The worst school that any parent could take their kids to or anybody for that fact. Once several…read moreyears ago this place had a school in El cajon and La mesa. I'm sorry the worst instruction I have ever seen. Terrible and crappy as you can get. One of the instructors said kicks are made for the body and not to the head. Then he went on saying what works we use and if it doesn't work we don't use it. Then he went on saying you have to spar with a black belt to see if your worth training. What a load of crap. Although I went their undercover,bi have been in martial arts for over forty five years and was a third degree at the time and took there so called black belt instructor to the ground. It's a joke of a school and I would urge you to save your money and go elsewhere. My green belt students were far superior to there so called black belts. They suck and that is being as polite as I can. They can offer you nothing. The worst of the worst. It should say American colleges of crap

I've grown up participating in this style of Martial Arts. It is excellent for strength training,…read moremental toughness, and discipline. I would highly recommend this studio to anyone looking to build confidence and strength.

LOVE this establishment, highly recommend!…read more PROs: Hands down the best choice for martial arts for kids in the area. Master Kenny and his colleagues are true professionals. They have the knowledge and attitude to keep kids attention non-stop while instilling the tenants of Tang Soo Do. My kid loves going to class and it's quite a show to watch. No matter the skill level, they give every child the same amount of attention, discipline, and respect. The very flexible class schedule is also supportive of family schedules. Looking forward to staying here for years to come! CONs: Parking is tough but otherwise this place rocks!

Master Kenneth Purnell is amazing! My 6-year-old daughter started a little over a month ago and has…read morealready learned so much. When she asked to take karate after seeing Karate Kid, I honestly didn't think she'd follow through -- but she absolutely loves it here. I've even met parents who trained under Master Kenneth themselves and now drive from far away so their own kids can learn from him, which says so much about his skill and impact. He runs the class with discipline, precision, and so much compassion for kids at every level. The flexible schedule helps fit class into our busy life, and there's a truly special, welcoming energy. Highly recommend!

As one of the school's mottos states, "the proof is in the results."…read moreWow! Is that an understatement!! Well, I came to learn self- defense. I got that in spades, but also learned so many other things about how the mind works and improve every aspect of your life. If you want to transform your body, mind and spirit there's only one place and it's here!! Trust me, I began here at the school 23 years ago and I'm still here. That is a testament to how much there is to learn here and of course I'm still learning every day! Thank you, White Tiger for everything you've given me in my family!

My wife and I have been training at White Tiger Kung Fu since 2005 and loving it!!! Now, our 3 kids…read moretrain with us as well, highly recommended!!!

There are many "Karate" places out there, but this is REAL karate! Sensei Juan goes beyond giving…read moremembers a workout. Way beyond! He teaches how Shotokan Karate is a way of life. How it is something you can do for a lifetime and how you can apply the teachings to everyday life. He shows Japanese terminology, kata, discipline, self-defense. He focuses on good form and does not give away belts just to keep parents (and kids) happy. Sensei Juan is passionate about what he teaches. It is his own way of life and you can tell. And he has infinite patience teaching little ones. I have been taking my 3-1/2 year old son to this dojo for 8 months and could not be happier. Sensei Juan Balmaceda carefully evaluated my son before committing to teaching him as he is on the younger side. My son is now learning his first kata! Another great thing: Sensei Juan keeps progressing in his own path through Shotokan karate, attending conferences to keep updated and passing exams to climb the belt ladder. This is definitely a great dojo!

