Testimonials

Here's what people are saying about Martial Arts Family Fitness...

"MAFF has changed my life. I have finally found a fitness program that I am truly passionate about. The KUT program has not only given me AMAZING results, but it has really boost my confidence which I can see positively affecting all aspects of my life. My body has never looked and felt this healthy. MAFF is super high energy, totally unique and the people are so wonderful it makes you feel like you are part of a family. I love it!"

Justine Peterson

"Hapkido teaches me how to protect my baby brothers and myself."

Francesca Engel 9yrs old

"Of all the great programs there are for kids in S.B., MAFF is far and away the best for developing kids' self-confidence as well as coordination, discipline, and leadership skills."

Thanks, Michelle & Bill Pasini

"For the first time ever, I actually look forward to going to work out! The environment at MAFF is fun, encouraging, compassionately challenging, and supportive. MAFF has had a huge impact on my health and well being, self-confidence, and my self-image. Thank you to MAFF for making such a difference in my life!

A quick Thank You to Mel, Dave, Norma, and Lori for being so awesome in the last year! It's been almost a year since I started my KUT and I've lost 30 lbs., a whole lot of fat, and 4 dress sizes! My body is back to where it was in high school! You're all amazing!!!"

Love, Sophie

"I'll be 44 years young soon, as take my 2nd degree test. My daughter Caley will be 10 when she receives her black belt! Caley has become a role model for other kids as well as adults. She is a peaceful warrior. My martial arts journey has complimented my spiritual practice through meditation, breathing, and ki energy focus. My spiritual practice has complimented my martial arts through calm presence and love. "...the Way of a Warrior is to manifest Divine Love, a spirit that embraces and nurtures all things"

Dan Posney

"My son Rafael has gained a lot of self-confidence thanks to MAFF. Hapkido has taught him the importance of discipline and determination to master anything in life. We are very happy that we decided to enroll our son in the Leadership Program at MAFF."

Rafael Saavedra

"The Tigers program is fun, active and friendly. My special needs son said his first words here!"

Susan

"My wife, two kids and I are taking Hapkido Martial Arts together. We are almost half way to becoming Black Belts. The rewards we have all realized in our life from being a part of MAFF are truly amazing. Our boys Tanner age 9 and Corbin age 11 have become very self-confident and very disciplined. Martial Arts has brought our children to point of felling like they can achieve anything. Gone are the "I can't do it" attitudes we used to hear during homework, sports or chores. I never imagined what great self-confidence could do for a child they now excel in everything they do.

My wife Pam and I also take the Kick-Boxing classes at MAFF. I have joined several gyms in my life. At the age of 49 I have finally found a workout that works for me. I get a great workout, have a great time doing it and get real results. I am able to actually achieve the goals I set for myself. When I joined 1-1/2 years ago I was tested to see how many sit-ups I could do in one minute. I was able to do 43. Last week I did 60 in one minute. I am really doing for myself what I had always tried to do in the past, I am truly in the best shape I have ever been in thanks to MAFF!!."

Michael Mullen

"MAFF has been a wonderful experience and I have learned how to handle challenging situations, like being bullied."

Andrew Gutierrez

"The Lil' Ninjas is just FUN!"

Brody Drye 4yrs

"We love the martial arts program at MAFF. We had many places to choose from and we like the MAFF teachers, attitude and facility the best in Santa Barbara. Our seven year old son Travis has had fun learning karate, but he has learned so much more. As a parent I especially appreciate his improved focus in school and self control."

Alice and Ray Pierce

"I love the MAFF youth martial arts program. The curriculum is well rounded, teaching both physical and mental life lessons. The senseis enjoy teaching and believe in their students. In return, the students thrive!"

K. LaViale

"The KUT Program works. In 9 weeks I lost 18 pounds and went from 20% body fat to 7.5%. My strength increased dramatically and my cardio endurance is amazing. It has been 4 months since my KUT program has ended and I have continued with the classes and working on my fitness.

It wasn't easy, but each day during KUT I just decided to show up for class and that's all it took. I now use the kickboxing and bands classes as a base for all of my other workouts and activities. Thank you Dave, Mel and all of the instructors."

Your friend, Rob Williams

"I have observed my grandkids, Gavin & Gabby become more focused and able to concentrate even more with their homework now. We all love it here, thank you!"

