After retiring, I wanted to return to martial arts, building on my initial foundation in Aikido…read more Albuquerque Aikikai offers great benefits: classes that help maintain mobility without impact, traditional etiquette, and a low‑ego culture that attracts mature practitioners. Plus, the weapons training perfectly complements my previous experience in Karate.

I have been attending this Aikido dojo for over four years now. As someone with no previous martial…read morearts experience, I hadn't originally known what to expect when I signed up for my first basics class. What I found was a welcoming environment and friendly people. This school focuses on traditional Japanese Aikido and doesn't lose sight of the martial aspects of the art. The dojo itself is a calm and well-kept space, ideal for focusing on training. Okuyama Sensei is a constant source of inspiration, the kind of person you want to work hard for. There are a wide range of ages present (as well as quite a few families), but the common thread is that it's a group of caring and respectful people. I never enjoyed gym environments (which I find boring), so this dojo has been the perfect blend of mental and physical exercise.

Shane Absher is more than a sensei to his students- he offers guidance and valuable life skills and…read moreencourages discipline and patience and academic strength as well as developing athletic abilities in his students. I highly recommend Kojosho training for children and adults!

This is a school for kids not adults. I was a member for years. I was rarely promoted while 12…read moreyear olds were black belts. I started sparring black belts and made them look like fools. Sensei Anna hated me so much, she strangled me unconscious-- an illegal move in karate -- and tried to kill me. I'm lucky to be alive. If you value your life, you will avoid this school. If they don't like you, they will try to kill you. They say "karate is a dangerous sport and you signed a waiver." It doesn't matter that the instructor killed you with an illegal tactic. This is the most dangerous karate school in existence. If you walk out there alive, count yourself lucky. They also used to have a sadistic monster there named Clarence who would fight new white belts at full force using every illegal tactic in the book. Run from this school. The irony is that I caught one of Sensei Anna's kicks. I could have kicked her remaining leg out from underneath her, but I was trying to be kind, sportsman like. My reward for kindness was that she tried to kill me. I look over all of these five star reviews from parents. None of these people have had to spar Anna. She's a dirty fighter. If she can't win fair and square, she will cheat.

I can't say enough positive comments about this dojo. My son has been coming here since May when he…read morewas 3. He is 4 now and has learned so much. Not only has he learned skills in karate that enhance his core strength and dexterity, he is also learning responsibility and commitment. The senseis here are very patient with my son and have worked with him at his level. They encourage him and even check up on him if he is absent. They are truthful about his skills, yet kind. They have several different levels of classes and each student must work on a homework sheet each month as well as a Self Discipline card that the students return before they are allowed to test up in belts. The Self Discipline cards have a reading section, a karate practice section, and a chores section. MEKA also bring in senpais at times to work with the students one on one or in small groups to help them be more successful. I'm so very glad that we found this dojo. My son's dexterity as well as self esteem has tremendously improved! Thank you, MEKA and cheers!

I can't thank the Blackman's and staff enough. The last 6 years have been awesome. Soon my youngest…read morewill test for her black belt. It is one of the best things I've done as a parent, making her come to class when she didn't want to. It has paid off. Whether next month or in 6 months my daughter will have a black belt. But more importantly, her journey has taught her consistenency and persistence pay off. And she's gained courage, confidence, self discipline, focus, a little tenacity, and the list goes on. And, learning to stick with it has paid off in other things in which she is involved. Her various coaches have noticed her body awareness, and self control, that she gets right back up and moves forward even after bad falls that make other kids want to stop and go home. And, she keeps pushing through until she reaches her goals. If that sounds like I am bragging on my kid, I'm not. This review's not about my kid. I'm bragging about what TKD has done for her, and about the impact of martial arts training, and Blackman's TKD in particular. I'd recommend Blackman's to anyone - child or adult. They are super good with kids. Plus, by the way, now that Covid is with us - The Blackman's have gone the extra mile making sure their facility is well ventilated, and squeaky clean. Their sanitizing procedure is ... probably overkill in my opinion. I'm thinking its beyond anything required. But, better to err to the side of caution, right? At Blackman's they do. I know I am thoroughly safe sitting there watching my kid train.

