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Welcome to Warrior / Tandez Academy of Martial Arts. Real life Self-Defense from the best! We offer Jeet Kune Do, Kali Escrima, Muay Thai, Boxing, and MMA Jiu Jitsu classes for adults and kids.
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Reviews from Jiu-Jitsu Blog members who have trained at WARRIOR / Tandez Academy of Martial Arts. Member recommendations raise an academy's Jiu-Jitsu Blog Score.
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I love Tandez academy!! I think sifu Adrian is a great teacher infact one of the greatest teachers ever!!! I always look forward to class everytime I go and it's always awesome and sifu is very knowledgeable!!
The people there are really awesome too!!
-Love and support from Alfredo reynoso
Sifu Adrian Tandez and his Academy of Martial Arts is one of THEE best Academy in the South Bay! I highly recommend taking his classes in Self-Defense(Jeet Kune Do & Kali +more). Sifu's knowledge is powerful and is always willing to share with his students. He will prepare you to apply his teachings in any situation that you may be encountered in your daily life. At the same time, will also enhance your mental and physical fitness combined! We joined this past summer and my son(7 yrs) & daughter(9yrs) loves it!
If you want to start your martial-arts journey or are looking to take it to the next level, Warrior Combat Arts Academy may just be the place for you. This school teaches the martial arts you need for health, self-improvement and practical self-defense, including Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Kali and Muay Thai, and it’s all done within a safe, supportive and fun community.
SiFu Adrian, the head instructor, is an outstanding teacher, who has deep knowledge of the martial arts and realistic self-defense and understands the differences between the two. He also has a genuine desire for each of his students to progress and fosters an environment where everyone helps and learns from one another no matter what rank you might be. What’s more, SiFu has several assistant instructors - dedicated, well-experienced teachers and martial artists themselves - at students’ disposal whenever they have a question or comment.
Another great thing about Warrior Combat Arts Academy is that it gives you access to learning directly from world-renowned masters such as Guro Dan Inosanto and SiFu Francis Fong through seminars at the school or trips to where these living legends are holding workshops.
Ultimately, everyone has to carve out their own martial-arts path, and this school definitely can help you with that.
My 10yr old son and teenage daughter have been going to this academy for four years now and we’ve loved every moment of it. Sifu is incredibly dedicated to his craft and has built so much confidence in my two kids.
If you’re looking for a school where you can effectively apply martial arts for self-defense, this is the place to go. Sifu Adrian Tandez is seasoned and an expert in the martial arts he teaches. He trained directly under Guro Dan Inosanto. Aside from Jeet Kune Do, he also specialized in Kali (likened to Eskrima), Silat, Panantukan, and Muay Thai. The kids’ classes are also amazing (our kids have been training for several years now)!
I’ve been coming here for a little over a year. It’s been a great experience! The hardest part of walking into any new experience can be the unknown. What are the people going to be like? What’s the culture like? Thankfully, there’s no ego here. Sifu and the other instructors know their stuff but they allow everyone to learn at their own pace and are super patient.
If you are looking for something to keep you active, try the Muay Thai classes. Want to learn practical self-defense? Try JKD and Kali. There’s a little something for everyone.
The best experience in martial arts from a humble teacher and an awesome instructor team. If you love martial arts and want to really learn to defend you and your loved ones please join.
I had a Wing Chun & Kali background before joining the WARRIOR/Tandez Academy. I very much enjoy training here for the following reasons.
This is one of the few places that teach the Inosanto system (and beyond) in the Bay area. The academy offers a good variety of group and private courses: Jeet Kune Do/MMA, Boxing/Muay Thai, & Kali/Silat. Additionally, there are sparring (Kali Combat) and kid sessions (Junior Warriors). So I can focus on my favorite areas and cross-train in different arts to broaden my horizons.
I also like the people and culture here. SiFu Adrian Tandez is super knowledgeable and passionate about martial arts. Other instructors (e.g., Bernard Hsiung & Niall Doherty) are very helpful. Moreover, male and female trainees in the academy are quite friendly to newcomers. So I always feel welcome and happy to be here.
Overall, I am fortunate to have a chance to train/learn here and highly recommend WARRIOR / Tandez Academy to people of all ages who are interested in (Filipino) martial arts!
An excellent martial arts school for anyone that wants to learn practical self defense skills. You’ll be able to learn a variety of martial arts, from striking to weapons, alongside a supportive community.
Tandez Academy is the real deal:
I have been in the fighting arts almost my entire life (I am 65). I have probably studied every "concept" out there. In the higher forms, there is a blending (and refining) of different "ranges" to obtain a "completeness" of attributes; to forge the mind and body into a unique, flexible, engaging, skillful practitioner based in reality and which is economical.
