Yee’s Martial Arts Academy

Yee’s Martial Arts changed the world for me. Gave me more confidence, and revised my understanding of «turn the other cheek». I grew up with ‘walk away from fights’, and ‘turn the other cheek’. But I did not fully understand. Finally in 12^th grade I got the crud beat out of me in a fight I could not have avoided, and could not run from. When my face shrunk back to its normal size, and both my arms had full range of motion, I joined the old academy in San Pablo run by Sifu John Yee. I joined for every wrong reason. I was angry, and there were butts I needed to kick. I was dismayed to learn that Gung Fu was really hard work, and required some years to master, but I was fueled by anger and the unwavering conviction of revenging myself sweetly on the next hoodlum who attempted to clean my clock. My story is 56 years long, with no additional beat downs to date. But what I learned is not what I expected. What I learned at John Yee’s academy was to turn the other cheek, and walk away from a fight when I can. The difference is very subtle, but here it is: In life you can not always walk away from a fight. Maybe you must defend someone weaker, maybe a window of escape refuses to present itself, or you must stand your ground against an unreasonable and unrelenting antagonist. When the time comes that walking away is not the best option, and conflict can not be avoided. WIN. This is a key ingredient, to ‘turning the other cheek’, or ‘walking away from a fight’. You are not doing it because it is your only option, or because you are afraid of what might happen to you. You are doing it because you do not believe that fighting is how to settle a conflict. However, I will say it again, if you can not walk away, WIN. Don’t get me wrong, you may not always be able to «win» but bully’s are not looking to get hurt. I call it the porcupine philosophy. The bear may win but he will have a few quils in his nose. Be sure they know they were in a fight! The new academy in Hercules is friendlier and more supportive than the old San Pablo Academy, but it is run by the family of my old instructor and has at its roots a fine philosophy (and a rugged real world art) that support ideals sadly missing from our modern world. Both my grandsons are in their fourth year at the Hercules Academy. I am happy to pay the bill, and am proud of the people they are becoming. It is the highest recommendation I can offer.

LOVE THIS PLACE. We have been looking for activities for my daughter and Yee’s came along at the right time. My wife had done kick boxing there in the past and loved it. She felt the staff were fantastic and she had fun at every event she went to that the Academy put on. We found out recently that they were going to have Judo for young children and Kung Fu classes. For the judo, they usually would do 4 years old but they took our daughter in. She was by far the youngest in the class but once of the teachers would take her aside, stretch with her, go through exercises with her every day of her trial. She now has started the Kung Fu cubs with Seifu Scott and she is loving it. I hope she continues to like it and wants to participate for years! They are great people, they are great teachers and it is a great environment for kids and adults a like. It is like an extended family or community. The best!

Our son started coming here about a year and a half ago, and we’ve been so happy with the instruction here. In judo, the adults and children work together, but the higher ranked students spend a lot of time helping the less advanced ones, so there is much personal attention. The senseis give the students a lot of great advice about healthy living and accomplishing your life goals. It’s really a great place.

We love Yee’s Martial Arts. I just wish I could go to their classes consistently (excuses — I know but its business). They have a wide range of options for every ability type and EVERY age… for those just getting into an exercise routine like kickboxing and those who are looking for dedicated instructional classes for specific maritial art disciplines. My guy is in judo and he is always happy after a class at Yee’s. They have a very caring, safe and educational environment. It’s the best school in the area!

I wish I knew about this place sooner.
It has it all: kungfu, taichi, judo and san shou kickboxing.
The instructors are experienced and personable, and the students are well-​rounded and supportive. As a beginner in kickboxing, I never felt out of place or awkward even though I was new.
Everyone is upbeat and the highly charged workouts are flexible for the individual, but challenging nonetheless. The school teaches more than just kicking someone’s butt, but rather, stresses self-​discipline, self-​respect, and overall fitness.
I highly recommend trying one of their free-​trial classes in any of the arts, and see for yourself what a great community of people you will find there.