Our son was criticized for having a Gospel verse on his black belt…read more After spending around 5 years at Blackman's, including becoming Legacy Program members, we've come to learn who the Blackmans really are. If you want the short version we'll say this: They believe they are the be-all and end-all of martials arts in Albuquerque and will attempt to bully, harass and intimidate anyone (staff, students and even parents) who do not toe the line and show unconditional loyalty. If you want the longer version, read on... In order to earn a black belt, you will be required to sign your child's rights away via a non-compete agreement (Image 1, 2 & 3) The Blackmans will not disclose this until just a couple of months prior to the black belt test after you've already spent thousands of dollars and countless hours to get to black belt. They do this purposefully because they know at that point you won't say no. The agreement positions your child as an employee (Image 1, Sec. 3). The reason for the non-compete is because Phillip believes he owns the copyright on taekwondo forms and wants to prevent any potential competition across the entirety of martial arts, even disciplines he doesn't teach (Image 2). While his "student manual" is indeed federally protected, the law says that the forms and movements therein are not copyrightable. We managed to navigate not signing the non-compete because our son's paperwork was not reviewed until after the May 2026 black belt test. After the black belt test we were told by Brooke and by JohnMark that his embroidered black belt would be withheld until we capitulated to their demands and signed away our minor child's rights. So instead, we ordered a custom belt for our son that has his name and his favorite verse from the Gospel of John (John 8:12). During an early September 2026 meeting involving Phillip, Kristine, JohnMark as well as me and my wife, Kristine told us we were the only parents in 30+ years who refused to sign the non-compete. She was not happy about it. JohnMark was critical and dismissive that our son opted for a Gospel verse instead of Blackman's name. JohnMark's dismissiveness of our son's desire to have a Gospel verse on his black belt stinks of religious discrimination. We were told tradition demands that black belts wear the name of their dojang to show it off with pride to other schools. But who are they showing it off to? The Blackmans don't even attend competition with other schools. Instead they have in-house tournaments that will cost you more money for participation trophies. And you'll have to pay for those participation trophies four different times in order to get a black belt. For too long we've watched the Blackmans and now JohnMark, bully, defame, and intimidate students, instructors and other staff members (both current and former). We've watched the Blackmans threaten frivolous lawsuits against former employees. Even parents have been accosted and had their loyalty questioned. They seem to forget who is paying whom. Before the Blackmans try to refute what we've shared, in the interest of transparency, please know everything in the review is backed up with either documented evidence or supported by their own words on audio recording. Finally, think twice before believing the 5-star reviews. Phillip pays for them every testing cycle by offering a cash or gift card raffle in exchange for 5-star reviews.

Excellent judo club , judo clinic with Ryan Resner was amazing, high level techniques.read more

Yes, this place is called Sandia Judo, and judo is the main art taught here, but certainly not the…read moreonly one. This dojo is used almost as a multipurpose area for other instructors and various special events. However, regarding judo, they teach traditional Kodokan Judo - not the same as sport judo. They have a very open door policy, so if you want to come by and use the mat for awhile, they will let you for a very reasonable fee. Super nice folks! Good amount of mat space, though not the softest mats in the world. :) Very small dressing room space so plan accordingly (I usually change into most of my gi before I go). Definitely a no-flash, no-nonsense, effective dojo full of really friendly people!

My five year old son told me he wanted to be a Karate kid. This is the first place we tried out and…read morewas his favorite of all the places we tried. What I love about this place is the one on one help each child gets during the lesson. Master Jim really lights up while working with the kids. You can tell he loves teaching Taekwondo. They learn discipline and respect, counting and other words in Korean. The lessons also help with focus and concentration. Class here is the highlight of my little man's week. Every morning he asks if today is a Taekwondo day. I wasn't sure how he would do with three days a week, but he absolutely loves it. I am watching my little unsure shy guy come out of his shell. He memorized the rules of Taekwondo after his second day and is just so eager to keep or practicing and learning more.

I've seen a complete transformation in my shy and quiet 6 year old boy to an independent martial…read moreartist that works hard, follows directions and aims to please his instructors. Master Jim is patient, kind, yet, stern. He has high expectations for his students in (and out) of class and teaches without demoralizing. (The classes are taught with Korean immersion so students are learning skills with correct terms. I LOVE THIS!) The Dojang is clean and the atmosphere is intimate, friendly and structured. My son has been enrolled for 2 weeks and I have seen a positive and dramatic change in his character. Example: Last week the children had some fun skill building challenges. If he would have "lost a challenge" 2 months ago, he would have had a major meltdown. On Friday, he dropped and did 5 push-ups and then sat straight up to wait his turn for the next challenge.

What an amazing facility. They have great coaches and really focus on teaching our children and…read moreadults. I love the fact that they don't see us like a dollar sign like most gyms. They truly reinvest in the parents and children. My only regret is not finding this gym sooner.

Great experience so far! Our son loves the instructors who makes each session fun but focused. We…read morewill definitely recommend this place to whomever is looking for their child to gain strength and discipline.

This is a fantastic academy for anyone - kids to adult, just beginning to experienced professional…read more My 5 year old son and I both take classes here. I've never met a more competent and yet relaxed and fun team - and head instructor Justin Hall is fantastic. I really can't recommend him highly enough. BJJ, or any martial art, can be intimidating to start. Something a lot of us want to do, or dream about, but we're hesitant, maybe afraid to go in - remembering Cobra Kai from our youth in the Karate Kid. Well it's not like that at all. They're warm, welcoming, and fun. Justin exudes a confidence only born of competence, you see it in people who are great at what they do, whatever it is. Justin is the consummate teacher - patient, yet exacting. He knows his stuff, and he's not in this just for minting belts and making money. He in fact will limit the size of his school ultimately - so I'd get in now. There is no better place in NM. There may be other great facilities, but I can guarantee you that you will be happy you went here.