A great way to exercise, gain flexibility, blow off some steam and meet some positive folks, this…read moredojo has been here for over 40 years under the leadership of Sensei Teruyuki Okazaki and now with new blood from his nephew Hiro Okazaki. My dad trains here with my daughters and me. There are classes for kids after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:45-6:00 and Saturdays at 11:00. There are also classes for adults MWFSS at 11:00 AM and evenings M-F at 6:15. They train in and study authentic Japanese Shotokan karate. Some classes are for advanced students. They also sell uniforms, belts, gloves. The wooden floor, tin ceiling, mirrors, ceiling fans and knotty pine paneled walls make for a real old school dojo feel. The roar of your classmates KIA! will give you the energy to finish the class. Better than yoga IMO.

From the owner: The ISKF is a traditional Shotokan Karate organization, founded by Master Teruyuki Okazaki, who…read morestudied directly under Master Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan Karate. The ISKF is rich in tradition, but continuously moves forward to bring all countries together to follow these same guidelines. We specialize in the instruction of both children and adults. No prior Karate experience is required.

I've been taking the adult Monday/Thursday class offered by Guy for several years. I highly…read morerecommend our class for adult learners of all skill levels. I started as a white belt and am now working toward yellow.

This is such a great class. We started by sending our kids only, and then realized it would be…read moregreat for the whole family. Guy manages to teach to all levels in the class at the same time. I see progress every class, across our whole family. It's a bright spot of our week!

Located in a very nice part of the city near historic Rittenhouse Square, Aikikai of Philadelphia…read moreis an extraordinary dojo with an amazing array of instructors. Sensei Roderick Johnson is very patient, precise, and detail-oriented in explaining all of the techniques. He is big and strong, yet fluid and graceful in all of his movements. Dr. John Porter's classes pack a plethora of techniques in a short period of time. He incorporates fun exercises in our training to allow us to think outside the box. Carlton Harris' classes, like Sensei's, are also very structured and blend power and precision in all of the techniques. I wish I could take more of Carlton's classes, but the day of the week doesn't work for me. Ed Shockley is a weapons master. He is so very humble in person, but when he's on the mat, he radiates energy. His Aiki weapons classes feel very much like yoga, linking the mind and body as one. John Holt teaches the weekend children's classes. His classes always blend fun activities with the serious stuff like movement and ukemi. The dojo community includes a rich blend of people of all ages and ethnicities. Everyone here is very kind and passionate about Aikido and the senior students are all very approachable and willing to explain the techniques to the junior students. I think that fosters the best kind of learning environment when both teachers and senior students help the junior students grow. If you are thinking about studying Aikido, you can sit and watch our classes to see if it looks like something that resonates with you. However, once you begin, you must understand that your training will take time and patience on your part. Everyone progresses at different speeds and understand that you are placing your trust in people who've experienced what you are about to experience in your training. This is not like many forms of karate where you train to achieve a black belt in a short period of time. Aikido takes a long time to get to an advanced level and even when you get there, you realize there is much more to learn.

I took my 6 year old here for kid's Aikdo at her request (they have Saturday morning classes. The…read moreSensai is very nice and the instructor Suleman, is funny and a skilled martial artist. My child, however, is a little too young still - so we'll be back again when she's older. Meanwhile there is also a Karate Studio (unafilliated) next door that teaches Shotokan. The Dojo is well used and well appointed with plants along the windows. If you or your child want to study Aikido, this is a great place to go.

It has been a great opportunity to introduce this to my child. This has been helping my child with…read morefocus and discipline. I love the way the staff cares about their students. And the effort they put into each and every children. Self defense is such an important skill to have esp when they're young and facing bullying at school. I would recommend this to any parents.

Our 3-year-old has been a student here for several months. The entire staff here are clearly…read morededicated to the difficult job of teaching young children, and they exhibit amazing patience. For our kid, it's been wonderful to watch him progress from being able to pay attention and follow instructions for no more than a few minutes to being able to make it consistently through a 30-minute lesson. The monthly tuition rate is very reasonable, around $100 for 8 or 9 lessons (two per week). A warm, positive, and encouraging atmosphere.

The Dojo is cleaned and organized! The sensei and instructors are extremely nice. They keep it…read moresimple for my kids to learn new techniques and gain disciplinary skills. Great place to learn martial art !

Its great for kids! My daughter loves it. The best part about it is they only train children.read more

Great environment for training and practicing karate! They care about students and our kids love to…read morego there! Would highly recommend if you're looking for a karate school!

They continued to charge my credit card after I told them we were done with classes. They did not…read morerefund me like promised and they charged my card again without my authorization.

