Cuong Nhu Redwood Dojo

Cuong Nhu Redwood Dojo offers traditional martial arts training in Cuong Nhu Martial Arts, including self-defense skills. Classes include specific activities such as a kata challenge and a kick challenge as part of training and events. The program offers martial arts training for adults, teens, and children, with ongoing classes in the Vietnamese art of Cuong Nhu (pronounced “kung new”).

• Ages: 4.5–18 years old
• Price: very low cost

Cuong Nhu Redwood Dojo has offered traditional martial arts training to the Oakland community since 1992. Master Didi Goodman founded Redwood Dojo when the “new” Redwood Heights Recreation Center opened its doors in January 1992. In January 2018, Lara Tribe-Jones was promoted to head instructor.

Cuong Nhu Redwood Dojo offers serious, ongoing training in a beautiful facility at a very low cost. The program includes the First Annual Kata-A-Thon, described as Redwood Dojo's biggest event of the year, which includes the kata challenge, kick challenge, and a community potluck. The Cuong Nhu Redwood Dojo community welcomes students of all ages and skill levels who want to learn martial arts.

Cuong Nhu is described as an ethical system that teaches the importance of respect, good character, and the avoidance of conflict. “Cuong Nhu” means “hard soft” in Vietnamese and is described as an eclectic art that draws techniques and principles from a variety of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese martial arts. Beginning students concentrate mainly on “hard style” kicks, blocks, strikes, and stances, similar to traditional Japanese Karate or Korean Taekwondo schools, and as students progress, they learn more “soft style” circular, flowing, and defensive techniques drawn from Wing Chun, Tai Chi, Vovinam, Aikido, and Judo.

Cuong Nhu Redwood Dojo offers a Pre-Karate program for ages 4.5 and 5 for the youngest students, and kids who are six or older start in the Beginning Kids martial arts classes. Teen and adult students attend two to three rigorous classes a week. Classes are described as supportive and non-judgmental.

Redwood Dojo is led by founder Master Didi Goodman, shichidan (7th degree), and head instructor Lara Tribe-Jones, Sandan (third degree black belt). Founder Didi Goodman, Shichidan (seventh degree Master), has 40 years’ experience in the martial arts and regularly teaches at regional and national seminars, and prior to dedicating herself to Cuong Nhu, she spent many years training in Taekwondo and Aikido. She is the author of “The Kids’ Karate Workbook: A Take-Home Training Guide for Young Martial Artists,” from North Atlantic/Blue Snake Books. Sensei Lara holds an M.A. in Education, a B.A. in mathematics, and a California Teaching Credential, and as a former Oakland middle school teacher, she has taught kids and teens in classroom, camp, dojo, and after-school settings.

Redwood Dojo is affiliated with the Cuong Nhu Martial Arts Association, a federally recognized non-profit educational organization. Students are asked to join the Cuong Nhu Martial Arts Association (CNMA) before their first rank test at Redwood Dojo. The program includes Title VI non-discrimination and ADA inclusion statements with compliance to Federal and City of Oakland regulations.

Last updated March 23, 2026.