Grandma Goerke

"The instructors are great; the classes are challenging and fun! What better way to start your day than doing 100 crunches and 40 push ups before a stress relieving kickboxing work out!"

Christina Hanson

"The Kickin' Kids Karate Kamp was the only summer camp Chase ever asked to go back each and every day. After the completion of camp, Chase began to train with genuine enthusiasm working towards a black belt."

Stacy Halperin

"I started KUT 10 weeks before my 50th birthday and now 2 years, 8 months later I'm still an early morning regular. I've enjoyed a variety of exercise through the years but this is the most intense, best all around workout I've experienced. You work upper & lower body, cardio, balance, coordination, agility and focus all in 45 minutes. I'm diabetic so staying on top of my blood pressure, lipids and blood glucose are critical in avoiding complications. I keep coming back because there's always room for improvement and I'm still having fun."

Carole East

"MAFF has been such a positive experience for our whole family.
Our kids really enjoy it. They have learned important lessons that are reinforced and brought home like more respect, courtesy and integrity. The teachers are just amazing and no other studio has teachers who relate to the kids as well and with such great response. Thank you!"

Sincerely, Michelle and Peter

"I became ethusiastic about Martial Arts Family Fitness when my grandson, Alex, started classes. I learned that it was not too late for me, at age 54, to begin my journey in Martial Arts. I am well on my way to becoming a black belt now, two years later! My son Chris has joined up too! They keyword is "Family". That is how one feels because we are treated that way!"

Sincerely,
Roy Zbinden

"MAFF is a great place for kids to learn life skills like teamwork, self control and being courteous while having fun."

Valerie Drye

"Wow!! I did not know what to expect when I took the Real Deal Self Defense Seminar. I feel so empowered to handle circumstances presented to me and able to defend myself with confidence. I learned to use my voice with confidence and know that sometimes that’s all it takes. I feel that every woman and teenage girl should take this class!"

Pam Mullen

"What does Martial Arts do for me... Well, I can not start my day (M-W-F) without it. In fact I am bummed if I over sleep and miss the early morning class. I have been a member since May of 2006. I received the KUT class as a birthday present and could not believe somebody gave me that as a gift. I had to go everyday. Oh my god, how would I ever be able to do that. And now, I love it. I love every class. My husband can not believe I can get out of bed in the pitch dark (5:45 am) and drive to class. But I love to start my day with the kick boxing class, I know my day will be great. I love it.
Thank you for being there for me."

DeeDee Crocker

"I love attending classes at MAFF--please continue to keep really great teachers."

Lucy Witmer

"When I first started MAFF I was wearing a size 18 and now I am wearing a size 8...It has taken me a while to get there, but with the people who work at MAFF it has made it very easy to go every day. The people who work there are the best...
Thank you for all your support...now I even have my husband going and in two weeks of going he can tie he shoes.... Now he knows why I always made it a priority to go every day."

Thanks MAFF - Karen Corral

"This is a wonderful place where I feel sure that my son Rafael is well trained, safe, and respected. I like the discipline of the trainers and the way they talk to my son and other kids. I also like the charisma of my son´s Sensei."

Claudia Gutierrez Mazzotti

"Congratulations on #1 status again!

What I love about MAFF:
I love that the staff is so very interested in EVERYONE'S fitness workout I love that the people who go to MAFF are open, friendly and interested in other people and serious (in a fun way) about getting and staying in shape.
I love that there's no "tude", but a real family atmosphere.
I love that people bring there dogs to hang with the other dogs, we all need our pack!
I love all the options of ways to "kick it up".
I must love it, I've been going for about 3 years now!!"

Cherilyn Milton

"My son Allen is getting stronger, becoming a better and wiser young man. I like my son to be a good person and it is working."

Allen Simmons

"I discovered MAFF by chance; I have stayed because of the incredibly positive, supportive community, the rigorous physical and mental training, and the tenets that guide that training and spill over into the rest of my life: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit."

-Elizabeth Schwyzer

"I have been a black belt for 14 months. The process of getting there was amazing, but the process of being here and moving forward is even better. I have taken everything I have learned and am now actually starting over, but at a much higher level. This process is the most awesome feeling, because I know it will last a lifetime. Martial arts is a lifetime process that has given me my strong indomitable spirit and I have MAFF to thank!!!!!"

