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    Defense Arts Center

    4.9 (15 reviews)
    Closed • 9:00 am - 2:30 pm

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    Sensei James Auger, 5th Dan, demonstrating an arm lock
    Dread-Pirate R.

    The Defense Arts Center in Upland provides superb instruction in traditional Shotokan karate for adults, children, and families. My 80 year old mother-in-law was even taking a class with my wife and three children. We love the friendly atmosphere and the intense exercise with a well-rounded approach to personal development and self-defense. Shihan Ty is a wonderful teacher and mentor.

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    3 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Good family environment. All instructors and students are exceptional in there attitudes no egos there. Keep up the good work

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    7 years ago

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    Review Highlights - Defense Arts Center

    “This is a family-oriented traditional martial arts dojo with excellent instruction for both children and adults.”

    Mentioned in 9 reviews

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    Upland Martial Arts Center

    Upland Martial Arts Center

    5.0(25 reviews)
    3.2 mi

    I have had my kids enrolled in UMAC for over a year; my oldest is 16 and my youngest is 5. I can…read moresay unequivocally that this dojo cares about your child; if you're looking for an activity for your kids to work and thrive at, definitely give UMAC a look. One of the best things, logistically, is the flexible scheduling UMAC offers; when your kids are on a monthly program, they can attend virtually any class so you're not worrying about conflicts with your Monday or Thursday or whatever - just choose the days you want them to go and it's good. They have general classes every day except Friday and Sunday, as well as advanced classes, black belt classes and weapons classes. With such a wide range of availability, it's not a problem getting a lot of instruction on your schedule. The reason I would choose this dojo over other local choices is simple - I trust that all the Sensei's have my kid's best interests at heart. I can't count the number of times one of the Sensei's has pulled one of my kids aside to take an extra minute or two and teach them a particular move better. The dojo has quarterly tournaments, and the week before is geared towards improving specifically for the tournaments. No kid is ever a loser; they all get trophies for participating. With multiple kids, there is even a discount for the additional kids! Give them a try; this is the kind of extracurricular you stick on when you realize you're treated like family and not just as a customer.

    We have been so happy with this karate studio! We signed up our 5 year old for karate to build…read moreconfidence, but it has done so much more for her. Her self-esteem has grown, she has made friendships (including us parents), and she has fun. Sensei Chris Pellitteri and Sensei Bill will help your child, give them attention, and do whatever it takes for your child to grow in confidence and skill. We cannot express how grateful we are to have discovered this gem and happily recommend it to all our friends and family.

    Photos
    Upland Martial Arts Center - Tournament inside Upland Martial Arts Center

    Tournament inside Upland Martial Arts Center

    Upland Martial Arts Center - My 3 karate kids, December 2014

    My 3 karate kids, December 2014

    Upland Martial Arts Center - August 2017 tournament

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    August 2017 tournament

    Power Of One Martial Arts

    Power Of One Martial Arts

    5.0(24 reviews)
    1.2 mi

    Instructor Mary has been a dynamite teacher for my grandson. He has learned so much from her due to…read moreprivate lessons. I give her high 10!!

    When I started looking for a karate studio for my son (age 5), we tried a couple of free trials at…read morea few different places. We ended up choosing Power of One because their instructors were absolutely amazing with kids. They blew the competition out of the water. We have now been attending for almost a year and we love it even more. My son is very shy, but his confidence is so much higher and his bravery is shining through. Big shout out to Mr Ryan and Mrs Hignite for coaching him so well and to Sensei Jeremy and Mrs J for their support. Aside from the twice weekly lessons we have done a couple of day camps at the studio. My son loves these! They keep them entertained all day on days that there is a school holiday. We appreciate that they offer these day camps. We also did his birthday party here this year! It was absolutely amazing. Everyone was so helpful with decorating. The kids had the best time!!!! We have rented jumping places in the past, and the kids actually said this was way better. My son loved that he got to cut his cake with a katana and break a board with his friends! The studio is beautiful and well kept. There is plenty of parking and it's in a central location. I would genuinely recommend Power of One to anyone interested.

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    Power Of One Martial Arts - Student of the month

    Student of the month

    Power Of One Martial Arts
    Power Of One Martial Arts

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    Z-Ultimate Self Defense Studios

    Z-Ultimate Self Defense Studios

    5.0(37 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    We couldn't be happier with our experience at Z-Ultimate Self Defense! From the moment we walked…read morethrough the doors, the instructors made us feel welcome and took the time to get to know our family. The instructors are patient, encouraging, and truly invested in helping each student succeed. They do an incredible job teaching self defense while also reinforcing respect, discipline, confidence, focus, and perseverance. It's been amazing to watch our child grow both on and off the mat. The facility is always clean, organized, and well run, and communication with families is excellent. Every class is structured, engaging, and fun, which keeps the kids excited to come back each week. If you're looking for a martial arts school that genuinely cares about developing confident, respectful, and resilient kids while teaching valuable self defense skills, I highly recommend Z-Ultimate Self Defense. We're so grateful to be part of their community!

    This is hands down the best martial arts studio in the area for families. The staff members at this…read morelocation are exceptionally friendly, caring, and professional. They have an incredible ability to connect with kids (and adults) keeping the environment fun and engaging while instilling essential values like discipline, focus, and respect. It is amazing to see how much confidence we can build after just a few classes. The facility itself is always clean, organized, and safe for all age groups. I highly recommend Z-Ultimate to any parent/person looking for a positive, growth-oriented environment where their children can learn practical self-defense.

