About
Moon Dragon Dojo offers training in self-defense, forms, basic techniques, grappling, sparring, board breaking, and training with various weapons. The style taught is Cuong Nhu, which is described as a complete martial arts system that blends Shotokan Karate, Wing Chun, Vovinam, Aikido, Judo, Taiji, and boxing. The dojo includes a wide range of ages, with kids starting at age seven, and training is self-paced so each student trains to their physical limits and progresses at their own pace.
• Ages: 7–18 years old
• Schedule: Classes meet on Monday and Wednesday evenings and on Saturday mornings, with separate class times for kids and adults
Moon Dragon Dojo has been sharing Cuong Nhu Oriental Martial Arts with adults and kids for over 25 years in Berkeley. Classes are taught by experienced black belts, and the instructors are mostly women. The dojo is often talked of as a family and supports each other both in and out of the dojo. Moon Dragon Dojo states that it cultivates self-discipline, persistence, and fitness of the mind, body, and spirit.
The leadership team includes Master Allyson Appen, Co-Head Instructor, Shichidan, seventh degree black belt; Rosanne Boudreau, Co-Head Instructor, Sandan, third degree black belt; Alyssandra Yochelson, Nidan, second degree black belt; and Jennifer Argle, Nidan, second degree black belt. Master Allyson Appen has been teaching and training for over 43 years in Cuong Nhu, has six years of aikido and three years of judo experience, and is developing skills in taiji and qigong. Rosanne Boudreau has been teaching and training in Cuong Nhu for 16 years and has four years of judo. Alyssandra Yochelson started martial arts in 2007 at age 15, passed their black belt test in May 2013, earned the first red stripe (Shodan rank) in summer 2014, and has 7 years of gymnastics and a year of cheerleading. Jennifer Argle began training at Moon Dragon Dojo in early 2008, received her Black Belt in May 2014, and has a year of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Master Allyson Appen was selected as “Martial Artist of the Year” in 2000 by the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists (PAWMA), has served on the PAWMA board of directors, and was inducted into the Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors (AWMAI) Hall of Fame in 2015. Sensei Rosanne served for three years on the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists (PAWMA) Board of Directors and was elected president of the board for the year 2012, and she is currently the Cuong Nhu Regional Representative for the Western Region. Master Allyson also served as president of the Cuong Nhu Board of Directors and as regional representative.
One adult student shared, “I have been attending Moon Dragon Dojo now for over one year. I just turned 65, was initially concerned with my ability to fit in. Everyone made me feel very comfortable, your training is self-paced, and it’s a great learning and fitness experience. I take sincere pride in my accomplishments, with the help of my classmates and Master Allyson, who is absolutely terrific. Young or old, this is the place to gain knowledge, increase self-confidence and skills, and have a lot of fun.”
Last updated June 15, 2026.
• Ages: 7–18 years old
• Schedule: Classes meet on Monday and Wednesday evenings and on Saturday mornings, with separate class times for kids and adults
Moon Dragon Dojo has been sharing Cuong Nhu Oriental Martial Arts with adults and kids for over 25 years in Berkeley. Classes are taught by experienced black belts, and the instructors are mostly women. The dojo is often talked of as a family and supports each other both in and out of the dojo. Moon Dragon Dojo states that it cultivates self-discipline, persistence, and fitness of the mind, body, and spirit.
The leadership team includes Master Allyson Appen, Co-Head Instructor, Shichidan, seventh degree black belt; Rosanne Boudreau, Co-Head Instructor, Sandan, third degree black belt; Alyssandra Yochelson, Nidan, second degree black belt; and Jennifer Argle, Nidan, second degree black belt. Master Allyson Appen has been teaching and training for over 43 years in Cuong Nhu, has six years of aikido and three years of judo experience, and is developing skills in taiji and qigong. Rosanne Boudreau has been teaching and training in Cuong Nhu for 16 years and has four years of judo. Alyssandra Yochelson started martial arts in 2007 at age 15, passed their black belt test in May 2013, earned the first red stripe (Shodan rank) in summer 2014, and has 7 years of gymnastics and a year of cheerleading. Jennifer Argle began training at Moon Dragon Dojo in early 2008, received her Black Belt in May 2014, and has a year of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Master Allyson Appen was selected as “Martial Artist of the Year” in 2000 by the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists (PAWMA), has served on the PAWMA board of directors, and was inducted into the Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors (AWMAI) Hall of Fame in 2015. Sensei Rosanne served for three years on the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists (PAWMA) Board of Directors and was elected president of the board for the year 2012, and she is currently the Cuong Nhu Regional Representative for the Western Region. Master Allyson also served as president of the Cuong Nhu Board of Directors and as regional representative.
One adult student shared, “I have been attending Moon Dragon Dojo now for over one year. I just turned 65, was initially concerned with my ability to fit in. Everyone made me feel very comfortable, your training is self-paced, and it’s a great learning and fitness experience. I take sincere pride in my accomplishments, with the help of my classmates and Master Allyson, who is absolutely terrific. Young or old, this is the place to gain knowledge, increase self-confidence and skills, and have a lot of fun.”
Last updated June 15, 2026.
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