Shaolin Life

I have been going to this class for about a year and I think its an awesome class! The instructors are all super cool and patient with the students. I've been doing martial arts for over 7 years now and I've had my share of so called kung fu schools that don't really teach and are all about making money. This is not one of those schools. The monks are incredibly talented and inspire me as a student. Since going to these classes, I've really improved my own martial arts as well as my overall health and fitness. If you've never taken martial arts before or just wanna try, I highly recommend this class... it's a totally friendly atmosphere and everyone is very supportive.

oh yeah, love the convenient night and weekend classes since I don't do kung fu to make a living!

note: some of the forms we are learning in addition to basic training (kicks, jumps, stances, etc) are: xiaohong quan, dahong quan, tongbei quan, shaolin staff, freestyle wushu.

I attended Shaolin Life Kung Fu classes for about three years. I loved working at my own pace, even with more seasoned and new students in the room. I also enjoyed meditating after the martial work out. When I experienced an injury at my job, I had to take a break and rest my injury. Master Sheldon, who was working closely with Shaolin monks from China at the time, recommended the QiGong class. It is my new favorite class. It's slow and mindful like a moving meditation, as it strengthens my internal organs. At my age, I had no idea I could regain the flexibility of my youth, but I have! If you are lucky enough to catch Master Sheldon's stories as he teaches practical applications, you are in for a treat. The price is great for my budget. The teacher is pleasant and knowledgeable. I will continue to recommend this school to my friends and their children.

I've been a "full time" (3 days/week) student here for going on three months. I walk away inspired and having learned something new every time I go. Master Sheldon is an amazing teacher who knows everything from the forms to the history and culture behind Kung Fu and Qigong, yet still approaches the craft as a student who is always curious and interested in learning more. It's not the kind of place where you'll just throw a few punches to look cool - it's a class you go to to really immerse yourself in the art form in its entirety, deepening your understanding every day you come back. You also don't need any experience, and Master Sheldon is excellent at pacing his students and bringing patience to everyone's learning process. He will definitely make sure you're on point though! I highly recommend both the Kung Fu and Qigong class to anyone who craves and is willing to commit to this kind of learning process. I know I'll be around for a while!

I never thought I would learn martial arts but this class did it for me. Sure my body cries out sometimes in class because of the rigorous training but the learning process has been anything but enjoyable! It's a delight each class to see everyone work so hard while enjoying themselves.

Everyone is super supportive and the instructors, starting from Master Yong Yao, the qigong master to Master Guosong, the grandmaster and his two lead instructors, have been great. We start classes by warming up and focusing on the basic forms (kicks, stances, punch, blocks). It's super special learning directly from the monks from Shaolin themselves.

If you want to transform yourself in terms of health and flexibility, this is your class. If you want to learn martial arts to hurt someone, go somewhere else; this class is not for that. The qigong classes, when taken together with the kungfu class, offers the student a different perspective of utilizing movement to gain stillness. It really works for me.

I found the class at OACC to be super convenient as well as the facilities are quite nice and BART accessible. There is more information on www.shaolinlife.org.

They also offer kids classes and are friendly towards beginners.

I have been learning Shaolin kung-fu and training at the Luohan Institute for almost nine months. Sadly, I am leaving to go to graduate school for a few years, but I cannot say enough good things about the classes here.

Master Sheldon is an excellent teacher who's sensitive to all his students, super aware, supportive, and authentic. Plus, he has a ton of kung-fu knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm. In the past 9 months I've not only witnessed myself become the strongest that I've ever been, but I have also grown intellectually. Students don't feel competitive with each other here; everyone is on their own journey to figure things out. I not only know practical kung-fu application and how to spar, but I also know the history, spirituality, and philosophical context behind each move. I don't even consider myself a very spiritual person, but this knowledge has definitely helped me grow and it's given me a profound respect for kung-fu and all the ways it can be applied to my life. It's such an optimal learning environment and I highly recommend it. Go here! You won't regret it!

I was really surprised to find Shaolin Kung Fu and Qi Gong classes offered at the Oakland Asian Culture Center (OACC). Prior to taking the class, I searched around for an authentic martial arts studio and couldn't find one that was fitting, until I stumbled across the Shaolin Buddhist Temple and Education Foundation (www.shaolinlife.org), a non-profit founded in 2006 and led by the well famed Master Shi Guo Song from China's Shaolin Temple in Henan Province. I have been learning from two of his disciples, Chang Jun and Chang Qiang, who has taught me drills and forms that usually takes people years to learn and perfect in just four months. Of course, I do them very sloppy and I am very forgetful, but the pace of the class is intense, which increased my motivation and dedication to the art. I am really impressed with the skill and precision of Chang Jun and Chang Qiang's kung fu as they demonstrate the drills and stances to show students how it should be done every time. Sometimes they run and practice alongside us, which is awesome and encouraging. All in all, I can't be happier with my choice!

Probably the best way to learn traditional martial arts in Oakland. Attended the Shaolin and Qi Gong class, learn a lot of new information every time I'm there.

@East Bay P.: Are you seriously saying that you are entitled to burden the staff and the people in the class because you have two small children? Your children are your responsibility. It's pretty irresponsible of you to bring them to such a setting and not be watching them every minute. On what planet is it right for you to hold strangers accountable for the welfare of your children while you go and do as you please?

I was really impressed with the teacher Master Sheldon. As someone who has been coached in many sports growing up, I can see how good an instructor he is with one class. He teaches in a progression that makes things easy to learn. He makes technical corrections which I like, but also in a way that doesn't put any pressure on you. He attends to all the students equally, male and female, and all with respect. As someone new coming in I did not feel self-conscious. I just did a trial class and I had a really good workout feeling. I don't know if I would be able to attend regularly, because it is far from where I am, but I am considering it. Everyone there was really friendly and supportive. It is a good atmosphere.

Full disclosure: our last session was May 2009. At that time, I was taking my six-year old son to the children's drop-in class on Saturday mornings. I also have a toddler who is too young to take the class, but is mobile. At the class, I was told my toddler was being too loud and moving around too much and that I would need to leave. I reminded them that this was a drop-in class and that there are multiple points of access to both the building and the room in which the class was held (people can come and go as they please without monitoring). The staff promised me my child would be watched carefully and I made the mistake of believing them. During the class, my child came out into the hallway three times to make sure I was there, and the teachers didn't seem to notice or care that he had left the room!!! A drop-in class for young children should accommodate parents and younger siblings or otherwise ensure students' safety. I will never endanger my children again by having them attend this class.