Maru Dojo

I’ve been doing BJJ with Sensei Ray for half a year and it has been great. He adjusts his training in the different classes to match the needs and capabilities of the attendees, always pushing us in a relaxed and respectful way. Ray and the small group take practice seriously, but without any machismo or pressure. Just a difficult workout and the right amount of discipline and community to make me always eager for the next class.

I’ve trained in a number of dojos in three countries over nearly 2 decades. Maru dojo felt instantly like home. Key points to this is zero tolerance for big egos, simple rules/​etiquette and total absence of attitude. Ray is able to bring out the best in every student and the dojo caters for beginners and advanced alike. Cannot recommend it enough.

Ray Sensei is just a great teacher who strikes that fine balance between being easy-​going and approachable and yet disciplined and a serious teacher. I had practiced Aikido many years ago (in college) and then had dropped it. I had intended to pick it up again and had checked out a number of schools in the meantime but none of them really clicked. Then I walked into Maru Dojo and felt instantly at home. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in Aikido or any of the other martial arts taught there.

Ray at Maru Dojo is truly amazing. I have never been to Aikido (or any martial arts) and he welcomed me with open arms. He has always been extremely aware of where I’m at in my training and sensitive to my ability (read: he knows how to push me to grow, but I’m not thrown to the wolves). I have a very busy work schedule and I’ve always felt welcome in the dojo even if I miss a week or two. In fact, I feel a bit like Cheers when I arrive — he’s very warm and grateful to see his students. The discipline of Aikido and his students are such an integrated and important part of his life that I feel it would be hard-​pressed to find a better Aikido dojo. An absolute pleasure. Highly recommended.

Maru Dojo is a great place to learn and practice. When you come for aikido class, it feels like you are stepping out of San Francisco and into a little bubble of peace and respect, with the delightful added bonus of friends occasionally throwing each other around a room.
I came to Ray’s dojo with no experience in aikido and have found it a fun and rewarding discipline. A lot of the time, you pair up with someone and take turns practicing the two different sides of each technique. In one role (nage), aikido involves a lot of blending with an aggressor’s attacks, finding leverage points with the joints, and then hopefully taking the other person’s balance away. In the other role (uke), you have to learn to relax enough to accept the technique and take your fall or roll in the right way. On both sides of the technique, you need to be able to trust your partner to execute the movements in a way that keeps you safe and helps you learn. Ray and his students are exactly those type of people. If I am going to let someone bend my wrist backward over my shoulder, I want it to be someone at Maru Dojo.
Ray sensei is very skilled and also very warm, welcoming, patient and caring. The senior students are generous in sharing what they know and passionate about aikido. You really get you a chance to refine your knowledge of the techniques, and then you are challenged you to push yourself and make it better. Everyone is really nice, and we all treat each other and the dojo with respect.
Maru Dojo is a beautiful space made even more attractive by the quality of the people that you meet there. And it’s easy to get to, reasonably priced and a fun workout! There are evening aikido classes during the week and morning classes on weekends. Ray teaches at least 6 days a week. If you ask nicely, he might even loan you a gi for your first class if you don’t have one.
For extra good times, try an aikido class with Adam or go for yoga, Brazlian jiu jitsu or Filipino Martial Arts. I’ve done yoga with Sachiko and Oscar, and they are awesome. The aikido mats are a really fun platform to practice yoga too.

I just moved to the neighborhood, and since passed by the dojo every day on my way to and from work. I came from a Tae Kwon Do background, so I was intrigued by their offerings of Judo and Aikido.
Well, one day my curiosity got the best of me, so I tried a class. Ray, the sensei here, is a very qualified teacher. I’ve never done any wrestling before, all of TKD involved fighting standing up. To describe myself as clueless would be generous. Regardless, Ray sensei is very patient, and fun to learn from. He’s very good about showing his students the thought process in a very hands-​on environment. It seems to rub off on his students — the training environment is warm and supportive.
Ray also keeps his dojo impeccably clean. I’ve taken TKD lessons in old school gyms and creaky basements, but you’ll find Ray runs a tight ship with his dojo.
I’m already excited to see where concerted effort and hard training will take me with my Judo and BJJ!

Maru Dojo is my dream dojo! They offer Aikido, Eskabo Daan (Filipino Martial Arts), Brazilian Jiu-​jitsu, Judo, and Yoga. It’s a beautiful studio as well as the cleanest dojo in San Francisco. Since it’s centrally located in the City, it’s perfect for stopping by to de-​stress after working in the Financial District and before heading home to cook dinner. It’s a great deal compared to the costs of other martial arts studios. Plus, there’s plenty of free street parking nearby which was a real factor for me in choosing a dojo.
Aikido is my first love that I learned in college. After too many years of taking a break from Aikido, I finally decided to get back into it now that my kids are older. Sensei Ray is so patient and really good at explaining the technical details and reasons behind each movement. He’s a 4^th degree black belt in Aikido and been training since 1988. He makes sure everyone is practicing safety in class. All my classmates are super nice and share a passion for the art. I also like that there are other women in the class, so I’m not the only one. There’s great energy in the place and lots of natural light.
Maru Dojo is totally awesome because they also teach Eskabo Daan Escrima on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Escrima is not just stick-​fighting. We also train with knives & swords and learn grappling, boxing, and empty-​hand techniques. I really like how Sensei points out the similarities between Aikido and Filipino Martial Arts. Plus the dojo is located in the Castro and closer to my neighborhood in the Excelsior (where more Pinoys like me reside). Brazilian Jiu-​jitsu is really fun to learn as well because most fights end up on the ground. I also appreciate that they have separate dressing rooms for men and women. I can’t wait to try the yoga classes as well.

This is my second month and I am really getting a lot out of the Aikido classes. Ray is an patient and very friendly teacher who lives nearby. Most students are locals and all are down to earth. If you are new, do not worry because it is not intimidating at all.

Truly a fantastic place! Great teachers and a beautiful interior. Has such great vibes and everyone there are so warm and friendly! I recommend everyone from yoga, aikido, to jiujitsu!

This place is awesome. Get some real training here! Not like your average Martial art school. Here you will learn real world self defense. Highly recommend this place!

Just started classes here but I am already impressed with everything about this dojo.

Passed by this place and was intrigued by the sign advertising BJJ so I looked it up online. I eventually walked by when Ray, the owner and instructor was present. We chatted for a bit and he’s not only a highly credentialed martial artist but a personable and welcoming guy as well.
I like what this academy is doing. It offers a multi disciplinary approach to self defense combining elements of striking, throws from standing, bjj on the ground and weapons defense.
This academy is located right by the Castro District and could offer self defense to all.