I've known the TONG DOJO since I was a little guy in Brooklyn, N.Y. I went there from 8 years old…read moreto 13 years old. My Sensei's were George Cofield and Thomas Lapuppet. They were the BEST Sensei's. We did tournaments, shows, exhibitions and in house competitions. We had the best students with the Twins and a few girls in our class who, if you want to challenge them, you'd better think twice. My best memory of the TONG DOJO is when Sensei Cofield would show the class some new moves, we would run through them a few times and then he would ask us "Got it?", the class would say Got it!, Sensei Cofield would answer back "Sho' Nuff!". The Movie "The Last Dragon" is loosely based on The TONG DOJO and Sensei George Cofield. Sensei Thomas Lapuppet Was a Sensei at the TONG DOJO also. He was a NYC Police Officer. He always had his badge in his visor in his 1968 Oldsmobile Toranado. The car had all Electric seats, windows, mirrors, Leather seats and all the bells and whistles. It was one the best cars I loved to ride in. When I first started at the TONG DOJO, I got my first Karate Gi from Sensei Lapuppet. He donned me the white belt that I would start my martial arts journey with. He also gave me the TONG DOJO PATCH that went on the upper left hand side of the Gi. When I promoted to Green Tip, He colored the tip of my belt to signify my promotion. Sensei Cofield adorned my Gi with the TONG DOJO name written down the front of the Gi in Asian Style lettering. That's when I knew I was part of the TONG DOJO. I miss the TONG DOJO but will never forget the experiences I had there. Next time I am in Atlanta I will visit the TONG DOJO. SEE YOU SOON. LYLE GILES, BROWN BELT, TONG DOJO, 1973

I've been training here for a year now! More consistently in the past few months. As a female…read morecollege student, whatever techniques taught here are really useful in a real situation. I love it the fact that it's still rooted in traditional shotokan karate, but we also explore other martial arts' techniques and adopt what work in a real fight. Sensei Chapman constantly pushes his students to the limit, but hey no pain, no gain. I feel like this is my true family in Karate! OOSSUUU

I have been taking my kids there for 8 years. It has been a great experience training them mentally…read moreand physically. I recommend Decatur Martial Arts Academy whole heartedly.

I earned my black belt in another city, so I visited many schools throughout the Atlanta area when…read moreI moved here. Decatur Martial Arts Academy felt like the best choice, as the instructors seemed knowledgeable and genuine and the fellow students were encouraging and friendly. 5 years later and the place has lived up to my expectations and then some. Besides the people, the new facilities are great, with changing rooms, heavy bags, and 3 different mats to train on. If you are considering martial arts, the best advice I can give you (that my first master gave me when I moved) is to visit a few schools and pay attention to the vibe you get. Decatur Martial Arts will fare well by that metric and any other.

I've grown up with a lot of martial arts in my life. Judo and shotokan were my first two systems…read moretaught from father to my brother and me from kindergarten before studying a few other systems as a teenager. From all my training, I have seen many kinds of teaching, but two systems have stood out; one is our system here and the other was a very traditional southern kung fu kwoon. For me, the traditional path is best. These systems of martial arts were developed over centuries. In a world of sports fighting, we often forget the "martial" aspect. These systems were developed by oppressed people for self defense from outsiders who had conquered their lands with large militaries, like Okinawa. The systems in the dojo blend beautifully together. Both systems extend from Okinawa over hundreds of years. These systems were developed from roots that existed before our country. The techniques have been tested across sundry generations. They work. The system is also developed to teach martial skills - the ability to defend yourself - without the need for you to hurt yourself sparring with lots of people. The systems work. Come try out the dojo. Moeller Sensei will introduce you to everyone. It's a welcoming environment for everyone, no judgment. If you're looking for a Cobra Kai kind of dojo (great series on Netflix) then this is NOT it. This is about thoughtful development of skills that meet your abilities and then the work to increase those abilities. It's excellent. You will develop. You will progress, and progression is earned on merit. There are no testing fees or anything like this. Moeller Sensei does not run the school to make money; he has a full time job. Moeller Sensei runs the school for his love of sharing two traditional systems of karate. Come join us for a class.