This journey is the "way." A constant challenge of one's momentary "accomplishments," to a new and higher functionality. Here, at the Academy, you have the tools to do just that. Not only is this a way to defend yourself and your love ones if necessary, it is a way to improve every aspect of yourself.
"Be water my Friends"
Tandez Academy is a great place to learn martial arts. Trained by premier martial arts instructor, Dan Inosanto (well known as Bruce Lee's protege), Sifu Adrian is highly knowledgeable and an expert in Kali Escrima, Silat, Muay Thai, Jeet Kune Do and more. One of Tandez Academy's main focus areas is also practical and effective self-defense techniques for daily life. He and his team of highly qualified co-instructors are there to help in the learning in a welcoming environment. So whether you are a beginner or advanced, you will be able to find your place and level up.
I’ve been training here at Tandez Academy for 3 months, and it’s been an amazing experience for me. Not only are you provided with great cardio and strength training sessions, but also detailed instruction on technique and self-defense skills in real life situations. Additionally, it’s great that Sifu Adrian is very passionate about teaching the history and philosophy behind the martial arts. I've learned so much about the cultural backgrounds of jeet kune do, wing chun, muay thai, and more, which has enhanced my understanding of these practices. Overall, Tandez Academy is the perfect place for anyone looking for effective physical conditioning and thorough education on martial arts.
During lockdown, I took a few classes with Tandez Academy, and I had so much fun! They have a great deal for new members, and they take the time to teach you the basics and make sure you understand the concepts. My classmates were all so helpful, too! It is a great community. <3
I have been training for 5+ years at TAMA and my son for almost 2 years and we’ve never been happier! Sifu Adrian teaches reality based self defense through Jeet Kune Do and many other styles. The environment is friendly, positive, encouraging and safe! I would highly recommend TAMA!
En mi opinión y con 11 años de experiencia en artes marcialesTandez academy es una de las mejores escuelas de artes marciales en el mundo ya que el Sifu Adrian y su equipo de instructores tienen un muy alto nivel como artistas marciales, totalmente recomendable para cualquier persona, ya que te dan un excelente trato ya sea como visitante o como alumno, cabe destacar que es una de las pocas escuelas en las cuales de verdad forman artistas marciales con los valores, habilidades, actitudes y aptitudes que caracterizan a un verdadero artista marcial!
I have been a regular at the Academy for some time now, and I feel it has greatly improved both my health and my understanding of martial arts. Sifu Tandez is a patient and diligent teacher. Highly recommended!
The best training in the Bay Area. Sifu Adrian is a talented teacher and the school has committed students. The school is a great and supportive environment for learning.
I have had the privilege of training here with SiFu Tandez at the school for 3 years now, and I can’t recommend Tandez Academy enough. SiFu Tandez is extremely knowledgeable in the several martial arts taught here, and there is an incredible sense of community among the students and instructors.
By coming here, you would have the rare opportunity to train in Jeet Kune Do, Kali, Silat, and Muay Thai - all of which are highly effective, and practical martial arts. What’s even more important, in my opinion, is that SiFu Tandez, his instructors, and his students all help provide a safe, welcoming, and fun environment to learn these martial arts. Personally, I have learned so much during my time here and my experience here has positively changed who I am as a martial artist and as a person.
I take the Womens Self Defense class here and its awesome. I’ve learned a good amount of techniques in just 2 months, i feel confident with what i know. Shifu Is very knowledgeable and makes the class really fun. Highly recommend it :)
I've been coming to Tandez Academy for 8 months so far and I can't recommend it highly enough! I had been practising Karate for many years in many different places. When I moved to the Bay Area I wanted to try something different, with more practical application. I decided to pay a visit to Tandez Academy, best decision ever!
Sifu Adrian Tandez not only masters all the disciplines he teaches but he also has a great ability to transmit them to his students. His teaching method is very effective, he is warm and you can tell that he truly cares about your development. Other instructors and senior students are also deeply involved in teaching and really help you advance with a lot of 1:1 time, especially when you are new to the practice.
I also appreciate the great variety of disciplines available like Kali, Wing Chun Kung Fu, Jeet Kune Do, etc. It allows you to find your way and enjoy the path.
I started attending classes two or three times a week, but I liked it so much that I'm now attending 6 days a week! In class, time flies... you not only learn a lot each time but there is also place for fun! Sifu Adrian Tandez has created a really welcoming environment, everyone is friendly and easygoing.
I'm very satisfied because I notice very significant improvements in reflexes, coordination and awareness. Now I feel much more confident that I would know how to react in a real life situation.
