Learning karate had always been a lifelong dream of mine, but as I got older and money got tighter, it felt out of reach. I at least wanted my kids to have the chance to learn self-defense. Then we found Tracy's Family Plan--and it truly changed our lives. Now, we're all learning karate together as a family. Mr. Yard has not only taught my kids valuable self-defense, but also confidence, discipline, and life skills I never expected. My family spends more time together, growing and practicing side by side. As a parent, I feel more at ease knowing they're learning how to be safer. And the best part? Mr. Yard's stories and humor--his knowledge and encouragement make every class something we genuinely look forward to. This experience has been priceless. read more

Best martial arts training available! There is a reason they have been around for over fifty years!

Years ago I wrote a positive review of Tracy's Karate & Mixed Martial Arts when I was a student there. Well, after 14 years of study, at the age of 71, I am still a student there and this review is about my personal journey with Tracy's Karate. I am an ER RN/Public Health Nurse Infectious Diseases Investigator. When I first started one night a week at Tracy's I could often be found the other four nights walking the streets of North Richmond California after sundown to provide treatment to my patients. Dangerous work but rewarding. I was working 50 hrs/week and needed some exercise, something I could practice during lunch time at work and at home, something that did not require I spend money on equipment. So I chose karate. Eventually, one night a week became two nights a week as a I added a group class (at no extra cost). When I retired nine years ago I discovered that while I could do without the stress of my job I could not do without the mind body stress relief that I experienced each time I left Tracy's Karate. Thus, I allowed more time to Tracy's Karate and made it an integral part of my retirement both for physical and mental health. And here is why. When I was walking the streets of Richmond California at night my experience changed from anxiety to a greater sense of what was happening around me as well as interpreting the movement of others to be benign or a threat. These skills were instilled in me by Mr. Yard, the owner and head instructor of Tracy's Karates, as well as the instructors he has trained. As an RN with 39 years experience and the science to back it I can tell you that regular exercise is one of the best medicines to prevent injuries and lesson the effects of aging and chronic illness. A martial art may give more benefits than other forms of exercise because it engages many parts of the brain at once and in synchrony. Endorphin release, stress management, better sleep, better focus and improved memory have all been shown to be connected to Martial arts. I believe I have experienced them all relative to many of my patients of similar age. Mr Yard is the last of a breed of instructors personally trained by Al Tracy (founder of the Tracy System and a contemporary of Bruce Lee). He is among the highest ranking instructors in the Tracy's Karate System in America. Vacaville is fortunate that he decided to make his home here. He possesses great patience, especially with children. He teaches to the student's abilities and limitations. Its a safe, respectful and relaxed atmosphere with purpose and in 14 years I have never run into a 'Bad Ass" that wanted to injure me. Self defense training is not just about defending oneself if attacked. It's about managing your emotions and having the confidence to walk away if the opportunity presents itself. Its a process that trains mind and body to rely on oneself that goes beyond a fight and into other aspects of life. I can think of no better place to learn these things than Tracy's Karate. read more

My son and I have been part of this school for approximately 4-5 years and plan to continue learning self-defense from this dojo with plans to get my daughter enrolled once she gets a little bit older. My 10year old loves this school and cried when I jokingly said we will have to stop training. What makes this place great? - great instructors - learning effective self defense techniques - dojo is open 6 days a week and offers group and private classes - you learn at your own pace - teaches traditional martial arts (kenpo) but also have an awesome mix martial art system (shootfighting) Give this martial art studio a try, I don't think you will regret it. read more

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Awesome. Trained there with my daughter when she was young. Then trained again yrs later with my grandsons when they were young. Now I'm back again training with my now adult daughter. She says now she can appreciate learning martial arts better now that she older. And this old dog is learning new tricks. A little slower though, but Tracy's is very accommodating that way. read more

