**UPDATE** This location has transferred to new owner and is now "AZ Karate & Kombat Academy"…read moreinstead of "AKKA Karate USA" The original AKKA Owner now has a location in Corona de Tucson - 51 E Tallahassee Dr (520) 820-0155. I discovered AKKA one day when my 15 year old son decided he wanted to learn karate. We spent a Saturday driving all around the east side of Tucson looking for a school. Most were either closed or not very helpful. AKKA just happened to be the last school we stopped at. Mrs. Thibault, the owner, greeted us and spent time talking with us. We walked out that day excited to start. Now, a little over a year later, AKKA has become our home away from home. The family package is an amazing deal that many families take advantage of. The instructors are all top notch and keep learning fun. Everyone is treated with respect. They offer classes in Kenpo for all ages, Grappling, Kick Boxing, and Combative Tactics. There are other AKKA schools across Tucson in the same system and they all get together for seminars and tournaments on a pretty regular basis. It's like an extended family! If you're looking for a family oriented karate school where learning is fun, I highly recommend checking out AKKA!

My grandson loves his karate lessons. The instructor is wonderful with children, very kind and…read morepatient.

Great place and family to learn/continue your training. Great philosophy, amazing price, doesn't…read moretrick you into belt or testing fees, authentic fighting and katas. Learn real Kyokushinkai from a master in it! I received my black belt from here, and although it takes a little longer than a traditional belt factory like other karate school franchises around town, these lessons will stick with you and be useful in events you require them.

I trained here for probably 11 years (I quit two years ago because money was tight). That honestly…read moretells you everything you need to know. Every class was challenging, but always fun. Everybody was kind and helpful to each other and we became a big group of friends. All the techniques taught were genuine and through a lot of fluidity and repetition, I'm proud to say my friends and I still remember everything to the point where it's muscle memory. The instructor believed in teaching without "fluff" and he was, honestly, a great role model. He was great with both the little kids and the adults, though, make no mistake, he was strict. I also loved his stories. If I had to write about someone who influenced me (like for a college essay or anything in the future) I would pick him because he made me better at decision making and faster at learning. My life was so much better after going here, and I'm so thankful for my time here

GREAT INSTRUCTOR!!! I would highly recommend Ken and his teaching abilities!!! Great for adults and…read morekids.

Great school and instructor!…read more Ken teaches at all levels and ensures you know the material by providing feedback and by taking the time to explain it. If you're interested in Krav Maga, firearms training or Kali you won't be disappointed.

After being in martial arts since 1985 and knowing Shawn and Rebecca, they r the real deal…read more Dedicated , caring , and trained by the best . Their ability to pass on their knowledge is wonderful Much love from " the papa homie"

This is THE place to go for quality instruction that about more than just punching and kicking…read more The Knights really know their stuff, and are well-respected in the Kenpo Community. They are passionate about every student, and teach even the youngest kids about self-control, respect, goal-setting, etc.

This is a great dojo with an amazing teacher that truly lived and studied in Japan for over a…read moredecade. I lived in Japan for several years. I came to Tucson for work and I was looking a dojo like the ones I had experienced in Japan. I found that in the Shoubu Dojo and in Aikido. Aikido is more than martial technique, it is a way of life. In addition, the knife class has been a great experience. Blending both the tactical and traditional arts of knife defense and offense. It is eye opening to see and learn that. The only way to truly understand is to stop by a class and see it in action. There is not enough space to covey how I feel about this place and the teacher, so I will leave you with this thought. There is an old saying paraphrased " when the student is ready, the teacher will appear." That is how I felt when I found Cody Sensei and the Shoubu Dojo. I have now been there 9 years. Hope to see you there.

When you walk into this dojo it feels like you're in Japan! It's so beautiful and Lewallen sensei…read moreis the real deal! He can even speak Japanese!You learn discipline and respect. I highly recommend for anyone looking to learn self defense!

It has been a great experience for my son. Within the first week we saw better behavior!read more

Learning Self Defense here is fun and gets you in great shape. I've been here for 2 or 3 years and…read morelearned atleast 100 different moves and techniques. This was the first karate school I've been to and it's been an amazing start. The teacher Mr. K is patient, down to earth, and most of all understanding.

This school is like family! All of the instructors are phenomenal and bring a joy to teaching that…read morereally makes class enjoyable. When my son started we were new to Kenpo, now the whole family does it. It is a structured class that teaches not just movement, but the reasoning behind it as well as promoting a strong moral and ethical base...all while making class fun! A MUST for anyone young or old looking for a new passion, family activity, or way to keep the body moving. Enroll - you'll thank me later.

My children and I have been attending AIK twice a week for 6 years. They train All-Ages, incredibly…read morewell, for a very reasonable price. The instructors are INCREDIBLE to say the least, and above all, patient, kind and genuine with the children (and adults!). They teach Spirit, Honor, Discipline, Truth, Bravery, Courtesy, Compassion, Sincerity, Discernment and Loyalty. I have watched as the bring "Little Dragons" to junior instructors and shape them into kind and polite, smart and disciplined individuals. They have multiple instructors each class, so no child is without attention. The self-defense teachings are sound and very memorable. They use repetition to create muscle memory defense while installing properties of awareness and discipline on when/when not to use it. They also have fun games like belt-sparring and dodge ball in all Little Dragons classes which keeps my children wanting to come back every week. The other families all get along and there has never been drama or "incompatibility" between the attending families. They all look after each other, help each other, and care deeply about one another. I will continue my self-defense Kenpo journey as long as I can with AIK. I have seen measurable positive impact on my own children and self since attending. They teach people of all ages without ANY discrimination. I truly love this place. I am currently a Brown belt, and will be going as far as I can take myself through the ranks. -Adam B

I was visiting Tucson for work and was looking for a place to train. I messaged the business, they…read morepromptly responded, and were very friendly. When I arrived, they were just as friendly and very welcoming. The mats are clean, the non-mat areas are clean with ample storage space, and they have a shower they were kind enough to let me use. The instructions was great, instructors friendly, and students just as welcoming. I would like to highlight the mats even more, because they are amazing to breakfall onto. If/when I'm back around here, I'd definitely come back.

This place is the absolute best place for the youth to build confidence and learn Brazillian Jiu…read moreJitsu. I have 2 of my sons in this gym. The owner Sal and the rest of the staff are very knowledgeable and patient with the kids. There is a real family vibe here. The instruction the kids receive is top notch! Not to mention this gym has some of if not the best prices in town! If you are looking for a great Brazillian Jiu Jitsu gym, this is it! I highly recommend this place to anyone.