We tried several martial arts studios in San Mateo and World Oyama is the perfect fit for our son…read moreand family. Our son has thrived here and have gotten a lot more assistance to improve his skills than some of the larger studios where he seemed like just a number. The dojo also fosters a sense of family from celebrating the holidays, having a bbq, and all working together to put an annual tournament together. We look forward to continuing to grow with this great dojo!

This place is pretty badass. The martial arts here are…read morevery traditional which I like a lot. I learned a lil Japanese here too which was cool. I went here for a lil while and really enjoyed myself. The schedule became a problem so I couldn't follow through like I wanted too. The teachers guide through in a safe environment, very welcoming , they really want you too learn. I like the fighting at the end when I really gotta chance to put all what I learned into action. The sensei is a definite proven blackbelt. You can tell he's a master with confidence and wisdom.

Our daughter absolutely loves coming to karate classes and always looks forward to every training…read moresession. Coach Greg is outstanding with children, both as a sports instructor and as a mentor. He knows how to motivate kids, teach them discipline, and make them feel confident and supported. These classes are not only about self-defense -- children also learn patience, respect, responsibility, and many other important values that help them grow both on and off the mat. I also really appreciate how the students who have been training for a longer time are always so kind and supportive toward the newer children. They help them selflessly, encourage them, and make them feel welcome, which creates such a positive and friendly environment. Our family gives this karate club our sincere and wholehearted recommendation!

Greg is the kind of mentor you want for your child . An amazing human and a dedicated teacher …read more USSD is a great place to have a vocation for a child for overall development and not just martial arts . As an organization, USSD is very well run with excellent communication and ample opportunity for growth and development for kids . The community is very good too as one would expect under good leadership.

This is still my favorite martial arts place. The owner is amazing and so is his whole family and…read morethe staff. It is very family oriented and they believe is good values. I love this place.

Awesome place for HIIT-style kickboxing. My household and I trained here for a quarter of the year…read more The coaches are super attentive and give you the right amount of oversight and feedback, and the class is definitely paced to keep your heart health in check. I loved the kind, person-centered and inviting characters of every facilitator.

My son has been a student for more than a year now. We love this studio more and more. The Sensais…read moreare great in working with our children. I have one son that has been a challenge in many ways and they have helped me to navigate working with him and teaching him discipline and respect. I have even started to train in the adult classes. This has been a great way for me to get into shape in a way that is fun for me. I can also get out some aggression and manage my stress. I am by no means rich, but the dojo has worked with my budget. One of the things i love the most is all the group classes are free. You pay for a lifetime membership and you can attend any group class at any location for the rest of your life. This was a great selling point for us. The private lessons are a continued expense, but you can book private lessons at a rate that works for you financially.

Coming from a tae kwon do dojo, I wasn't sure how well if take to a different style of martial art…read more Sensei Tim certainly made it easy. He has a great teaching style for both adults and kids. I have no fear leaving my six and three year old kids in his kids classes. The dojo is very family centric. There are complete families that do karate at the dojo. Many hang out after karate and do events together. Everyone is welcoming, helpful, and quite nice. I highly recommend this location.

Hanshi Sharifi is a gem in the Shotokan world. He trained under Hidetaka Nishiyama, a student of…read moreShotokan founder Gichin Funakoshi. His unique blend of Iranian heritage, karate, Qi Gong, and Sufism, means every training offers new insights to young, old, and in-between! I offer my humble perspective from a karate journey that began as a green belt in Wado Ryu under Hidetaka Abe sensei. I received my Shodan from sensei Frank Hashimoto of the JKA in 1984, and after a 20 + year break, I found Hanshi Sharifi in 2007. Starting over as a white belt was hard for me, but in retrospect, was a wise decision on Hanshi's part. I have my Yondan now, and continue to train with Hanshi Sharifi. I am not exaggerating when I say I learn something new every time I have the privilege of stepping into his dojo. Please visit us at The Church on the Corner in Albany to experience Shotokan karate in its traditional form!

