After over three years, due to medical problems, I requested a one month leave for my Grandchild. I had already paid for a month and had half a month credit. Roxanna told me I would have to pay the entire next month, then pay for private lessons as well once my Grandchild returned. I never got a refund for the half a month, plus they had a full month of payment with no attendance. Shady!! Any business that has you write checks to a person and not the business is likely not on the up and up. Be careful. read more

I went here for nine years. I became an adult here. The people who taught me, the people I trained with, the people I instructed are my family. Nothing in my life has made me work harder or feel more accomplished than my time at this school. Don't go here if you're looking for quick progression --the instructors are looking to see your very best, and they'll move you up in rank when they see you giving your all. Don't go here if you want to learn takedowns or brutal ways to hurt people--this school is primarily about discipline and self defense. The stories you will hear from me and my fellow students and instructors are about standing up to people who tried to hurt them, filled with confidence, and turning away attackers with bravery rather than fury. Do go here if you want to meet passionate and caring people, to train hard, to become familiar with your body and its strength, and to gain confidence in all aspects of your life. Thank you Ms Stempien, Ms Cisternas, Mr Olson, and all my other family at EWSR. read more

For the last 12 years of my life I have attended East West Karate. From starting off as a fat lying brat, East West Karate not only taught me excellent skills in self-defense but also helped me along the way with understanding what it means to not only be a man, but a decent human being. I cannot stress enough the life skills they subtly taught me along the way. To any parent or other reading this, all I can say is if you would like to join and be part of not just a Karate school, but a community that will discipline and watch out for your children (or yourself) as they (or you) grow, join! P.S. By the way, the school also instructs kick-boxing lessons and fights between the students. Unlike limited sparring, aspects of the school like this really teach what to expect from fights and how to endure and win them. read more

My time at East West Karate School was instrumental to my development as a disciplined, respectful, and compassionate individual. Ms. Stempien and Ms. Cisternas were like my second moms and always went above and beyond to ensure that I had the tools to be a better person and student. I am forever grateful for the entire east west family that I was able to be a part of during my tenure there. No matter how long it has been since Ive attended the dojo, they always welcome me back with open arms. Receiving my black belt after 12 years of hard work and dedication was one of the most proud moments of my life. If I could do it all over again, I would in a heartbeat. read more

I can't say enough good things about East-West. My son is in his twelfth year there, and the experience has been life changing. Of course he has learned martial arts-karate, boxing, kickboxing, etc.-but even more valuable have been the life lessons he has learned. He has learned to be respectful; he has learned discipline; he has learned that hard work has its rewards; he has learned how to meet a challenge and overcome adversity; he has learned to teach and to lead; and he has learned to work with all sorts of people-those who are gifted athletically or not, those of different ethnicities and social strata, and those who have developmental challenges and those who don't. The firm but loving approach of Ms. Cisternas and Ms. Stempien pairs high expectations with effective instruction. My son has never tried to get out of going to karate at East-West; he enjoys being part of the community there. Wherever my son ends up after graduating from high school this spring, I know he'll be taking a good bit of East-West with him. read more

Attending East West Karate School has been a life altering experience and I would not be the person I am today without it. I have just completed my 16th year as a student of this school. The things I have learned from my head instructors Sydne Stempien and Roxana Cisternas transcend that of just learning martial arts and getting in shape. I have learned how to live my life in a way that benefits myself and the world around me. I must emphasize how much of a different person I would be without East West Karate and my instructors. I credit my degree in Behavioral Sciences and my choice to serve my country in the US Coast Guard to my karate instructors. The people I have met through my time at East West are still my closest friends and some of the people I care about most. The 16 years I have spent at the East West Karate School of San Rafael have been the best of my life. read more

My daughter was hesitant about Karate, after getting a trial run here through our school auction she was hooked. The fact that the main teacher is a woman gave her a huge boost of confidence, there are other teachers both male and female, and the older/higher belts also help guide /encourage the newer kids which really makes for a great atmosphere. The teacher is very calm and understands how kids 'work",no loud screaming, shouting etc (which is what originally scared my older kid off the whole karate deal after attending a different studio many years ago) I had a younger child also try it ,but it turned out to not be her thing, Ms Cisternos gave her way more private lessons than we had in our starter package and tried to encourage her to enjoy it at no extra cost to us, she really does want the kids to love it, it is most certainly not a place that's out to rip of member's, I am so impressed by their wonderful positive attitude toward the kids. Back to the kid that loves it, she is still on her first belt, there is no rushing the kids through the belts, they do need to be competent in each move, they earn stripes as they go and will be pulled in for private tutoring as needed, again no extra cost. The cost of the lessons are really good, $140 unlimited for a month, we go three times a week, but the second family member gets a whopping 50% discount!!!! (shame the other kid didn't enjoy it, I was enjoying that discount, when does that happen in Marin?) A favourite lesson for most of the kids seems to be Thursday when they do weapon training, it's great fun as they get to spar (with protection) other kid's. There are many other parts to this studio, I can only talk about my experience,but I am so grateful for finding this place. Thank you East West!!! read more

