Truly one of the best decisions putting our son in here for the past 3 years. We would still be…read moregoing if we weren't moving. They helped a 3.5 year old get stronger physically and mentally, encouraged sportsmanship and discipline with kindness. The staff is great and they do activities and programs outside the classes to really make it feel like a community. Highly recommend them to anyone looking for a great community karate program/community for their child.

C has been coming to Pandas Karate for a few months now and absolutely loves it. He started the…read morePre-Karate program (2.5-3 years old) a week before he turned 2.5yo. The first class was free, which was nice because C just observed from the side lines for the first 20 minutes of class until the moon bounce came out (what toddler would pass this up?!). Since C didn't really participate his first class, Ms. Susan (one of the owners) was kind enough to let him try the class again the following week free of charge. This time around, C participated and really enjoyed it. The Pre-Karate class is once a week in the early evening. The class is broken up into three parts, which I like since the attention span of a toddler is quite short. Each class begins with a short story followed by stretching while counting to 10 in Korean. Then they move onto practicing their karate skills/technique, which generally consists of stance, blocking, punching, and kicking. The last part of the class consists of a sport or game with the theme changing each month. On the last class of the month, they bring out the moon bounce. At the end of class, everyone gets a sticker. The owners, Mr. Daniel and Ms. Susan, are both fantastic. They are extremely kind and really good with children. You could tell they enjoy their jobs a lot. They both have a lot of patience, especially with the little ones. The other instructors (C has worked with Ms. Stephanie and Mr. Peter) are good as well. Besides having great, caring instructors, another thing I liked about Pandas Karate was the fact that you didn't have to sign a long term contract. Payments are monthly, with a slight discount (and free uniform) if you sign a four month contract. Pandas Karate not only teaches Karate, it also enhances listening skills, teaches manners, and can enhance one's self confidence. I highly recommend checking Pandas out!

This Shotokan Karate dojo is a fully participating and certifying member of ISKF. I've taken both…read moreTae Kwon do and Shotokan Karate before in other places, so I know what to look for in a martial arts dojang / dojo. Sensei Nguyen teaches a very traditional form of Shotokan Karate using the prescribed kata taught by Gichin Funakoshi and his closest followers. He emphasizes not just the traditional instruction given to all karateka, but he also includes free form kumite ('jiyu kumite') for colored belts, and ground techniques! The ground techniques are an extra bonus that you won't find being given frequently in other karate dojos anywhere else. The atmosphere is pleasant, but intense with an emphasis on physical fitness and fundamental techniques. I'm very happy to have had the opportunity to be instructed by Sensei Nguyen. Instruction is open to all children, youth, adults and elderly. The instruction given by Sensei Nguyen at the dojo is an excellent value for the money. You won't be disappointed.

Best place ever!!!!!!! The instructors are so loving with the children is like a dream come…read moretrue!!!!! They teach them a lot of great moves and in between discipline....but in a fun way...what a team.....my son has so much fun he can hardly wait for the next class....my son is in little pandas half hour lesson....but I get it....their attention span is short at this age and that is good enough..... Should see the little ones so excited and ready to kick some cushions :)....love them love them love them.....

I should start by saying that I spent 23 years with the same dojo and Sensei back in my home state…read moreso it's taken me 5 years to find a place that I could let my bias go a bit and give it a shot. I have three kids (12, 9, 6) and I really want them to experience the benefits that martial arts gave me. We discovered Master Sies and his karate school through a demonstration at my kid's International night. I could immediately tell that Master Sies's students were getting quality instruction and having fun. We agreed to go check out the studio. That was about a year and a half ago probably and my kids have been members of the school ever since. They all love it and are really benefiting from the art. The karate instructors there are amazing. Every single one of them are absolutely meant to help kids learn the art of karate. They are funny, happy, compassionate and more importantly good at teaching. It starts at the top because Master Sies is very impressive. Not only does he have the pedigree to boot (7-time world kickboxing champ) but he is also a wonderful instructor that really empowers kids to keep going. The school has class options 7 days a week so there's an option for every busy family out there. The instruction is perfect for all kids and the benefits of karate are unparalleled. You have to see your child's smile and confidence grow after their first belt-test and they break their very first board. If you live within driving distance to Olney I would make this a karate school to check out if you are considering getting your kids involved. I literally spent the first four years we lived here visiting different karate schools. I took numerous classes and met many of the area's karate instructors. I was extremely picky obviously (for good reason though) but I think my patience worked out. Ultimately, this was about getting my kids into karate and in a studio that I would be proud of, and I found it in Master Method. I even joined for a little while but my many years of sports injuries proved to be too much for me. That being said, this also is a good studio for adults to learn the art. Plus they even have amazing kick boxing and Zumba classes for parents that just have fitness goals they are looking to achieve. Side note: Olney is a nice area so it makes the trips worthwhile. Lots of stores and restaurants but with more of smaller town feeling.

