Shaolin-Do

I’ve been going to Shaolin-​Do for about 8 months now and I love it. The classes have an interesting blended format consisting of instruction in traditional forms and techniques, which are then balanced by practical applications and light sparring. This give you appreciation of kung fu as both an art form and a method of self-​defense. Sify Maiky and the other instructors are very helpful. They scale the lessons to your ability, but always challenge you to refine your technique and grow. It’s also a phenomenal workout. I’ve lost 20 lbs. since starting.

Just started here not to long ago and plan on continuing my classes here. Good people, and I have yet to see anyone displeased during classes. Sifu is a good teacher and works well with the various skill levels, age groups, and answers all questions.

I’ve been going to Shaolin Do for about three years and I love it. Like a lot of other people I just wanted to get fit, but the classes are mentally stimulating as well. Sifu Maiky’s teaching style is motivational and is welcoming of folks of all fitness levels. I wasn’t particularly fit myself, and was somewhat anxious about getting in a class with folks who were there already. But once you attend a few classes you realize that its not really a comparative exercise, but rather your own individual journey and growth.
The schedule is extremely flexible– you can choose from multiple classes to attend from (the options increase as you advance ranks), so its possible to fit into our otherwise busy lives.

I’ve been training here for five years. It’s always challenging and always fun — if you think working out harder than you thought you could is fun. The owner/​instructor is very knowledgeable and dedicated, and will engage you regardless of your level of fitness, ability, or prior experience with martial arts. You get more than just fitness here — you get a lifelong physical and mental challenges, and the camaraderie of the people working and learning with you. Definitely give it a try.

I went to the Sunday morning conditioning class on my 33^rd birthday. By this time, I’ve been attending classes at DC Shaolin-​Do for close to two years and I was over fifty pounds down from my weight when I first started. I’ve held my Gold’s Gym membership for many years and I went in spurts but nothing that would ever be considered consistent. But with Shaolin-​Do, between the community, the positive reinforcement, and the intensity of the work outs, I managed to actually stick with something for the first time since high school football.
So, back to my 33^rd birthday. Class was really difficult that day. Lots of bag work. 240 kicks, 1200 punches, push-​ups and crunches and jump rope and frog leaps and sparring… it was probably one of the toughest work outs of my life.
And I was 33 years old.
I got home and my wife asked me how class was and I told her it was great. And not just that ONE class. The whole experience. The lifestyle and body change I’ve underwent over the past two years. The things I was capable of doing that I would have thought impossible years ago. I honestly believe one of the greatest decisions I’ve ever made was to start taking classes at DC Shaolin-​Do.
It’s just great to have people to work out with. Friendly people, who go at their own pace. I was so… awkward when I first started there. Falling over, eyes always looking around to see if people were laughing at me. But nobody ever did. I eventually ended hooking up with two other guys who were at the same level as me and we progressed through the ranks together and helped each other and the results have been fantastic.
Every class is different and challenging, it keeps me interested. I’ve been going for two-​and-​a-​half years now and I still feel pretty bad when I miss a class. And not because I’m letting myself down just because I missed ONE class but because I like classes more than a lot of other things. It’s not a chore. It’s fun and it’s challenging and I’m at the point where I want to know how far I can go.
And one thing’s for sure… on my 34^th birthday I’ll be looking back and marveling at how much I’ve grown since my 33^rd.