Istvan Burgyan (I apologize if the spelling is wrong) has served humanity for most of his life…read more During and after his service to his country, he has been training adults and youth to defend themselves and their families, always emphasizing respect and self discipline as an integral part of the curriculum. His leadership style is one of involvement and commitment. He will never ask his students to do anything he is not himself willing to do. I trained with Academy of Martial Arts for several years in my 30's. When I began I was soft and stiff, clumsy. I stopped training there because of a scheduling conflict that I just couldn't resolve, but I have never regretted the time I spent there. Sah Bom Nim (Istvan) is a stern instructor, who will not accept a half hearted effort. He will, however, tirelessly assist anyone who shows real effort to learn. He never tolerates disrespect, and shouldn't. If anyone has earned respect in this world, it is him. My older son also trained here. When we started, he had recently been diagnosed with severe ADHD, and I firmly believe that his time at AMA was integral in his success elsewhere in life. He studies engineering now. In summary: if you're looking to learn techniques to beat up random people, go somewhere else. If you want to begin the journey of self discovery and adversity that is martial arts, and really see what you're capable of, AMA might just be the place for you.

I've been apart of AMA for over 10 yrs and I would not be the person I am today without Istvan &…read moreSandra Burgyan. This is not just a place to learn self defense, workout and get into shape, but a place to build yourself up as a person mentally as well as physically. They really focus on making we'll rounded martial artist who have discipline and integrity. Being part of AMA you don't learn new skills and make new friends to workout with you become part of a family. Thank you AMA!

Best karate school around! Been going for the past few years and it has definitely left an impact…read moreon my life. They have, by far, the best program in Victoria partly because of its history and founder, Ralph Jaschke, and partly because of the community that surrounds AKI. Looking forward to coming back again!

This Tae Kwon Do school has a new location, but has been in business since 1981. Master O'Connor…read moreholds a 6th degree black belt and is recognized by the Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Besides regular classes this school offers after school care, where the children can do their homework and learn TKD! How great is that?! Also, ask about Woman's Self Defense classes, I know she offers those on occasion. Master O'Connor is patient and thorough, and teaches students courtesy, integrity, self control, perseverance and indomitable spirit in addition to Tae Kwon Do. Basically, to be the best person you can be. Dues are very reasonable in comparison to other schools and this school does NOT make you sign a contract, like some of the other martial arts schools in the area. This school deserves more than 5 stars, they have been a part of the community for many years and have served the community well. Its not too expensive, and definitely has a more authentic feel than taking TKD at your local YMCA or community center.

From the owner: Traditional Taekwondo helps people with flexibility balance confidence and self defense.read more

This is a great gym! My son loves it. The instructors are top notch and the everyone is very…read morewelcoming.

Great gym to train at! awesome instructors and a friendly environment. Great for the experienced…read moreand new alike.

My Son with ADHD has been coming for 9 months and he loves it. He is making friends and learning…read moreresponsibility and discipline. The coaches are amazing and really good with all ages even older kids like me. and I am 58.

These guys are amazing teachers to kids of all abilities. Our daughter has been studying here for…read moreyears.

GM Wadley is the real deal, you have a diamond in Texas! 100% I've competed, coached around the…read moreUSA, Mexico, Belize, Italy and Canada. I have yet to find someone with more knowledge

This is THE BEST martial arts school in the area hands down! Master Jason Wadley is the greatest…read moremartial arts instructor I've ever met. His school is very organized and is top notch. If you're looking for a taekwondo school look no further. Everywhere I've gone, I've caught the attention of martial arts instructors throughout the world. Well, it's because of the excellent martial arts instruction from Master Wadley that it was possible. I cannot exaggerate how great this school is. Give them a call. You will not regret it!

