Sensei Paul Belle Isle is an excellent instructor of Shindo Jinen Ryu Karate. I attended his class…read morefor a little over a year and can easily attest that his approach to instructing and teaching this style of Karate makes it easy to understand yet keeps it challenging as it should be. He doesn't just "hand out" belts like some other dojos nor does he allow the students to forget the very basics. For every belt you earn, you can honestly say you know everything you are required to know up to that point. Sensei Paul makes the student understand the purpose of each movement in Shindo Jinen Ryu and with the typically smaller sized classes, he has time to teach one on one if need be. Sensei Paul truly has a love for Karate and a passion for teaching. I highly recommend this class to anyone.

I started taking classes here a few months ago after my (fit) wife gave me karate lessons for…read moreChristmas. Hmmm....Was she inspired by Michelle Obama who gave gym clothes to the President? Anyway, I happily accepted the gift because I was already wondering how to add more variety to my daily fitness routine, which consists of bending, stretching, and balancing exercises along with weights and cardio (I am lucky to have the equipment and space in my home to do this). I was also hoping that by participating in a group exercise, I will not have the monotony of working out alone (listening to the Morning Edition) at least twice a week. Well, despite the fact that I had never taken marital arts lessons before and other than tidbits gathered from watching Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan movies, I hardly knew anything, I found that at the end of the day, karate is yet another way to improve fitness. Obviously, it was a little intimidating to join a class with that level of ignorance, but I found the instructor to be supportive and patient. Over several weeks, I have learned a few stances and kicks, and feel much more confident about being able to defend myself in the future. Now, yet again, maybe it was my ignorance, but I did not expect that we will be doing a lot of other exercises to warm up and to improve our fitness levels in addition to actual karate techniques. So that has been a blessing for me because I am realizing that by doing these additional exercises I am exercising each and every muscle in my body. Let me add that karate can be learned at any age and I am aware of instructors who are in their 70s and 80s. That is yet another plus because this is a fitness activity that I can envision doing the rest of my life. Taking on karate classes as I am approaching my 50th birthday was a step outside my comfort zone of fitness, but it has been fun because the classes are designed to be slow-paced and focused more on getting it right than on speed.

Soke LeClair and his team really work hard to help you be the best version of yourself. No shame…read more No pressure. They meet you where you are mentally and physically and lift you up lesson by lesson. Don't judge their business by the outside building. It's what you'll find inside that matters! Our whole family loves them, and we can't thank them enough!

Committed to developing Black Belt students for over 30 years!…read more I initailly took a class as a guest of a friend. The energy and excitement I felt from the students, parents and instructors from the moment I walked in had me hooked! That class was back in 2002! Budo Kai Martial Arts takes great pride in the teachings they share with their families - Self confidence, character, discipline, self control... along with fitness! As of right now, my family has 3 generations studying, training and even working at Budo Kai Martial Arts! I cannot imagine my life now without the continued support of Professor LeClair, his instructors and all my fellow students!

I am a student of Tosoku Martial Arts; it's difficult to imagine how one could "review" a dojo or…read moremartial arts school accurately without having invested time and effort into learning and training within it. That said, I have been a student of Aikido for more than a decade throughout New England and New York, and my consideration of Mark (-sensei) and of Tosoku is within the context that training, much of which was under a number of incredible teachers. Roughly 4 years ago, I stepped away Aikido to explore other martial styles -- western boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Sanda/Sanshou (Chinese Kickboxing). After moving to Stow, I decided to drop in on Mark's classes in response to a sign in the window of the local Karate school. Cross-training left me skeptical about some of the elements of Aikido, and I was not certain that I wanted to pick it back up full time. That was nearly 2 years ago, and I've gone to almost every class since. One of the things that is difficult to convey to a potential student of a martial arts school is whether or not the art as practiced is authentic. Mark is the "real thing": he is a direct student of one of the founder's students, trained for a number of years in Japan, and holds an advanced black belt. What is unique about Tosoku, however, is Mark's willingness to make space for Aikido to grow based on the changes that modern MMA-style training has introduced to martial arts in general. That said, this is also very much a friendly, relaxed, beginner-friendly atmosphere: there is no posturing, no ego, and safety is paramount both on and off the mat. Currently run out of the Stow Karate space, Tosoku represents the best of both traditional and evolutionary Aikido, and is a rare find in central MA.

We started my 5yr old son at DMA about 2 months ago and our daughter will start in the fall. So far…read morewe have really enjoyed being a part of the DMA studio. I love that Shihon Dan focuses as much on life lessons as he does on Karate. He does a great job talking to younger children about powerful topics such as honesty, respect & perseverance. We are new to Karate as a family but it's not something I can see us giving up any time soon. If you are looking to get your child into martial arts I highly recommend the DMA studios.

Other karate classes for young children that I've seen are mostly games, running around, with a few…read moresloppy kicks here and there. DMA teaches REAL karate from day one, and still manages to be just as fun for the kids without sacrificing learning actual self defense. Don't waste your time and money on schools that don't really teach your children much of anything. DMA is the best, hands down. You'll never find a more patient, capable, and FUN instructor than Shihan Dan!

Since there are no reviews for this school I feel obligated to put one...My child attended Goddard…read morefrom 10/2006 to 09/2010. We were VERY happy with what we got out of it. After searching the area for what we considered the type of learning environment we wanted our child in we were very disappointed...Then one day my wife called and said "I've found the place! You have to see it..." and it was Goddard School in Northboro. It was worth every penny. My child was immersed in a social and educational environment that had her more than prepared for what "big kid school" had waiting for her. Goddard has excellent structure. They have detailed weekly themes and plans and daily reports that can be as involved as you need. How much your child ate...bathroom trips...sleeping...you name it. They have a great classroom setup divided by age...from wee little babies all the way to the big kids on their way to school in a year. They even have transitional periods for the kids to adjust to new rooms and they try their best to send kids up in small groups together. How great is it when your child makes great friends at such a young age. The place was always clean. The bathrooms were clean...The outdoor play areas were varied and exciting for the kids. Next time you see an open house step in an check it out. Your child will some day thank you for it... It sure beats sitting them in front of a tv for 4 years until they start school... Nothing is better than a child rolling into kindergarten reading and writing and doing math! Goddard had safe, isolated computers in every room for the kids to learn PC skills and play learning games on. Putt Putt saves the Zoo will forever be synonymous with computer time for my child. Your results may vary...but the odds are greatly improved with Goddard School.

We love Goddard School! The small classroom environment is perfect for our little one. All the…read moreteachers are exactly what I would expect to see at any center! At Goddard School in Northborough, they have a patient, positive and encouraging approach to the children. The entire school works as a team, a well structured unit, if you will. It's very refreshing to see! I have peace of mind knowing my child is safe and well cared. In the same token my child is actively learning and enriching his mind. My only wish is enrolling my child here sooner. Thank you Dipak, Beth, Ms. Sylvia, Ms. Katie and the rest of the team for shining bright with the children! You're all amazing and wonderful child educators! Our family is forever grateful.

I actually train at Doshikai in Acton. It is a traditional Karate School run by Nagao Matsuyama…read more Sensei Matsuyama has been teaching Shotokan Karate in the Boston Area for over 35 years and has developed a following of dedicated traditional Karate practitioners interested in perfecting and refining their techniques. We meet every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 pm and I promise that you will not be disappointed.