I am a black belt who has been training with Master Joyner at USSD Encinitas for over 17 years. If…read moreyou think that suggests a biased review, let me explain. I have actually trained with USSD since 1998 and have experienced the style and discipline of 4 other instructors, including another Master instructor at another USSD studio in the last few weeks. I am a Physician by profession and can easily discern personal as well as professional skills and comportment. Master Joyner masters both. His group classes are rigorous....but karate is not meant to be easy. Considering he is a 5th degree black belt, with rare exceptions, Master Joyner is always the instructor in his group and private classes, very unusual in this industry. He also works really well with children of all ages. If you have any desire to do martial arts or to simply help your child with discipline and structure, I highly recommend this skilled and compassionate instructor at USDD Encinitas!

This place is horrible. I came here and did karate for 2 years until i was a purple belt and had to…read moreleave because it was terrible. My brother is a little sensitive, and Master Joyner hates kids who cry. For example, my brother forgot to bring a note to class, so he was stressed about it. He was given 50 pushups and leap-frogs, and was out of breath so naturally, he started crying. Master Joyner got so mad that he grabbed him by his HAIR and yelled at him. He also grabbed the back of his gi and shoved him into the closet, and there was another person even watching. he resumed saying to the other kid who was a white belt, "See, *name*, I'm not rude, this is just how I act, okay?" The kid nodded in shock and I was standing against the wall while he said this, and I was scared horribly when he did this because it is generally scary to have a teacher do this. My parents later emailed him and he said that he didn't do it!! he is a horrible liar and a bad person in general.

I went there before it's really fun and on Fridays they normally have little party witch are funread more

Thank you Jr. for your dedication to your practice!…read more Thank you Master Siefu and Sempai Jen and all the staff at West Coast Martial Arts for your dedication to students and building him up to be a stronger individual! WCMA is a strong community of compassionate instructors and students!!! We are proud of Jr. for Never Giving Up!!!!

I am amazed and thankful how our 7 year daughter has grown in skill and confidence in only 30 days!…read more Master Pattison knew exactly what to say and how to get her comfortable very quickly and worked with her through her initial unease. Thank you

We love CMA! My 4 yr son is so excited to go to class and asks every day if he can go. I really…read morelove that it's paid like a gym membership that he can use or not use as much as he wants. The patience of Master Pattison and all the teachers there is really amazing. My son can get very distracted and unfocused and the teachers gently bring him back and he is really learning respect, focus and self control. We are very glad to be a part of CMA

I've been training with Kickforce Martial Arts for the last 3 months & all I can admit is…read more.. Don't think about joining here if you're not READY to break a SWEAT. Don't think about joining here if you're not READY to become a LEADER of your own LIFE. Don't think about joining here if you're not READY to be part of the FRIENDLIEST COMMUNITY around. Training at Kickforce Martial Arts not only allowed me to improve my Martial Arts. But, also become an individual who can take lead within my own community. The community here is so openly supportive that there's no space to say "I LEARNED IT ALL". We all help each other grow one another whether if it's in training, character & on development. I really RECOMMEND taking Mrs. Aguilar Kickboxing Class on Tuesday's. She will work you, break you & build you back up as a whole new fighter & individual. I don't have any kids myself, but I witness growth within all individuals of all ages. From a 5 year old to their 40 year old parents. There's just so much confidence that kids are introduced too. That if I had a kid, I would waste NO TIME on having them be part of the community.

My experience with Kickforce began in June of 2025. It began with the Tigers program for my then 5…read moreyear old, about to turn 6. He was adjusting to something new and out of his comfort zone. Which leads me into something that I have taught my boys now that I learned from Master Aguilar. The best way to put it is each time we do something even just a little bit outside our comfort zone, that circle that bubble that is protecting our fears and our anxieties its opened a little bit more. I loved hearing that because it's what I've known to be true for so long and that way of explaining it. Anyways aside from Master Aguilars Moments Of Wisdom, I will call them, I began to see my son needing a closer role model. So we began the beginners class, both of us. My son is loving it and he's gone up 2 belts and almost going on a third. He is using his voice more and for the first time (yes after 8 months ish) he didn't give me any push back on going. He has been being recognized for accomplishments and we are BOTH getting stronger together. Tara and her husband are amazing The customers and their children are humble and nice. This is the place to be for your martial arts journey.