I dont know the right words to describe just how amazing KTMA is for my child and families alike…read more Since day one (almost 3yrs ago now) they have been nothing but kind to my daughter and our family. My daughter started attending King Tiger Martial Arts when she was 5yrs old, she's now 8 and we have no plans to leave anytime soon! In addition to the necessary techniques and skills learned in the Tae Kwon Do program; students are taught the importance of being a responsible helpmate at home, the importance of focus when at school and how they can make a difference in their community. This program helped reinforce the same skills we teach at home and I have witnessed my daughter grow in areas of social responsibilities, confidence & respect. It doesn't just take a village; it takes the right village. Master Se is phenomenal! I don't think he ever has a bad day as he is always there with a smile! His positive demeanor shines not just with him but trickles down throughout his awesome team: Ms. Alene (sp?), Ms. Madge, Mr. Nathan, Mr. Mccaugh and a few others I'm forgetting. The entire staff is amazing. It's evident that not only do they like their jobs, they like each other and they absolutely love the kids.

My 2 boys, ages 9 & 5, attend King Tiger Martial Arts and I started taking classes right along with…read morethem! We started going to keep in shape during Covid and partly for me to live out my dream of being a Kung Fu fighting Hero and we ended up falling in love with it and the teachers! Just recently the instructors incorporated a "Squid Game" theme for our class and it was soo much fun that we were almost ok with doing intense training because of all the fun we were having. That just shows, to me at least, that the teachers are knowledgeable on the current times/events and are committed to looking for new ways to keep us engaged. Did I mention how friendly and kind everyone from the owner to staff members are? They are patient with my boys, but also stern and I find that to be a great balance. I can't wait to see how much we all grow from these classes and experience. I recommend King Tiger Martial Arts to all! Even if you think you're old like me sign up lol!

I did classes here for 2+ years, I can't say enough good things about this place and the…read moreinstructors, esp Master Thomas. It was perfect for me as a martial arts enthusiast. While there's focus on Kata, the dojo actually approaches training from a mixed martial arts approach.

MOST Highly Recommended!! It will be hard for you to find an instructor like Master Thomas. I had…read morethe opportunity to train briefly with him back in the '80's although he wasn't my primary instructor. His depth of knowledge and experience is amazing. He was the king of "mixed martial arts" before there was such a thing! The way you'll learn weapons, Empty hand, juijitsu and all the tools of real life self defense is a unique curriculum that most other teachers haven't developed or really care too... me included! I've been teaching on my own out of state for years but I dream of visiting his school and being humbled in his presence. If you're looking for a school for you or your kids you should consider the teacher's personal character, and here again Master Thomas sets a standard that most teachers can't match. Anybody who has a belt has earned it, and whereas most 1st blacks you see these days at the studios are totally incompetent, I pity someone who would mess with ANY of his black belts! They earn it! Particularly, over the years I've enjoyed telling my own students about his approach to the board breaking requirements - very unique and well thought out! I just realized my next phone call should be to Southwest airlines!!

My kids started with Kaizen in kindergarten as an after school club. That's how they started…read more They've had 3 years of Kaizen summer camp now at the Tifereth IsraeI facility. My oldest daughter is a purple belt. She's in weekend and Monday night classes during the school year. The instructors are excellent - that's the distinction. They know the students. It's a cooperative and disciplined environment. When I observe a class, the students all seem like leaders irrespective of their belt colors. They look purposeful to me. With Kaizen, it's a never-ending season. And no one sits on the bench. I could go on about how this helps my parenting role, but every kid is unique. I've seen kids engage; I've seen them mature.

I have tried to register my 4 kids with Kaizen Karate since 2012 fall. I have heard such good thing…read moreabout them and the instructors. Whenever I tried to go to their website I felt I am signing up for a high level security job. The online registration system is far most the difficult for after school sign ups. I like to do my things online. It is much easier for me to pull my records. I had my kids in one week Kaizen camp. I was told they don't take checks by a gentlemen. I paid by phone with their office staff. I received a flyer and PTA ask me to write a check. I believe they are still old school with online registration. If they would consider upgrading I would return and refer other families.

