Quest Jiu-Jitsu and Self-Defense — Attraction in Durham

We have found the perfect fit for our entire family at Chapel Hill Quest Martial Arts. We are a family of four and when our oldest turned seven we began our search for a martial arts school for him. For several months we tried, but found it difficult to find a school that felt sincere and true to their martial art. Then, we were introduced to the Quest Center when friends held a birthday party there. Right away, we enrolled our 8 year old in the Youth Ninjitsu program and our 5 year old in the Mighty Dragons program. Classes at the Quest Center quickly became a highlight of the week. The Mighty Dragons program is something that I wish every kid could experience. The instructors are all- around incredible and are so clearly adored and respected by these youngest students. The kids love these classes because it feels like 30 minutes of different imaginative games each lesson. The best part is that, at the same time, they are learning and developing skills with very real benefits. They are learning to show confidence in their body and their voice. They are learning to focus and to be respectful to others. They are even learning history and Japanese vocabulary. We then can see with our oldest, how the Youth Ninjistsu program expands on the same core lessons in this traditional belt progression program. Again, the instructors are outstanding. One of the things I appreciate most about all of the instructors at Chapel Hill Quest is that they are closely connected to the founder of the martial art that they teach and are continuously in pursuit of gaining more knowledge and skill themselves. In this way, students are inspired to see that there is no end to one’s potential; that there will always be more opportunities to learn and grow. Students also see that, no matter your belt color or skill level, this is a community of people who all play an important role in helping each other to advance and succeed. The boys enjoy their classes so much and I (Mom) enjoy this community of people so much that I decided to try one of the Quest fitness classes. Now Quest Kick is my very favorite thing. The workout is awesome but no matter how exhausted I am, I end every single class already looking forward to the next one. My husband started out just watching each class and soon decided that this is the time and the place to work toward a longtime goal of his: to train in martial arts. Now, he is enrolled as an Adult Ninjitsu student. He is enthusiastic about the training for himself, but it is even more meaningful and rewarding for him to be training together with our boys. So, that means that all four of us are now enrolled in classes at the Quest Center. We are so thankful to be part of such a supportive community and a positive experience. …and they also host the best birthday...

I started training at Chapel Hill Quest Martial Arts a couple years ago and have been blown away by the quality of instruction and welcoming atmosphere. Quest Martial Arts specializes in to-shin do ninjutsu, a continuation of the ninja tradition adapted for modern contexts and application. Their instructors are patient and attentive, and the curriculum is designed to challenge students of all levels. I appreciate that they offer a curriculum that emphasizes physical training as well as holistic mindfulness, and I've noticed significant improvements in my strength, flexibility, and overall fitness since I started training here. Frequent practice of randori/sparring builds confidence in being able to actually use skills learned in a tense, realistic scenario.

In addition to their to-shin do program, Quest Martial Arts also has a growing BJJ program that is focused on the Japanese traditions. I've found that training in both to-shin do and jiu jitsu has helped me develop a more well-rounded defensive skill set.

Finally, their QuestKick kickboxing-inspired fitness classes will push you to your limit and provide the opportunity to develop strength in your punches and kicks, which can be difficult if just sparring. It's been an accessible introduction to boxing, and I appreciate that the warm-up and cool-down activities are always different to keep things fun and interesting.

One thing that really stands out about Quest Martial Arts is their emphasis on community and inclusivity. They offer family-friendly classes for students of all ages and skill levels, and everyone is treated with respect and kindness. Many of my adult classmates train while their children simultaneously study an age-appropriate version of the same lesson at the same time on the other side of the mat. Students of a variety of body types, genders, and sexualities feel comfortable training here together, something special when other martial arts gyms can often be overly macho spaces.

Overall, I would highly recommend Quest Martial Arts to anyone looking for a top-notch martial arts school. Their to-shin do, BJJ, and QuestKick programs are excellent, and the instructors and students are all welcoming and supportive. Give Quest Martial Arts a try – you...

Chapel Hill Quest is a wonderful place to learn martial arts. The teachers and community have such a great vibe, and the training suits people at all levels.

My wife and I were looking for a fun physical activity to keep healthy, and after looking at some other martial arts dojos, we did a free week trial at Quest. The staff and other students were all welcoming and friendly, and we signed up immediately... we've been going regularly a few times a week for the past 3 months, and we really enjoy it.

The instructors are clearly expert at To Shin Do (a modern variation on ninjutsu), and they know how to explain each move well; they're also really attentive and patient with older beginners like me, and at demonstrating why we're doing each move, not just how to do it. They treat it seriously, but with a playful tone that keeps it fun.

Once in a while, they add practice weapons into the mix to show how the unarmed techniques we're learning can be applied to using knives, swords, and staves. That variety and versatility, grounded in history, is really engaging.

They offer plenty of sessions, so class sizes tend to be small enough to get individual attention, and they have black-belt assistants that watch us and help correct mistakes while we're sparring. And just as often, I learn from the other students (most of them with more experience than me) as we spar, since there's such a collaborative culture at the dojo.

If you're looking for a great martial arts community, for adults or kids, this...