In summary, Tandez Academy is a great place to learn, exercise and also have fun!
I am about four months into my training at Tandez Academy and it has been a phenomenal experience so far. I always look forward to coming to classes and being challenged but supported in my goals of physical fitness, martial arts skills, and overall self-improvement. It is a marvel to see just how knowledgeable and skilled Sifu Adrian Tandez and his senior students are. They say that great students are made by great teachers; Sifu Adrian's martial arts lineage tracing directly back to Guro Dan Inosanto, therefore this martial arts academy sets a high standard of quality instruction. And there is a strong sense of community, from Sifu Adrian Tandez and his senior students down to the newest students. Everyone is respectful but easygoing and understands the importance of enjoying the journey and helping each other grow together.
Although I'm no expert, I am aware enough of the martial arts landscape to say that there are few places in the US where you can find any style of Silat being taught, and the LaCoste Inosanto style of Kali (including the many other styles it borrows from) has a deep and comprehensive curriculum. The Wing Chun and Jeet Kune Do taught here are also geared towards practical self-defense. This place has it all, plus Muay Thai (which I currently don't train in because four different martial arts is all my schedule and body can handle at this time). If you can make coming to class regularly work with your life, you should absolutely take advantage of the opportunity.
Another thing to note is that Sifu works in lessons on martial arts history and cultures of the originating countries of the martial arts he teaches, which is so important because it ties back into the school's commitment to fostering respect and understanding. In my opinion as well as the school's, martial arts knowledge should not be taken from its cultural roots and used purely as a tool for aggression or dominance over others while failing to credit the peoples who developed the arts.
I think I've written plenty at this point, so bottom line advice: come on in and give this place a try. I am a hard judge of martial arts schools and I'm still here, so yes, I give this school my highest recommendation. Come see for yourself; I daresay you will find everything you need or want from a martial arts school, if you are looking for the right things.
If you are looking for the best all-inclusive martial arts school in the Bay Area, you just found it. I attended my first free week of classes back in 2008. I was blown away after seeing the instructor demonstrate JKD Bruce Lee trapping, Kali stick and knife hostage disarms and Silat take-down self-defense techniques. It’s now 2015 and I’m still going strong training every week.
Sifu Adrian Tandez is a dedicated passionate instructor. Whether you’re new to martial arts, have previous martial arts experience, young or old, everyone is welcome and will benefit immensely from Tandez Academy training.
Try it out. Since you can train for one week free of charge, there is really nothing to lose and a lot to gain. Needless to say, I highly recommend the instructor and the school.
If you are looking for reality based martial arts, hoping to learn self defense, and or just looking for a great fitness workout, then this is the school for you. I have been training in this school for over 3 years, and Sifu Adrian has been a mentor to me, has guided me through all the arts, and has been a great friend of mine through the years.
This school covers a variety of martial arts to choose from and Sifu Adrian, his instructors, and his students are always there, and are willing to assist anyone who wants to learn. I initially wanted to tryout his Jeet Kune Do class, but I ended up taking all his classes; Kali/FMA, Silat, CSW/STX/MMA. Little did I realize that I’m already hook on all the arts, their concepts, and how much fun training in all of them. It can be tough at first, especially if you are new; like watching how the senior students train hard can be intimidating, seeing the flow drills/techniques/concepts from weapons to empty hands to ground fighting , and just the conditioning itself can be rough at first. But everyone in the school will help you through and Sifu Adrian provides a structural based format and will guide you through each level based curriculum so you won’t get lost. Kali and Silat are possibly my favorite because you learn how to wield any weapon properly, learn how to defend against weapons; and with Silat you learn devastating moves and takedowns, with proper training and with safety.
From the staff/instructors to all the students, everyone in this school is friendly and very welcoming. Though we conduct ourselves with giving respect to one another and learning the arts, everyone here has fun and no one here is ever too strict to enjoy his/her time while in the school. In fact, I have made great friends and have made great memories here in TAMA from the seminars (where we met Guro Dan Inosanto); through the tournaments; and even some school events we made like playing bowling, and the whole day picnic event we held last year. That was a lot of fun!!
As I have progressed through, I have gained confidence, more knowledge of the art and self-defense, more friends/great memories, and great experiences, but most of all I am having fun!
This is a top-tier martial arts academy, and I am proud to say that I have been coming here for the past two years. Prior to attending Tandez academy, I trained in collegiate wrestling, jujitsu, and kajukenbo for a combined total of six years. During that time, I have had mostly good but also quite a few bad instructors. Teaching explosive movement with a high degree of precision is not an easy feat, but I can confidently say that SiFu Adrian Tandez is one of the best there is at doing so. His natural charisma and passion for the arts he teaches really show during the lessons, and the friendly demeanor of both him and his senior students makes it easy to ask for help if you are struggling.
