I cannot express enough how incredible our experience has been at Ekata Martial Arts in Santa Clarita. As a family, my wife, 7yr old daughter and myself have been taking classes here for just about a year now, and it has truly transformed our lives for the better. From the moment we walked through the doors, we were greeted with warmth and enthusiasm by the staff and instructors. The friendly environment at Ekata is unlike anything we've experienced before. They go above and beyond to make everyone feel welcome and included, regardless of age or skill level. The instructors are not only highly skilled and knowledgeable but also incredibly patient and dedicated. They take the time to understand each student's strengths, weaknesses, and goals, ensuring personalized attention and guidance. Their passion for martial arts is infectious and has motivated us to push ourselves to new limits. What sets Ekata apart from other martial arts training centers is their focus on the whole family. They offer classes for kids, teens, and adults, allowing us to train together and support each other's progress. It has not only brought us closer as a family but also provided a fantastic bonding experience. The positive impact that Ekata has had on our lives is immeasurable. It has instilled discipline, self-confidence, and respect in our daughter, teaching her important life skills that will benefit her in every aspect of her life. As parents, we have noticed significant improvements in her focus, discipline, and overall behavior since she started training at Ekata. The facility itself is top-notch, clean, and well-maintained, providing a safe and comfortable training environment. The class schedule is flexible, accommodating even the busiest of schedules, making it easy for us to attend regularly. If you're looking for a martial arts training center that not only teaches self-defense but also nurtures personal growth and character development, Ekata is the place to be. We wholeheartedly recommend Ekata to anyone, whether you're an individual looking to enhance your physical fitness or a family seeking a positive and transformative experience together. Thank you, Sifu Ed, Sifu JoAnn, Sifu Michael and everyone at Ekata Martial Arts, for enriching our lives and empowering us with valuable skills. We are grateful to be a part of this amazing family! read more

We attended EKATA for about six months and were initially happy with the program. Unfortunately, over time, several concerning issues led us to remove our daughter. On multiple occasions, the owner, Joanne, questioned why we picked up our daughter early and at times refused to let her leave so she could attend another after-school activity. I made it clear that I am her mother and can pick her up when I choose. We were told that as long as pickup was before 4:00 p.m., it would not interrupt class, yet this continued to happen. We addressed this directly with Joanne and Ed, but the behavior did not change. We were told Joanne was "confused" and that they wanted our daughter to have "structure and discipline," which is not their decision to make. Another serious concern was discipline. One coach was hitting five-year-olds on the head with pool noodles when they acted up. While no marks were left, this is completely inappropriate. A program that promotes discipline and mental well-being should not use fear or physical contact as correction. As a result, my daughter began to dread attending classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-5 p.m. The response we received when we raised this concern felt dismissive and excuse-based rather than corrective. There was also a bullying issue involving another student who repeatedly pushed my daughter and took her belongings. We reported this behavior to the directors twice, yet no action was taken. When my daughter finally stood up for herself, the bullying stopped. We are aware of these incidents because two staff members informed us directly. Additionally, we observed staff being treated poorly by the directors, which raised further concerns about the environment. While we had high hopes for this program, the lack of appropriate boundaries, failure to address bullying, and unacceptable discipline practices made it clear this was not a safe or supportive environment for our read more

We attended EKATA for about six months and were initially happy with the program. Unfortunately, over time, several concerning issues led us to remove our daughter. On multiple occasions, the owner, Joanne, questioned why we picked up our daughter early and at times refused to let her leave so she could attend another after-school activity. I made it clear that I am her mother and can pick her up when I choose. We were told that as long as pickup was before 4:00 p.m., it would not interrupt class, yet this continued to happen. We addressed this directly with Joanne and Ed, but the behavior did not change. We were told Joanne was "confused" and that they wanted our daughter to have "structure and discipline," which is not their decision to make. Another serious concern was discipline. One coach was hitting five-year-olds on the head with pool noodles when they acted up. While no marks were left, this is completely inappropriate. A program that promotes discipline and mental well-being should not use fear or physical contact as correction. As a result, my daughter began to dread attending classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-5 p.m. The response we received when we raised this concern felt dismissive and excuse-based rather than corrective. There was also a bullying issue involving another student who repeatedly pushed my daughter and took her belongings. We reported this behavior to the directors twice, yet no action was taken. When my daughter finally stood up for herself, the bullying stopped. We are aware of these incidents because two staff members informed us directly. Additionally, we observed staff being treated poorly by the directors, which raised further concerns about the environment. While we had high hopes for this program, the lack of appropriate boundaries, failure to address bullying, and unacceptable discipline practices made it clear this was not a safe or supportive environment for our read more

