Pa Kua Health Studio

I have started this studio about three months ago, experiencing Tai Chi. At first I was liitle bit scaptical, but after a while, I started filling very good after the calsses, with full energy and with great relaxation. One of the most wonderful result that I have with Tai Chi is that my sugar blood level have been signifiicantly reduced. I attributed that to the relaxation and emotional enrichment associating with the Tai-​Chi. I found aslo that this program helps me with my balance and equilibrium. The staff is very kind and especially my master that is professional and very nice person.

I have been a student at this Studio, having started about three years ago. I specialize in Tai Chi and throw in a little martial arts, since they are somewhat related there. I am a senior citizen and find this program ideal for people of any age, and especially for my age group where balance is most critical. There is belt level progression for serious students which makes it more stimulating. For both mental and physical health, it’s the real thing. Last but not least, the instructors are professionals and masters of their craft.

Very good intro class. Instructor was very attentive and extremely accomplished in his technique.

I liked the class. I thought it was fun even though we weren’t really allowed to talk or ask questions. My only issue is I took it through Class Pass and no where does it say there is a fee. At the end of class I was then told I owed $ 7. I most likely would not have taken the class if it had been made clear there was an extra fee.

I tried the Saturday archery class and it was amazing! The instructor is very calm and attentive. She takes time with each new student to show them the proper form and the proper way to breathe. I would recommend this class to all.

I started going to Pa Kua because of a metabody groupon that I purchased. I used my groupon for Tara’s 6AM M/​W/​F dynamic flow yoga class, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s a mixed-​level class, and Tara’s good at teaching to a wide range of levels and making poses easier/​harder depending on your skill level. I have very little experience with yoga and am super inflexible, but still got a lot out of the class. Plus, the classes tend to be small, so you get a lot of personalized attention. In addition to the typical yoga poses, she includes additional strength and core exercises throughout the class, which is helps you build up strength as well as flexibility. If I didn’t live so far from the studio, I would definitely attend her classes regularly.

I signed up for a few classes at Pa Kua because they participated in the Metabody special posted on Groupon. I was originally interested in the archery class which requires a 1-​time fee of $ 25. The original stipulations state that the Groupon is good for 30 classes, 10 of which can be at a single location. It was not until after I bought the Groupon that I got an email stating that only 2 classes can be for archery. WHAT?!
I was a little bummed but figured I would probably be allowed to keep something or I would use something that couldn’t be reused for another student, hence the high supplemental fee. However, you wear your own clothes, you use their bows and arrows, and you return everything you borrowed at the end. Why this class costs $ 25 on top of the Groupon cost and why you are limited to 2 classes, I have no idea. It is truly a rip-​off. The female owner, who taught the class, encouraged me to try other classes but I really wasn’t interested in anything else, especially not enough to drive to the valley. I did try the Sword Fitness class but it wasn’t for beginners and I felt that my special instructions were slowing everyone else down.
I think they are nice people but I don’t like the mixed-​level classes where advanced students are paired with beginners. It’s not fair to them. And I don’t like the tomfoolery of changing rules on class allocation after a voucher has been purchased. I never did complete the 10 classes I was allowed. The Groupon was a bargain but sometimes you get what you pay for.

I first learned of this studio through a MetaBody Yoga & Fitness special offered through Groupon. The offer was for a 30-​class voucher for $ 20, where you are limited to 10 classes at this particular studio & have several other options (types of classes/​studios) for the remaining 20 classes. This studio offers a variety of classes & encourages you to try all of their classes & instructors with the promotion mentioned above. I, however, was only interested in their yoga classes. I started with their Chinese yoga classes & then tried their dynamic flow yoga classes. Signing up for these classes was frustrating & challenging at times as the class schedule offered on the MetaBody site differed from what was offered on the studio’s site AND the studio has a printout of their schedule that differs from what is listed online. The studio also has another version printed out and posted on the wall. Again, extremely difficult to know what is truly offered when. For my 10 classes at this studio, I had a great instructor for 9 of the classes & Bella for 1 of my classes.
Toward the end of my 10-​class series, I was approached about continuing & taking advantage of a new special promotion. This special was for unlimited classes for 1-​month, plus they were going to include a free pair of workout pants, all for $ 50. I signed-​up & paid for this offer/​promotion and approximately 1-​week later received my free workout pants.
Based upon having an unlimited program and my changing work schedule, I opted to try out some of the other yoga classes, which were offered at different times & by different instructors. I had taken approximately 3 classes with Tara, 1 with Marina, and the rest with my original instructor. My original instructor was by far the best, followed by Tara, & since I only had Bella & Marina each once, I do not think it fair to rate/​rank them.
About 1 – 1.5 weeks into my unlimited month program, I was pulled aside by Bella & told that I must choose 1 yoga instructor & stick with that person. I was told that this studio is not like a gym & that students are students of that instructor & that going to several yoga classes offered by different instructors causes each instructor to make less money… How their instructors are paid is not my concern. What is my concern is that I bought a 30-​day unlimited program and now was being told that I am limited as to what/​when I can take. I was told that unlimited meant, there was no limit as to how many different types of classes I took, but that I must stick with the same instructor. This is very different from how the introductory program worked & from what was offered when I purchased the 30-​day unlimited program. Since, I had taken the majority of my classes with one particular instructor & enjoyed her the most, I told Bella (the owner) that although I thought that it was incredibly misleading, unethical, and unprofessional to switch the terms of my program, I would stick with my original instructor even though her schedule was not always ideal for my changing work schedule.
Less than a week later, I attended the Tuesday night class & all was good, until I returned on Thursday night and found no instructor, no class, & no note on the door that the class was canceled. I waited until approximately 8:40pm & then asked the instructor who was currently teaching martial arts what was going on & if there was someone he could call. He said that he did not know what had happened & that he was not able to call anyone, so I left.
I then emailed Bella to find out what was going on. Bella replied by saying someone was supposed to have let me know that the schedule changed & that I could attend classes (on days, times, & with instructors) that I was told I could previously not attend… Meanwhile, the schedule of classes she said I could attend listed classes that again differed from what was offered online. By the way, the online schedule does not list the instructor’s names, so there is no way to know who teaches which class.
The following morning I sent Bella an email asking for clarification & she simply responded with, «refer to the schedule I gave you»… Because she gave me conflicting info, I sent her another email where I listed all of the yoga classes by day/​time to confirm that I was welcome to attend any of these & asked her to also let me know who the instructors were for each. She responded with yet another list which differed from her last & did not list the instructors as requested.
I then spoke with some other students of the studio who told me that they had heard a rumor that our original instructor was no longer at the studio.
Again, I emailed Bella to let her know that I had had enough & that I did not appreciate her not being upfront & requested a 50% refund of $ 25 for my remaining 2 weeks & that I would leave her studio. Bella said, no, as that money already went to the instructor & the pants…
STAY AWAY, AS IT IS NOT RUN WELL!!!

