I am a black belt who has been training with Master Joyner at USSD Encinitas for over 17 years. If…read moreyou think that suggests a biased review, let me explain. I have actually trained with USSD since 1998 and have experienced the style and discipline of 4 other instructors, including another Master instructor at another USSD studio in the last few weeks. I am a Physician by profession and can easily discern personal as well as professional skills and comportment. Master Joyner masters both. His group classes are rigorous....but karate is not meant to be easy. Considering he is a 5th degree black belt, with rare exceptions, Master Joyner is always the instructor in his group and private classes, very unusual in this industry. He also works really well with children of all ages. If you have any desire to do martial arts or to simply help your child with discipline and structure, I highly recommend this skilled and compassionate instructor at USDD Encinitas!

This place is horrible. I came here and did karate for 2 years until i was a purple belt and had to…read moreleave because it was terrible. My brother is a little sensitive, and Master Joyner hates kids who cry. For example, my brother forgot to bring a note to class, so he was stressed about it. He was given 50 pushups and leap-frogs, and was out of breath so naturally, he started crying. Master Joyner got so mad that he grabbed him by his HAIR and yelled at him. He also grabbed the back of his gi and shoved him into the closet, and there was another person even watching. he resumed saying to the other kid who was a white belt, "See, *name*, I'm not rude, this is just how I act, okay?" The kid nodded in shock and I was standing against the wall while he said this, and I was scared horribly when he did this because it is generally scary to have a teacher do this. My parents later emailed him and he said that he didn't do it!! he is a horrible liar and a bad person in general.

I cannot say enough about WCMAA. Sifu Alliota is an exceptional martial artist, and it has been a…read moreprivilege to be training with him on-and-off for the last 17 years. One of the many things I like about his training style is how he is able to show you the practical application of every technique he teaches, that is a rare thing to find from an instructor. Master Jen and the other instructors also impart great knowledge and respect. Once you start training with them you are not just a student, you are family.

I went there before it's really fun and on Fridays they normally have little party witch are funread more

I am amazed and thankful how our 7 year daughter has grown in skill and confidence in only 30 days!…read more Master Pattison knew exactly what to say and how to get her comfortable very quickly and worked with her through her initial unease. Thank you

We love CMA! My 4 yr son is so excited to go to class and asks every day if he can go. I really…read morelove that it's paid like a gym membership that he can use or not use as much as he wants. The patience of Master Pattison and all the teachers there is really amazing. My son can get very distracted and unfocused and the teachers gently bring him back and he is really learning respect, focus and self control. We are very glad to be a part of CMA

I've been training with Kickforce Martial Arts for the last 3 months & all I can admit is…read more.. Don't think about joining here if you're not READY to break a SWEAT. Don't think about joining here if you're not READY to become a LEADER of your own LIFE. Don't think about joining here if you're not READY to be part of the FRIENDLIEST COMMUNITY around. Training at Kickforce Martial Arts not only allowed me to improve my Martial Arts. But, also become an individual who can take lead within my own community. The community here is so openly supportive that there's no space to say "I LEARNED IT ALL". We all help each other grow one another whether if it's in training, character & on development. I really RECOMMEND taking Mrs. Aguilar Kickboxing Class on Tuesday's. She will work you, break you & build you back up as a whole new fighter & individual. I don't have any kids myself, but I witness growth within all individuals of all ages. From a 5 year old to their 40 year old parents. There's just so much confidence that kids are introduced too. That if I had a kid, I would waste NO TIME on having them be part of the community.

My experience with Kickforce began in June of 2025. It began with the Tigers program for my then 5…read moreyear old, about to turn 6. He was adjusting to something new and out of his comfort zone. Which leads me into something that I have taught my boys now that I learned from Master Aguilar. The best way to put it is each time we do something even just a little bit outside our comfort zone, that circle that bubble that is protecting our fears and our anxieties its opened a little bit more. I loved hearing that because it's what I've known to be true for so long and that way of explaining it. Anyways aside from Master Aguilars Moments Of Wisdom, I will call them, I began to see my son needing a closer role model. So we began the beginners class, both of us. My son is loving it and he's gone up 2 belts and almost going on a third. He is using his voice more and for the first time (yes after 8 months ish) he didn't give me any push back on going. He has been being recognized for accomplishments and we are BOTH getting stronger together. Tara and her husband are amazing The customers and their children are humble and nice. This is the place to be for your martial arts journey.

North County Martial Arts has been such a wonderful experience for both my daughter and me. We…read moreoriginally joined for the after-school program, and it has become so much more than just a place for her to go after school. The after-school program has been fantastic. The staff genuinely care about the kids and create an environment where they feel supported, encouraged, and excited to be there. My daughter has gained so much confidence, discipline, and independence through her time at NCMA. We also participate in the EMA (Evening Martial Arts) program, which has been an amazing addition to our experience. It's something we can do together while learning martial arts, building confidence, and staying active. I really appreciate that NCMA makes martial arts enjoyable for both kids and parents, while still emphasizing discipline, respect, and personal growth. The instructors are attentive, encouraging, and genuinely invested in their students. You can tell that NCMA is about much more than teaching martial arts. They're helping build character and creating a strong sense of community. If you're looking for an after-school program or a martial arts school in Carlsbad, I highly recommend North County Martial Arts. The combination of the after-school program and EMA has been a great experience for our family, and we're very grateful to be part of the NCMA family!