Our family loves Senshi Karate. My 3yo has been a student here for about 6 months. The…read morecommunication with us parents is very refreshing. One of the first things I noticed when we visited the dojo was that Sensei David knew each student by name. The atmosphere is so warm and personable; yet challenging and inspiring. The training method keeps it fun but also keeps it challenging. My 3 yo enjoys her time here and she is building confidence and becoming more focused. The entire family are all black belts and they really empower young students by conveying the message that you can do anything you put your mind to

My daughter loves this class. Always looks forward to coming. Kind people, who really engage the…read morekids.

Trained here for almost four years and was approaching my shodan test. I used to think of aikido as…read moremy organizing principle. That all changed when a third-degree black belt instructor dropped me on my head. He was showing off for his buddy, the chief instructor. Both those men are no longer at this dojo, but regardless I cannot train any more as I used to - following my concussion, I tried to come back (after time off for recuperation). But after weeks/months of headaches, and trying various sorts of accommodations, my doctor strongly recommended that I discontinue training. Aikido may be called the "art of peace" and its practitioners may say that good ukemi will neutralize any throw. But it is still possible for a careless person to injure you badly. I used to think (see my previous review) that if I spoke up, was careful about whom I trained with, and practiced diligently, it would protect me from harm. Not true. Being a good driver does not always save you from the bad drivers. (I decided to update my old review, after much time and thought, so that newcomers will have a more complete picture. It's hard to ask questions of people who have left.) As with any endeavor: caveat emptor. Do your research. Visit multiple places and compare them, before you choose. Ask around - what is the reputation of the place you are considering? What is their record for follow-up when someone gets injured? How long have the most senior students been training at this place? Are classes made up of mostly newbies - i.e., does the student body turn over regularly, or are there a lot of stalwarts? How many black belts come to practice regularly? (an indication of whether the place continues to offer room for growth, once that first black belt has been attained). How often is the chief instructor present and instructing? What precautions are in place when junior (smaller/younger/inexperienced) students train with senior (stronger/faster/aggressive) students? How long has each teacher been teaching? (Being a skilled practitioner is not always the same as being a good teacher.) Pick your partners (and teachers) carefully. (Even if everyone says "but he's such a nice guy!" - if you break a collarbone because he attempted a too-ambitious throw, you will be the one in a sling, not the nice guy.) How often does the dojo host community events? Do senior staff/teachers show up for community events? I have visited from time to time. (I still hang out socially with many friends from here.) With all my heart I still miss the practice and the community I used to have. But I have had to step back from both.

NEEDED to find a social outlet for my 5-year old grandson while he is on an extended visit from out…read moreof state. NEEDED to find a safe, social, in-person way for him to spend time and energy with little people his own size. So perfectly pleased to have found DC Aikido --- perfect fit. He was hooked from the first class. 3x a week - in the dojo - with 30 minute sessions is exactly the right prescription. Right across the street from the Red Line Metro --- and free parking garage for drivers like us. The most important part: The instructors are amazing. Patient like saints but with an eye toward discipline. Great instruction at the 5-6 year old level mixed with discipline and exercise. The classes are very disciplined for spacing, too --- all of the students and staff are good about wearing their masks and keeping the students on "their own square" to keep social distance norms intact. So sorry my grandson is going home at the end of this month. Thank you, DC Aikido!

Instructor Ibby is an awesome teacher! He's very patient and encouraging. He has a way of…read moreintegrating many different skill levels in one class so we can learn from each other and he gives attention to everyone. I also have a bad ankle so this class has really been helpful in incorporating exercises to strengthen it. There's various classes for all age groups and the first class is free in case you'd like to try it but you're unsure. I'd say give it a shot! You learn great technique, form, and sweat up a storm. Most of all, it's a fun environment for everyone. I really enjoy coming here. We do different exercises so it never gets boring. I look forward to improving my technique!

Finding Victory Karate was fate! I originally walked in just get information and quickly recognized…read moreMaster A. He taught my brother over 10 years ago when he also had a cardio kickboxing class that my mom and I enjoyed very much! Now, I take my 4 year old and although Mr A usually instructs the older kids and adults, Ms Rachel is fantastic with the younger children. Mr A often joins Ms Rachel in instructing the younger kids and they make a great team together. If you'd like for your children to learn Karate and have fun at the same time, this is the place to be!