What you learn here is true self defense. The arts we learn are not for sport. They were designed to be brutal, effective, and fast, so that you have the best chance of neutralizing a threat and getting away safely. The drills and techniques learned are reality-based and tailor-made to give you the skills and reflexes needed to win a fight with no refs, weight classes, or rules. Please stop by the Academy to get the full information on each of the arts taught there.
The classes are pretty fast paced, but that's a good thing. When I first started attending the Academy, the classes seemed a bit too high-volume. I was used to being shown a technique and then being required to master it before moving on to the next. Here, each lesson will have numerous techniques, and each technique is given just a few minutes before moving on to the next. I thought the instruction was too fast paced, but I now see that this is a brilliant approach to learning such a complex art. By teaching this way, students quickly learn how their body behaves in a number of different positions. It also gives SiFu an opportunity to see your whole body in motion, and thus what areas you are strong in and what areas he can work with you to improve.
It can be a bit daunting at first, but in essence, each lesson you are given many small puzzle pieces as opposed to a big bland one. This has two huge advantages. One, lessons are always engaging. You never know what you're going to learn day-to-day which keeps things fresh, and you won't have lessons that are dull, hour-long sessions of "this is how to jab". Two, you really get a sense how all the techniques and drills you do fit together to make you into a skilled martial artist. In hindsight, I can see that everything SiFu taught me built up to an "aha" moment. Going back to my puzzle piece analogy, after attending for a few weeks you'll have enough puzzle pieces to make a cloud, a tree, and maybe a house. You attend another week and fill in a little more. Then another week, and then another and suddenly... Aha! This is a picture of a lakeside cottage.
In much the same way, you come here for a few weeks and you get exposure to striking, weapons fighting, and grappling, but they feel like disparate modules. Each week you put in, your skills increase until, Aha! You see how these different modules all blend together, and how everything you've learned reinforces everything else. Suddenly the lesson pace that was so fast one month ago seems natural. The three minutes you get per technique is almost too much time, because everything you've learned up to that point can be easily rearranged or adapted to perform the new technique. During lessons, SiFu doesn't seem to be spitting out rapid-fire gibberish while doing a complex set of moves like he did last month. Now, he is rather helpfully explaining exactly what you need to do to perform the actions correctly, and he's helping you refine your motions to make them more powerful and efficient. You wonder what changed from last month to this one until you see a new student that looks just as lost as you once were, and you realize that what changed is you. If that sounds awesome to you, stick with it and don't be intimidated. The teaching method works, and it works well.
Never been to a martial arts class...EVER. But wanted to try something new. I was a little nervous this would be like the Karate Kid- Cobra Kai ,...Super strict.."Sweep the leg!", "Put 'em in a body bag Johnny!" But went non the less.
Thankfully the Tandez Academy is not like that. We bow etc, but Sifu is very kind and not intimidating. Don't get me wrong...I wouldn't want to ever fight him but he has created a place where we can all learn without a ton of pressure. When I do mess up I don't get a Bo staff to the head (I was worried about that too. I guess I watch too many movies), Sifu shows me the right way and we keep going.
I did feel like a goober for the first couple of months trying to learn and keep up but trust me... eventually it comes. I should also say that the other students are great as well. I've learned a ton from them too. Everyone helps each other. Definitely a community.
Adrian Tandez not only knows his martial arts but he is an amazing teacher and friend. I have learned so much from the academy in the short time I have been there. This place is a smorgasburg of martial arts that all flow so well with each other. At times it can be overwhelming but rest assured that if you tuff it out, ask questions and continue to show up, by the end of your first month it will all start to blend and you will find yourself flowing from one martial arts to another.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me!
I've been coming here regularly for 2 years now, and I love it! It can be a bit harrowing when you're new, as Sifu Adrian leads you through lots of different partner drills and techniques in each hour-long class, but it's really amazing how much you can retain once you get used to the pace.
And though a normal class goes through multiple martial arts sources and various ranges and types of combat, Sifu Adrian also provides a structured side thanks to a level-based curriculum. This provides a great foundation for writing notes on techniques and drills for personal practice and retention, as well as for building from basic skills out to more advanced ones as you progress through the levels.
I recommend going to as many of the different classes as you can. I love Filipino Martial Arts for all the weapon work and functionalized partner drills, and it was the main reason I first started going to the school, but all the other arts have great features. JKD and STX Kickboxing are great for fitness, as both classes include a warmup workout and more mitt/bag work with a general striking focus. Silat and CSW are more for grappling and ground work, though both include striking as well.
