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    Fonseca Martial Arts - Wilmette

    5.0 (15 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 6:45 PM

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    4 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Our 6 year old son loves Fonseca. It is a calm and healthy environment for him to build confidence and physical coordination.

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    Ask the Community - Fonseca Martial Arts - Wilmette

    Review Highlights - Fonseca Martial Arts - Wilmette

    The sensei's are all passionate about their sport and that shines through in every class they teach.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

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    Illinois Shotokan Karate Clubs

    Illinois Shotokan Karate Clubs

    3.7
    (15 reviews)
    17.9 mi

    This a review for the Morton Grove location…read more Our 4 year old son had an absolute fantastic time with sensei Patel in the 4-7 year old beginner class. He looked forward to each class, and was always eager to tell us what he did in class. Sensei Patel did a fantastic job of balancing the class for all ages, not sidelining anyone, and instilling an eagerness in the students to learn more. Occasionally sensei Patel had to reign in, and redirect the energy a bit, however in a class geared towards rambunctious younger learners that is to be expected. For the following session we had him progress to a beginner/continuer 4-7 year old class. We wanted to keep him at the same or somewhat higher level of expectation as in sensei Patel's class. He was by far the youngest student in the class, and the older students were obviously much further down the road with their karate skills. The class ended up catering more towards the older students (6 and 7 year olds). What is needed to engage and motivate a 4-5 year old and a 6-7 year old student is quite different. Also, there are limits to what can be reasonably expected from a 4 year old student. With that said, the instructor was very skilled in martial arts, and for older students I can see him being suitable.

    Our boys have been training with ISKC since they were four years old. Almost 6 years later and one…read moreof them with a Sho Dan, we are still going strong! This place is more than a karate dojo to us, it is our extended family. We are very thankful that we found ISKC through our park district. From the excellent programs (for both young and old), to the top notch Senseis, nothing is short of the best. This organization is teaching my boys not only great karate (both competition and real life application), but also teaches them to be healthy, disciplined and confident about themselves. All these skills are directly helping them succeed in their school life as well and making them into well rounded individuals. My boys have also made great friends through this club that they will keep for a very long while! If you are looking for a karate club, par excellence, ISKC is definitely Chicagoland's top karate club! Highly recommended!

    Photos
    ISKC representing in the 2018 USA Karate Nationals
    ISKC representing in the 2018 USA Karate Nationals
    Some of our advanced youth classes at our main dojo location in Palatine.
    Some of our advanced youth classes at our main dojo location in Palatine.
    Sensei Dipasquale helping a brown belt student with his form in class.

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    Sensei Dipasquale helping a brown belt student with his form in class.
    Japan Karate Association of Chicago Sugiyama Dojo

    Japan Karate Association of Chicago Sugiyama Dojo

    5.0
    (7 reviews)
    9.8 mi

    For sure. You can find all kind of Japanese arts here. I…read morePractice Karate do in here and our dojo (Sugiyama Dojo) has a tremendous history and reputation. The Aikido class with Sensei Toyoya is the best in the city. Check out the website for updated classes and schedules. Please note the Center is now located in 2940 N Lincoln Ave Unit 2 Chicago, IL 60657 United States

    I took my first class at JKA about 4 months ago and have been hooked ever since! I had taken…read morekarate, aikido and jiu-jitsu about 10 yrs ago and wanted to get back into a martial art again. The only thing I knew about JKA was that it was Traditional Shotokan Karate (and I didn't even know what that meant.). I just knew I wanted to study a traditional form of karate and I was hoping to find a dojo oin the north side. I have so many positives to talk about that I don't think this page has enough room. First, the Sensei, Sensai Michael Arab, is fantastic!! (Senpai Lopez is as well!). The class is a mixed level and his skills at teaching reaches everyone in the room. He takes his time to challenge, encourage, push, watch from afar as you work and teach and explain traditional Shotokan movement and movement concepts. I smile in each class watching this true master of the art form teach multiple level classes, approach each student for personal growth and encouragement. I feel truly blessed that I have found his dojo, this traditional form of shotokan karate, this teacher and the fellow students because I am learning so much from a serious teacher. Secondly, the other students in the class have also been warm, welcoming, friendly, and encouraging. They have each taken a moment to introduce themselves and help me when I'm confused or not completely aware of what I was doing. Thirdly, the JKA is inside the Japanese Cultural Center on the second floor and the dojo is steeped in tradition without being intimidating if you have never been in a traditional dojo setting or if you are a beginner. The dojo is clean and comfortable in this setting. It is located 1/2 block west of the Belmont el and super easy to get to. My only complaint - I want to now take class every day and they don't offer classes every day.

    Photos
    Workshop with Kancho Kanazawa
    Workshop with Kancho Kanazawa
    Karate Rank test at the Lakeview Dojo this past Sunday.
    Karate Rank test at the Lakeview Dojo this past Sunday.
    Dojo on the 2nd Floor of Japanese Culture Center

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    Dojo on the 2nd Floor of Japanese Culture Center
    North Shore Dojo

    North Shore Dojo

    5.0
    (3 reviews)
    5.6 mi

    I have been a student of North Shore Dojo since 1980, with time away due to other life events. In…read morethese 40 plus years I have transitioned from a young adult to a senior. As my body and ability has changed Sensei Kohn and his other teachers have taken ability into consideration to maximize my current ability. Sensei Kohn has also taken into consideration for his children/teen students the same approach. He has also shown an excellent ability with children, teens and adults with disabilities. He takes a firm and caring approach to bring the most out of these students with physical and mental challenges. In the end each student can maximize their ability in Shotokan karate with strong support and training of Sensei Kohn and the other teachers at North Shore Dojo