My whole family has benefited from going to Ekata Training Center for over four years. If you are looking for fitness, martial arts or rejuvenation and mindfulness training, Ekata offers it all. It is a place for people of all ages. It even has convenient after school pick up and child care services. I have Type II diabetes and control it by attending a variety of Ekata's martial arts classes, which includes Jeet Kune Do, Savate Kickboxing, Jiu Jitsu and Escrima among others. I also relieve stress through the guided meditation sessions, offered. Anyone who has diabetes knows it is a struggle to eat healthy and commit to an exercise that you enjoy doing on a regular basis. (It's probably a struggle even if you don't have diabetes). After years of trying different things, I finally found a place that I have fun going to, while improving my health at the same time. The instructors are inspirational and encouraging. All of the members are very friendly and fun to work out with. My wife has the fitness package to get her work outs in at the gym facilities and relieve stress. She also takes advantage of the free monthly personal training sessions. My two sons are on their way to earning their black belts. Through their journey, I have seen them gain strong leadership qualities by assisting others. Ekata has also instilled them with values such as respect and self discipline. They each experienced confrontational situations that could have led to a physical fight. I'm confident that my boys had the ability to defend themselves if necessary. However, I am more proud that they each had the self-discipline to de-escalate the situation and avoid a fight. Ekata offers a wealth of other programs and services such as Zumba, massage therapy and even music classes. Besides the great programs, the best part may actually be the close family friends we have gained. read more

Many reviewers talk about how they enrolled their kids at Ekata. My story is different. I am a 55 year old man who has numerous physical ailments (arthritis, lower back problems, calcified ligaments in both knees and left ankle, to name but a few). For years I sat around getting larger and larger - I had to buy new, and bigger clothes every year because of this. Needless to say, I also suffered from self-esteem issues. I always had an interest in martial arts but never really pursued it as an avocation. I've probably been a member of most of the major health clubs in the LA area - and left them all out of boredom. To make a long story short, after several months at Ekata, I have lost weight, gained tremendous confidence, my standing heart rate is down, as is my blood pressure (which was borderline dangerous before I started classes) and I have gained relationships that I'm sure will last. You see, that's another thing about Ekata - everyone there is Nice! They aren't a bunch of he-man bozos with attitude problems. They are truly good people with an interest in changing people's lives for the better. Oh, and by the way, I am NEVER bored there! If you want to learn a martial art that is useful in the REAL world, If you want to learn it from people who are great human beings and who truly care about you, If you want to be a better, more confident you, Then Ekata is where you want to go. It's just that simple. read more

Ekata Training Center is a fantastic facility that offers a wide range of training programs designed to help individuals improve their physical fitness and overall well-being. The center has a great reputation in the local community for providing high-quality training programs that are both effective and enjoyable. One of the things that I appreciate most about Ekata Training Center is the variety of training programs that they offer. From kickboxing and martial arts to yoga and strength training, there is truly something for everyone here. No matter what your fitness level or goals may be, you are sure to find a program that suits your needs at Ekata. In addition to the excellent training programs, the staff at Ekata Training Center is also top-notch. They are highly knowledgeable and experienced, and they go out of their way to ensure that each client receives personalized attention and guidance. Whether you are a seasoned athlete or a beginner, the staff at Ekata will make you feel welcome and supported every step of the way. Overall, I highly recommend Ekata Training Center to anyone looking to improve their fitness and overall health. The facility is clean, modern, and well-equipped, and the staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and committed to helping you reach your goals. If you are looking for a place to train that will challenge and inspire you, look no further than Ekata Training Center! read more

