Eric: Just a note to say how much I'm loving the Tai Chi…read moreclass. It's been great for me, and I think any age can benefit from the training! It's been great for developing balance, grace, core strength and mental focus. Thanks for all the great leadership! --Connie King

From the owner: We offer Martial Arts, Tai Chi, and Cardio-Kickboxing for adults…read more Our Martial Arts class is a blend of striking and trapping arts including Karate, Kickboxing, Kali, Hapkido, Silat, Muay Thai, Chin-Na, and Jun Fan to name a few. We do not teach mma or bjj. Our Cardio-Kickboxing program focuses on burning calories, reducing fat, and building muscle. We train with resistance and in fighting rounds. Our Tai Chi class is an informal, stress reducing hour of practicing basic moves and learning the most basic of the Tai Chi forms.

This is an amazing place to study Tae Kwon Do. Master Kang is a gifted teacher with the Tiny…read moreWarriors and each class to adult. It's a warm and inclusive place to learn and have fun. There's camps, parent night out evenings and birthday parties too. We are all very pleased with the confidence and growth of our grandson.

ABBA teaches self discipline. The children are made to recite many of life's values at the end of…read moreeach class. Master Kang and his instructor are great with kids. The kids learn to face their fears against a stronger opponent. This is a long haul sports. We are looking at 4-5 years to reach the black belt. Ms. Tasha is super organized and friendly.

My two sons really enjoy the adult class on Saturdays. Master Brian and Master Kim are…read moreknowledgeable and instructors and make it easy to excel. The facility is very clean and welcoming.

I love this place and my daughter likes it here too! They are extremely professional and well…read moreorganized. I have enjoyed having Global Karate for my child's after school program.

GENERAL ASSESSMENT Our overall assessment is that Shaolin…read moreInstitute does an amazingly successful job fulfilling its promise as a learning experience for both the body and mind. As we have so far experienced it, Shaolin Institute indeed teaches a "way of life" in which students can experience gratifying physical achievement, whether in Tai Chi or Kung Fu, while also exercising and expanding mindfulness. One of the most appealing aspects of Shaolin Institute is the frequent reference before and after classes regarding how specific cultural, historical, medical, and scientific achievements are directly relevant for learning and appreciating martial arts. TEACHING ASSESSMENT It is impressive that Shaolin Institute exceeds expectations in basically every category used to evaluate teachers. Below are our summaries of Shaolin Institute's multifaceted teaching strengths. CURRICULUM * SI teachers follow the SI curriculum. * SI teachers choose activities for each student relevant to the SI curriculum and each student's level of achievement. * When feasible, SI teachers sometimes helpfully group students together to learn and practice as a group the forms they have previously learned. INSTRUCTION * SI teachers provide direction so that each student knows what to focus on during class. * SI teachers present new forms clearly and logically, and helpfully demonstrate new forms. * SI teachers provide feedback and re-teach forms when necessary. Teachers provide opportunities for students to practice new forms both with and without supervision. MOTIVATION * SI teachers show genuine concern for the students. * SI teachers project a positive, encouraging tone for the classroom experience. * SI teachers establish a level of difficulty, suited for each student's level, which encourages success. SI teachers provide good verbal praise, as well as critique as needed. COMMUNICATION * SI teachers always demonstrate enthusiasm in what they are teaching. * SI teachers explain and demonstrate forms clearly. * SI teachers respond graciously and substantively to questions. EXPECTATIONS * SI teachers communicate expectations to students. * SI teachers listen to students' feedback during class and adjust their teaching pace and content accordingly. * SI teachers encourage students to participate inextracurricular community opportunities, which isimportant for the students' confidence as well as the school's exposure. METHODOLOGY & MATERIALS * SI teachers often vary how they conduct classes, for example by describing the forms, including their origins, applications, etc., and/or by physically demonstrating the forms. Both methods are helpful, especially for students who learn in different ways. * SI teachers sometimes provide supplemental resources, such as video recordings of the classes, which can be exceptionally helpful for students who want to practice at home. EVALUATIVE ACTIVITIES * SI teachers monitor and give feedback on student progressduring each individual class. * SI teachers give oral evaluative comments, as well as sometimes grades or scores. * SI teachers are available for and sometimes proactively create opportunities for one-on-one progress discussions with students. CLASS ENVIRONMENT * SI teachers clearly communicate requirements for attitude and behavior, notably by emphasizing the SI student creed and the rituals of class beginnings and endings. TEACHER-STUDENT INTERACTIONS * SI teachers make an effort to know each student as an individual. * SI teachers routinely work to promote positive self-image in students. * SI teachers routinely create a classroom climate in which students are encouraged to grow and assume personal responsibility for their growth. LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOR * SI teachers are observed routinely cooperating graciously with their teaching peers, demonstrating authentic respect for one another. * SI teachers are often observed sharing ideas and methods with their fellow teachers. * SI teachers are observed regularly seeking to advance their own growth. This continuing education, observed by the students, is motivating to the students and demonstrates how we are all learning and growing.

