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.

Their cancellation policy is ridiculous. They require written notice before they'll process a…read morecancellation and despite their paperwork having a spot for "email date," they wouldn't accept an email as cancellation notice. 3 weeks after emailing them, I got charged anyway and had to make a special trip to sign to confirm, yet again, that I did want to cancel. This is all despite the fact that my son has not been to classes for at least 6 weeks before giving them the written notice via email that apparently isn't the same thing as actual written notice.

We started our daughter at this ATA location nearly a year ago. She was very shy and had terrible…read moreseparation anxiety. We asked her if she was interested in trying out a class and she said she was, however when we got there she refused to participate. After watching the class having a lot of fun she insisted that she wanted to return. We returned but she continued to refuse to participate - the staff was incredibly patient with her and let us visit a few classes without fee. I just decided to sign my daughter up and continue to encourage her to participate and with their incredible patience and continuous encouragement she finally relented. She is now nearing completion of her yellow belt at the age of 4. She loves the Tiny Tigers program and enjoys getting to accomplish different goals (other than the different color belts) - they have good habit worksheets that they complete each week (doing chores, being respectful at home, completing school work), stars for homework they complete, and other such incentives. The instruction is great and there are helpers in the class that assist the instructor in helping those kiddos that may be struggling or that are new. It is also nice because the kids must practice at home so it pushes the parents to really take an active role in learning the moves and helping your kid see that they have to work hard beyond the time they are actually in the class. The environment is very structured and the focus is on helping kids learn to follow instruction, work towards a goal, and self control. Each month they focus on different life values such as self control, respect, honestly, integrity, and honor. The instructor always asks the kids how their day is going and allows some time to just talk with them casually before class begins. We've had nothing but a great experience at this ATA location and just think every one here is fantastic. Thank you Ms. Dalida, Mr. Dalida, Ms. Strange and Ms. Robinson for helping our little one gain a strong sense of self confidence!!

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.

Takai Mine Taekwondo is a wonderful school and environment for young, middle age, and older…read morestudents. My personal experience has been nothing but full satisfaction and outstanding leadership and quality of teaching. I can only say, Grandmaster is such a kind hearted individual who loves and cares for her students. Her integrity and experience only speaks for itself. I have known and been a student of Takai Mine Taekwondo and have learned so much and given assistance with anything I every needed. I love this school and will always be part of their family and teachings. Ruby Red New Mexico Award Winning Artist and Student

There is a lack of adequate leadership. Disrespect from staff and students that's tolerated which…read moreperpetuates problems. Students don't learn motivation or respect and what could be a great school, is now lacking in integrity.

Wow! This is real taekwondo. Master McGinnis and his Instructors know their stuff. Both the adults…read moreand,the kids are very respectful and,wellcoming.