Julie Turner

"I've never found an exercise routine that I couldn't wait to do every day. I LOVE going to MAFF for the cardio kickboxing program. I feel strong and empowered by what I"ve learned at the Dojo! The most favorite thing I do at MAFF are the bags classes. Where else can you kick, punch and yell and it's encouraged?!"

Jen Jones

"Thanks to MAFF I can fit into me trousers again!"

Mark Henry

"My achievements are improved self-confidence, successful goal setting, dramatic increase in physical strength and discipline. I walk taller, hit harder, kick higher, move faster, think clearer, eat healthier and look really great in my brand new blue jeans."

Laurie Spann

My journey for black belt has coincided with a significant emotional and spiritual journey brought on by a lifetime of unconsciousness. I have no doubt these paths all converged for me when they did for a reason. Receiving my black belt is a symbol of not only my physical accomplishments, but my psychological accomplishments as well. Having the knowledge that I can defend myself against an assailant and the satisfaction of breaking 3 boards has helped to build the confidence in myself that has been lacking for so many years. I can honestly say that was absolutely one of the best days of my life and no one will ever be able to take that away. Thanks to MAFF for providing me this opportunity.

Carrie Grabenauer

"[This program] has provided me with the opportunity to challenge my body and mind within a framework of support that made it both fun and fulfilling."

Stephanie Badasci

I had thought that attaining my Black Belt was going to be like arriving at a destination after a long journey. Three and a half years of training brought me to the big day at last. As I walked onto the mat, several black belts gave me the same advice “Have fun today”. This proved to be very prescient advice. I did have fun. I felt well prepared for the test, thanks to the many hours of time given to me by my mentors and other members at MAFF, both of higher and lower ranks. My Black Belt was a group effort, and that’s what I like about MAFF. It’s a friendly environment where the tenets of martial arts are actually implemented. Courtesy, integrity, self control, perseverance and indomitable spirit are more than just words on the wall. They are the code by which the MAFF members conduct themselves. As a result, everyone is made to feel welcome and respected. As a black belt myself now, I look forward to helping those on their own journey toward this goal.
Master Wheaton has said that a black belt is just a white belt who never gave up. For all of you on the path to black belt, I encourage you to remember that, to seek out help and advice whenever you need it, and to have fun along the way!

Chris Greenfield

"I want to thank you for the tremendous support and guidance through a window of opportunity in my life. This was a chance to create positive changes. Those chances are always there but they slip by unless we embrace them, absorb them and believe in ourselves to complete them. You provide people with the opportunity and you help people realize change."

Joe Strickland

"Dave, I wanted to let you know just how much Austin's visit to David's classroom meant to our family. We moved to Santa Barbara last September from Palo Alto with much protest from David. He had his best friend across the street and about 20 good friends in our neighborhood. David has transitioned nicely and is doing well in school and making friends but given the choice he would move back to Palo Alto. That was until he started taking Hapkido with Austin. David has found his passion in Martial Arts and begs to go to class daily. So when David was "star of the week" and Austin offered to come to his 1st grade classroom, he was beyond excited. Austin did a wonderful job of preparing David for the presentation and making it fun for all the kids. The teacher said it was the highlight of the day and the Principal said she had heard it was a great presentation. Most importantly David said "It was the best day of my life". We cannot thank Austin enough for taking the time to support David and having such a positive impact on our son. He will remember that day forever. Thank You"

Jessica Schaeman

"I think that one of the best things I have done for myself, is joining [this program]. What I love the most is how welcome and comfortable everyone feels. I feel so much better about myself and how good I look."

Alexis Chavez

"[This program] has helped me to understand what my body really needed to get into better shape; Regimented exercise, consuming healthier foods and timely eating habits. I truly believe that if you train your mind to healthier living, your body will follow."

David Lopez

"I had worked out for 3 years with a personal a trainer (3 sessions per week). But after training...I have dropped those sessions. The benefits I have received from your kickboxers training are MAGNIFICENT!"

Melissa Hillegas

"On my first day...I stated that one of my reasons for participating in kickboxing was that I wanted to be selfish and do something for myself. I am now amazed how carving out 1 hour a day, 6 times a week has redirected and influenced my life. I am a better person, wife and mother."

Susan Love