Can't say enough good things! Great place to bring your child to learn and be active ! Highly…read moretrained instructors with a great environment. Recommend to everyone!

Only Thing I Can Tell You is Bring Your Kid In to Our Studio and Expect For Your Kid, to Come Out…read moreEager To Return The Following Day! Come On, You'll Be Just That Excited Too, because Your Kid Is That Excited to Return Tomorrow! Our Sensis, Will Wow You! Come Be Wowed...

Avoid at all costs and sign nothing that comes from EFC. My kid didn't go here, but to Joe's…read moreprevious location. Once he's outed as a fraud and grifter, he packs up, changes business name, and moves. My story with this clown began normal enough. I had a special needs kid that showed an interest. Everything was cool for a few weeks. It went from Joe being there in person to being "on vacation" for weeks at a time. The instructors were a mix of people who were skilled and competent to men I don't really want around my kid. And eventually there was one instructor for almost 20 kids. My kid was yelled at multiple times because he wasn't doing what he was supposed to. However, he didn't receive ANY instruction. He was just being berated because Joe can't bothered to staff his supposed gym. Then comes the separation issue. We withdrew our kid because he wasn't literally not receiving instruction. I kept time on my phone. The final day it was 37 minutes without any direction. I tried contacting Joe multiple times about how unsatisfied I was with the unprofessional behavior. After notifying Joe we were done he threatened us with breach of contract. That's right. As soon as the money starts drying up he's Mr. Responsive. He even threatened my credit score. I received tons of emails from EFC, his hatchetman, to pay up or face consequences. Well, turns out Joe can't keep records, like most absentee business owners. He couldn't produce a signed contract, because I didn't sign one despite his insistence. He constantly needed more time to find it. And kept initiating charges on my credit card until I reported it as fraud. He eventually produced a document signed by someone other than me hoping to bully me into paying. I reported EFC as fraud to my credit card and my lawyer had to send Joe a strongly worded email to cut his fraud act out. He backed off eventually, and moved shortly thereafter. If I didn't have access to a lawyer, I would've been on the hook for hundreds of dollars, if not more. To Joe: you're a fraud. You prey upon people to sustain your lifestyle. You provide no real service or value. I think the term for that is parasite. I still have screenshots of all your texts where you threatened me with financial harm. Before you reply, my lawyer hates...what was it that he called people like you..."scum bags." Yea, scum bags. And he's up for another run at you and EFC. Get a real job. You're both a has been. You're a never were.

The quality of the classes is good, but I docked serious stars for the lack of clarity about…read morepricing. The classes are more than the earlier review that said it was $129, and they are not unlimited at that price point, anymore. The price listed in the contract omits at least $150 in mandatory exam fees-you even get charged to find out what material is covered by these exams. These hidden fees left me with a bad feeling and I asked to be released from the contract within the cancellation period listed on the contract. The owner was extremely belligerent and threatening. He outright refused to honor the terms of his own contract. Despite the lack of professionalism, the quality of the instruction is good. So, my advice is to ask about the exam fees, registration, class fees, required gear, and the costs of exam materials.. Take a good look at the schedule (there is only one class per discipline per day).

If you are interested in Kendo and Iaido - the Japanese Budo and Martial Arts - this is a genuine…read moreDojo you can find in Philly area. Come and give it a try - hopefully you will enjoy and join this lovely family here.

From the owner: KENDO is originated from the experience of the samurai who trained to use “Nihonto” – Japanese…read moreswords in distinctive appreciation of the “principle of the sword”. It is believed that through learning Kendo one can gain an understanding of the “principles of the sword”. It is important to study the spirit of the samurai, which is related to these principles, and can be learned through rigorous training in the use of the sword. This is why the object of Kendo is refereed to being a way to develop the human character. – All Japan Kendo Federation IAIDO is complimentary Japanese martial art that focusing on the swift and efficient drawing of a Katana and executing a decisive strike, emphasizing precision, mental focus and the art of drawing the sword from a peaceful position. They are numerous Iaido koryu school in Japan, but All Japan Kendo Federation has unified Iaido school into Seitei Iai set of 12 techniques called Seitei Iai. Our school belongs to Jikidan Eishin ryu, one of many koryu practiced today in Japan with linage to mid-1500s to a swordsman named Hayashizaki Jinsuke. Kendo not a self-defense martial art and will not do much for you in term of defending yourself again street attack. So, why Kendo? We base our teaching on the principle of Samurai Swordsmanship • Kendo teaches you how not to cheat and lie. • Kendo teaches you how to fight laziness. • Kendo teaches you how to respect others. • Kendo teaches how to live with dignity.