Honestly I cannot say enough good things about Fonseca Martial Arts. I enrolled my son for lessons…read moreabout a year ago when he was 6 years old. The transformation I have seen in him through his development in karate is nothing short of incredible. He's moved quickly through the program and has now moved into the intermediate level class. All of the instructors are phenomenal with the kids. The classes remain fun and age appropriate while still maintaining the discipline and respect that are the hallmarks of karate. My son participated in his very first "Dojo Duel" last spring and loved it. Dojo Duels are a fun introduction to competitive karate, allowing students to learn about competition in a very fun way. All the participants are recognized and receive medals, but they still recognize the top competitors in every age group as well. You can really go as far as you want with Fonseca. If you want to learn & compete at an international/Olympic level you can, as many Fonseca students compete on the world stage. John Fonseca himself is a legend in the sport and you will find him working in all the dojo locations and providing the students with his expertise. We love Sensei Dave at the Wilmette Dojo, he clearly cares about his students and really invests his time in their development. My son often arrives early or stays after class (by choice) because he is so eager to learn from him. He also has taken private lessons (again by his own request) so he can perform at his best in competition. He will be participating in another Dojo Duel this fall and then his first major competition, the Fonseca Cup. This place is the real deal, you will not regret sending your child.

We had been told for years to try Karate. Unfortunately, we listened to those who had not tried…read morebefore, thinking that it would bring out aggressive tendencies in our kids and that they'd be practicing in each other all the time. We wish we had not listened to these people. Fonseca has been such a wonderful oasis for my kids. Let's begin with the heart and soul of the program: the amazing Sensei's. These men and women are such wonderful role models. They are always supportive, energized, and keep the class moving. They focus on the importance of character foremost rather than the outcome. My kids happily go at least 2 times a week - which is a miracle in itself. They are in a class where there is a wide range of ages and skill levels but no one ever feel intimidated or embarrassed. They get a very intense workout, while having fun, making new friends, gaining coordination and confidence. If you've ever thought of having your kiddos try Karate, don't wait! Sign them up. You will not regret it.

I've been attending the adult classes for about a year now. I've been previously training at gyms…read morefor strength and conditioning on and off for a few years. I was looking for something more consistent that both me and my wife can join together that would be a fun activity but also be useful in our daily lives. My goal for myself was to learn proper self defense, gain flexibility, learn moves that not only look cool but were effective, and to learn some history and tradition. And I also did not want a school that would be too intimidating for my wife who gardens for a living and had never had any previous fight training. Our first impressions were we loved the bamboo garden outside and the Dojang was clean, everyone was very respectful, welcoming, and had a very diverse group of students from all skill levels. Our first week of class felt like having a personal trainer, very qualified, strong, friendly and knowledgeable. After a few months, we've already seen a huge boost in our confidence levels. And one year later, we were consistently able to attend the classes, learn so many new techniques and forms, and learned much about the art. Grand Master S.H. Yu's school has elements of many traditional styles, including Taekwondo kicks, Shotokan forms, Hapkido takedowns, boxing techniques, and martial arts stances from many different styles that also help condition and improve balance. The adult classes, however are not geared for competition, this is mostly for self defense and self improvement. We practice safety in our techniques to avoid injury and not set our goals backwards. It's geared toward longevity as a martial arts practitioner. I did notice that these classes continue to improve me and my wife's skills, has a huge benefit both mentally and physically, and is something we both always look forward to attending.

I can't say enough about the profound impact this Taekwondo Dojhang has had on my daughter. She…read morejoined several years ago during a difficult time in her life, when she was enduring some pretty intense bullying. She needed not only a physical outlet for the pain and trauma, but a place where she could rebuild her spirit and regain her confidence. From the very first day, the dojhang became that healing space. I owe so much to Supreme GrandMaster Yu and Master Wilson for their unwavering support and guidance. Their commitment to fostering a positive, affirming environment has helped my daughter grow in ways I never imagined. Thanks to their training and mentorship, she's not only progressed to First Dan Black Belt but has also discovered new strength in herself--mentally, emotionally, and physically. This place is about so much more than mastering techniques; it's about developing the values of respect, resilience, perseverance, and integrity. It's been a place where my daughter has not only gained focus, improved her posture, and built confidence, but also healed and flourished. She's now thriving, both on and off the mat, and I am forever grateful for the safe, supportive community that has been such a huge part of her journey. If you're looking for a place that will nurture both your child's martial arts skills and their inner strength, this Dojhang is truly a treasure.

