Readers' Choice: Where is the Best Martial Arts Studio in Santa Cruz?

Eastern Martial Arts have become much more popular recently in the West and there are all kinds of studios around teaching all kinds of disciplines.

And, no, it wasn't just the Ninja Turtles who got the trend going, at least not here in Santa Cruz.

To what studio do you belong and why? Santa Cruz Patch is looking for a way to let people who might be interested in taking up a martial art know where others have benefitted.

You can vote in our poll, but the most important thing would be to give comments about why a newbie should check out a teacher or discipline. It would help steer people in the right direction and guide them through the mass of complicated choices.

Some of those around include:

Institute, which offers Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Karate, Kung Fu and Tae Kwon Do.

which offers kickboxing, wrestling and boxing in classes tailored to all ages and has lessons with Garth Taylor, winner of multiple Brazilian Jiu Jitsu world championships.

, which has children's classes, kickboxing, Korean martial arts and teens cardio fitness.

, which is hosted by Chief Master Sang U. Jin, an 8th degree Black Belt in the Korean marshal art of Ho Kuk Mu Sul.

, which has a range of skills from kickboxing to yoga.

, which teaches all ages to draw from inner strength for their martial arts.

, which teaches the "gentle" martial art.

, which caters to all ages and features teachers who have been world champions.

Santa Cruz Family Martial Arts, reader recommended: "My 4 children ages 8-17 have been taking classes there for a year and I cannot speak highly enough about these teachers. They work hard to teach Taekwondo in a very positive and fun atmosphere without skimping on discipline and technique. My kids love it."

Voting in the poll is open until 9 a.m. Friday. Ties will be broken by whichever business has the most positive comments in the section below.  We will announce the winner at noon Friday and that business will receive a "Patch Readers' Choice" certificate.

If we've missed a school, drop us a line and we will add it.

Last week won for best spot to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and the week before won for best place to get a sandwich.