I look forward to training here every week! I always feel motivated to come here; it is a welcoming, fun, and engaging space. Each time I come here, I learn something new. Each lesson has a strong focus on the necessary techniques to practice martial arts safely and practically. I am a relatively new student, but I can certainly say that I already feel much more prepared to defend myself (if need be). I also have seen huge improvements in my character, self-confidence, and overall wellbeing. This place is the place to go to!

My kids (15 and 17yo) and I have been coming to Full Potential for about 3 months now. We enjoy it very much. Brian is an excellent instructor, very professional and kind. We especially like the self-defense sessions in class. The space is also very good and spacious.

Great group of students. Expert well prepared lessons accessible to different levels. Friendly welcoming studio. Highly recommended.

My girls love this studio and Instructor Brian. We have learned not only Martial arts but also tons of self defense skills. This is the best one!

My almost 13 year old daughter came home from her trial class beaming! And she continues to do so a few months later. She has learned so much in a very short time. My daughter prefers to spend her time sitting on the couch reading. The fact that she looks forward to class each Tuesday and Thursday night, and goes willingly each time, says a lot about the program. She is not very confident in her athletic skills and her time in this program has been very empowering. I love that she has the opportunity to work with people of all ages and abilities. This Academy is definitely a hidden gem of Carmel Valley. I wish we would have have known about it years ago. Sensei Brian has been extremely helpful, professional and accessible. Thank you for providing such an incredible, affordable program to our community. I highly recommend taking the time to see if this academy is the right fit for you and your family.

I joined their training for a year and a half while I was staying in San Diego. Even though I came from Japan and was not good at English, they welcomed me. Brian Sagi is an instructor who studies martial arts and exercises well. I had already learned various martial arts, but he gave me new and interesting ideas and training. His students are polite and kind. They will welcome new members wormly. Anybody can train Karate comfortably in this Dojo.

I have been training at Full Potential Martial Arts for a while now and I can tell you Brian is a great teacher.The course is not limited to Karate training. The coursework is also designed for people without prior martial arts training. It also contains good warm up sessions, several 4 minutes high intensity workouts and important awareness about what to do in difficult situations.I would definitely recommend this place to anybody who is interested in learning very useful self-defense techniques.

Thank you so much for hosting a seminar on self defense for women. My sorority had a sisterhood here, and we had a BLAST! They have a great program for self defense training. They were amazing and enthusiastic instructors, and i would recommend this class to everyone. We all had a lot of fun while learning a lot of information for just being 3 hours. Also very reasonable and affordable, which was awesome since we have such a tight budget.

I have been training martial arts for last four months and it has been life changing experience for me. My confidence has boosted and mind has calmed. Brian (instructor) provides elaborate martial arts training and it is fun to learn. He understands shortcomings of individual and helps them overcome it. Its been said that to learn an art you need a good teacher. I can finally say that I found the best teacher.

I trained here for 6 months before I had to leave for college and it was an amazing experience and I feel confident in what I have learned. I also made a couple friends. I hope to return soon!

This is a great opportunity to learn self defense and Okinawan karate in a friendly, yet focused small-group environment. Instruction is very well informed and closely linked to the level of proficiency and experience of each individual student. Brian is doing a great job of mixing up various conditioning sequences and self-defense techniques, so training is always fun. His teaching style combines attention to form, focus on practical application and consistently positive attitude. I highly recommend this dojo to anybody interested in enhancing their self-defense skills or continuing their karate training.

Excellent class, excellent instructor, and very practical techniques for those looking to gain a fundamentally realistic base of knowledge pertaining to self defense in real-world situations. Much more useful in self-defense scenarios than a combative sports class would be. I highly recommend coming to train here.

Im 2 months new to martial arts and LOVE Full Potential! Brians a fantastic teacher, enthusiastic, open-minded, and really connects with his students. Hes able to adjust classes to people of all ages, sizes, genders, and experience levels! The students are all really fun people to work with and the location is very convenient, in a beautiful gym just off the freeway in Carmel Valley. -- If your reading this and have any questions please ask me!

I’m thoroughly enjoying the program here at FPMA. It’s provided me with a great opportunity to not only learn about martial arts, but how I should react when confronted with a violent situation and what I should do to protect myself. You’ll gain a better understanding of yourself and the different situations you may face and how to get out of them. This has been a very positive experience for me all around and I look forward to learning more.

Sensei Brian is a knowledgeable and patient teacher. As an adult with no martial arts, much less any fighting, experience, I was quickly made to feel comfortable and welcomed into a new environment and immediately came away with confidence to defend myself in the smartest way possible. Almost two months in and I feel myself becoming stronger, more flexible and more mindful. Highly recommend!

Thank you Brian for the peace of mind and confidence you have given me through your self defense training. I was nervous to join a martial arts dojo but you quickly made me feel welcome. I am so grateful that you went above and beyond to create a tailored program for our short time together. I only wish I had joined earlier.