Our daughter (7 years old) has been training at this martial arts school for over a year now, and I…read morecan honestly say it has been one of the most meaningful experiences of her childhood so far. When we first enrolled her, it was simply to introduce a new form of exercise and help build her confidence. But what we discovered was so much more than just a class--it became a place where she grew, matured, and found something she truly loves. From the very beginning, I noticed how happy she was every time she stepped onto the mat. Watching her focus so intensely during class and seeing how proud she was of her progress made my heart full. Her confidence has grown in ways I never expected, and the joy she brings home--even practicing on her own--shows how deeply this has resonated with her. One of the things that stands out the most is the incredible consistency and structure the dojo maintains. The principal and the foundation of this dojo are grounded in expectations that are strict, but completely reasonable. Students are expected to come prepared, stay focused, practice, and give their best. And what's remarkable is how the instructors carry that same tone throughout every session--firm, supportive, and unwavering in their commitment to holding each student accountable. This level of structure has helped our daughter thrive, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. Each Sensei is compassionate, attentive, and truly invested in each child. They all make sure each student receives equal attention, no matter their pace or personality. I love not only rooting for my own daughter but finding myself cheering for every child in the room. You can actually see them growing--not just in technique, but in kindness, courage, and respect for one another. What moves me the most is the culture Freestyle Martial Art has created. Yes, the kids compete with each other sometimes, but afterward they show such kindness and encouragement. They lift each other up. They celebrate each other's wins. They comfort each other's frustrations. That kind of environment isn't an accident--it's a direct reflection of the teaching, leadership, and values here. We are incredibly grateful for the impact this school has had on our daughter. Her confidence, her focus, her discipline, and her sense of pride have all blossomed because of this place. Watching her progress under such exceptional guidance has been a gift, and we look forward to seeing her continue to grow in this amazing community. If you're looking for a martial arts school that teaches more than just technique--one that shapes character, builds confidence, and creates a truly supportive culture--this is the place.

Great place for kids to learn martial arts. Mr. Miller is very patient with children. He teaches…read morekids to be respectful and to follow rules, but creates an environment that's fun for the kids. My son loves coming here!

I attended La Mesa Dojo's first class last Friday and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Senpai Saif is…read moredeeply knowledgeable about Kyokushin Karate and has been doing it for decades. He simplifies the concepts so that they are beginner-friendly. He also incorporates old-school training methods to condition your body, improve flexibility, and strike hard. Over the last 25 years, I've trained in a lot of different Kyokushin dojos across the U.S. and I can say this has the potential to be one of the best ones. I also train with Senpai Saif @ the other Shin Kyokushin dojo in Poway. The space itself is where the classes take place is inside of Premier Fight and Fitness Gym, which has good quality mats and 2 heavy bag and 2 standing bags along with a lot of muay thai pads and kick shields.

It's amazing being a white belt again and learning from the ground up in a new martial art . Senpai…read moreSaif is a patient and very knowledgeable instructor. He does a great job of catering to all skill levels in the class. Osu

Jan 3 2025 update:…read more I'm at 22 medals (14 medals this year alone!!) since starting in Oct 2022. Amazing results and continue to appreciate sensei's patience and support for the growth of all of his students. He is truly one of a kind and a fantastic teacher of Judo! ALSO, as of 1/3/2025 our sensei is the number 1 judoka in the nation! See picture attached. Come learn from the best!

It was a very good experience, the head instructor was very welcoming, and the students seemed very…read morekind and eager to train. It's a little pricey, though it's outside of my price range, I definitely recommend it, if it's in your budget.

(The only negative I have to say is the parking lot can get full! Sometimes you gotta circle the…read moreblock) My oldest kid has been going for 8 months, got a belt promotion, has made friends, and is still eager to go every time The flexibility of being able to pick which days to go is great...some weeks we go every day, some weeks we can only make it to one or two. But it all still makes an impact! I personally love the range of ages, (and how there are plenty of girls and boys), and seeing them all paired up differently each class. My kid enjoys both training with older students, but also guiding the younger kids too. The environment is always chill - Professor Morgan could not be more zen and composed, especially at the end of a class with 12+ little kids. I need to learn his secrets! A great local, family-operated dojo...we are big fans :)

We just wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank Professor Morgan and his family for the time,…read morepatience, and dedication they've shown while teaching our daughter jiu jitsu. It's clear that they not only have a knowledge of the art, but also a true gift for working with young kids. Professor Morgan's ability to keep them focused, engaged, and excited to learn--while still teaching them discipline, respect, and confidence--is something really special. We've seen such growth in our daughter from age 4 to 6, Thank you for being such a positive role model and for creating a space where our daughter feels both challenged and supported. We're grateful for everything you do and for this wonderful space that you have created--we love Sunny Dojo!