I trained with at Diaz Martial Arts for around 9 years. When I started I never imagined how it…read morewould change my life. I began training at the age of thirteen and I was terrible, I'd flop on the ground and complain about doing any exercise at all, but it's hard to keep quitting week after week, especially when you have instructors, who you admire, encouraging you every time you think you can't keep going. The first year was tough, I was the type of student most places would have given up on and asked to leave, but not here, all three Diaz brothers just kept encouraging me until I started believing it too. I felt more confident in my everyday life, in school, with homework, my focus and discipline improved, but most importantly I began to do things that I thought would be impossible (not anything like mystical whatnot) but when I started its hard to imagine how out of shape and not physically active I was, I believed for me push-ups were impossible, but I was doing them 30-50 non-stop. A few years later when I was about a month away from testing for my first degree blackbelt I ruptured my ACL while sparring with my friend. Most people wouldn't return after an injury like this, but I had seen a change in my life and I wasn't going to stop changing for the better. Almost every week I would drive down there and just watch the classes, because I didn't want to be behind when I got back to training, after 6 months of thinking I just hurt my knee, not knowing what actually happened, I ask my mom about getting an MRI and find my ACL was ruptured and I needed surgery, 6 months after the surgery the doctors and physical therapists clear me for training again, I couldn't wait, I get back to class with new vigor, a few months later I earned my blackbelt, but I wasn't content with just a blackbelt, I wanted to effect people in a positive way, similar to how I was effected. I asked about becoming an instructor, and I started helping in classes, holding pads, encouraging students, and helping to maintain focus on the lesson, eventually I started taking my own group in the classes, and then leading the whole class. Me in front of a group of people teaching was a big deal, I had a crippling fear of public speaking and I hated being the center of attention, but martial arts gave me the confidence to be in front of people speaking and being the center of attention, so much that in all my college courses, any group presentation, I request the speaking role. I taught there for about 6 years. It was the most amazing experience, being able to watch over the years as children that I taught learned, grew, and changed from shy, soft spoken, generally uncomfortable in front of people, to strong, confident, blackbelts. About a year ago I moved to get married, and I had to leave the school, I moved about 2 hours away, just far enough to be too far to drive, especially through traffic, on a regular basis. I didn't want to give up my training though, I've been looking at martial arts schools in my area and there hasn't been a single one that compares, most places keep to one discipline, generally Olympic Tae Kwon Do, BJJ, Krav Maga, Karate, etc., but I'm so used to DMA where they teach all of these. Most places where I currently live the instructor stands in front of the class and yells commands and if the students don't understand it, there will be some punishment of push-ups or additional exercises, or they won't test, but when I learned how to teach we were taught to encourage the students, even if everything else was wrong with how they were doing a technique, find the one thing they were doing right and praise them for that, we were taught how to positively criticize and correct, how to make the workouts engaging and enjoyable, even though you're sweating and breathing heavy, you're laughing and wanting to keep going. I have been looking for a school for over a year, and I can't find anything close to DMA, if it were possible I would make the 2+ hour drive daily just to take an hour long class at DMA, because they not only know how to help you reach your goals, they know how to get you to realize goals you didn't know you had. If you're wanting to train, or to get your children into martial arts, which I would recommend for anyone, I couldn't recommend a better place with better instructors, they are hard working, dedicated to the your success, motivated to help you reach your goals inside and out of the dojo, continuously training in various disciplines to bring more techniques and skills to their students, they believe in the training because they are products of the training, and they really care about your success, not just in martial arts, but in everything else. If you want to get an idea of how the students feel about the school, Yelp probably isn't the best place, I'd say go to the school around 4-7pm Monday through Friday, and ask the parents/students after classes, what they think, you won't be disappointed.

Though I've been here for a short 3 months, I can testify for this gym. The instructors are…read moreknowledgable and patient. Other gyms I feel like I was left to figure everything out, which made my progress slow. Since I started at Diaz Martial arts, I've recieved great instruction and have been able to build my jiujitsu game faster. The fellow students as well are very respectful and it's always a pleasure to roll with them. They take great care of us and I feel safe here.

My son has been a little tiger at the Cinco location for a few months now. I was honestly thinking…read moreshort term commitment when I first signed him up because I wasn't sure taekwondo would be a good fit for him. He is 4, has a very hard time sitting still, is very playful & is easily distracted (but he really does want to do well.) All the master instructors & assistants are patient, lead by example & go above & beyond for my son. Master Jin however, is my son's favorite & has truly made an impression on us! He engages with him, motivates & influences him to focus & succeed by acknowledging his needs & helps him build confidence in the best way possible! He is a great leader! They are all very skilled great leaders & are playful with the little tigers, which makes the class fun for the kids & parents to watch. Do I recommend this place? Absolutely!

Five stars are not enough for this great group of instructors at Master Lees TaeKwondo. Both of my…read moreboys have been here for months and they love it still. It's a very empowering, nurturing and playful environment for the kids. It of course gets a little more serious for the older groups but for the littles they have so much fun and learn respect, focus and get good exercise while they are out it. Their warmth is infectious and all kiddos are uplifted when they leave.