Shoshindo Of Alaska
About
Shoshindo of Alaska offers mixed martial arts training in Anchorage with a focus on practical self-defense skills for all ages and abilities. The gym provides weekly lessons that build self-confidence, self-respect, and discipline through structured martial arts instruction. Special classes are available for women's self-defense, couples' date nights, and customized sessions tailored to individual needs, including adaptive curriculum for participants with disabilities. The coaching style emphasizes practical, down-to-earth techniques that prepare students for real-world scenarios.
Members consistently praise the welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued as both customers and people. Instructor Lauren Woods receives frequent commendation for her engaging, knowledgeable, and professional teaching approach that makes classes fun and memorable. The gym demonstrates exceptional flexibility by offering private lessons at standard rates and creating customized training for specific situations, such as wheelchair-adapted self-defense. Students report leaving classes feeling empowered, confident, and better equipped to protect themselves while appreciating the safe space for learning and growth.
The training experience extends beyond physical skills to foster personal development and community connection. Families, couples, and individuals alike find the classes accessible and rewarding, with many students returning regularly over years of participation. The gym's commitment to serving all genders, ages, and abilities makes it a distinctive option in the Anchorage martial arts scene.
reviewsWhat Members Say
Members consistently praise instructor Lauren Woods as amazing, engaging, knowledgeable, and professional, with many specifically noting her ability to create customized lessons for diverse needs including wheelchair users. Reviewers highlight how classes leave them feeling empowered, confident, and better equipped for self-defense while providing a safe, welcoming environment for all ages and abilities. Multiple students mention returning for years because of the practical, down-to-earth training that builds self-confidence and discipline. Several reviews specifically recommend the women's self-defense classes and couples' date night specials as particularly valuable offerings.
rate_reviewGoogle Reviews (5)
Tiffany B
a year ago
Shoshindo of Alaska is wonderful! If you are interested in martial arts and want an activity to do with your spouse, friend or family please check out their classes. I highly recommend taking a class or attending one of the specials classes that are offered for Women’s self defense. My family and I have been students of Sensei Woods for about 4 years, and we have gained more self-confidence, self-respect, and disciplined through their weekly lessons.
Katie Gatica
2 years ago
Lauren is an engaging, knowledgeable, and professional instructor, and her classes are fun, down-to-earth, practical, and memorable. I feel more well-equipped to protect myself if the situation arises, thanks to her self-defense classes. She is also skilled at delivering engaging instruction for all ages, kids and adults alike. Highly recommend!
Jennifer Mann
2 years ago
As a woman and a business owner I can't recommend Shoshindo of Alaska enough. I love what Lauren is doing for the community for all ages/genders/abilities. She provides a wealth of knowledge to her students, gives them a safe place to learn and grow, and leaves them walking away feeling empowered and confident. If you haven't taken the time to meet her or take a class do yourself a favor and go, you will not regret it!
Michael Rhodes
2 years ago
Lauren is amazing!!! The classes we went to were informative and practical. It was apparent immediately that she genuinely cares about her students and wants them to be as prepared as possible if someone wants to do them physical harm. I could not recommend this school more to anyone who's remotely interested in and/or has a need for self-defense.
Dane Ottum
10 months ago
Oh my gosh, Sensei Lauren and Sensei Ted were AMAZING!!!! Sensei Lauren made a customized lesson for my wife who is in a wheelchair! She worked hard to match everything to her abilities and various scenarios. They were having a couple's date night special, and for us since we would be learning some adapted curriculum, she offered us their building for a private lesson and charged us the same rate as everyone else. I cannot say enough good things about them. She was like an angel who gave us the date night we needed to feel empowered, valued, and encouraged. Not only did we feel like true valued customers with her, but we felt like we were valued just as people too. For once in our lives we were able to participate in a physical activity as a couple that didnt make us feel like full participants! Thank you again Lauren!! We will definitely be coming back!!
Contact
300 E Kalli Cir, Wasilla, AK 99654, USA
scheduleHours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: Closed
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Sunday: Closed