A Truly Exceptional Martial Arts Community at NCMA…read more NCMA has been an incredible place for our family, and we are so grateful to be part of this karate community. The studio shares the same facility as Carlsbad's Best, but the martial arts program deserves its own special praise. My oldest is now a black belt, and watching that journey has been amazing. My youngest and I are working through the color belt ranks together, and training side by side has been one of the best experiences we've had as a family. I love that karate is a lifelong sport. There is always more to learn, and the community here makes you want to keep growing. The coaches are outstanding teachers. They know how to push students in a positive way and bring out their best. Their approach helps build discipline, self-respect, and real confidence, not just in class but in everyday life. One of the things that stands out most is the black belt community. Every black belt student I've met here seems wise beyond their years. They know how to communicate with adults, support younger students, and speak comfortably in front of groups. It's a level of maturity that is rare to see, and it reflects the quality of instruction at NCMA. If you are looking for a place to train, learn, and become part of a strong, supportive community, NCMA is truly something special.

We went to their event and everyone was so nice and welcoming. There was a lot of activities for…read moremy girls to do. They had a lot of fun!!!!

We love this place. My husband and sons train here. Franco…read moreSensei is an incredible teacher. World renowned. Master in weapons. Asked to teach throughout the world. If you want to learn traditional Okinawan Goju karate, this is the place. His team of team are fantastic. You will not only learn how to defend yourself, but also learn the culture in which it embodies.

After years of searching for the right place to train, I knew moments after walking through the…read moredoors at Bushikan I had found what I was looking for. As the old saying goes, when the student is ready, the teacher will appear! There is a sense of history and tradition at Bushikan that I have found is often absent elsewhere. Here students are taught the correct Japanese terminology, and history of Okinawan karate, which not only helps them to better understand the cultural origins of Goju Ryu, but helps create a sense of deep respect for themselves and others. As I complete my second year of training at Bushikan, what stands out to me is the sense of family fostered by Franco Sensei and Chrisan Sensei. We train hard. Kihon (basics), Kata (imaginary fight), Kumite (sparring), and Hojo Undo (supplementary exercises) set a strong foundation for the students here. The expectations are high, but not without understanding and a strong focus on teachable moments. One does not simply learn to fight at Bushikan, one learns to keep fighting and to conquer the things that keep them from doing their best while helping others do the same. Students are given the opportunity once a year to travel to Okinawa and train where Karate was born, gathering understanding of the unique culture that it sprang from. Likewise, students and teachers from all over the world travel to Bushikan dojo several times a year to gain deeper understanding of Goju Ryu Karate and Matayoshi Kobudo. I can't speak for everyone. One gets out of Karate what they put into it of course. However, this dojo has been a powerful force of positive change in my life and I am thankful to have found it. As a teacher for twenty years I can honestly say that the younger students are some of the most astute and respectful I have ever known. Some of them have been students at Bushikan since they were as young as three years old and are now in their teens and twenties as responsible leaders. The adults are some of the most helpful and giving people I have ever met. If you are looking for a traditional karate dojo, Bushikan is a place for both the young and young at heart. There is a lot more to know, but it is best experienced and not read on a website. I highly recommend you come and see for yourself. You won't regret it.

PMA has been wonderful for my son. He looks forward to every session and takes the lessons to heart…read more-- and not just the physical lessons, but the school's emphasis on respect, as well. I highly recommend PMA for parents looking for an outlet to encourage activity, instill confidence and develop life skills for their children.

My 3 kids absolutely LOVE PMA in Encinitas! The studio is new, big and bright with lots of…read morewindows. The instructors are fantastic and their love for children really comes through in their teaching. The classes are fun and the program strives to teach kids how to be good people and not just great fighters. I especially like how they talk to kids about using their training as a last resort for self defense. The whole program is A+.

AK Martial Arts & Fitness has been a lifesaver and we could not be happier to have found them. My…read moreson not only trains there but he is a part of the After School Program. The program is so much more than I ever expected. The kids do homework, computer lab, crafts, agility, and martial arts training. The staff, the owners, and the instructors are amazing. My son is in the best hands when he is there and has learned so much more than martial arts. He has learned discipline, respect, self-defense, a new language, and life skills. I know that he loves it as he wants to train and be there all the time. We are so happy to be part of the community that they have built there.

Highly recommend AK as it has been such a huge hit with my…read more5 year old who has never done martial arts before. He looks forward to his weekly classes with Master Estes who has done so much for his & his friends' confidence. Master E makes each class fly by with a variety of engaging activities & makes the kids laugh throughout, while ensuring they're using proper form & focusing on each new skill learned. My son always comes home to show me a new sequence or kick/ hit move (and he's actually impactful doing them!). We want to offer sincere gratitude for this company because they also went above & beyond to create a safe space in accommodating our families that have higher needs for health mitigations - Master E created a private class for our kids to support them & we feel so lucky to have found him + AK.