I joined the dojo last September as a first time martial arts student. The experience has exceeded all my expectations. I have enjoyed and learned something in every class I have attended. I love the structure of the class, the environment, the atmosphere, and the quality and variety of materials taught. Classes includes some combination of fitness, conditioning, self-defence, karate, stretching and history. The instructor is knowledgeable, experienced, patient, and pedagogical.

Ive been here for about a month, and its been really fun so far. The first class was free, and because of a Groupon deal, the first month was only 20 bucks. This gave me plenty of time to figure out if I liked it or not.The class is good for people who are working or going to school during the day. Brian is a good teacher and all the other students are friendly and welcoming. Current students are teens/adults.Usually it goes like this: start at 7:30, warm up with conditioning/stretching/core muscle workout, then we do a combination of kata and techniques for the rest of the class. The techniques include barehanded methods, sticks, ground fighting, practice with punching bags, etc.The focus is mostly on self defense and I like the practically of it. Very beginner friendly class. You dont have to get a uniform, but I did after deciding to commit. I also basically didnt really exercise before this except for occasional running or whatnot, but this is more fun and interesting than running and I look forward to it every week.

I have been training here for almost three months, and I have loved every moment of it. The classes are fun and engaging while also providing a workout. As someone who is passionate about martial arts, this dojo fits my needs perfectly.

Its an excellent class. Brian understands his students very well. I was afraid to join a martial arts class, but Brian made me feel right at home.

Our campus org needed a self defense instructor for our event. The folks at FPMA were quick to respond, and provided a comprehensive, interactive, and very informative workshop for students.Brian at FPMA was able to engage students travelling to and from class, and show them the fundamentals of on campus safety, as well as some self-defense moves that they could use. His instruction was clear and brought enjoyment to those who partook in the workshop.The response to our event was very positive, and Brian was integral to the events success. I highly recommend FPMA for engaging self-defense and martial arts workshops.

I was first attracted to name “Full Potential”. When I went to my first complimentary class, I was impressed by the full spectrum training.We started with our warm up with stretching with a couple yoga poses.Then on to a traditional kata, where we trained with strikes and blocks with relevance to the kata itself.Next was jui-jitsu ground work. Learning first how to fall, then different take downs.The variety of the each class keeps learning fun and intriguing, while building a solid understanding of fundamentals throughout.Many thanks to Sensei Brian and all the great students. Come on in and see your Full Potential come to life!

My daughter is headed to college this fall and the statistics regarding the percentage of girls who are attacked or raped, at even the best schools, are horrible. I spoke to Brian about having a class for a few of her friends and afer just a couple of hours of training they were more aware, better trained and more confident. The mental side forced them to think about different situations and the outcomes...so that hopefully they are not an easy target and will never be attacked. The physical training impressed upon them what to do if they are attacked. I feel so much more comfortable sending my daughter off to college knowing that she attended Brians class. He was so flexible in accommodating our schedule and being a father himself I could really tell that he wanted these girls to get the training!

Many thanks to Sarah for her seminar on self defense for women. My teen daughter and I learned a great deal about how to be assertive in a threatening situation, which can be difficult for women, especially young women. We also learned several techniques on how to defend against an attacker. Sarah obviously cares deeply about this subject and came very well prepared. Highly recommend, especially for teen girls and young women.

I have been training here for three months now. Every class is fun and engaging, and I am always learning something new. We learn a wide variety of things, including self defense and core strengthening. The class is fitting for students of any skill level, even if youve never been taught any form of martial arts. I went into the class without having had any prior training, but fit right in thanks to Brians help. After each week, I grew better and felt myself feeling more confident. Working with Sensei Brian has been quite a pleasure because he is both patient and encouraging. Also, for anyone who wants to do martial arts for ISPE, this is a great option, because Sensei Brian is aware of the requirements and his class fits perfectly with them. For anyone who is interested in learning self defense or just having a fun way to workout, I would highly recommend this!

For those looking for a Martial Arts class, I highly recommend taking this class.The class consists of workouts, self-defense, yoga, and various forms of Martial Arts. Furthermore, the instructor, Brian Sagi, is motivating, patient, consideriate, and skilled. For the most part, the techniques in class apply to self-defense and encompasses real-world situations.Brian encourages partner work as it is effective in checking for understanding. Partner work allows an individual to safely practice moves on one another. In class, the feedback from Brian and the students is not only supportive, but also useful. Additionally, the dojo contains mirrors for students to re-adjust their positions, stances, and postures.Most importantly, the classes are fun and enlightening. Regardless of ones skill level, something new (whether it is a new technique or improvement) is learned.

Full Potential Martial Arts combines a collegial environment, beneficial cross training, and excellent instruction to produce a first-rate martial arts experience.

I love the fun, authentic martial arts training! I also like the fact that the dojo / studio is focused on adults only, and not kids as are most martial arts places.I have been training with Brian at USD and loved it. I got in shape, and was getting better at self defense. Brian is an excellent instructor, and he makes the classes fun and challenging at the same time. The student camaraderie is also commendable, and the advanced students readily help beginning students learn.Note that the dojo moved from USD / University of San Diego to Carmel Valley in 2012.

