World Karate is fantastic. Their programs for the kids are just serious enough, and helps kids to…read moreset and achieve goals through belt promotions. Mike and Cathy are wonderful owners and instructors. I've recommended a lot of friends to this studio, several children in El Segundo and surrounding areas attend. They also have adult programming which I have not partaken in, but I do know parents who have, and who in turn loved it.

All 3 of my kids, ages 11, 8, 4, go to World Karate. I believe in their philosophy of not only…read moreproducing kids who use "peace over power", but also striving to become "productive members of society." So important in this day where kids are given everything and grow up with an extreme sense of entitlement and not willing to give anything back to their community. Oh yeah, the owners are super knowledgeable and skilled, and are parents themselves so know how to teach kids in a firm but gentle way. Great for the kids who are very serious and want to go the black belt distance, but also for kids/parents who are looking for a form of exercise. Not too much of a commitment time wise, like some kids sports that have 1-2 hour practices per week with a game on Sat. or sun. This is twice a week for 1/2 hour each time. I think this keeps kids from "burning" out of their sport too soon and perfect for the overscheduled parent, like me! Great for girl power, too and I think they have an adult class?

We couldn't be happier with Sensei Austin and his dojo. From day one, it's been clear that he has a…read moretrue passion for teaching and for working with kids (including special needs). He is incredibly patient, encouraging, and genuinely invested in each student's growth; both in martial arts and in character.

If you're looking for an extra activity for your child with special needs, then this is the place…read moreto go. Jason is the only instructor I know that teaches Karate to kids with special needs with extreme patience. He asserts discipline encouraging them to do more. Homely atmosphere.

Both of my daughters have been taking karate from Shihan Patrick at Power Karate for over a year…read more They love learning and testing for their belts. Both girls have become more confident and stronger, physically and mentally. I see their growth in their relationships with friends, with each other, and in the other sports they play. I'm excited to send my son there when he's old enough!

My son has been training under Shihan Patrick for over 7 years. He currently has a brown belt and…read moreworking toward his black belt. If you are looking for a serious Dojo, this is it. What I like about kyokushin is that it's an internationally recognized organization and no matter where you move to, you can probably find a dojo to continue your training. They have been around for a long time and Shihan Patrick is passionate about his teaching. The impact kyokushin Karate has had on my son's life is beyond words. It has given him a lifetime discipline.

My two daughters and I just started our 10-day trial and had a really positive experience. The…read moreWomen Empowered class is well-structured, and the instructors were kind and attentive to everyone's needs. The front desk staff was helpful in getting us started and answering our questions. The facility is clean, spacious, and well-maintained. Would recommend to others looking to try jiu jitsu, particularly women and families.

If you are on the fence about trying jiu-jitsu, this is the place to go. I showed up unsure if I…read morewas ready to commit, but the team had me suited up in no time. I took the beginners' class with Renner, and he was absolutely fantastic. His instructions were super clear, and his positive, encouraging energy made it easy to lean into a beginner's mind. We even got to do some floor work and get a great sweat in! The atmosphere was a huge (and pleasant) surprise. It has the upscale feel of an Equinox gym. The space smells amazing thanks to the essential oils, and the lush plants and relaxing lighting give it a great energy. I can't recommend this place enough. I haven't been able to stop thinking about jiu-jitsu since I left!

My family has been training here for about 3 years now. Going into this we expected them to train,…read morelearn, have fun, and possibly compete. What we didn't expect was becoming part of a community where everyone is like family and super supportive.      Professor Andre is the most patient, kind and understanding person I have ever met. He teaches the kids with so much love and passion. I can't really speak for the adult class, but my husband enjoys it so much, he wishes he could train everyday if his schedule permitted it. Aside from training, they put together ways for families to get to know each other and have fun. Last Halloween they hosted a trunk or treat, which all the families had an amazing time. Also, I was able to attend one of their mom's nights out. I really appreciated that even though I don't personally train - there was something for me as well. There is never any pressure to attend any of the extra stuff, but it's great for all the kids and families to get to know each other outside of class.

Best jiu jitsu professor on earth. I look forward to each day. Great group of highly motivated…read morecompetitors if you want to compete. If not, there is absolutely no pressure to do so. They will all train with you at your level.

Master Duncan is the most patient, encouraging instructor! My daughter started as a very shy 6 year…read moreold and became a confident, strong black belt that is now in high school and thriving. Starting her with Master Duncan was one of the best things we've done for her and now her little brother is on his Soo Bahk Do journey. The discipline, respect and self awareness that the kids learn are crucial for all aspects of their lives. Thank you for all that you do Duncan Family!

My three kids look forward to this class each week! They get a great workout & learn valuable…read morelessons in respect, compassion, community, and confidence. Master Duncan learns all his students' names. I find this impressive as two of my kids are identical twins. :) He follows through with all directions and instills a sense of pride in the kids, all while having a very positive, often comical approach. Lomita Park is an ideal location and the price is economical, comparatively speaking. $40 Residents/$45 Non-Residents for nine weeks of lessons. Testing happens at the end of each session. Other students join testing to cheer on fellow students. Great environment!!

