Testimonials

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YMAA has been a huge support for both of my boys' physical and emotional well being. Ben and his team of instructors have been so thoughtful about how to approach and support both of my boys! They do an amazing job balancing discipline and hard work with fun and engaging lessons!!!
​-Natalie A. YMAA Boston Kids Class Parent and Retired BPS Principal

Excellent instruction,  and great way to keep the kids active and healthy!!!
-Adriana C. YMAA Boston Kids Class Parent

Ben is playful and rigorous. A perfect combination for our 7 year old son.
-Rachael P. YMAA Boston Kids Class Parent

I am a retired person, who had never before done Tai Chi. I have been attending classes at YMAA Boston, and I am so pleased with the classes & the opportunity to improve my balance.
-Alexandra D. YMAA Tai Chi Student

There are plenty of "McDojos" all over - this is not one of them. The moment you start training traditional martial arts at YMAA, you realize what's real and what's fake. If you expect training to be easy, you will be sorely mistaken (note: the training here is always extremely careful.) The instructor is amazing and you immediately feel like (and become a part of) a family. I cannot recommend this school enough!
-Nicholas B. YMAA Shaolin Kung Fu Student

YMAA had been such a positive experience for my son. The instructors are kind,  patient and make learning Kung Fu fun!
-Sarah C. YMAA Boston Kids Class Parent

Ben and the team at YMAA have provided our son a fun, focused experience in self-awareness, mind-body tuning, and character development. The instructors balance with exceptional skill the principles of cumulative practice and adaptive teaching, so students grow steadily while visualizing and testing varied approaches to better internalize the lessons. Every student learns differently, and this is why we so appreciate the instructors’ facility in teaching the same goals in diverse ways. The teaching and the experience are rich, rewarding, humanizing, and - yes - fun!
- Myles M. YMAA Boston Kids Class Parent

Ben is a master teacher at all age levels and also with varied physical conditions of our class group.
Highly qualified master teaching.
Full awareness of age levels and variable physical impairments.
The class flow is in itself a special Tai Chi attribute.
For a brief hour’s time, this setting, teaching and practice provides a meditative platform for members
to attempt to restore personal needs that brought us to YMMA Roslindale where …for me, it is all appears to be working within the best reflected curative light of Tai Chi philosophy.
-John C. YMAA Tai Chi Student

Thank you Ben at YMAA for being an excellent teacher to my Son Jacob. it was more than Kung fu.  You taught him self confidence, morals, discipline and strength in mind body and spirit..
Proud to be a YMAA parent.
​Not all teachers can teach but you are an excellent teacher.
Thank you 
-Sarah S. YMAA Boston Kids Class Parent

Having trained at YMAA Boston for three years now, not only have I had the opportunity to learn three unique and interesting marital arts (long fist, white crane, and taiji), but I have also discovered a lot about myself in the process. Without exception, the instructors give the students individualized attention while fostering a community where students motivate and push each other. I can’t imagine training anywhere else!
-Dan L. YMAA Boston Kung Fu Student

I feel that the program staff were supportive and committed to the students. My 11year daughter was shy, unsure of herself and although she only did a year, she did like the warm environment..  
-Nadia J. YMAA Boston Kids Class Parent

My son has been attending YMAA for the past 4 years (since he was 6), and I can't say enough about how it is a tremendous asset to the Roslindale community. Ben is an incredible teacher, setting high standards for all of his students and encouraging them to do their very best, both physically and socially. In addition to the physical part of the class, a big part of the children's kung fu curriculum is what is called "martial moralities," emphasizing such qualities as respect, perseverance, patience, will, and righteousness, all of which carry over outside the classroom. YMAA has been very active in the community, giving demos at the farmers' market and community center, donating classes to local schools' fund-raisers, hosting a law enforcement officer to talk about safety with children, and allowing local organizations to post notices about events in its classroom space. We are extremely fortunate to have YMAA in Roslindale, and we look forward to continuing there for years to come.
-Natalie M, YMAA Boston Kids Class Parent​

"I like how you get to protect yourself and use offense and defense."
-Robert C. YMAA Boston kids class student

