About
Studio Naga offers martial arts training in the Indonesian-American art Poekoelan Tjimindie Tulen, including self-defense, ground fighting, forms, animal movement, meditation, weapons, free sparring, conditioning, and strength-building. Classes include animal-style movements based on the fighting styles of the tiger, monkey, snake, and crane, along with physical and verbal self-defense, basic gymnastics, and games that promote skill development. The program also offers self-defense/empowerment courses that present dynamic and practical safety skills in positive, supportive formats that are not fear-based.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Schedule: Afternoon, evening, and weekend classes, including Jungle Gym for younger kids, kids’ classes, mixed kids-and-adults classes, and all-ages Saturday classes
• Price: Training is $151/month.
Studio Naga has been operating since 2000 and is headed by Louise Rafkin, who has been training since 1984, assisted by nearly two dozen black belts. Instructors are qualified martial arts instructors, and many are certified elementary school teachers, and the program maintains a high instructor-to-student ratio. Kids ages 4–6 attend the Jungle Gym class, which uses creative martial arts movement, and teens may attend kids, adults, or mixed-level classes, with all ages 6 and up able to attend together on Saturdays. Studio Naga states that it promotes confidence, coordination, and discipline in a safe, fun, and caring environment, encourages each child to reach their own personal potential, and stresses leadership development and peer support, with teaching and learning to be an effective teacher described as an intrinsic part of the training tradition.
Studio Naga is affiliated with The Tulen Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that helps provide scholarships for those in need, and it offers self-defense courses that can be specially formatted for schools, businesses, or community groups, including classes specifically for women, the GLBT community, and those who identify as non-binary. The program has been featured on MSN, NPR, and in numerous publications and has been voted Best of the Bay. Studio Naga describes itself as a community that supports change and growth in a diverse, supportive environment. New students may try a class for free with no obligation; after the free class, families are asked to purchase an introductory month through the website store, a Studio Naga T-shirt, and white training pants, and students are asked to bring a signed Waiver & Release for the trial class and to wear sneakers because the group runs together after each class.
Last updated July 6, 2026.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Schedule: Afternoon, evening, and weekend classes, including Jungle Gym for younger kids, kids’ classes, mixed kids-and-adults classes, and all-ages Saturday classes
• Price: Training is $151/month.
Studio Naga has been operating since 2000 and is headed by Louise Rafkin, who has been training since 1984, assisted by nearly two dozen black belts. Instructors are qualified martial arts instructors, and many are certified elementary school teachers, and the program maintains a high instructor-to-student ratio. Kids ages 4–6 attend the Jungle Gym class, which uses creative martial arts movement, and teens may attend kids, adults, or mixed-level classes, with all ages 6 and up able to attend together on Saturdays. Studio Naga states that it promotes confidence, coordination, and discipline in a safe, fun, and caring environment, encourages each child to reach their own personal potential, and stresses leadership development and peer support, with teaching and learning to be an effective teacher described as an intrinsic part of the training tradition.
Studio Naga is affiliated with The Tulen Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that helps provide scholarships for those in need, and it offers self-defense courses that can be specially formatted for schools, businesses, or community groups, including classes specifically for women, the GLBT community, and those who identify as non-binary. The program has been featured on MSN, NPR, and in numerous publications and has been voted Best of the Bay. Studio Naga describes itself as a community that supports change and growth in a diverse, supportive environment. New students may try a class for free with no obligation; after the free class, families are asked to purchase an introductory month through the website store, a Studio Naga T-shirt, and white training pants, and students are asked to bring a signed Waiver & Release for the trial class and to wear sneakers because the group runs together after each class.
Last updated July 6, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.