I also recommend asking for help. I've had huge moments of personal growth when Sifu Adrian or friendly, more-senior students gave me new insight into the mechanics and theory of techniques.
I love the school. I've gained a huge amount of knowledge, learned useful and enlightening self-defense skills, increased my fitness and self-confidence, and made great friends.
I’ve been training here a little over a year now, and I’ve been very impressed at how safe, practical, and fun it has been! All the other students are extremely friendly and everyone really made me feel welcome from the very beginning. I was first drawn to Tandez Academy by Filipino Kali and its focus on weapons training because that sounded totally awesome (and it certainly has been), but quickly came to appreciate how it merges with all the other arts and techniques taught here to form one complete, holistic self-defense art. Someone has a weapon? Use Kali attacks and disarms. Empty hands? Jeet Kune Do and kickboxing. Find yourself on the ground and your opponent is still standing? Surprise them with some Maphilindo Silat. Both on the ground? Use Combat Submission Wrestling to end things quickly. No matter what life throws at you, Tandez Academy has you covered. Sifu Tandez is extremely laid back and nice, but that’s not to say he goes easy on us - I come away from most classes exhausted and soaking in sweat, but with a big smile on my face!
What I like about this school is the friendly and cooperative environment. The students are very helpful, especially to the beginners. I also got a lot help from the instructor. When he teaches me how to do a certain move, he explains the reasons behind it. I was surprised I could get this kind of individual attention from the trainer. That's something I did not get from the gym I previously went to.
I want to thank the instructor for keeping the school a safe place to train. One time I expressed concern about one new student's behavior. Later I found out that person left after the instructor explained to him the code of conduct at the school. The school cares about student's safety and i'm happy about it.
Great place to learn Jeet Kune Do, Kali, Silat (4-5 Stars) but not Wing Chun (3 Stars). Great bunch of students. Friendly teachers; Adrian, Steven, Hadi, James & Fernando. This place does NOT teach Traditional WING CHUN.
I went for a month and while the FMA instruction is good, we only sparred once for 5 minutes.
"A fighter who trains without sparring is like a swimmer who hasn’t immersed in the water” -Bruce Lee
Adrian does a very good job of trying to scrub and negative reviews of his "school", and then lashes out and calls them fake. Let me be clear, I went here for about 2 weeks in 2010, and from everything I can tell absolutely nothing has changed there. So here is my actual, real experience as a warning to those just reading the hype:
While Jeet Kune Do is an awesome art, I could not have been more disappointed with this dojo. First off, there was only 1 introductory lesson for free (other places will offer you a week, or not even particularly care about payment for a while), at which point Adrian wil lstrongly pressure you to join and start making payments. After the first class, you will have to be willing to pay $25 for another class, or pay for a full month's tuition, or you will be asked to leave. You will also be asked to pay $80 for "uniform and curriculum"... the "uniform" being a single-color silk screen printed t-shirt, and the "curriculum" being a word document that gets emailed to you, which you are expected to print off and bring to class every day (I have never seen this anywhere else.) Most classes will be about HALF lecture, with intermittent exercises. There is no real rhyme or reason to any particular lesson, and I felt as if half the time Adrian wasn't showing things with the intention of progressing his students, but rather to just try to show off things that he thought he knew. One time he "demonstrated" finishing a move with a double-leg takedown... he had his legs perfectly straight, his head down looking at the mat, will all of his balance past the front of his toes (and stumbled off and turned around after the sloppy demo). His beginners are thrown in with everyone else, and no special attention is given to them to come up to speed, they are just expected to hack it with everyone else. Needless to say, a lot of bad habits were observed due to this, and I never once saw a beginning or level 2 student be able to demonstrate the same move twice consistently. Adrian is more concerned about making money, running his dojo like a business, and inflating his own ego (he has posters of himself all over to be sure) than he is worried about the progression of his students. Oh yeah, and he threatened my life when I said it wasn't working out and I wouldn't be continuing there. Talk about not only being unprofessional, but completely opposed to the calm and peaceful mentality that a true martial artist should have.
EDIT: Adrian needs to learn that just because a review isn't positive doesn't make it fake. This happened. He threatened me. I still have the t-shirt lying around somewhere- I use it as a rag. I posted this review as a warning to others looking to study martial arts, there are plenty of better alternatives. It's pretty obvious something is up when Adrian lashes out and screams "fake!!!" at any review that isn't glorifying him in a brainwashed manner.