My daughter recently started at Machida Karate Academy in Lomita, and I couldn't be happier with…read morethe experience so far. From the very first class, the instructors made her feel comfortable, supported, and excited to learn. They strike a perfect balance between discipline and encouragement, firm when they need to be, but always positive and patient. What really stands out is how intentional they are about teaching both skill and character. My daughter is already showing more confidence, focus, and respect at home, and she looks forward to every class (which says a lot!). The lessons are well-structured, engaging, and age-appropriate, and the instructors truly take the time to help each student improve at their own pace. The academy itself is clean, organized, and clearly run with a lot of pride. Parents get a great view of the classes, and it's easy to see how much care and attention goes into each session.

My son joined the Machida Karate Summer Camp. We had been wanting to sign him up for some kind of…read moremartial arts class, but he really wasn't interested. When I read that the camp also offered crafts, self-defense, and playtime, I thought it would be a great introduction for him. After the camp, he said he wants to go again next year, and this is the only class he wants to continue! Now he's officially enrolled twice a week. To be honest, I wasn't really considering karate and was leaning more toward other martial arts. But I really liked how they teach self-defense, run the class in a disciplined and organized way, and emphasize respect. The teachers are firm yet warm with the kids. I also love how they mix in play, it helps the kids feel connected, and united. That was exactly what my son needed. :)

Systems training center camp review:…read more Our kids had an amazing experience at Systems Training Center Summer Camp! Every week brought a new theme that kept them excited to come back--from movie making and engineering challenges to building a utopian city and exploring cultures from around the world through food, dances, and traditions. The camp does a great job balancing indoor activities with fun walks outside, giving the kids plenty of opportunities to stay active while learning. More than anything, it's a safe, encouraging environment where kids can be loud, get messy, make mistakes, learn from them, and build confidence and independence along the way. The staff truly cares about the kids, and you can see it in everything they do. If you're looking for a summer camp that's fun, creative, educational, and helps your child grow, I highly recommend Systems Training Center. It's a place every parent should consider!

Important note: This review pertains specifically to the Systems Training Center Summer Camp, not…read morethe dojo's regular martial arts instruction. My son attended the summer camp/day program only and was not enrolled as a regular martial arts student. I enrolled my son hoping for a fun, safe, and well-supervised summer experience. Unfortunately, that was not our experience, and I would not enroll him again. The camp often felt disorganized and seemed to operate without much advance planning. Activities appeared to change from day to day, and there was little evidence of a structured program. The first warning sign came during my son's first week. After only a few days, he came home, burst into tears, sobbed in my arms for more than ten minutes, and begged me not to make him return. He described the environment as "overwhelming" and "overstimulating" because of the constant screaming, yelling, and disruptive behavior from some campers. Those concerns continued throughout the summer. To be clear, I understand children sometimes struggle with emotional regulation and behavior. My concern is not that children are expected to be perfect. My concern is that I expect adults supervising a children's camp to appropriately manage disruptive or aggressive behavior, protect all campers, and provide an environment where children feel safe. Based on both what I observed and what my son consistently reported, I did not feel that happened. For example, my son reported that one camper became upset during a game, ran at him while screaming, and grabbed at his clothing. He also reported this was not an isolated incident but part of a pattern of repeated screaming, tantrums, and disruptive behavior from this camper and another camper that made him increasingly uncomfortable attending camp. My biggest concerns, however, involved supervision and safety outside the dojo. My son reported that counselors took campers on neighborhood "ninja walks" and encouraged them to practice parkour on nearby structures, including climbing a structural wall at a neighboring apartment complex using decorative rocks as footholds. He also reported a counselor challenged the children about who was "brave enough" to jump from what he estimated was a very high wall into an enclosed area below. My son declined to participate because he felt uncomfortable and became so distressed that he cried. What surprised me most was that I was never informed campers would routinely leave the dojo for these neighborhood activities. Nothing in the written materials or waiver explained that campers would be practicing parkour throughout the surrounding neighborhood. The paperwork states parents would receive advance notice of field trips. In my opinion, taking campers outside the dojo and throughout the neighborhood constitutes an off-site activity that parents should be informed about beforehand. When I later spoke with the camp director, she confirmed that these neighborhood "ninja walks" are a regular part of camp and stated they have permission from neighboring property owners to use parking lots, areas between buildings, and other structures. That was the first time I had heard that explanation. She also said part of the camp's philosophy is "stretching the kids to their limits." While I support helping children build confidence and resilience, I believe those challenges should occur in a carefully supervised environment with clear communication to parents. I also had concerns about security. During the entire camp session, I was never asked to show identification when picking up my son. On multiple occasions, counselors were on their phones when I entered the dojo and did not even look up to acknowledge who had come through the door. The surrounding neighborhood also concerned me. During drop-off and pick-up, I observed several individuals who appeared homeless and/or intoxicated. One individual in particular was dirty, disheveled, and wearing torn, soiled clothing. I watched him stand outside the dojo for several minutes with his face pressed against the glass doors and his hands cupped around his eyes so he could look inside and watch the children. Learning that campers were routinely taken on walks through this same neighborhood only increased my concern. When I discussed these issues with the director, I did not feel my concerns about supervision, behavior management, communication with parents, or safety were meaningfully addressed. Every family has different expectations, and some children may have a wonderful experience here. This review simply reflects ours. I was looking for a camp with consistent supervision, proactive communication, thoughtful behavior management, and strong safety practices. Based on what I personally observed and what my son consistently reported, I do not feel this summer camp met those expectations, and I would not enroll him again.