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 classes at our studio, a unique weapons class, and an advanced classes for our experienced students.

Come take a class with us…

Basic Karate & Self-Defense – Wednesdays 5:30-7pm at our studio in downtown Santa Cruz. Come check us out – beginners welcome, you can enroll at any time and your first class is free.
Weapons & Self-Defense – Sundays 10-11:30am in Ben Lomond. A unique class taught in highly controlled, super-safe environment. Beginners welcome – your first class is free and practice weapons are provided.
Advanced Karate – Sundays 11:45am-1:15pm in Ben Lomond for experienced students, by invitation.

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.

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About Our Instructor

Class Descriptions

Self Defense &

Basic Karate

This core class is the bedrock of our standardized curriculum using hard-style “Weh Ga Ryu” karate 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.
Curriculum is non-competitive and students learn at their own speed and ability.
All techniques are taught with technical excellence and practical “street” application in mind.
Basic self-defense strategies are discussed and core techniques are practiced.

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

Tang Soo Do

Advanced Karate

This class takes the studies to the next level in the curriculum, exploring advanced subjects, techniques, and “soft style” internal energy use along with artistic, unique and sophisticated aspects of Tang Soo Do.

Subjects include timing, breath control, power generation, and self-defense scenarios.
Controlled sparring includes advanced strategies and tournament considerations.
Traditional forms capture the artistic majesty of the eagle or the fluidity of the snake.
In-depth, advanced self-defense strategy, psychology, and legal aspects are discussed.

This class is by invitation of our senior instructor for those who have exhibited proficiency in basic karate studies.

Self-Defense &

Weapons

Add to your skills the ability to defend yourself against and use traditional armaments – specifically the quarterstaff (bo), the short stick, and the blunt object.

This class uses a combination of technique building and weapons combinations 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

“I can’t say enough great things about Oakstrong Martial Arts and I highly recommend anybody who is thinking about learning a martial art, to contact Neville. I promise you, you won`t find a better teacher and mentor.”

Philip L. – Santa Cruz

“Neville achieves a great balance of introducing the formality of the art, but while teaching in an accessible manner. His instruction and approach and personal patience have been incredible.”

Joel R. – Santa Cruz

Class Locations & Schedule

Come check us out – new students are welcome to join our Basic Karate and Weapons classes at any time.

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

Below are the costs for our classes – buy one of our payment cards, show up for class, and we check off a credit for class. Easy. 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 way we teach, the curriculum, and what Tang Soo Do is all about. Participate or watch from the sidelines – your first class is free!

Drop-in Fee – $15 per class

3-Class Payment Card – $36 – expires after two months.

10-Class Payment Card – $100

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