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    Z-Ultimate Self Defense Studios
    Z-Ultimate Self Defense Studios
    Z-Ultimate Self Defense Studios

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    Master Kang Taekwondo - My son Avett with Master Kang and Master Yoo.

    Master Kang Taekwondo

    4.9(54 reviews)
    4.5 mi

    Our child has been attending Master Kang's Taekwondo for about a year now, and it has been a truly…read morepositive experience for our family. When we first enrolled, we were hoping to find an activity that would help our child stay active, learn discipline, and build confidence. What we found was much more than just a martial arts class. Master Kang's Taekwondo has created an environment where children are encouraged to grow not only physically, but also emotionally and socially. One of the things that stands out the most is the quality of the instructors. The teachers are patient, supportive, and genuinely invested in helping each child succeed. They have a great ability to connect with kids while still maintaining structure and discipline during class. The balance between fun and focus is something they manage very well. Classes are engaging and energetic, and the instructor does a great job keeping the children motivated and attentive from start to finish. We especially appreciate the way the program encourages students to support one another. Rather than creating a competitive atmosphere where kids feel pressured to outperform their peers, the instructors focus on building a community where students celebrate each other's accomplishments. When one child achieves something--whether it's mastering a new technique, completing a form, or earning a new belt--the other students are encouraged to cheer them on. It creates a very positive environment where kids learn that success can be shared and that supporting friends is just as important as personal progress. Another important lesson the instructors emphasize is learning to work through challenges and setbacks. Martial arts can be difficult at times, and not every technique comes easily. The instructors consistently encourage the students to keep trying, practice regularly, and not be discouraged by mistakes. Over the past year, we've seen our child become more resilient and willing to keep working at something even when it feels difficult. This mindset has carried over into other parts of life, including school and everyday responsibilities. Accountability is also a big part of what the children learn here. The instructors help students understand that progress comes from effort and consistency. They encourage the kids to learn their routines, listen carefully, and take responsibility for their own improvement. These lessons about discipline and commitment are incredibly valuable and extend far beyond martial arts training. Another thing we really appreciate is how engaging the instructor is with the children. It's not always easy to keep a group of kids focused, especially after a long day at school, but the instructor does an excellent job of making the classes both structured and fun. The students are constantly moving, practicing techniques, and improving their coordination and strength, all while staying excited about what they are learning. One of the best signs that we chose the right place is how much our child looks forward to class. After spending the day at school, it would be understandable if they were tired or reluctant to go to another activity. Instead, our child is always excited to go to Taekwondo and looks forward to every class. That enthusiasm says a lot about the positive environment the instructors have created. The school also offers additional days and activities that help build friendships and teamwork among the students. These events are fun for the kids but also reinforce important life skills such as cooperation, respect, and perseverance. They give the students a chance to bond outside of regular classes and strengthen the sense of community within the school. Over the past year, we have seen a lot of growth in our child. Their confidence has improved, they are more willing to try new things, and they take pride in their progress. The structure and encouragement provided by the instructors have made a real difference. As parents, we also appreciate how welcoming the overall environment is. It's clear that the instructors care about the students and want them to succeed, both in Taekwondo and in life. They create a space where kids feel supported, challenged, and encouraged to keep improving. We plan to continue coming to Master Kang's Taekwondo and supporting our child as they work toward earning their black belt--or until they decide they are ready to move on to something else. Either way, the lessons they are learning here--discipline, perseverance, respect, and teamwork--are skills that will stay with them for years to come. Overall, we highly recommend Master Kang's Taekwondo to any family looking for a program that focuses not just on martial arts, but also on building character and confidence in children. It has been a wonderful experience for our child and our family.

    We've had a great experience with Master Kang Taekwondo for our two boys. The instructors are very…read morefriendly and do an awesome job keeping the kids engaged while still teaching them. Both of them actually stuck with it to earn their black belts, and are still going. It is a great place for kids to learn and grow.

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    Master Kang Taekwondo
    Master Kang Taekwondo
    Master Kang Taekwondo - Drills

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    Drills

    Arc Martial Arts - Age 3 and building self defense confidence

    Arc Martial Arts

    4.9(14 reviews)
    6.7 mi

    My 10yo's previous Dojo closed down. He had disheartened about starting over from a white belt…read more After a year, he decided he was ready. I told my son I would make a couple different appointments and it would be his decision which Dojo he wanted to join. Our first and only appointment was with Red Dragon. He was extremely nervous, but Sensei Kira made him feel so comfortable. I really like the fact that they don't even bring up membership the first trial class. It's focused solely on the student. He was so excited, we went back the next day. I felt ZERO pressure to join and loved that everything is included in our monthly payment. No charge for belt testing, gear, or even tournaments. For my husband and I, that is a huge plus. We also got to choose which day of the month payment would come out. My son has been there a little over a month and loves every moment in class. Each Sensei and Senpai is absolutely amazing with the kids. I see a huge difference in the way my son carries himself. He's much more confident and practices in his room constantly. He's so determined to be his best and it's a beautiful sight. If you are hesitant, don't be! All the kids are so respectful and the atmosphere is extremely welcoming. Your child will benefit from this experience.

    Two of my kiddos joined mini dragons Jan 2024 and we never looked back. We love it here! I'm so…read morehappy my kids have great mentors and role models here.

    Photos
    Arc Martial Arts - Beginner weapons class

    Beginner weapons class

    Arc Martial Arts - Effort results in rewards and growth as students advance in rank

    Effort results in rewards and growth as students advance in rank

    Arc Martial Arts - Cook off Champion!

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    Cook off Champion!

    Defense Arts Center - karate - Updated October 2026

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