I have taken 3 classes here and so far, so good! Sometimes they start a little later than I would like, but all in all it has a great vibe!

I’ve been practicing at this studio for over two years. I started with tai chi, and while it is my main practice I have also taken yoga and sword forms, as well as zen archery which is a very rewarding practice. Master Bella Mokover, Master Adrian Fratantoni, and Master Kyle Billingsly are stellar instructors — knowledgeable, kind, and great examples. This is very much more than a physical practice. It is physical practice that opens the way to spiritual understanding. It’s an integrated system that offers not only tai chi, martial arts, acrobatics, weapons, and kickboxing, but also many things from Traditional Chinese Medicine, like reflexology, nutrition, acupuncture, and energy ways. It’s a sure way to find balance and harmony in your life. I have lost weight and improved my health in many ways, and the internal practice has opened up my life. It’s called Pa Kua Health for good reason!

I love the ambiance of the place when you walk inside and the employees make it an even better experience. The classes here are something I’m new to (like yoga and reflexology), but again, they make you feel comfortable.

I too agree that her enthusiasm is infectious! Nikka’s positivity and excitement for the material truly engages her students. Also her background in a variety of other styles enables her to be a more versatile teacher. Would definitely recommend if you are looking for not only a great class but also a great teacher to support and challenge you!

I began Pa-​Kua Tai Chi studies with Master Bella almost two years ago. As a senior citizen, I was having balance and hip issues. It’s the kindest thing I’ve ever done for myself. I’ve since added Chinese Yoga and Swords, also under Master Bella, to my practice. Most classes include a bit of reflexology, which is a plus. Everyone of the North Hollywood Pa-​Kua family of instructors are friendly, warm and genuinely dedicated to the discipline and well being of their students. Beginner students see results immediately. My own hip pain all but disappeared after one month, and that was only the beginning of my new relationship with my body. I never thought I could do the things I do now. Amazing for a woman of 69 years.

I have been taking Tai Chi classes at this place for the last two months and I am really enjoying it. As the other reviewer said, the teachers are not pretentious and are just genuinely friendly. When I met the owner, Bella, I got a good vibe and that got my practice going — now I am going twice a week to practice with Hanna. Hanna always manages to keep the class flow interesting, takes time to explain stuff/​movements, and incorporates different meditations. I really enjoy my classes, and leave lighter and calmer after every class. This is a non-​BS place, that is affordable yet serious about the trainings they offer.

I love Pakua. I began studying here when I found one of the teachers practicing Tai chi inside. She greeted me with a warm smile and was very friendly. She gave me a mini intro class to their tai chi form on the spot and i enjoyed it very much. I got a great deal to begin studying my first month and I got to try all the classes (martial arts, tai chi, chinese yoga, acrobatics, and sword) for a great price.
What i love about this place is that they are NON PRETENTIOuS and are genuinely dedicated to student development and wellness of not just their physical discipline but as human beings. This is made very clear, especially in their martial arts classes where higher ranks are responsible for teaching the lower ranking students in a kind way.
at Pakua they see the world in a way to bring harmony to it, not just a fit body, but truly want to make people and the community happier and healthier.
This is one of the only studios where I could remain beyond a year. The depth of what I learn at Pakua is way beyond what I have gained at most other yoga studios in the area because of their depth of curriculum and the integrity as a school, and the SERIOUS DEDICATION of the teachers who will always ask how your family is doing and if you need a ride to the airport. :)
They expect ALL their teachers to be contributors to the community on and off the mat.
After three years of study and several instructor programs I always find tns more to learn. SO blessed to have met these beautiful people.

I read the prior reviews in utter disbelief… How anyone could be so vitriolic about … anything… is, well, telling. I have studied martial arts for many years — jujitsu in japan, jeet kune do and I find the approach of pa kua here quite refreshing and far more illuminating than anything I have done before. Is it Brazilian jujitsu? No. Is it krav maga? No. Will you learn to be able to kill someone in 1 month? No. But if, however, you want to learn how to heal your body, balance your energy, learn the basics of self-​defense and fundamentals of fighting strategy, and understand the «art» in martial art, this is the place to be. Part of the reason I sought this place out was b/​c of a hip surgery for torn catrilage (a common injury to the above hard-​core expressions of martial arts) and six months here has done more for me than surgery, 6 mos. of physical therapy, and chiropractic and neuro-​chiropractic treatments combined.
It is a warm, friendly place and the perfect way to introduce yourself to a different perspective about physical health and fitness or a way to round out prior knowledge.