Excellent program…read more My son (now 9 .. started at age 8) tested karate during a 4 week after school program held at his school in September 2016; he really enjoyed it so he signed up for another 6 weeks at the karate center itself. He then decided this is something he wants to stick with and we signed up for a year. He has now started his 2nd year. The students are broken up in different time slots based on ages and belt levels. It's an open schedule, so it's up to you how often your child comes (meaning, there may be 4 time slots scheduled for your child's group, but you can choose to show up 1-4 times .. I try to bring my son twice a week). The students work on their skills under senseis. There is stripe testing every few weeks until your child reaches 3 stripes (on their belt) and then they move up to their next belt level. There is a belt ceremony held on a Saturday that is about an hour long for all of the kids (or adults, graded separately) being tested for their next belt. If your child can't make it, they will do the test at the end of a regular class and present your child their next belt and certificate. The kids feel so proud when they move up to a new belt and the senseis give them the acknowledgement they deserve. There is also sparring here that is optional at the children's age level. If you choose, they can buy sparring equipment and come to a separate class for that. My son's confidence tremendously improved since starting karate. I'm not sure if it's a coincidence, but they seem to be related for sure. The senseis also sit around with the kids after class and usually will have a word of the week in which they will discuss what it means and allow the kids to give personal examples of it. For example, I've seen them discuss the words "discipline" and "integrity". This is one of the more expensive activities my son has done, but I find it valuable in many ways .. like I said, it's not just the skill he is learning but his sense of self and confidence. There are different payment options but I choose to pay annually in full which gives a little discount. The total for a year about $1325 and it costs $40 per belt, which is every 2 month or so .. give or take .. One negative: it always smells like feet in there because well let's face it .. 20 or so kids with their shoes off and sweaty piggies is bound to stink!

Great karate school. If you dedicate the time to go to class at least twice a week you will see…read moremany positive changes in your child. Staff is all vey professional. We have been enrolled for almost a year and my son loves the school.

I'm a black belt with 20 years experience in BJJ Dropped in last year while visiting from out of…read moretown. Had a blast training at the Friday open mat, and was really touched that a couple of my fellow lady practitioners went out of their way to make an appearance knowing I would be there. If / when I am in Buffalo or the Western New York area, this is the spot to train.

I'm a black belt and was a student for about 6 years trying to leave to train elsewhere. I wrote…read morethe owner a letter explaining I'd be ending my membership. I wanted to broaden my training and take a hiatus but still drop back in for open mats and the occasional class. Instead of acting like a mature business owner, Deacon Mike got physical and escorted me out. They come off as kind honest people until you mention training at other schools. The reason I'm going out of my way to write this review is to warn people to steer clear of this twisted academy. A couple of the many reasons I'm leaving a one star review because this school operates under an alternative agenda. They take advantage of kind people. The academy is not inclusive. I have witnessed misogynistic characteristics and anti LGBTQ comments by the owner, Mike. Two of their instructors have domestic violence history, one of which runs the kids BJJ program. To leave the school you must turn in a letter stating so. I handed my letter to leave the school to the owner, who reacted in a hot headed way. Meaning, this is when my jacket was grabbed and I was thrown out. This is after 6 years at the school. The owner pushes his religious beliefs on people, and deflects issues as somebody else's fault. He likes to label others' problems as having "victim mentality" and not his prerogative. He is immature, manipulative, and acts like he cares until you might decide to train elsewhere.

I've been training at Mandarin Kung Fu for over four years now. I've been to several other schools…read moreover the years but stayed here because the training is real. You can feel confident that you will be able to defend yourself. Self defense is just the tip of the iceberg with Kung Fu. You will learn more than you can ever imagine. Kung Fu is special and so is this school. Thank you Sifu and all of your instructors for helping me to grow at your school. -Dan

Head student of Wong, Ting Fong; Kung Fu stylist who defeated Wally Slocki North American Karate…read moreChampion in a non- sanctioned bout, basically a walk in challenge at his Kung Fu studio on Hertel avenue in Buffalo, New York. Wong kicked Slocki's ass.

