Tatami Multi Arts

I clearly remember writing a review for this place, but it is no where to be found. Ive been here a couple times for their zumba (when they had it) and shape up classes. I really enjoy going, even though my visits are sporadic and far between. I find the classes very low-​key, non-​stressful, and just about my pace. I like that we do some stretching, and punching/​kicking at the end of the shape up classes! And the class participants are all very friendly and fun. I drove by the other day and saw that a yoga group had moved in to their san pablo location…:(. I searched for them online and I’m fairly sad that they have moved to berkeley. I would recommend their classes to someone who is not super athletic, and just needs something to be active and healthy (speaking of which, I will now be inactive and unhealthy until I find motivation to look for another place to go to once in that blue moon).

This review is regarding the childrens Jiu-​Jitsu class at Tatami w/​Adam L. If you want your children to LEARN the art of Jiu-​jitsu this dojo is hands down the best in the east bay at the least! The place is very clean, nice new looking mats with no rips and tears :)
Adam KNOWS exactly how to get across to his young students. The instruction is very clear, he explains everything very clearly and shows them the moves and what the objective of each is and makes sure they are correctly executing. Very clean, organized, and orderly class. You can tell he likes what he does.
Three classes a week (MWF) an hour long and very reasonably priced! In the span of one month my son has gained more confidence and learned more JIU-JITSU…than he ever did in over three months at nearby highly regarded and pricey dojos. He now looks forward to going to class and learning, what an improvement! Very happy and proud parent here. Glad I found this place.

Jiu jitsu for children is a great class. Both my kids see Adam. He is patient and calm I have been bringing my kids for over some time now and I’m very happy. They know so much now and they are full of confidence. This is a great place it’s clean, the staff is welcoming and nice. My kids love it here and so do I. I would recommend it to any parent!

***THERESA: 3.5 STARS (dinging 0.5 star for the no-​shoes policy)
I took a Zumba class here with Theresa, who I think normally teaches bellydance at this studio. First of all, my main beef with this place was that the entire place had mats on the ground so we had to take off our shoes and do our Zumba moves either in socks or in our bare feet. I’ve never done that before and I’m not sure I’d do it again since I feel I need the support for some of the moves.
Theresa was a great instructor, though perhaps a bit discombobulated in some moments. She definitely has an artistry about her moves, though whether or not she is able to relate that to all the students in the class is a bit tougher to decide. All in all, a fun class for the liberal use of music which was way more downtempo than I am used to, but because of that, it is also a far less strenuous workout.
I’d be curious to try a bellydance class with Theresa though, as she seems like she would be an amazing instructor for that.

All I can say is amazing, I have found my workout home. Margaret was caring, patient and sensitive to my injuries and limitations. You can tell this is their passion and money is secondary. I only wish they offered more class times.
I would recommend this to anyone tired of being a number, here you will have a name!

Seems like an interesting community exercise studio. I tried the pilates and zumba classes. Both were ok, however, l found the lack of organization a little disorienting.
They 1^st class was supposed to be free, but I was charged. When I first walked in there was no one visibly «in charge» so I wandered around looking for someone to pay or let me know how it all worked. The class offerings looked like an eclectic mix, but the other non-​fitness offerings seemed an odd addition to the services. Also, the exercise equipment offerings looked pretty limited.
Overall, the studio space seemed fine, but the schedule lacked cohesiveness and the operation lacked some efficiency. OK for someone just looking for a class or 2 for their week. But for those looking for a more comprehensive fitness regimen or who seek a more services offered in their workout time, this place’s shortcomings outweigh it’s benefits.

I come here for the $ 5 zumba class. It is a bargain!
I have taken classes in different places, ranging from $ 7-​$ 9, in boxing gyms and multipurpose rooms, with concrete or carpeted floors. Which are not very good on the legs. I have also heard about other classes that were $ 11 and even $ 15.
This place has wood/​laminate flooring (?), large mirrors and plenty of windows
Teresa is a fun instructor and very friendly. So are the owners of Tatami.
There is always a free pitcher of ice water and sometimes a veggie tray to enjoy after class.
Teresa incorporates different music, latin, hip-​hop, bollywood & pop. There are also ‘toning sticks’ to use during certain dances, which are optional.
You can pay for each class or pre-​pay for future classes on a punch card.
The number of participants have varied, from 4 in a class to 15 (the most I’ve seen). But there is always plenty of room.