Atlanta's Traditional Okinawan Karatedo Dojo; Sensei's love of the martial arts is readily…read moreapparent, and no matter what the challenges are, he always finds a way to spark curiosity in each student, which I find only in the greatest teachers. The kids classes are energized and playful, with a strong sense of respect for one's teammates and learning. I'm deeply impressed with Sensei's care of every single student that's ever trained here, whether it was for 2 months or 20 years. Many parents have said they see an incredible kindness in our dojo not found in others they've practiced at. I would say Sensei Moeller embodies what it truly means to be a martial artist. His teaching style provides a very practical and fundamental way for each student to find the ability to achieve the same for themselves.  Sensei welcomes new students try a class or two before joining. Normal workout clothes are fine. We have students that range in age from 5 years old to 81.

I have been training here for a couple of years now. This dojo builds a unique, strong, and…read moreinclusive community of likeminded martial artists. They are now like my second family.

I practiced Cuong Nhu at Sung Ming Shu for 2 years, before I moved. I had been practicing…read moreIshin-Ryu Karate in New York before and wanted to find a Dojo where I could continue training. I wasn't interested in any one particular style, just the chance to continue learning and getting a workout. From day 1, Sung Ming Shu exceeded all my expectations. Not only is the style great, since it combines soft and hard styles (everything from Shotokan to Tai Chi and Aikido), but the people at the dojo and the instructors are just great. What you will find is a very open and welcoming bunch of very down to earth people. The atmosphere is casual and inviting, yet rigorous (it is a martial arts dojo, after all). I've kept in touch with everyone at the dojo after leaving Atlanta almost 2 years ago and I train there every time I'm back visiting. I can truly say that Sung Ming Shu is like family to me. Oh, and the new Dojo is great. They're in Grant Park now. Great location, air conditioning and brand new hardwood floors.

I'm a mom of a martial art student at KSMA. Yesterday was the last of a 3 session women's…read moreself-defense (SD) course that was offered, and I'm so glad I did. I've taken one day SD course before and almost immediately forgot everything. Part of it, I think was because it complicated and involved some movements I didn't think I could do in a crisis. Unlike the other experience, the course that I took at KSMA was focused avoiding and getting out of the situation before an altercation could really begin. What Sa Bom Nim Beaty taught was how to feel more comfortable and confident with using our own body as protective and defensive tools. I really enjoyed the training, got a decent workout, met other women wanting to learn and share which was powerful, and by the end of the course, I wanted to learn more. What's also great is that he has equipment that you can use to get a realistic idea on what it feel like to hit a person. One key reason why I am glad I took this course is because of an incident that occurred this evening, which prompted me to write this review. My son and I were leaving an event and I saw something very odd about where we were. It was dark, inbetween a large building and a wooded area. We were about to walk past a car parked near a large dumpster when I saw a light flash. I was talking on the phone while crossing the street, then i notice a man near where we walkig who looked very odd. He was walking in front of us but yet still pacing himself along with us. I ended my call a d told the caller I had to focus. I put my phone away, chambered my keys in one hand and was prepared with the other. My son, to my surprised had turned off his music, was just as alert, and we quickly walked to the car and left. It may have been nothing. I may have over reacted, but once I got home and processed all that had occurred, I realized I used the awareness approached recommended by Sa Bom Nim Beaty in the course, and was prepared to try out the other skills, if need be. For that, alone, I am grateful, and would highly recommend the Women's Self Defense course, as well as any other program offered at KSMA.

There are so many positive things to say about Kick Start Martial Arts! It's been really tough…read morefinding an extra-curriculum activity that my son enjoys. However, he immediately fell in love with KSMA and so did we. Master Beaty has put together an amazing program. We feel so at home here. The program is very well organized and the studio is always well maintained. Master Beaty truly cares for his students and it shows. There's a perfect balance of instruction and compassion. Thanks so much to Master Beaty and the entire KSMA team for a job well done!!!

This is an excellent dojo with a great combination of traditional and modern martial arts training…read more I have watched many individuals young and old benefit from the classes here. If you are interested in becoming a stronger fighter, or just want to experience traditional martial arts training, I highly recommend going to a class and experiencing why Kyokushin is considered the strongest form of Karate.

From the owner: Our fun and healthy karate classes will not only get you in better shape! read more

Had a lot of fun joining via ClassPass! The instructor Dana was great at breaking all the moves…read moredown and giving positive feedback. The space we used is much bigger than they usually use since all the kids aren't back yet for karate. Parking is easy so I'd love to come again.

The staff is amazing. Elaina Sanders is very knowledgeable and great at communicating with the…read moreparents and children along with the rest of the staff and is also a great place for children to grow and learn martial arts and basic grow and development skills.