My father signed me up for private online lessons using the Tracy method. I live in Connecticut and my instructor lived in Florida. Unfortunately, he had me get in touch with Pat Tracy of Texas to order books. I got the first book no problem. But when I tried ordering more almost a full year ago, I never received them even though I kept on receiving assurances from Pat that I would. I can not speak for this studio in California itself, but Pat is a horrible human being. Do not under any circumstances do business with her. Therefore, please do not frequent this establishment. There are other much more effective forms of karate. This is a dying business. read more

Hands down the best place to train in the martial arts in the Vacaville area (there are also schools in Vallejo, Fairfield and Davis). -You only learn from professional instructors (no student or kid teachers) -Private lessons (not thrown into a group, train at your own speed) -Open full time, 6 days a week ALL DAY (not just the evenings) -Effective, proven self defense used by Law Enforcement and Military -Superior "mixed martial arts" training through the Shootfighting system -Half a century of experience in the United States alone, decades in the Vacaville area. So much more, but you have to try it out to really understand. Give them a shot, you will not be disappointed. read more

My son has been going to Tracy's for over a year and he loves it! The instructors are patient and they focus on building confidence. My son has shown improvement in his self esteem! They are easy to talk to and genuinely care about you. They will work with your schedule. They don't charge for testing for the next belt...which is a plus! Theu have different pricing. The one I pay for has one private lesson and unlimited group classes. Great deal! read more

Great place! Definitely recommend. The instructor is amazing and really knows his martial arts. He is very good with kids too! Great for the price you pay for lessons! read more

Arrived to talk to them by appointment. They made us wait 20 min for nothing while they chatted. The idiot who was to talk to us stared at his computer and plucked at keys for another 20 min before even saying a single word to us. No, Hi and welcome. No, Hello, whats your name, nothing. Just mean mug and stare at his computer. Asked them about ground work, including jiu jitsu, got in a huge argument with the Karate dick behind the desk. We literally were arguing about how he thought Jiu jistu was stupid. He suggested we go across town to a place more suited to "our type". They suggested we go to "Vacaville Fight Club" It was across town from us, but you know what? They were right!!! Its far superior. Friendly, nice, helpful, our family loves it. Thanks for the advice Tracy's. I'll be sure to pass it on to all that I meet. read more

The Tracy's system of Kenpo is one of the oldest and most complete self-defense martial arts in the western world. The bay area studios (Davis, Vacaville, Fairfield and Vallejo) are all ran by the same individuals and they are without-a-doubt the most professional karate schools I've ever seen. Nearly all of the instructors are full time employees, as opposed to the part-time-ex-military hacks you find teaching at other "schools". The Tracy's guys treat everyone with respect and never punish, humiliate or degrade any of the students in any way. They're a amazing bunch of guys who are easy to like and make the classes enjoyable They offer private instruction in self-defense (Kenpo Jiu-Jitsu), Shootfighting (a style of MMA) as well as kick boxing. They have a children's/youth program as well which is excellent and all the teachers are great with kids. Personally I believe their adult program is what sets them apart. The private instruction really makes all the difference. Other karate schools only have group classes... which are great and lots of fun, but often you need one-on-one attention in order to really grasp a difficult technique. No matter what your age or physical fitness level (or even physical disability) the instructors at Tracy's can teach you to defend yourself, get a great workout and have fun doing it! read more

So we took our 6 year old son here to look into starting Karate lessons. We went through 3 classes and then were given the "sales pitch" about how great their program was over others. I felt like I was buying a car! When we saw the sticker price of $190/mo for lessons- we balked! It was over our budget. Owner was nice and great with kids but the classes were taught by other young people who were very dull. Studio is a bit dated. Material is taught with a focus on self-defense and not just superficial punches and kicks. I really liked the jujitsu karate program but could not afford the classes. Too bad! read more

