Oakstrong Martial Arts | Tang Soo Do karate classes in Santa Cruz

Classes, Schedule & Costs

WORKOUT, ACHIEVE, GROW

Our Classes & Our Way

Oakstrong Martial Arts offers classes covering each of the different aspects of Tang Soo Do. We invite you to experience the power of positive reinforcement – while getting a good workout, gaining the ability to defend yourself and learning an ancient art.

Currently we offer our regularly scheduled Traditional Style classes at our studio, unique weapons classes, and – beginning in September – special introductory classes offered though the city of Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation.

Come take a class with us!

Traditional Style Classes – Every Wednesday 5:30-7pm at our studio in downtown Santa Cruz. Come check us out – you can enroll at any time and your first two classes are free.
Special Intro Classes – Beginning September 13 and October 25 – every Wednesday in downtown Santa Cruz. Registration required – listed as “Self Defense & Karate for Teens & Adults” through Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation.
Weapons Classes (Bo – quarterstaff) – Every Sunday 10-11:30am in Ben Lomond. A unique class taught in highly controlled, super-safe environment. Prior martial arts experience not required. Beginners welcome – first two classes are free and practice weapons are provided.

Each class employs a mix of stretching, warm-up, karate techniques, self-defense strategies, and qigong exercises. Oakstrong’s karate instruction employs various formats to teach skills – basic techniques, multi-technique combinations, movement training, traditional forms, and free sparring in a safe and noncompetitive environment.

In each class you will see, hear and practice the physical and energetic aspects of Tang Soo Do that display the art and enable the potential to generate and transmit qigong energy. Along the way you will gain confidence, strength, and in no small way make it possible to defend yourself.

Each type of class follows a standardized basic-to-advanced curriculum that provides the opportunity for you to learn and grow at your own pace and ability. Curriculum is comprehensive from beginner to black belt and beyond.

Classes are open to men, women and serious young adults. New students are welcome to join at any time. Beginners need no special uniform or equipment, just a curious nature and a desire to learn. All techniques are explained and demonstrated to help students at every skill level achieve and enjoy.

To find out more, check out the general class descriptions below.

For more specifics and registration for our Parks & Rec classes, go the dedicated page for those classes.

Parks & Recreation Class Info

View Class Schedule

See Locations & Costs

Class Descriptions

External Energy

Traditional Style

This core class is the bedrock of our standardized curriculum using hard-style “Weh Ga Ryu” energy. At the basic level you will learn to move, to breath, how to block, kick, and strike.

Students learn though a mix of basic techniques, multi-technique combinations, movement exercises, partner practice and controlled sparring.
Advanced subjects include timing, breath control, power utilization, and self-defense scenarios.
Conflict avoidance and self-defense philosophy are discussed.

Capture the majesty of the eagle or the fluidity of the snake through Weh Ga Ryu traditional forms.

Train with an expert instructor with over 30 years’ experience.

Internal Energy

Soft Style

Internal energy karate – the soft style or “Neh Ga Ryu” aspect of Tang Soo Do.

This curriculum is excellent for practitioners of other softer, energy-developing arts who want a bit more vigor and a different passionate workout. Think of it as a karate practice between the very soft Tai Chi and the typical hard-style karate.

Learn core “soft-style” karate skills and the Neh Ga Ryu traditional forms that offer a format to express powerful internal energy in breathing and beautiful movement.
Each class ends with centering exercises and brief meditation.
This methodology is also well suited for seniors or those beginning their path into better fitness.

And yes, you can defend yourself with this style.

Assisted Energy

Weapons

Add to your skills the ability to defend yourself against and use traditional armaments – the Bo (quarterstaff), the knife, and the short stick.

As advanced skills, these classes use a combination of technique building and high-energy drills in a highly controlled, super-safe environment.
Skills are taught in a practical, no-nonsense manor emphasizing respect for these weapons and their vast potential.
Self-defense strategy, psychology, and legal aspects are discussed.
Set-pattern forms are used to demonstrate the art form, and exhibit the fluid enhanced energy that weapons add.

Weapons classes are open to everyone – prior karate experience not required, but useful.

“After training with Oakstrong Martial Arts for just over 8 months I have gained a new level of self respect, confidence, strength and the wonderful feeling of being more centered and connected.”

Wendy L. – Scotts Valley

Class Locations & Schedule

Come check us out at our studio classes, or register and attend special classes through the city Parks & Rec departments. New students are welcome to join our regular studio classes at any time. You can also contact us to discuss a free intro class.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Studio/Class Locations – Interested in classes? Always check our full class schedule for specific class locations. Here is where to find us…

Regular studio classes are every Wednesday 5:30-7pm at the Body & Soul Studio in downtown Santa Cruz at 738 Chestnut Street, Santa Cruz.
Advanced and weapons classes are conducted at various locations – contact us for more information.

View Class Schedule

Fees & Costs

For introduction classes offered through Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation – go to the dedicated page for all the details and to register, pay for those classes…

Parks & Recreation Class Info

Below are the costs for our regularly scheduled studio classes at our downtown Santa Cruz location. At Oakstrong Martial Arts we want our classes to be accessible to everyone. No contracts or auto-withdrawals – pay only for the classes you attend.

Introduction Classes – Come experience the traditional art of Tang Soo Do and see what it is all about. For karate classes your first two classes are free. For weapons classes the first class is free.

Drop-in Fee – $12 per class

10-Class Payment Card – Cost is $90 for a 10-class “payment card” – you pay only for classes you attend. Cards expire after three months.

Private Instruction – Although our classes offer the best in comprehensive physical and mental training, private lessons are available to fine-tune skills, work on specific areas of study, or prepare for promotions testing. Cost is $50 per hour or 5 payment card classes. Private lessons are subject to scheduling and availability with our instructor.

Equipment Cost – At first, there is no special equipment to purchase. Oakstrong Martial Arts does not sell uniforms or martial arts equipment – but will make recommendations to retailers and on-line sources to buy needed items. To promote for your first rank, a traditional karate uniform is required. As you develop skills, common-sense safety equipment is required for free sparring. For our weapons classes, “training” weapons will be provided – but certainly you will want your own!

Other Fees – There are none. Some studios charge “extra” fees connected with joining an association or advancement/promotion in levels of skill. Oakstrong Martial Arts charges no additional fees and follows the tradition of promotion testing for knowledge and ability, not for money. You earn your rank testing with the dedication, humility and the effort it takes to achieve the required skills.

The small print: Pricing is subject to change without notice. Payment cards are non-refundable and non-transferable. Classes are subject to change and availability – options are non-refundable because of such changes.

Contact Oakstrong Martial Arts

Classes, Schedule & Costs