I grew up training at Thousand Waves, then left for school, travelled abroad, and have only recently returned to the area. Since being away from Chicago I have visited dozens of martial arts schools, from New York, to San Francisco, to South America, to the Middle East, and while I have liked many of the experiences I've had, I can honestly say that there is not a single one that comes close to providing what Thousand Waves provides to its students, families, participants, and community. It gave me self-confidence, physical and mental strength and agility, and a way to address violence without being overwhelmed by it, among many many other things. It has been a truly life-defining experience for me, and I am certainly not alone in this assessment. :)