Tracy's Karate is a God send. We started taking martial arts lessons a little over a year ago and I have to say my daughter and I look forward to coming every week. The instructors are great teachers, very patient, and know how to work with children as well as adults. Their (instructors) schedule for private lessons and group lessons vary which gives everyone a chance to work the private lessons into a "doable" schedule. My daughter is far more confident and athletic since joining and i'm a little more flexible and in better shape. I highly recommend Tracy's Karate for anyone who's willing to put forth the effort to learn martial arts AND the history behind it. I believe Tracy's Karate has the best martial arts school here in the county! read more

I appreciate all that I have learned in my private lessons with Mr. Yard. He has knowledge well beyond his years! In martial arts you have to know what you are learning comes from a strong lineage. The Tracy martial arts System has that lineage. We all should learn self defense not only for our well being but to be able to protect those we love. Where you take your lessons from & from whom is very important! I would highly recommend Tracys Martial Arts for all ages! read more

This is the best martial arts class ever! We are taking the class as a family. One fee for the whole family and we can tap into as many group classes as we want for the same price. It's absolutely affordble! Not only is this a great workout, but what we are learning can save a life. The self defense moves and applications to real life situations is empowering for women and children (and men too). Joe is a fun, amazing instructor! This is a must take class!!! We love every minute of it! And we are so blessed to have found this gem in Vacaville! read more

I waited a couple of months before writing a review for this Studio, as I wanted to make sure I took time to observe my grandchildren's progress and their reaction to the training. I am delighted to say that this Studio has exceeded my expectations! First of all, Mr. Yard is one of the best instructors I have ever met. He instructs my grandchildren in a way that is both fun and engaging, but he is also very effective at refocusing their attention when they get distracted (which happens often with 6 year olds :). He is also an excellent communicator and seems to have endless patience to answer my never-ending questions. To say that I am an overprotective grandmother would be an understatement, so it was a priority of mine to make sure that the training was safe, effective, and tailored to younger children. Mr. Yard's studio checks all the boxes and I am confident that my grandchildren are being trained by one of the best. The change in my grandchildren has been noticeable, as they are now more active and actually prefer to go to practice over spending time in front of their iPads (which was a growing concern of mine). I am delighted to have my grandchildren train with Mr. Yard and I can't recommend him more highly! read more

Definitely the best place to take your kiddos. The best thing is that the whole family can participate for the same price.

My children are 11 & 13. I finally convinced them to enroll in Tracy's Karate. They were a little hesitant at first. But once they started it there was no problem in them enjoying the hands on approach. The class that Joe teaches is wonderful. They feel very comfortable and are looking forward to there next lesson. If you have not done so try it out. read more

I started taking my 4 year old son to Tracy's about four months ago and he totally enjoys it. The instructors are great with the kids and show patience and respect. I really like the programs and classes Tracy's has to offer. The private lessons are so helpful and well taught even my four yr old is mastering the techniques. I have read some of the other reviews and the half hour private lessons is quality teaching and not spent STRETCHING. The group lessons are just as well taught. The instructors are all professionals and it shows in their performance on the mat. I have checked out other schools and none of them can even compare to Tracy's!! read more

Hands down this is the best Martial Arts Studio and one of the best Martial Arts Styles. The History of this art is rich and deep and the FACT that you will be able to defend yourself is absolute. I visited every school in Vacaville before going to Tracys. I was immediatley greeted with excellent customer service, the instructors are professional and knowledgeable. The rates can not be beaten (no hidden fees for belts and/or testing etc...). My first visit I was taken onto the mat and show techniques/moves that were effective. I signed up for the introductory lessons and have been nothing but pleased and impressed. That was 6 years ago and I am still training. Those who have negative comments about this studio, the gentlemen who after asking questions decided he didnt like it... staring at the computer? ...mean mugging? ...not acknowledging you? arguing about MMA or any style? either you have the wrong studio or you're greatly mistaken (attempting to be politically correct and not call you a liar since i don't know you). Either way I wonder about your commitment to learning Martial Arts in the first place. No person without Martial Arts background can walk into a studio and debate with a Senior (teaching in excess of 20 years) full time Instructor. Something doesn't sound right about your post. As in all things in life you have to put forth an effort. Your's is simply to come in take a few lessons before you decided. No listen to me or the disgruntled poster. read more