I highly recommend Margaret and Adam’s ShapeUp classes, Ernie’s Pilates, and Karen’s prenatal movement classes. They are fun, get your blood pumping, and lifts your spirits. Even if I’m tired I go there on Saturday mornings for the Shape Up class. Margaret is an energetic and fun teacher. She boosts our self esteem with her powerful messages about how beautiful we are inside and out. Those of us who need to get in shape need this positive reinforcement rather than the guilt-​trips that you often get in exercise classes. If you want classes that make your feel good about getting fit and good about yourself, please try out the classes at Tatami.

Tatami Multi Arts Martial Arts, Fitness, Wellness and Events Studio in El Cerrito, across from the El Cerrito Plaza, is one of the East Bay’s best kept secrets. I followed my favorite Pilates instructor, Ernie Adams, to Tatami and discovered a wonderful array of classes and events. I look forward to my Pilates workouts with Ernie, $ 5 Zumba with Teresa and my latest joy, Five Week Shape-​up… and I have. My body has contours I didn’t know it could have. My arms haven’t been this shapely in years and my abs are getting awesome. The best part is the fun we have moving to music, lead by inspired instructor Margaret Lowry who frequently shifts the Shape-​up activities to cross train, keep it fresh and enjoyable. Margaret and her co-​owner husband Adam have created a supportive community environment that makes workouts irresistible. The studio is unlike any other with it’s courtyard garden oasis, natural light and is pristinely clean throughout. I never liked gyms because they were too confining and impersonal. Tatami is anything but. It is warm, welcoming, and spacious. Most instructors at Tatami offer one FREE class to see if it is right for you. I gave the bargain mix and match FIve Week Shape-​up experience as a gift to a family member. She loves it and so will you! You should try it. You’ve got nothing to lose but that bulge you’ve been meaning to do something about!

My 300^th review goes to Tatami Multi Arts! My sister has been bugging me to check this place out for the longest time. I finally got the chance and I am duly impressed. There’s a variety of things to choose from here: from Brazilian Jiu-​Jitsu to Capoeira to yoga to zumba to belly dancing. There’s something for everyone to choose from.

I began taking Judo with Leon a month and a half ago. I take Judo with my two kids Robbie (13) and my daughter Lauryn (10). We have so much fun taking Judo at Tatami Multi Arts Center in El Cerrito.
Leon provides excellent, precise, instruction. He does not just instruct but practices and demonstrates the techniques for you. I can not say enough about how my children and I feel when we leave Tatami. We feel re– energized, confident and upbeat after our training session.
I view the study of Judo as a lifelong learning process and have found a great teacher in Leon. He even worked with me on the price when I fell on hard financial times. 5 stars to Sensei Leon and Tatami Martial Arts!!!

Can’t speak highly enough about Chandra’s prenatal yoga class here at Tatami Multi Arts. Part exercise, part meditation, part prenatal support group, it is highly recommended for pregnant women. Chandra is a wonderful prenatal yoga instructor and as a mother of three is a wonderful calming force for those who are pregnant. It is also reasonably priced which is a great added bonus for those with baby expenses on the way.

How I came to love Tatami Multi Arts.
This is some kind of Cornucopia cross between Alice’s Restaurant and the local Y … and yet an entirely different species. The place a burgeoning garden of delights. Everything from a variety of Yoga offerings, Pilates, varieties of aerobic dancing, open mat time for Brazilian Jujitsu enthusiasts (I just did that last night), an open gym with equipment I’d never seen before … Greco-​Roman wrestling core workout invention. This place is burgeoning and thriving with new energies.
Partly I sense this is because of the owners Adam and Margaret. They are very invested in all of the teachers and expert practitioners that come in to make a specialized offering.
Personally I haven’t quite gotten to try out everything on the menu, but I’m plenty excited to have this energetic garden of thriving offerings. Because most things enjoy a flat monthly fee that’s less than a gym or Y membership, you get to try out an amazing array of experiences.
It’s got a bit of a speakeasy quality as well … as you are parking your car or riding up on your bike or getting off at the El Cerrito BART station, you’ll notice that the front door is closed, and you press the button for the intercom. Then they greet you and buzz you in. Like visiting your good friend or private practitioner. Feels very private, safe and insulated when you get in. Relaxing in the middle open air garden space puts you back under the sky as you sip some tea and relax from the various events.
I love this place and will report back about the way too many offerings to describe in one review. Maximum charge that the owners would let me pay for the month of January? $ 40. Yikes … I’m coming here several times per week.