I will update my review after I've trained here longer, as I'm still a newbie, but I am so…read moreimpressed with Spar I had to jump right in on a review. (This review is only for the Brazilian JiuJitsu program.) I haven't trained in a few years, but between BJJ and karate I've trained in martial arts for at least a decade. Have trained at a few different area schools and done seminars all over the state. Professor Eduardo Barboza is the real deal. Not only is he an accomplished competitor and IBJJF ranked athlete, he's also genuine, kind, encouraging, humble and professional. He's also very thorough. I love that there are multiple classes offered each day, and several different types: basics, beginner and all levels. It's a great variety, and they are adding additional classes in no gi next month (July 2021.) The facility is always super clean, students and staff are friendly. Rates are very comparable to other schools, no contracts. I'm excited to be training here and honored to be able to train with Professor Barboza.

PROS: The Women's Self Defense Class... WOW!!! What a fun & empowering experience!! The…read moreinstructors, Jen & Robyn, are so knowledgeable! At first I was really intimidated, bc I could only see mostly just men grappling on the floor, but once I went upstairs to the private space where we trained, I totally relaxed. It truly is a women only class, which is so important when you're just getting involved in self-defense for the first time. Now I wish I could take the class more than just 2x a week- I love it so much!! Every time I walk out, I feel like a total badass, ready to right the world's injustices, one hammerfist at a time!! THANK YOU, JEN & ROBYN!!! CONS: The only thing I would change is for the class to be at an earlier time. It SUCKS to work all day & only be home for an hour and a half (just long enough to get cozy with the cat), before having to leave again for another couple hours... As much as I love this class, it is seriously hard to drag myself back out of the house once I finally get home. Even a 6:30pm class would be better than 7:30pm! UGH!

Grand Master Gorino has helped me, a senior citizen, to feel part of the taekwondo community…read more Starting the journey towards a potential black belt wasn't easy but I appreciate his ability to make me feel success is possible.

This place is so special. My son absolutely loves being a student at Mater Gorino's Tae Kwon Do!…read moreThe instructors are caring, knowledgeable and amazing, and the dojang focuses on the practice of taekwondo through discipline, respect and real life lessons. The lessons are also broken down into several components which keeps the students engaged and interested. I would recommend them to anyone!

By far the best dojo in wny for our child, and a growing group of adults. They have two of the…read more greatest in the area leading the pack. Well over 50+years of traditional Karate and every advancement is studied by both leaders to ensure their curriculum is followed and earned not given to appease parents nor students. Stop in and visit both Sensei Rhonda, and Sensei Lee.

From the owner: Old school karate tradition, keeping with the discipline and comrade of dojo family. We're located…read morein the Village of Blasdell and also serve the surrounding the communities of Lackawanna, Buffalo, Hamburg, West Seneca, and Orchard Park. Our black belt instructors have over 60 combined years of training and instruction experience in traditional Isshinryu Karate and Kobudo.

Our son started when he was six or so, and he is still going now at age 17 (and a junior black…read morebelt). Shudokan is a great place to train your mind, spirit, and body and they make each newcomer feel welcome and appreciated.

We first found the dojo when my oldest child turned 5, and we decided that some karate classes were…read morein order to help him burn off all the extra energy. As a parent I sat and watched the class in the nice open dojo (not like some of the other dojos we visited where parents are kept behind glass, or worse - not allowed to watch at all!) and was really impressed with the varied, challenging, and fun exercises he was doing. The children's instructors at this dojo are really quite genius at getting the kids involved, keeping them engaged, and teaching respect and discipline. After a year we noticed a big difference in my son - he was more focused at home and at school (yes, even at only six years of age!) and he was always ready to go to karate. After watching on the sidelines for a couple years I finally decided it was time to join the dojo myself. I can tell you that this is not a McDojo. The head instructor, Sensei Tetsuji Nakamura, is the chief instructor of the International Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karatedo Federation (I.O.G.K.F.) and holds a seventh degree black belt. Other instructors are similarly highly ranked and they have truly earned their positions. This is a place where you work hard to move up the ranks... don't expect a black belt in one year! However, it is also a friendly and welcoming place where there is a real sense of community. I have been a student at Shudokan for six years now and have loved every minute of it!

This amazing place has changed my life! Their motto "Be better than you were before", definitely…read morefits. It has instilled and is continuing to increase confidence in me. Shihan John and his lovely wife are the most patient and gentle even to the most unskilled. ( talking from experience!)

From the owner: Teaching Martial Arts (Karate) to individuals and families.read more