Ive been in the martial arts for 25+ years and had pretty much given up on finding a like minded martial artist with which to train. Looks like I didnt look hard enough!My long-time instructor sent me Brian Senseis way and it has been great.Brian Sensei is a pragmatic and very accomplished martial artist. His knowledge of the human body, body dynamics and self-defense are excellent.You may think or question, but arent all martial artists knowledgeable in those areas? The sad fact of the matter is that NO, many (I would argue most) are not, or not nearly as accomplished as they would have you believe.Martial arts have become very sport-based and as such have lost a lot of nuance over the years. Brian Sensei focuses on older concepts like relaxed, whole body-based movement, which is very uncommon in the commercial martial arts world, which focus more on raw physical strength.Another great thing about his classes are his (grueling) workouts. If you want to get in shape, then this is the place for you. The first portion of the class is generally devoted to working on legs and/or the core, which are very important in the martial arts. I must say I hate every moment of it! I thank him anyway. Im becoming stronger, more flexible and generally more fit due to his work outs.Lastly, and equally important are the soft-skills learned through the class. Brian Sensei often focuses on how the martial arts intersect with every-day life. This is an often overlooked aspect of the art, but I would argue that it is one of the most important. The martial arts have changed my life and finding someone who understands and extols the same concepts were very important to me.

I’ve been studying at Full Potential Martial Arts for a month so far. Each class has brought me closer to my goals; physically, mentally, and spiritually. Brian, (Sensei) the instructor has a wealth of knowledge and shares his vast experience with everyone in the class. He is an excellent listener and communicates very well to the students; as well as his methodical approach to teaching, he is very detailed. He is an excellent instructor, in great shape, and is dedicated to teaching and continually learning.The studio has mirrors that allow the students to see their movements, their improvements, and overall; observe the instructor and others when necessary. In the studio, we are learning much more than Self Defense; we are learning Self Respect, Self Confidence, Self Esteem, and learning how to move our bodies in a powerful, nimble, and graceful way.What I especially like is the format of the class; it involves the following training:Cardio (increases stamina)Body Conditioning (it’s good for getting in shape)Yoga (excellent for flexibility and toning)Martial Arts/Tai Chi (learning softness/hardness, physical, mental, building chi, etc…)Self Defense (learning to defend oneself)Application (how to use the movements/forms learned)Qigong/Meditation (excellent for the mind, body, and health)Knowledge about life and how Martial Arts are part of it (that says it all)It doesn’t matter your age, gender, shape, etc...; that’s another plus from my perspective. Everyone is treated with respect and we are all there to learn. There’s even a free-trial class, no strings attached. After the 1st class, it was clear to me; that the instructor (Brian) is well-trained and knows how to teach.So far my experience has been very uplifting. I’ve been feeling a difference in my body, mind, and spirit; in only one month. I am picking up the basics and learning at a comfortable pace. There is no judgment and I am not competing against anyone but myself here. After each class, my body, mind, and spirit are changed; it’s a fascinating experience/process. Time to practice...

For the past several months, I have trained in the martial arts with Brian Sagi. Brian recently opened up a new studio called Full Potential Martial Arts and I recommend it highly. The studio is spacious and comfortable to train in, with an assortment of exercise equipment available. The classes are great for blending conditioning, including stretching, core strengthening and yoga, with traditional martial arts training and practical self defense skills.Brian is fun to work with and shares a wealth of knowledge in many different styles, including traditional Japanese karate, aikido, jui jitsu, muay thai and krav maga. He is very patient and always respectful and encouraging. He has 2 rules for his students: have fun, and never worry about mistakes, since thats the way all of us progress and learn. He is a friendly and hands-on instructor. The time in training flies by, and the camaraderie in the class is especially appealing. Students can actually feel themselves learning and making progress with each class. Students of all ages and backgrounds are welcome; If youre looking for a good workout thats fun, will keep you in shape and teach you practical self-defense skills, you should check out this place!

Brian is a knowledgable and patient teacher.A+

English translation will follow the text in HebrewI will write a review in Hebrew that will be of interest to Israelis in the United States. I have not visited San Diego yet, but Brian Sagi has visited my club. Brian is one of those people who has a lot of experience in martial arts, years of experience, has an interest in the movement itself (as a movement only) and an interest in self-defense as a separate and integrated part of training. I can say with certainty the lessons he taught with us have given interest in depth and effective techniques for us. Many thanks to Brian. highly recommend.. Brian Sagi has visited us at the our Dojo in Israel. Brian is one of the people who have a lot of years of experience in martial arts field. He is well educated in the movement itself, and very knowledgeable in self-defense as a separate and integrated part of his teaching. I can say with certainty that the lessons he taught us have shown depth of knowledge and giftus effective techniques to keep on using. Thank you very much to Brian. I highly recommend.