The instructor/owner, Sydne, needs to have better communication with the families who join her school. We are leaving with a very bad feeling. It started off well, and I was hopeful that the teachers were equipped to work with my daughter, who is diagnosed with ADHD and a mood disorder. The owner and teachers were kind, and firm like I expect a karate instructor to be, so we are shocked today, after learning they kicked my daughter out of the school last week without telling us. My daughter went to her classes during the week as usual, so we had no clue something was wrong until arriving again today, Saturday. My husband came home with my daughter and told me what happened, and I called the studio. After a short conversation the instructor hung up on me, (after I told her she should have contacted me.) The fact she didn't think it was her responsibility to contact "the parents" is alarming. And she clearly didn't communicate to the other owner or teachers that my daughter wasn't welcome back, because the they taught her during the week. They have a right to refuse services if they don't want her there, and giving children responsibility is good, but when it comes to having us leave the school, that is a termination of a contract that I signed. She should have called us, sent an email, a letter...some form of communication. I am a teacher, and I reach out to parents constantly about the needs of their children, with love and compassion, especially when I know the child has special needs. I would not recommend the studio. Sorry Roxanna. read more

I first started at East West when I was 8 and continued for 10 years at which point I trained for, and received my black belt. After that point, I left for college but would come back to train at the dojo for 4 more years during my winter and summer breaks from school. My parents enrolled me in karate to help me improve my balance, but of course I gained much more than that--much more than they ever expected. Being a student, as well as an instructor at East West was instrumental in developing myself as an individual and cultivating positive qualities in myself that I have carried into adulthood. Ms. Stempien and Ms. Cisternas are two of the most caring individuals I know and run their business as such.The dojo was not just a place to train, but my second home--and the people there, truly my family. My closest friends have been from East West, and I know will be in my life forever. I think there's a misconception that martial arts is an individual sport, when really it takes a supportive environment to thrive. You need great teachers like Ms. Stempian, Ms. Cisternas, Mr. Olson and Mr. Phillippe guiding you and pushing you up to your highest potential. The relationships I built and experiences I had at East West are unlike any other and were crucial during my formative years. I think this is especially true for the teaching component of training. I learned to work with a wide range of individuals--young, old, non-English speakers, and individuals with learning disabilities. This is helped me in every aspect of my life, including the fact that expanded job opportunities for me. I think it is especially important to mention how inclusive this space is. No person is treated better or worse based on their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age or cognitive ability. The people here are only concerned about teaching you karate and developing bonds that foster your own confidence and personal growth. At this studio, you truly get what you are willing to put into it. You must commit the time, energy and focus and you will thrive. This is not a studio where you can pay each month and go a certain amount of times and expect to move up in ranks--it takes real responsibility and effort. On top of all the character qualities I gained at East West, I also know I can defend myself if the time calls for it. Due to my training, I am calm, but aware whenever I'm walking alone and feel confident in my ability to protect myself. It is my opinion that this is by far the top Martial Arts school in the area, and recommend it holy and completely. read more

Started When I was just 9 years old. I was an extremely trouble child that my parents didn't know what to do with. To be honest I was being bullied heavily at school. My parents brought me to the school to become more confident and controlled of myself. I learned so much more... Words can not explain the amount of sheer respect for the women who run this school. They take you in and teach you so much more then just simple martial arts. They teach so many skills that little did I know from the young age of nine i would be still using today. I have been with the school for 15 years. Worked all the way from a young white belt all the way to a black belt 11 years later. I couldn't even imagine my life without being a part of East West. The school goes further then just the teachers though. When a lot of young students are working together towards a common goal of getting better, constantly training day after day to achieve that next rank, its hard to not become life long friends with those people. This school is so much more then just teaching your kid a martial art. This school is about making you into a better person. I don't think you can find a more unique school then that. read more

Between 1997 and 2006 I was a full time student at East-West. Since I started when I was seven it played an enormous part in my childhood and adolescence. I learned discipline, independence, respect, hard work and so many other incredibly important life lessons while training at East-West. I considered my training partners and teachers my extended family who cared about my well being and personal development. Learning from Mrs. Stempien and Mrs. Cisternas taught me important lessons about how to treat women as a young man growing up. Not in a direct way obviously, but over the years I learned a lot more than kicks, forms, and how to defend myself. Learning martial arts has surprisingly kept me out of fights my whole life and in the case a freak occurrence when I was robbed abroad I was able to protect myself and my loved ones. Training at East-West is a commitment, but one that separates itself from more commercial and shallow martial arts programs. I am not sure where Lynnette F. got her information but I competed in over 15 tournaments while at East-West and had great experiences. In my years there I saw kids transformed and people get into amazing physical condition. I attend college on the East Coast but I am looking forward to returning to East West one day. It is a truly unique martial arts school and the best choice for anyone who is looking for something genuine, holistic, and generally life enhancing. read more