Great place to start martial arts training. I started here with my best friend and we split the cost. They have individual training so it was just me an and you could take free classes in the evening as a group session. read more

We value Tracy's Karate Studio in Vacaville so much, we are paying for 3 separate members of our family to get private lessons. You get what you pay for, and you will get nothing but the best instruction here at Tracy's. They will not hit you with hidden costs to buy belts. Everything is simple and up front. You can go to as many group lessons that you want, with the flexibiliy of not having to schedule them ahead of time. At the recommendation of my brother-in-law who started here 4 years ago, we took our 5 year old here for lessons. The owner/master was very sincere, welcoming, and not pushy at all. From the minute we met, I wanted him to be my child's instructor. My son actually got another instructor who has been teaching my son new things with each lesson and has been nothing but encouraging and professional. This is not daycare. They will teach your child real life skills! My son says that 5 stars is not enough. He would give it 20 stars if he could! At about the same time, my husband started his own private lessons with a different instructor and has been enjoying it so much that he may want to be an instructor himself one day. To tell the truth, I began to get jealous of my son and husband. Why should they have all the fun? As a woman, mother, and wife, I wanted to be able to defend and protect myself enough to feel confident if I were ever presented with a dangerous attacker. So I started taking lessons for myself. I feel so fortunate and privileged to have had the owner as my instructor. He is a true master, who doesn't just give you moves to learn and memorize, but patiently takes the time to explain the theory behind it. He has a wonderful sense of humor and is ALWAYS POSITIVE in attitude. Insecure in my abilities as I am, every instructor I have had at Tracy's has always made me feel safe to try new things. I've even tried Shootfighting, which I ended up liking the most! Tracy's Karate is so good it will change your life! read more

Tracy's Karate is a great school. My wife and I have been learning from the instructors at Tracy's for two years now, and I can honestly state that we learn something new every lesson. If you are the type of person who wants to learn practical, applicable, martial arts-martial arts that you can really use if you are ever under attack-then you should consider Tracy's Karate. Another important element that makes Tracy's Karate stand out is the friendly, student-centered environment. Every individual works at their own pace and every individual is made to feel comfortable when they arrive. If you are genuinely interested in karate, and if you are willing to invest the time, effort, and money necessary to learn a martial art, then I recommend Tracy's Karate because you will find great teachers and a great environment for children and adults to learn. read more

I have been a student at Tracy's Karate for 8+ Yrs. I Talked to the owners and employees of many other studios before starting with Tracy's, but none of them measured up to the teaching time and the the actual art I would receive at Tracy's. I go for self defense & have trained in the shoot-fighting only because I enjoy the Jujitsu. There is a very large amount of knowledge and talent at Tracy's that I really have enjoyed learning and hope to continue learning. read more

Although this review is long overdue, time has only strengthened my commitment to writing it. I am a 64 year old man who takes classes at Tracy's Karate in Vacaville and what I write here is aimed at folks around my age who are considering a martial art to stay physically and mentally sharp. I began about 7 years ago training one night a week (my schedule as an RN/Public Health Nurse would not permit more than that). My chief motivation for joining was to lower my blood sugar and blood pressure as well as address increasingly painful arthritis and to try and stay flexible. Even at one night a week the stress reduction benefits were noticeable and appreciated. Two years ago I retired and decided to get more serious about the whole thing and increased my participation to several days per week. Despite arthritis and diabetes I am now in the best physical and mental shape I have been in years. The atmosphere is non competitive and the skilled instructors at Tracy's are always welcoming. The teaching methods reflect patience and encourage many skill levels to work together for the benefit of all. The style of Karate at Tracy's is Kempo and while I shall never be a great martial artist it amazes me how vital and mentally energized I feel every time I walk out of a training session......energy and vitality that transfers to the rest of my life. read more