Still an amazing dojo with high quality instructors and serious students! I have been a member of…read moretheir Aikido dojo for 10+ years, and would highly recommend! This place has very traditional Aikido instruction and is the real deal when it comes to Japanese martial arts. Come try out a few classes! Then stay for a few more! Mastery takes repetition and refinement of movements. Starting something new will always be scary or uncomfortable, but the student community and instructors are here to support your journey!

The owner of this dojo respects and honors the traditional Japanese arts of Judo and Aikido and…read moreoffers great classes for all levels with thoughtful and talented teachers. My son is 7 and attends Judo twice a week here and loves it. We have found it to be a supportive and positive environment that challenges him while also teaching sportsmanship and discipline. It is a welcoming community where students work hard and have fun while gaining so much confidence. My son recently participated in his first Judo tournament and had so much fun. He was encouraged and supported by both teachers and classmates and had a great experience. I highly recommend this dojo!

TMA is great. My 8yr old son has been doing it for 3yrs. Master Lee is the best instructor. It has…read morebeen an excellent program for both teaching strength and self discipline. I would recommend this place to anyone who's looking for a martial arts class for their kid.

My son has been attending TMA since he was 5 years old. With so many Taekwondo schools to choose…read morefrom, we weren't sure which would be the best fit. However, a friend in the field recommended Master Lee as an excellent mentor, and we're glad we followed their advice. Over the past three years, we've seen tremendous growth in our son's confidence and character. He used to be very shy, but now he's full of energy and enthusiasm. Through Taekwondo, he's learning to be respectful and developing leadership skills as he advances through the belts. We're incredibly proud of his progress, and he loves attending practice each week. We highly recommend TMA!

My entire family has studied Hapkido with Master Ky for 5+ years. He is an excellent teacher and…read moreteaches with enthusiasm, integrity and respect. He does an excellent job of helping you understand the mechanics of Hapkido and self-defense strategies.

Truly this is a school for people of all ages. Seniors get your spry on! All ages, kids, teens, and…read moreadults learning their power to stay safe from falls and protect themselves and others.

This academy definitely emphasizes safety and solid technique. The kids class starts with…read moreunderstanding the best techniques to avoid or escape from physical conflict and then leads to techniques that can be used to keep you safe if your in an unavoidable situation. Once these basic skills are mastered you learn sport jujitsu techniques that can be applied in a tournament situation. The initial emphasis on self defense without permanently hurting your opponent is a great skill for all kids to learn. If there is an interest in competition the academy can get you there. Adult classes are accelerated with an emphasis on flow drills that can get you to the point that you can walk into any academy, train with confidence, and not worry about getting hurt or hurting others. If you're a goon or a bully, this is not the place for you. If you want to be a great training partner, stay (or get) in shape and be safe; this is a great place to begin your jujitsu journey.

Excellent school with a great environment. Great teacher and traditional martial arts training in…read morethe Ving Tsun style of Kung Fu with roots in Hong Kong at the Ving Tsun Athletic Association.

A great school, in the tradition of Ip Ching, son of Ip Man, led by Sifu Matthew Johnson, an…read moreextremely well-read, thoughtful, insightful, wise gentleman, and brilliant, authentic martial artist. Also a lovely group of people, friendly, intelligent, and kind. A true kung fu family! Very highly recommended!

Their TKD and camp programs are run really well run and the kids love it. Master Roger and the…read moreleaders build relationships with each student and meets them where they're at. We've been coming here for years and my son loves each program that he does at Chang's - classes, spring break camp and summer camp! We've done several camp programs (probably over a dozen) and this is by far my son's favorite. I appreciate the exercise he gets and picking him up nice and sweaty from a good work out. He loves that he gets to spend all day w the leaders, they make everything fun and truly are the best! And the drop off and pick up process is convenient too - perfect for busy parents!

This place is so amazing. My son comes here and before he started classes he was so sensitive and…read morehe would always get picked on. After a few months of going to Chang's , my son is no longer having issues when I am not around! He can do 200 consecutive back flips! It's amazing!