Great job calling each kid by name and working with each one to help them get focused.
-Dennis P. YMAA Boston Kids Class Parent

I've been in Ben's kettlebells class for over four years, and have experienced all the benefits of increased strength, conditioning, a faster metabolism and overall improvement in physical health, including diminished back pain and better mobility. There's no more effective and efficient way to get these results in 45 minutes. Plus the class is insanely fun!
​-Nancy B. YMAA Boston kettlebell student

YMAA is a great experience for kids and adults alike. My 3 ½ year old daughter loves going to Kung Fu! The instructors are amazing with kids and make Kung Fu fun. They also help the kids to build important life skills like listening, following instruction, and respecting one another. I also train at YMAA, and my daughter and I have fun practicing Kung Fu at home. Nothing brings families together like a little martial arts!

I love YMAA, I moved to Boston a little over a year ago, and after testing out a few schools I found my home at YMAA. The combination of two different types of Kung Fu (Long Fist and Southern White Crane), along with the addition of Qigong and Tai Chi isn’t the only thing that sets this school apart from the many others. The instructors at YMAA are second to none. They guide us through very complex and deep martial arts to make the students better both mentally and physically. I plan on training here for a long time.
​-Eric M. YMAA Boston kung fu student and parent

Ben is a great Tai Chi teacher and the class was very relaxing and rewarding. I would strongly recommend the course to anyone of any age or ability. And as a bonus, the class was very diverse!
-Daniel S. YMAA Boston Tai Chi Student

My son has been taking classes at YMAA for the past two years, and he's benefitted tremendously from Ben's encouraging but firm teaching style. He leaves class proud of the new techniques he's learned, and we regularly use the Martial Morality words at home to reinforce positive behavior. Go Ben!
​-Ryan D. YMAA Boston Kids Class Parent

My son has joined YMAA for 4 years since 5 years old. He loves it. Not only did he learn the skills for self-defense, but also he has learned important values/virtues in life summarized in 8 Chinese Characters, such as respect of others.
​-Danqing X. YMAA Boston Kids Class Parent

I love bringing our children to kung fu.  I see so many of my parenting values entwined in the class philosophy, but my kids see kung fu kicks and blocks.  
​-Jen V. YMAA Boston Kids Class Parent

Mr. Ben is focused,  he puts things in the right way. He teaches tan-tui and makes me feel determined. 
-E.E.J. YMAA Boston Kids Class Student and 3rd grader

Our daughter has been involved with YMAA sine she was five years old, she is now almost fourteen. Ben was one of her first instructors at YMAA and once YMAA moved to Roslindale, Ben has been her primary teacher.
Our daughter Sarai has learned an incredible amount of life skills, self discipline, martial moralities, self defense, as well as being an assisant teacher with the younger classes taught at YMAA. She has participated in a few of the competitions over the years and has also taken the Ji-Jitsu classes when offered. Sarai has really grown as a young woman during her years of practice at YMAA. She has become more self confident, outgoing, and she has found her voice. Sarai has learned it is okay to speak up and to do so even when the situation is difficlut. Sarai's self image is positive and strong and she feels very confident as a young woman walking around the city and taking public transportaion. It is because of Ben and YMAA that have helped her over the years to build  these skills. I am not sure what or how Sarai would be without all the years she has put into her practice at YMAA. We are so very grateful to Ben and all the past instructors that Sarai has practiced with and that have helped her become the young woman she is today. 
-Mary Ellen YMAA Boston Kids Class Parent

A safe and inclusive environment where my 7 year old has learned the value in appreciating himself and others
-Marlisa F. YMAA Boston Kids Class Parent

YMAA Boston is a community business who's dedicated commitment to martial morality, facilitates a positive experience and learning environment for all ages and levels of growth.
​-Steffen Landrum YMAA Shaolin Kung Fu Student

I have been studying TaiChi for about 2 years at the Roslindale YMAA. The YMAA community (both students and instructors) have always made me feel welcome and I have always found my classes to be both enjoyable and challenging. I would highly recommend studying here!
-Andrew I. YMAA Boston Tai Chi Student