World Oyama Karate is great! I've been training at this San Mateo dojo for almost a year now and it…read morehas been super empowering, mentally and physically. I came from several years training in a different karate school and was also impressed with how strong even the lower belts here are in sparring. Probably because the training is intense, but it makes you strong. Everyone is super nice too.

We tried several martial arts studios in San Mateo and World Oyama is the perfect fit for our son…read moreand family. Our son has thrived here and have gotten a lot more assistance to improve his skills than some of the larger studios where he seemed like just a number. The dojo also fosters a sense of family from celebrating the holidays, having a bbq, and all working together to put an annual tournament together. We look forward to continuing to grow with this great dojo!

It's for the kids! nothing negative to say here! Nice looking place. Covid is nuts and makes things…read morea little different from the norm but manageable. If their was a con, it'd be parking but i dont mind getting here early for the parking. it's for the kids!

Before my boy started here, I always walked past this place... doesn't have much students and small…read morecompared to other huge martial arts studios... never thought about sending him here. Always looked closed. No yelp reviews, nothing. I had a friend that sent his daughters here and he recommended this place so I did some research on this place before sending him here. I signed up the boy for 3 months to see how he likes it in 2015. It's been almost 1 year since. He's more disciplined now almost 6 years old compared to most kids out there. I've seen him develop his reflexes and self defense over the past year. I can say this small studio will do your kid right. No bs, no mess around kind of studio. I've been there and watch other kids from different martial arts with black belts and can't do what the eagle Claw kids do with just red and blue belts. I was pretty amazed and I'm not ragging on other martial arts but maybe it's easier to get belts in other places. Watching my boy practice, this isn't for the weak. They dont babysit. just teach kungfu, plain and simple. There is another wing chun class taught there at the same studio on certain nights only. (Haven't checked it out) seen some of the students there and doesn't look they mess around either. Definitely a good place to learn martial arts. I googled eagle Claw and found out they have many international studios... do your own research and figure it out. Worked out for my boy.

John Chang was hired by the City of Sunnyvale to teach Self Defense for Kids classes at one of…read moretheir summer camps. My daughter was in his class for less than an hour on one day last year; she was uncomfortable with the way he spoke to her, and with how he re-positioned her body. I have taught her that she doesn't have to do things that make her uncomfortable, and that her body is her own, and no one has the right to touch it without her consent. As such, we removed her from the class, as it was clearly a poor fit between student and instructor. This year, my daughter is at the same camp, but not registered in Mr. Chang's classes. He brought a snow cone machine to the camp, gave the students in his class snow cones, and then offered them for sale to the kids outside of his class. Because the camp was not informed of his intent to sell snow cones*, neither were the parents, and many kids did not have money to purchase. Mr. Chang told other coaches/instructors that, for the kids without cash, they could pick a camper who was very well-behaved to receive a free cone. A coach chose my daughter, which speaks to how well-behaved and agreeable she is. When my daughter went up to receive her cone, Mr. Chang asked if she were the student who stopped taking his class last year. She said yes. He then told her she wasn't good, and refused to give her the cone. She retreated, embarrassed, hurt, shamed, and in tears. She asked her other coach for space, and wept quietly until she pulled herself together and re-joined her group. She didn't complain, whine, or get angry. I approached Mr. Chang the next day to speak with him. He said that, a year ago, she "spoke down to him." I said, "She spoke down to you?! She is a child!" He clarified that she didn't listen when he told her to do things -- that ONE day, in that ONE class, for less than an hour, after her initial attempts left her uncomfortable. I applaud her for this: it's a children's recreational summer camp, not an army, and she was not comfortable acting on his orders or being touched by him. She didn't talk back to or sass him. For a grown man to hold a grudge like this with a child for an entire year, and punish her for it publicly, is ridiculous and petty. Even IF my child had been rude or disrespectful to him a year ago, her other coach identified her as well-behaved and deserving THIS year. This isn't about the snow cone, and it's not about martial arts or self-defense. This is about an instructor whose focus is on authority at all costs, who is insensitive and unkind, who holds grudges against children, and who expects respect but doesn't offer any. If your parenting style is one of absolute authority, obedience, and discipline, you might get along with him well. For those of us who teach self-awareness, self-protection, and empathy, I strongly recommend avoiding his teaching. * Soliciting children for money is not allowed at the camps. Had Mr. Chang requested permission to do this, he would have been denied.

My son attended John Chang's karate class for one year and he loves it. My wife has decided to…read morealso take the class and both are enjoying John's instructions. John does not just teach martial arts. John helps children learn to respect and physical health as well as focus. He lets his students have fun but also lets them know that martial arts is also a serious sport. As far as the comments that John is rude, I would say that I have never observed this nor have ever been treated this way. If you're looking for a teacher that will also say yes to you or coddle your children, then don't go to John. However, if you want your child to learn, be disciplined and succeed in life as well as karate, then we highly recommend John Chang.