    My daughter began coming here at age 5, and I just started karate at the age of 39; I'm addicted…read more Classes are taught by highly decorated Shihan Jeff Kohn (who goes by Sensei to everyone) and other Senseis (of 3rd degree black belt) and the training is an excellent workout for mind and body. Sensei Kohn has coached national teams and won myriad awards over the past 30+ years and also specializes in training those with physical and mental disabilities. He started Karate Can-Do Foundation to help children of all abilities reach their goals. If you're looking for more than park district level training, this dojo goes above and beyond in quality. So many success stories have gone through North Shore Dojo since 1979. I can't wait for my next class to work on my own success story!

    Photos
    Gold Medal in Kumite at 2018 USA Karate Nationals
    Gold Medal in Kumite at 2018 USA Karate Nationals
    NSD Athletes win big at USA Karate Nationals 2018
    NSD Athletes win big at USA Karate Nationals 2018
    North Shore Dojo

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    Zen Buddhist Temple of Chicago

    Zen Buddhist Temple of Chicago

    4.0
    (2 reviews)
    2.8 mi

    My brain feels like it got a bath. No, that's a good thing! I feel shiny and new and serene and…read moreblissful. And quiet. And still. And this is hours after leaving the Zen Buddhist Temple in Evanston. I attended their Sunday afternoon Zazen sitting. For those of you unfamiliar with Zazen, it's a meditation, or just sitting without thinking for a good long while. There's some guided chanting in English and Japanese with walking meditation thrown in for good measure. And that's a hell of a lot harder than it sounds. I fidgeted, I wiggled, my thoughts kept sneaking in reminding me of my undone laundry, unpaid bills, my misplaced shorts, unread novels. My knees ached, my nose itched, my hands were hot and sweaty. I prayed for the sitting to end. I kept sneaking looks around the temple. And yet I walked out in bliss, high on cloud nine. Yep, I'm a fan of Zazen meditation after the fact, even though I hated it 5 minutes earlier. While the congregation seems small, they're friendly and very willing to explain different parts of the service that seems alien to a Westerner like me, which is something that I haven't found in other temples I've attended. In my experience, Buddhists are a rare breed - they're the happiest campers on earth, but they really couldn't give a rat's ass about being friendly to newcomers. But not here. I'm not sure if I'll be back though - the service was well over 2 hours. Yes, that probably why I feel so sparkling clean and refreshed at the moment, but 2 hours of sitting and trying to clear the mind is an hour too long for this Westerner born and raised in our ADHD culture where we prefer everything at a million miles an hour. Which means I should be 2 million miles away from here.

    [I feel weird rating this, because I feel like this is the last kind of place I should be judging,…read morebecause part of the point is not to judge...but here goes] One of my favorite quotes is by Gandhi: "Be the change you want to see in the world". Well, there has been a lot of conflict in my life lately, both from without and probably even moreso within, so I understand if I want to be a part of that change, it has to start with myself. I am the first one to admit how fallible and flawed I am, and hopefully as long as I am of this earth (well, beyond that too), I will not cease trying to remedy that. I have read many texts on Buddhism and been interested for years in the philosophy, and had tried meditation on my own, but had never been to a formal practice. I decided today was the perfect time to start (or I guess, in a way, continue). The Buddhist temple near me did not have a service today, so I decided to try this one. I drove by it at first, because it was not a temple like I was expecting, but was a storefront in Evanston. Lesson one, don't judge by first impressions or by outward appearances. As we walked in, this very kind grey bearded man greeted us and briefly explained how the afternoon would work. We began with a chant that at first I was taken aback because his voice was so deep and this was all so different for me, but as it went on I appreciated the words (part of it was in English) and the beat was comforting, like a heartbeat. Then we took our spots on the mats and began the first sitting. He gently came around and corrected our postures, and briefly explained proper breathing, etc. At first it was hard to shut out my thoughts, but it came much easier after a while, and I was surprised when he announced the end of the first sitting. Then we did a walking meditation around the room, which pointed out a lesson I well need to learn--that I need to slow down and be more patient with those around me, and that I don't always need to focus on getting to the end point... After that, we did a seated session again (which after walking, was hard to focus and settle into). During this, he briefly gave us what I guess would be the equivalent of a sermon, though in a very calm and soothing voice and not preachy at all, but thoughtful. I appreciated it. Then we finished our sitting, and we made an offering to the altar (totally voluntary, and it is not to any god) and bowed in thanks. I was shocked and amazed to find out the sittings had been 40 minutes--he said he does not tell people that, and I agree if I had known I probably would have been much more antsy. He also took the time to answer any questions, ask us how we felt about it, etc. They also have 10 hour sessions once a month, but I personally don't know if I will ever be that Zen! It left me feeling very peaceful and very hopeful...I then went to the lake with a friend to just sit, read, and be with our thoughts, and I am sure the session helped put us in that frame of mind. I want to check out other temples, but I may go back. And I would not hesitate to recommend this place to anyone interested in finding out more about Zen meditation. Namaste.

    Photos
    Zen Buddhist Temple of Chicago
    Zen Buddhist Temple of Chicago
    Zen Buddhist Temple of Chicago

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    Fonseca Martial Arts - Wilmette - selfdefenseclasses - Updated July 2026

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