A Truly Exceptional Martial Arts Community at NCMA…read more NCMA has been an incredible place for our family, and we are so grateful to be part of this karate community. The studio shares the same facility as Carlsbad's Best, but the martial arts program deserves its own special praise. My oldest is now a black belt, and watching that journey has been amazing. My youngest and I are working through the color belt ranks together, and training side by side has been one of the best experiences we've had as a family. I love that karate is a lifelong sport. There is always more to learn, and the community here makes you want to keep growing. The coaches are outstanding teachers. They know how to push students in a positive way and bring out their best. Their approach helps build discipline, self-respect, and real confidence, not just in class but in everyday life. One of the things that stands out most is the black belt community. Every black belt student I've met here seems wise beyond their years. They know how to communicate with adults, support younger students, and speak comfortably in front of groups. It's a level of maturity that is rare to see, and it reflects the quality of instruction at NCMA. If you are looking for a place to train, learn, and become part of a strong, supportive community, NCMA is truly something special.

Our daughter has been attending Bushikan Karate Dojo for the past three years, and we couldn't be…read morehappier. Sensei Chrisan and Sensei Franco are exceptional--knowledgeable, patient, supportive, and genuinely invested in every student. They teach far more than karate, helping the kids develop confidence, discipline, focus, and respect in a positive and encouraging environment. We feel incredibly fortunate to have found Bushikan and recommend it wholeheartedly!

I can't speak positively enough about our experience with Bushikan. Both of my children (3 and 6)…read moreour current student students, and we have been coming here for several years. Coming to classes, one of the highlights of my kids week and we love the effect that being members of the dojo has had on our children. We see improvements in their focus, their manners, and their agility. Perhaps what's more important though is they both genuinely enjoy it and have a fantastic friend group there. Sensei Chrisan is fantastic with kids.

San Diego Dojo hosted its 41st annual beach practice in Carlsbad this weekend. A fabulous annual…read moreevent that brings together Shotokan Karate of America (SKA) dojo members from across the region. Members showed strong fighting spirit throughout and continued to refine their practice in this beautiful natural setting. Afterwards, the San Diego Dojo hosted a luncheon on the beach that everyone enjoyed. If you are interested in karate practice that is serious, realistic and traditional, come and visit the dojo. The instructor and black belts are welcoming and will support you every step of the way, no matter what level. Beginners are always welcome.

Upgrade to a smarter Gmail…read more Secure, fast & organized email Open Primary Fwd: Yelp text D Diane Cox to me 0 minutes ago Details SKA's basic techniques are very technical and well taught. Dojo helps grow physically, gain self-confidence, and self-discipline. Our Dojo instructor & senpai are highly trained, educated, very humble & fun. Dojo has standard rules and consequences as shown in SKA's rules, and has to be followed when attending, this made us stand out from others. Respect is commanded & earned, this is what I learned through karate practice. The dojo is a non-business, all volunteer so the cost is very minimum.

PMA has been wonderful for my son. He looks forward to every session and takes the lessons to heart…read more-- and not just the physical lessons, but the school's emphasis on respect, as well. I highly recommend PMA for parents looking for an outlet to encourage activity, instill confidence and develop life skills for their children.

My 3 kids absolutely LOVE PMA in Encinitas! The studio is new, big and bright with lots of…read morewindows. The instructors are fantastic and their love for children really comes through in their teaching. The classes are fun and the program strives to teach kids how to be good people and not just great fighters. I especially like how they talk to kids about using their training as a last resort for self defense. The whole program is A+.

AK Martial Arts & Fitness has been a lifesaver and we could not be happier to have found them. My…read moreson not only trains there but he is a part of the After School Program. The program is so much more than I ever expected. The kids do homework, computer lab, crafts, agility, and martial arts training. The staff, the owners, and the instructors are amazing. My son is in the best hands when he is there and has learned so much more than martial arts. He has learned discipline, respect, self-defense, a new language, and life skills. I know that he loves it as he wants to train and be there all the time. We are so happy to be part of the community that they have built there.

Highly recommend AK as it has been such a huge hit with my…read more5 year old who has never done martial arts before. He looks forward to his weekly classes with Master Estes who has done so much for his & his friends' confidence. Master E makes each class fly by with a variety of engaging activities & makes the kids laugh throughout, while ensuring they're using proper form & focusing on each new skill learned. My son always comes home to show me a new sequence or kick/ hit move (and he's actually impactful doing them!). We want to offer sincere gratitude for this company because they also went above & beyond to create a safe space in accommodating our families that have higher needs for health mitigations - Master E created a private class for our kids to support them & we feel so lucky to have found him + AK.

fabulous for the whole family!! Students learn not just physical skills like balance, coordination,…read moreand self-defense, but also are encouraged to show respect for others, self-control, and courtesy through positive and fun reinforcement. The result is students, both kids and adults, that are great martial artists both physically and in spirit. The instructors here are knowledgeable, kind, and make every class fun.

This is a wonderful dojo . Kids learn and live the tenants , socialize and make friends for life…read more I cannot say enough great things about Stephanie Zeno the master and all the teachers. My kids went here for years and it shows in their character and zest for working hard in their lives. Adults have wonderful experiences here also. Everyone performs in presentations and levels are all well respected and sought after with hard work and determination.