 San Pablo Ave(between Aileen St & 57th St)
Oakland, CA 94608
Neighborhood: North Oakland
(510) 428-0502
- Hours:
Tue, Thu 6 pm - 8 pm
Sat 9 am - 11 am
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
5 reviews for Hand To Hand Kajukenbo Self Defense Center
5 reviews in English
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Review from Lauren W.
Austin, TX
11/6/2009
When I was ten years old, I left Chicago, IL, where I'd lived with my grandmother all of my life, to live with my mother in the East Bay. Seeing as how I was a small child with big glasses, it was a given that I was often a target for bullies. My mother being my mother decided that I needed to study a martial art, and my mother being my mother decided that a woman-run school was the place for me.
I trained at Hand to Hand from 1986 until 1988, under Sifu Coleen Gragen, the school's founder. While there, I not only gained a great amount of confidence in myself but also developed important relationships with both the instructors and the other students in the children's program. One of my favorite childhood memories is of our camping retreat--and of our rigorous training out in the woods disguised as a "scavenger hunt."
But alas, after receiving my purple belt, I moved with my mother to Miami Beach, FL, and that was the end of my training--or so I thought.
Twenty-one years later, I'm back in the Bay Area and again training at Hand to Hand. I miss Sifu Col, but am glad to see the school thriving in the hands of the current instructors such as Sifu Sonya Richardson. I feel like I'm finally home--and home to stay. -
Review from eliza w.
Oakland, CA
4/2/2009
ever since i was a little kid, i wanted to study martial arts. i grew up on old school kungfu movies (really thought i could run across water, jump up walls and over buildings...). and in a classic parental move that sums up my childhood--i was put into the *ballet* class (not the karate class, right across the hall--aargh!).
welcome to my adult life. where i get to do what i want. no ballet and a fab school that rocks in so many ways.
the coolest thing about h2h is not (tho it *is* all these things):
- how it brings awareness into all aspects of my life.
- nor is it the hard training that gets the mind-body-spirit juices going.
- nor is it the amazing community of strong diverse people (yes, you guys are welcome too!).
really, the coolest thing is this school's ability to be what you need when you need it.
it's been two years and a bit since i started, and in that time, i've seen this school become so many things for so many different people. somehow it gives students a place to be whatever they need at that moment--fierce, strong, quiet, flexible, centered, focussed.
h2h also automagically expands and contracts to be the community that you need:
- we have students who have found family, support, nurturing within the school.
- we have students who have found balance and time for themselves in the midst of very full and busy lives.
- we have students who aren't able to train regularly, but are still part of the vibrant community of the school.
- we have students who train for the rigor and the athleticism.
- we have students who train for the internal arts.
so many different paths, and yet, somehow all these paths are able to intersect and combine in a way that is far greater than the sum of its parts.
still not sure how all this is possible. but i suspect that it is because of h2h's strong roots and strong leadership. there is a real history here, and every student is required to learn that history--all the way back to the founding of the art of Kajukenbo. at the same time, there is real growth, forward momentum and vision in the leadership and teaching provided by our Chief Instructors--Sifu Sonya Richardson and Sifu Jen Resnick.
(and heaaaaaay preZ, nice first! :-)) -
Review from Celine H.
Oakland, CA
7/12/2009
After a few scary incidents, I decided it was time to take a self defense class. My colleague recommended Hand-to-Hand. From my first step in the door, I knew this was a special place. The space is beautiful and eminates strong female energy. The self defense class was exactly what I had hoped for: a good mix of discussion, an overview of various defense techniques, partner drills, and practice with pads (my fav!) The instructors are amazing. My entire class was sad when the series ended. I hope to make it to the self defense class II in the fall. Hooray for Hand-to-Hand!!!
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Review from sandy b.
San Francisco, CA
12/24/2009
Amazing place. They donated a whole morning to teach at risk youth the art of yoga, meditation and healthy nutrition
It made me realize how important it was to ground oneself and take the time to disconnect and reconnect with your inner self.
I also really like the combination of yoga and martial arts, meditation and dance. Really truly amazing! -
Review from juliana b.
San Francisco, CA
6/7/2009
I went to Hand-to-Hand to take a self-defense class after years of wanting to do so and feeling a little intimidated by the prospect.
I grew up with the kind of training that led me to use and see my body in very specific ways -- the typical ballet, piano, french combo that breeds out any innate ability to raise your voice, punch, kick, push, or just take a strong, assertive stance in situations where it is called for.
Hand-to-hand's self-defense class started at the very beginning, with the kind of awareness that goes into protecting yourself, and moved through steps that included assertive speech, working with subtle elements like tone and language that might help avert a dangerous confrontation, all the way through specific physical techniques to use when faced with physical threats. We practiced those techniques over and over again, often in response to specific role-playing scenarios, many of which could have been drawn from my own experiences.
It was incredibly helpful to play out -- and practice de-escalating -- scenarios that had frustrated me in the past -- and many other women, too, I suspect. Self-defense here wasn't just learning to knee someone in the groin -- it also involved all the steps you can go through beforehand to prevent that moment when you feel cornered.
Long story short -- I highly recommend Hand-to-Hand to anyone looking for a practical, comprehensive self-defense class. The course was thorough, the instructors were very accessible and supportive (they helped me make up a class I missed ) and the environment was very welcoming and comfortable for a total newcomer to the whole concept of throwing a punch.
Specialties
Kajukenbo Kung Fu (mix of Karate, Judo, Jujitsu, Kenpo, and Chinese Boxing).
Women's/ Teens' Self Defense
History
Established in 1980
Hand to Hand provides traditional martial arts training and self defense classes. The center was founded in 1980 by Professor Coleen Gragen and is one of the largest woman-led schools on the West Coast.
The Martial Arts Program provides training in the eclectic art of Kajukenbo. Students of this art develop excellent body conditioning, power, balance and fluidity of movement. Training at Hand to Hand includes the study of basic techniques, traditional forms, fighting strategy, practical self defense, and weapons practice.
The rigorous training is conducted in a supportive environment, where personal integration of the physical, spiritual, and mental aspects of the art is emphasized. Ancient and modern training methods are combined towards reaching the goals of integration of mind, body and spirit and practical self defense preparation.
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