Golden Lion Martial Arts School - Albany, California

petewonder

When my son first started at golden lion we noticed positive improvements. There did seem to be favoritism amongst a selected group of students with the “black sash” designation but that wasn’t a huge deterrent. What we began to notice though, is that advancement did not seem to based on merit, but on allegiance to the teacher - in the form of paying for all the extra costs associated with membership. That said, we paid for every single extra cost, not in hopes of black sash acceptance, but in hopes of doing what is necessary to be a part of the community.

Fast forward to covid, my son missed several months. We opted to pay for every single month, FULL tuition, while the studio was closed. Even though we had only been there a year or so we felt compelled to help.

Fast forward to halfway through covid and we were leaving town for the most recent school year. I had a credit card on file that auto payed for almost two years - including through the pandemic. When we told mr dong we would be leaving, I put a stop payment on the card. Apparently per the contract, you need to pay through a month after you quit. Mr dong told me that by cutting the autopay, I still owe him two more months tuition, then proceeded to tell me my son is no longer permitted to practice kung fu at golden lion ever again. This is insane, we payed every month and somehow I guess he felt embarrassed by the bank but put his foot down and stopped returning my emails. I asked not to pay, and not to punish my son because of a misunderstanding, but it didn’t matter. No response.

The black sash club is anti merit based. And was
Enough for me to question the teachers devotion to kung fu, and to merit. He played favorites, and is obviously dominated by his ego. Overall he is a very pompous and disrespectful person. My son was asked to assist teaching young children during his final months at golden Lion rather than be in class with kids his age in “the club.” It’s a rather bizarre way to teach. I can’t really figure out why this unfolded the way it did, but in the end we have lost all respect for this studio. It is rife with ego, pay to play, and an overall fundamental problem as a place to learn martial arts. I won’t be surprised when the best students at this studio begin to leave send seek a teacher with the right intentions.

Betty T

Golden Lion is truly a traditional kung fu and tai chi school. I greatly appreciate the level of instruction and training I receive here. The students are pushed to be the best martial artists they can be. I love the richness found in the traditions that have been passed down in this beautiful art.

Gordon Stevenson

Golden Lion and the instructors are top of the line.

J Go

awesome learning style and fun very strict though

Auggie Cilley

100%
Recommend

Trashwazhere

Awesome! Love the staff!

Django B

marti cilley