This is an amazing studio for both children and adults. If you have children and are interested in…read moregetting them started in a karate program this is the best place for them. The instructors and staff are amazing and genuinely care about all the students. As an adult student there, I have been attending the classes for a few years and can tell you that the classes are just as challenging today as when I started. Not only can you join the Black Belt Club, but there are cardio classes strictly geared for those of you who are looking for all around fitness without the "belt commitment". If you are interested in challenging yourself with martial arts or just a different form of exercise visiting this studio would definitely be worth your time. BTW, I don't believe yoga is offered here any more, but Gracie Jiu-jitsu, spinning, and personal training programs are available.

I would NEVER recommend this place to another parent…read more My son was seriously injured while in their care after another child struck him in the eye with a stick. And to be clear, this did not even happen during karate instruction. The children were outside playing when this happened. After my son was injured, he went to an adult and told them he had been hurt. Despite that, I was never called. No one notified me that my child had suffered an eye injury. No one contacted me and told me that I needed to come get him or have him medically evaluated. There was not even an incident report provided to me. I found out how bad it was when I arrived to pick him up. My child was crying, had his head down, was visibly injured and was struggling to open his eye. As a mother, it is infuriating to know that my child looked like that while under the care of adults and no one thought it was important enough to CALL ME. I had to take him for medical treatment, where he was diagnosed with an eye injury that required continued medical follow-up over the following months. Eye injuries can have serious consequences when they are not evaluated and properly treated, and I am grateful that I took his condition seriously when the people responsible for him apparently did not. Then I was left with the medical expenses. I ultimately had to hire an attorney simply trying to hold someone accountable for what happened to my child. That process was made even more difficult because of issues surrounding insurance coverage. Meanwhile, there was never a meaningful effort from this business to take responsibility, assist with the medical expenses or make this right. What makes this even harder to accept is that I have continued seeing the individual associated with this business picking children up from my son's former elementary school. After everything my child went through, I have never received the level of remorse, concern or accountability that I would expect from someone entrusted with children. And the effects did not end when his eye healed. Time has passed, and my son STILL does not want to do karate again. Something he once participated in has now become associated in his mind with being hurt and with how that experience was handled. As his mother, that is something I cannot simply overlook. Children can get hurt. Accidents happen. That is not even the most disturbing part of this experience. The unacceptable part is a child suffering a significant eye injury while in your care, telling an adult that he is hurt, and his parent STILL not receiving a phone call. The unacceptable part is having no proper incident documentation waiting for that parent. The unacceptable part is leaving a family to deal with months of medical follow-up, medical expenses and legal action while showing so little accountability afterward. A business caring for children should understand that supervision, emergency response, documentation and immediate communication with parents are not optional. My son's safety was placed in their hands, and based on what my family experienced, I deeply regret ever trusting this place with him. Parents deserve to know this before deciding where to leave their children. This place was horrible to my family, and I cannot recommend it under any circumstances.

This guys bogus. Very disrespectful. I questioned his qualifications and he got rude with me. I…read moreknow my stuff. This guys not a legitimate 7th degree black belts whatsoever. Yes, he may have the "rank" but I have no idea how he got it....just look at how old most high dan black belts are fot starters. Then, his classes. Its glorified daycare. His instructors are jokes. Horrible technique. I moved on. Probably going back to mutual instructors or to.bjj Stay away from this guy.

We've been at TMAC for kid and adult classes for almost 2 years now. Shihan Mike truly cares about…read moreall of his students and their families. His programs are engaging for all age groups and he wants to help everyone improve and make progress towards their goals in the martial arts. He has lineage as a student of Hanshi Pachivas in the Shuri-Ryu style of karate. His dojo offers karate and jiu-jitsu classes. Our kids look forward to Karate Camp each summer and the other events at the dojo throughout the year. The dojo offers great birthday parties for kids too (best party spot we have used!). He cultivates a culture of respect and the attitude that everyone can learn something from anyone else, regardless of their belt rank. Students encourage each other and are welcoming to new students. His classes help you to improve your physical and mental fitness, while learning practical skills for self-defense if you ever had to use it, all in a supportive atmosphere with great camaraderie.

Excellent place. We have been coming here for 7 years with our oldest daughter who is working on…read moreher Third Degree Black Belt (She is 12). Our youngest daughter is training for her First Degree Black Belt (She is 7). If you want your children to gain confidence and belief in themselves, make friends, and learn self-defense, Karate Atlanta Marietta is an excellent place to start.

I am so happy I found this place! The instructors are amazing! My 9 year old daughter has learned…read moreso much and is gaining confidence in herself. The instructors see not only amazing, they are talented, caring, and wonderful teachers!