I studied, practiced and thought here for about 6+ years, during which time I received my 1st…read moredegree black belt. The school, its staff and students are awesome. Tim Sheehan, the 5th degree black belt who owns and run the school, is a really down to earth, friendly, fun and amazing guy. The curriculum is pretty intense as it covers kicking, punching, blocking, throwing, falling, chocking, grappling, joint locking, pressure point manipulation, some gymnastic, and most of the basic weapons. Ideally, a student will attend at least 2 days a week, if not more, so that they can slowly build a mastery of the techniques. I highly recommend this style of martial art for any one aged 5 to 70, and of any physical size. On certain days, the workouts can be tough mixing some stretching, with cardio, sit-ups, and push-ups, but you're able to move at your own pace, doing what's comfortable for you and appropriate for you level. You'll absolutely love it, and will enjoy yourself immensely, as you build new friendships, learn to defend yourself, and get in great shape.

We have just completed the fall session with Master Tim and we are definitely going to continue…read moreonward. My 5 year old loves going to classes here - it's hands down his favorite after school activity! What I love about the classes is that it's actual instruction. We have done trials at a few other martial arts places and at the 4-5 year old level, it often just degenerates into a glorified gymnastics session or just play time. Sure, it's nice to get the energy out, but I can just as easily do that with a play date. I'm impressed by how much my son has learned in 4 months, all the while having a great time and not even realizing it's instruction. Master Tim has a great way of making class fun for the young kids and I love how he teaches the younger kids' classes himself. He instills good values all the while teaching the physical instruction.

The teachers teach well and are very friendly and understanding towards much younger children. The…read moremasters and instructors are knowledgeable. Overall I'd recommend this place to parents who want to teach their young children some self defense and boost their self esteem. Later, when they're older send them to MMA, wrestling, muay thai, etc.

Never trust Jin who may be the owner or the top manager. They are money driving. Their Rules and…read morepolicies are to discipline you to pay the money. No customer service. Do not make request. You will never get result but you get anger and frustration. I have asked a email address or some basic info that is associated with their Bank of America account for over a year with verbal, writing note and emails so I can set up a online payment with Zelle or Bill Pay with my bank account and avoid being charged later fee by them. My son was there for years 5 days a week. That is the only request at TG during these years. It ended up I came to here to write this review. Never use your money to support this kind business!!!

Choosing a dojo was easy after coming across Bay Area's Best Karate. I reached out to several local…read moreplaces in the San Bruno, SSF, and Pacifica areas, but BAB stood out right away--not only because they worked with my daughter's schedule, but because of their flexibility and approach. What really makes them the "best" is that Sensei Darryl offered my daughter a trial class, something most dojos don't provide. That gave us the chance to see if it was the right fit without feeling pressured into a long-term, non-refundable commitment. As a parent, I truly appreciated that level of confidence and consideration. After the trial, my daughter initially had some hesitation--she was the only girl in the class at the time, and the other students seemed far more experienced. Sensei Darryl reassured us that she would catch on quickly, and he was absolutely right. Now, nearly a year later, this is her favorite extracurricular activity. She has grown so much in both skill and confidence, and it's incredible to see her excited about something she genuinely enjoys. I highly recommend Bay Area's Best Karate to any parent looking for a supportive, reputable dojo.

Summer Special going on now... Ask me why this type of self…read moredefense stands out a little differently than other martial arts contact sports. This Dojo teaches it not only as a sport but also as a form of art encompassing self defense, control and discipline. They have class every weekday. Kids class starts at 630 followed by adult class. Come check it out for yourself

Sensei Patrick is a good instructor and business man. He cares about his students and shows…read morepassion. We are proud to have him at Ussd Saratoga.

My son has learned a lot quickly and I admire the discipline - Patrick seems to get threw to the…read morestudents with a down to earth vibe but yet keeping in tune with the method We are relatively new here and will update - so far so good!

Absolutely the best martial arts studio I've personally trained at. The instructors here really…read moreknow their material so well they have even found the easiest ways to explain things to complete beginners. They have a nice mixture of classes that include options for all skill levels. Sensei Jensen is the best. I feel so fortunate to have trained with him myself for many years and now to see my son being given the same great experience really makes this place unlike anywhere else. If you want to get your children into a self defense class, this is the place. 6 stars.

I wrote a review for the last location but I really can't give enough credit to golden state for…read morehelping to raise me. I started training when I was twelve and Mr Jensen and Ms Pedersen took me in, kept me out of trouble, and taught me things that I'll never forget (and I don't just mean martial arts). In my years of training there i learned the discipline that has been the underpinning of everything I've done since and I know I wouldn't be where I am today without them. Oh and I can totally defend myself too!!! Haha But really if you want to learn martial arts from some of the best in the world and to be a part of a community join golden state. They've got great teachers and it's not a mcdojo. No one gets belts just for showing up you have to earn it. And I really can't emphasize enough how good this is for kids. There were guys I grew up with that got side tracked by relatively minor trouble and it really put them behind the ball. But it didn't happen to me because I was too busy training. I've since moved to the east coast but I really miss the studio.