I've been studying with Sensei Sharifi since 1989, and he still teaches every class himself. This…read moreis not squishy Berkeley martial arts-- we work hard!-- but I really appreciate Sensei's empahsis on karate as a means-to-an-end where the end is spiritual development. As if becoming a better karate practicioner is simply a good way to become a better human being. But thankfully he doesn't say things like this in class-- while he's hassling you about your sloppy technique, it's clear his underlying goal is self-improvement, not just knowing where to put your fist or foot. Sensei Sharifi clearly loves his students and loves what he does. He's especially good with kids... as close to Mr Miyagi as you're going to find. :-) Not a lot of sparring until you get to higher belts, but if you like working on mental and physical focus through practice (and more practice, and more practice) this is a good place.

It a wonderful place to learn. Teachers are strict but they help to keep your kid disciplined…read more Worth for your money

Staff here is awesome! Strict at times but show concern for kids and truly want them to succeed…read more Very family like feel having several gathering/outings every now and then. They teach an array of arts ranging from BJJ to escrima sticks. They have conditioning and sparring on certain days. We started as a month trial and now have been going on year 3 now. My kid loves it and looks forward to coming here. I'm glad he started here and would take him to any place else.

Love love love this place!! My kids started karate here and I am so impressed with how Master…read moreBentley (aka Head Teacher Derek) and his teachers meet them where they are and make them better. It has been awesome!!

Taylor's is a fantastic karate school! The teachers are very supportive while still maintaining…read morehigh standards for what their students should strive to achieve. They offer a wide variety of classes for kids, teens and adults. There is also a very diverse, kind community of students and families. You couldn't choose a better place to begin or continue your martial arts training!

This is a wonderful Dojo. Excellent for kids. Great blend of karate and kung-fu. Focus on…read moresparring and practical applications.

My two children have been attending Z-Ultimate karate with Sensei Molly for over a year now. The…read moredojo emphasizes three principles: - Respect - Discipline - Humility But in the time my children have spent with Sensei Molly, I've seen them develop so many more attributes, including: - Confidence - Enthusiasm - Strength - Coordination - Agility - Teamwork - ...and so much more I could go on and on about how much of a positive impact Sensei Molly and her dojo have had on my kids, but seeing is believing. If you are even remotely curious about signing up your kids for martial arts/self defense lessons, I highly recommend you drop in and view one of Sensei Molly's sessions--or, better yet, sign up your kids for a trial class. That's what my wife and I did, and it was a no-brainer for us to sign up for twice-weekly lessons. Whether in the dojo, at home, at school, or anywhere else, Sensei Molly's lessons of respect, discipline, and humility will shine through your kids.

From the moment we stepped into the United Bay Area Karate Club, Sensei Joane greeted us with a…read morewarm smile and introduced us to the other families, making us feel right at home. This dojo is a hidden gem, especially for first-timers. The instructors are exceptional--with class sizes, they give every student personalized attention, ensuring they master proper techniques while building confidence and life skills like discipline and respect. What truly stands out is how Sensei Joane and her coaches connect with each child. My kids were shy at first, but their patience and encouragement helped them come out of their shells. Now, they're more confident than ever and really look forward to class! They strike a perfect balance of discipline and support, meeting kids where they are--whether they're quiet or full of energy--and helping them grow at their own pace. Sensei Joane teaches Goju-Ryu, a style that focuses on close combat, making it an excellent choice for self-defense. As a world-class competitor, she's led UBAKC students to become USA Karate national champions and earn spots on the National Team pool. She instills a strong work ethic and a drive to excel, all within a safe and structured environment. If you're thinking about martial arts for your kids, UBAKC is the perfect place to start. The welcoming community and top-notch instruction have made such a difference for my children--I know yours will thrive here too!

Sensai Joane and the UBAKC community have been amazing. We have 2 kids that are part of the dojo…read moreand we can see the growth they have achieved in the last 4 years under her training. Our children are more confident in themselves and have become close to their fellow athletes. We feel it is a welcoming community of parents and athletes alike.