Ekata has the best martial arts, training and health facility and team of trainers in Santa Clarita. They offer programs for children including after school activities and obviously for adults, all designed appropriately to each individual. I just completed my first year and If someone would have asked me before I would be doing martial arts now almost every day, I wouldn't have believe it myself. I've never been in better shape than now, and I was going to a regular gym before. My son joined 2 1/2 years ago and he's not only doing great in his physical abilities, but his attitude and social skills have improved a lot. Members can take any class available and join many programs offered. Martial arts includes not only Jet Kune Do (JKD) but also Savate, Muay Thai, Jiu Jitsu, Boxing and some others incorporated into JKD like Wing Chun and self defense techniques. I couldn't be happier with my progress and my son's in terms of endurance, fitness and physical abilities. I recommend Ekata to anyone that really want to improve their health, physical condition and skills. read more

Horrible business and customer service. My son went here for 1.4 years. The first year was okay so we signed up for another year thinking my son would enjoy it. Quickly into the second year the staff turnover was an issue. Also, my son would express that he was bored because classes were always the same. I would encourage him to keep going as that can happen when learning something skills (repetition). But he was right, classes were the same; No variety, no creativity, boring, dull and predictable. In addition, the owners said rude comments to my son about his long hair multiple times, making him uncomfortable and embarrassed. We tried getting out of our second year contract due to these issues and more. We wouldn't get calls back, emails back, nothing. It was bad. We lost a lot of money. I would never recommend this place to anyone. They pretend to have amazing principles but don't practice any of them. They're money hungry and that's it. Skip this place and look elsewhere. read more

My daughter Natalie has been attending Ekata for 2 1/2 years. She had previous martial arts experience, but we definitely saw a huge difference in the inspirational, motivational, and technical aspects of the skills she is being taught at Ekata! So inspirational in fact ,that her father and I joined Ekata as well!! When you step into the new facility you are greeted by the friendliest staff.!They really get to know you and are there to answer any and every question you may have regarding your experience there. The instructors are very hands on by working out with the students in class. There is a specific curriculum that the kids are to follow and that insures that they are skilled in each level as they progress in their JKD or Savate. The attention to details in the atmosphere, functionality of the gym and (most importantly) the martial arts instruction is by far the most superb in the Santa Clarita Valley!! read more

My son loves training here, he has been coming to Ekata training center for about a year now and I truly see a difference in him. He is in his teens and a year ago I was having a tough time with his attitude. I initiated for him to start martial arts, which he wasn't happy about it then. That all changed once he started coming here, now he looks forward to it each and every time. One awesome thing is that they not only teach martial arts they also teach respect and discipline to all ages. I have seen kids as young as 5 years old and adults of all ages. He has lost some weight training and has built lots of confidence. This place is awesome, and I recommend to everyone. read more

I love this place so much it is well rounded and it is a great place to get in Shape. This was my first place I went for martial arts and I loved it. Sifu Ed is amazing he is a sweet guy and so is his wife. This place is my home gym everyone is so sweet and kind here I'm sad to see them go I'm moving but overall you will not find a better gym. The people and the Staff is amazing. The price is really good because you can do a ton of martial arts at a good price. Everything is always clean to they do a nice job and the gym is pretty big I have seen other Martial Arts Gym that are much smaller. read more

I am a professional Stuntwoman and a 2nd degree black belt in Judo. I absolutely love training at this facility. The instructors are outstanding, extremely skilled and professional. They have several different martial arts classes, but my favorite is Jeet Kune Do & Combat Jiu-Jitsu . My 12 year old daughter loves the aerial arts class or silks and the girls self defense classes . Additionally, I don't have to go to another facility to train with weights, it has it all. read more

I am the mother of a child with special needs, and this place has been fantastic! Every child is treated with warmth and respect, and every child is encouraged to do his or her best. After we found Ekata, my husband began studying, and they even have classes geared to moms! It really has something for every member of the family. I'm truly glad we found Ekata Martial Arts. read more

I absolutely love this Place. Its basically become a home away from home for me and my husband. The instruction is fantastic. I am new to martial arts, but already have fallen in to the desire to do more . Facility is super clean. I started with mediation then started JKD classes. Meditation room is wonderful. read more

Update: All your responses are BS mitigation, Ed. Our family communicated FOR SEVERAL MONTHS TO YOU via email, voicemail, and in-person messages left at the front desk. Repeat: McDOJO. read more

The best gym I have every been a member of. Several styles of martial arts with a focus on a balanced life. Great place !!! read more