I went to China with Shivu in 1993. We trained at the Shaolin Temple. He is the real deal. We still…read morestay in touch 30 years later!

One of the best martial arts places to train in Lagrange. Mr. May is one fantastic man with a great…read morefamily teaching great family values to all children and adults.

This is by far the best karate studio in town. They focus on ethics and self-defense, not fighting…read more Owned by a good Christian family. My son has been taking classes here for 3 years and absolutely loves it.

They've been great so far helping our son follow directions/listen while having fun. He tried…read moreanother karate school and they wouldn't allow him to continue because he wouldn't follow directions but this karate school is interactive and give a little individual help to new kids and old alike to help them focus and get back on track. He's now eager to follow the instructors commands and attend when in the beginning he was scared to get out there because he was kicked out of the other class which said it was his age group but there were way older kids who appeared to have gone before. Dojo classes truly are kids his own age and a mostly kids that have only began within a few months or two but all still young and on same developmental level. Very impressed with their ethics and interactions with the children.

I can't say enough nice things about these guys! My kid has been going here for the last 4 months,…read moreand the way they instill good behavior in class ripples outward in every facet of their life outside of the dojo. Coach Lamb is friendly, yet stern and knows how to get the best out of the kids. It's really wonderful to see how engaged my son is with this. Around my house, it's easier to get him to be respectful and listen when telling him to clean his room, get ready for school/bed, etc.....and the fact that he now says "yes m'am" without being prompted is pretty darned awesome, I must say. The staff here cares, and it really shows!

I'm a mom of a martial art student at KSMA. Yesterday was the last of a 3 session women's…read moreself-defense (SD) course that was offered, and I'm so glad I did. I've taken one day SD course before and almost immediately forgot everything. Part of it, I think was because it complicated and involved some movements I didn't think I could do in a crisis. Unlike the other experience, the course that I took at KSMA was focused avoiding and getting out of the situation before an altercation could really begin. What Sa Bom Nim Beaty taught was how to feel more comfortable and confident with using our own body as protective and defensive tools. I really enjoyed the training, got a decent workout, met other women wanting to learn and share which was powerful, and by the end of the course, I wanted to learn more. What's also great is that he has equipment that you can use to get a realistic idea on what it feel like to hit a person. One key reason why I am glad I took this course is because of an incident that occurred this evening, which prompted me to write this review. My son and I were leaving an event and I saw something very odd about where we were. It was dark, inbetween a large building and a wooded area. We were about to walk past a car parked near a large dumpster when I saw a light flash. I was talking on the phone while crossing the street, then i notice a man near where we walkig who looked very odd. He was walking in front of us but yet still pacing himself along with us. I ended my call a d told the caller I had to focus. I put my phone away, chambered my keys in one hand and was prepared with the other. My son, to my surprised had turned off his music, was just as alert, and we quickly walked to the car and left. It may have been nothing. I may have over reacted, but once I got home and processed all that had occurred, I realized I used the awareness approached recommended by Sa Bom Nim Beaty in the course, and was prepared to try out the other skills, if need be. For that, alone, I am grateful, and would highly recommend the Women's Self Defense course, as well as any other program offered at KSMA.

There are so many positive things to say about Kick Start Martial Arts! It's been really tough…read morefinding an extra-curriculum activity that my son enjoys. However, he immediately fell in love with KSMA and so did we. Master Beaty has put together an amazing program. We feel so at home here. The program is very well organized and the studio is always well maintained. Master Beaty truly cares for his students and it shows. There's a perfect balance of instruction and compassion. Thanks so much to Master Beaty and the entire KSMA team for a job well done!!!