This is a beautiful new judo dojo in Marin with a first class training area and many other fine…read moreamenities. Sensei Daniel Barboza is a world class judo instructor with vast experience as a national and international level competitor, and has comprehensive knowledge of judo as both a sport and martial art. Sensei Barboza has training and education in strength and conditioning, and has competed successfully in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I would highly recommend this dojo to anyone with an interest in judo.

From the owner: Discover the Excellence of Kaizenkan Judo in Marin County!…read more Welcome to Kaizenkan Judo, where tradition and innovation come together to provide the best martial arts experience. Located in San Rafael, Marin County, our academy is renowned for offering a welcoming and professional environment for practitioners of all ages, with a special focus on children. With years of experience, our team of highly qualified instructors is committed to passing on the values and techniques of traditional judo. At Kaizenkan Judo, we value discipline, respect, and personal development, ensuring that each student can reach their full potential. We understand the importance of quality education from an early age. That’s why our children's programs are carefully designed to be engaging, fun, and educational. Our instructors are trained to work with children of all ages, promoting a safe and stimulating environment where they can learn and grow. Kaizenkan Judo prides itself on being a second home for our students. Our dojo is a space where everyone is welcome and respected. We encourage a spirit of camaraderie and mutual support, creating a strong and united community. If you are looking for a judo academy that combines tradition, experience, and a welcoming environment, Kaizenkan Judo is the right place for you. Come visit us and discover how we can help you or your child develop valuable life skills. Join us at Kaizenkan Judo and be part of a tradition of excellence!

My son has been coming here for a few years. I can't say enough good things about Mike, Karen and…read moretheir staff. It is a clean dojo, with a warm environment. It is obvious they know what they are doing, building the intensity as the kids show progress. While the physical part is great, and I have seen grows in my kid's abilities, the life lessons are where they have this place dialed. Little nuggets of wisdom the teachers sprinkle, encouraging the students. Also they have a very substantial teen cohort which tells me they have the right formula.

Absolutely wonderful martial arts studio, with the best sensei and staff. Physical and mental…read moreintelligence training with a load of fun on top. 100% would recommend!

My kids and I have been going to The Dojo for over a year now and have all benefited a lot from it…read more Sifu Phil is the real deal, having studied and taught several martial arts for decades, and has incredibly deep knowledge to pull from. He's also a great teacher for people of all ages and levels. My kids still refer to what they are learning as "karate" but are really learning a variety of American Kenpo, informed by Sifu Phil's other experience with boxing, wrestling, jiu jitsu, and more, striking a balance between traditional and practical. Many of the younger kids' classes are taught by Mr. Noah and Mr. Henry, who both have their own teaching styles but who all the kids love. They are both black belts who have been with The Dojo for a long time. Don't expect to get a black belt in a year or two! What I learn in the Monday and Wednesday (as of this writing) adult Tactical Kickboxing classes is a mixture of open-hand techniques and Western kickboxing. We spar--safely and with control--most nights to build up experience and understand how things really work. No hot dogs or tough guys with something to prove tolerated. Sifus Phil and Rachelle also encourage youth development through The Dojo's junior instructor program that allows kids of the right age, level and temperament start guiding other kids. The program has produced some really remarkable kids. The black belts act appropriately for their rank--it's not a badge, it's a responsibility. Finally, on a practical note, The Dojo is kept very clean! Hopefully this is helpful. I highly recommend The Dojo.

I haven't written a yelp review in a very long time, but i had the best birthday party experience…read moreat the Dojo I had to come out of retirement. Last weekend my son had his 9th birthday party at The Dojo and it was so easy and great from start to finish. They put together so many age appropriate, fun courses and games. All the boys had the best time. Every parent that dropped off and picked up all commented on how great this place was. Honestly it's probably the best birthday party I've thrown and I can't take any of the credit. I'm already planning on coming back for my younger son. Thank you to The Dojo for such a wonderful experience.

Old School Martial Arts has been an incredible experience for our family. My 8-year-old daughter…read moreand 5-year-old son have been going there since August 2025, and we have been so impressed with the positive impact it has had on both of them. They create such a great learning environment for kids. The instructors teach excellent techniques in a way that is engaging, supportive, and age-appropriate, while also maintaining high standards. The school does a wonderful job of making it both safe and fun, and it is filled with so many great kids. The owners are clearly highly invested in making it a great school, and that really shows in every aspect of the experience. The space is always clean, it is well priced, and it truly feels like a worthwhile investment in our children's self-discipline, self-defense, and confidence. We are so grateful to have found Old School Martial Arts and would highly recommend it to any family looking for a positive, supportive, and empowering place for their kids.

I love Old School Martial Arts! The community is great. Everyone is friendly. No one has a huge…read moreego. Isaac and Andrew are great coaches. They understand the importance of fundamentals that so often get overlooked at other gyms. This place has helped me a lot in so many ways, even during one of the most challenging times in my life. This is a place to learn self defense, be a part of a community, overcome personal challenges, get wisdom from coaches and peers, stay in shape, and express yourself on the mats.

Love love love this place!! My kids started karate here and I am so impressed with how Master…read moreBentley (aka Head Teacher Derek) and his teachers meet them where they are and make them better. It has been awesome!!

