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Niji Dojo
4.9 ★★★★★ 17 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Santa Cruz, California
Plan your first class
- Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- Beginner-friendly all fitness levels welcome, including total beginners — no experience needed, and you get in shape by training, not before
- Kids & teen classes kids and teen kickboxing classes — built around confidence, focus, and fun
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule nijidojo.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (831) 295-1461
Hours
| Monday | 5:15–7:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 9–10:30 AM, 3:45–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 8–9 AM, 5–8 PM |
| Thursday | 9–10:30 AM, 3:45–8:30 PM |
| Friday | 5–7:30 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–12:45 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“There is a good mix of classes here including BJJ (Gi & No Gi), boxing/kickboxing, yoga, kids' programs, and a good balance of beginner to more advanced students in each class.”
“They offer Jiu Jitsu, kickboxing, yoga, circuit training, muay thai, wrestling, self defense, boxing, and more.”
“There is a good mix of classes here including BJJ (Gi & No Gi), boxing/kickboxing, yoga, kids' programs, and a good balance of beginner to more advanced students in each class.”
“There are a variety of classes here- jiu jitsu, kickboxing, circuit training and yoga, with a rotating Wednesday for fun intros to other things like wrestling.”
Other martial arts here
“They offer Jiu Jitsu, kickboxing, yoga, circuit training, muay thai, wrestling, self defense, boxing, and more.”
“There is a good mix of classes here including BJJ (Gi & No Gi), boxing/kickboxing, yoga, kids' programs, and a good balance of beginner to more advanced students in each class.”
“There are a variety of classes here- jiu jitsu, kickboxing, circuit training and yoga, with a rotating Wednesday for fun intros to other things like wrestling.”
“They offer Jiu Jitsu, kickboxing, yoga, circuit training, muay thai, wrestling, self defense, boxing, and more.”
What members say
“Caren is a world-class instructor, who breaks things down to their most intricate parts, which is great for me.”
“It’s a very welcoming environment for people who are new to martial arts but there are many high ranked students so you’ll always get something from training.”
“The instruction is always superb, the mats and space in general are always clean, and the folks there are always very respectful.”
“It’s a very welcoming environment for people who are new to martial arts but there are many high ranked students so you’ll always get something from training.”
From the reviews
What a wonderful dojo! Niji Dojo is a very inclusive Dojo with excellent instruction focused on technique. This Dojo allows you to go at your own pace, slowly trying things out if you are new to BJJ or moving at an expert pace if this is your desire.
Niji is a magical space to train and chill. It's incredibly clean and beautiful with natural light and plants. It's welcoming to all people of all levels of training. The owner, Caren, is patient and adaptable to students' needs and restrictions. Great place for beginners to get comfortable with the mat.
I’ve been at Niji for just over a year, and it’s a phenomenal place at which to train. The instruction is always superb, the mats and space in general are always clean, and the folks there are always very respectful.
One of the friendliest environments I've ever been in. As someone overcoming the challenges of newly diagnosed chronic illness and a newly healed leg (from being broken) having a lovely environment like this to get back into movement has been fantastic.
New to kickboxing? Start at Niji Dojo
Niji Dojo comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never thrown a punch or a kick, that's exactly who a good beginners class is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or coordinated to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale every drill to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable gyms build the basics (stance, footwork, and punches and kicks on pads and bags) first, and any contact eases in gradually under a coach's control. Third, all fitness levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first kickboxing class at Niji Dojo
Nervous about walking into a kickboxing gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling the basics — stance, footwork, and punches and kicks on pads or a heavy bag — not hard sparring. Go at your own pace and rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: comfortable athletic clothes you can move and sweat in, and supportive trainers. What to bring: water, and hand wraps and gloves if you have them — many gyms lend loaner gloves for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gloves and wraps (and shin guards once you start sparring). Sparring is optional and eases in gradually, once your basics are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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