Taylor's is a fantastic karate school! The teachers are very supportive while still maintaining…read morehigh standards for what their students should strive to achieve. They offer a wide variety of classes for kids, teens and adults. There is also a very diverse, kind community of students and families. You couldn't choose a better place to begin or continue your martial arts training!

Great martial arts and if you are looking for street fighting and self defense this is the school.read more

From the owner: Latosa Escrima and Jujitsu Martial Arts Instructionread more

This review is a long time coming and given Paresh Martial Arts has opened a brand new beautiful…read morestudio on Grand Ave in San Rafael (in the same complex as Starbucks and FedEx!), I thought this was the perfect time to share my reflections.   How can I possibly distill how much Paresh Martial Arts and its fearless leader, Master Kristina Ohlson, has impacted my life and the life of others in our community in a single review? Let me start by saying two things:  First, Paresh Martial Arts is not just any karate studio. It's a community, a support system, and a family, one that extends far beyond the four corners of the studio walls. Second, Master Ohlson, the chief instructor at Paresh, is far from your average karate instructor. She is disciplined, firm and clear in her expectations for each and every student from her four year old Tiny Tigers all the way up to Black Belt. She is consistent and fair, ensuring the same rules and expectations apply to all, but where she truly stands out is the warmth with which she invites each student into the studio space, her sense of humor and her loving nature. She is extremely gifted in working with small children and growing with them as they age. Many of her former students that started with her when they were only five or six years old continue to reach out and seek an ongoing lasting connection with her, even now as they are off in college.  To me, this says so much about how much Master Ohlson invests in her students. She goes above and beyond, and for many of these students, she is like a second parent to them.  There are many karate studios out there that are solely focused on a business model that moves kids through promotions quickly (i.e. instant gratification for both kids and parents) in an effort to drive up the number of times parents are hit with a point of sale (i.e. new gear, new patches, new belts, new weapons). Master Ohlson's approach is quite the opposite. It's about fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion and creating a community of chosen family. It's about maintaining high standards for oneself, working hard, and always expressing kindness, gratitude and respect to others, both in the studio and at home. If your child is promoted at Paresh, it's because they've exhibited self discipline, learned the material and demonstrated a commitment to their training. These are the values your child will learn at Paresh, and they will be supported by a truly compassionate and encouraging teacher every step of the way.  I've seen so many kids and adults go through Master Ohlson's program and they just thrive.  A few other things to mention:  - Paresh is a LGBTQIA+ 100% woman owned business.  - At Paresh, your child will learn the traditional Korean art of Tang Soo Do and join a larger association known as the World Tang Soo Do Association, that sets the standards for the curriculum and offers opportunities for regional and national tournaments where students can compete against and form friendships with students from other studios. So, students not only join a family at Paresh Martial Arts, but also a larger scale family through the association. If all of this is not enough to convince you to give this studio a try, I encourage you to drop in and witness the Master Ohlson magic for yourself. At Paresh, you will find community, your child will be empowered and you will see true transformation. Thank you Master O and Paresh Martial Arts for enriching my life beyond measure.

Master Ohlson is patient, knowledgeable, and makes learning fun!! My two kids are always excited…read moreto go to class to see her and their friends. The Tiny Tigers class is totally age appropriate for the 3-4 year old crew who needs train breaks and sometimes a hug mid-class. And the next level up, the Dragons, is super well modified for each student to feel success- those with 1 stripe & those on their 3rd+ belt all work together to create a super supportive environment of learning and fun!

I followed my former kickboxing trainer, Levon, to this place where I do privates with him here…read morenow. It's a small quaint gym located in an easy to find area with always ample parking (street and behind building). It's clean, organized, and has plenty of equipment. This review is only attestation of the lessons received by Levon, I don't do classes here. I believe I started training with him back in 2015 or so, with a little break here and there. Last I trained with him was maybe back in 2021 (?) so I've really been out of commission since then. My first session back was yesterday and here I thought I'd have an easy one - but he brought me perfectly to my max without overdoing it. He pushed me again and went at another session this morning - perfect workout. He seemed to remember where we left off but also making sure I didn't over do it but yet read my breathing and gave me the needed breaks. This gym is nice and a perfect size for small classes, it's also kind of nice that it's not packed with people and an audience.

Golden State Athletic Club has been an absolute game changer for my entire family! My 9-year-old…read moreson has been training here for nearly 2.5 years, and his confidence and discipline have grown tremendously. My 16-year-old daughter not only trains here but also helps teach the kids class, giving her valuable leadership experience as she prepares for college. Even my youngest, who is 4, has been thriving in the Little Ninja class for the past few months. I've personally been training here for 2years, and the results have been incredible. I've lost 30lbs and feel stronger and healthier than ever. Beyond the physical benefits, the mental growth and focus this gym instills in both kids and adults are invaluable. My middle son, in particular, has greatly improved his focus thanks to the structured and engaging training. The coaches are phenomenal they are dedicated, knowledgeable, and passionate about their craft. They create a welcoming, supportive, and motivating environment for people of all ages and skill levels. The sense of community here is unmatched. The gym is second family to my family. If you're looking for an amazing MMA gym that builds confidence, discipline, and strength while fostering an amazing atmosphere, Golden State Athletic Club is the place to be!