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    NOVA Self Defense

    5.0 (3 reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 8:30 pm

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    Academy of Steve Curran Karate & Fitness

    Academy of Steve Curran Karate & Fitness

    3.8
    (9 reviews)
    3.0 km

    After the two initial semi-private trial classes my 7 year old was extremely excited to start…read morekarate. Unfortunately the actual group classes where nothing like the trial. He was not given the attention or direction he needed. He was ignored, told to practice some move alone, or told to be quiet and just watch and follow along while he felt lost. I repeatedly told the owner that my kid was overwhelmed, confused, left alone, and bored. Each time I brought it up, the only response was "well he can quit but you still have to pay because you signed a 6 month contract." The experience of my child was of no importance to them, only the money which they'd get either way. They never addressed or acknowledged any of our concerns. We carried on for a couple months but it only got worse with my kid getting so anxious and crying/begging not to have to go to karate and asking everyday after school if this was a day he had to go. We wanted him to learn discipline and self confidence but this experience was the opposite. I still think he would thrive at another dojo but now he is too traumatized to try again, and we're stuck paying these folks. Stay away from Steve Curran.

    Our now 8 year old, a VERY energetic and sometimes focus-challenged young guy, has been attending…read moreclasses here for a few years- from their Little Dragons children's program into their youth program, training with the older kids and adults. I started off fairly skeptical, but this place has 100% won me over. I have watched the growth in our son, the other students, and the younger instructors- the typically high school aged black belts are usually the instructors for the youngest students. It has been amazing to watch all the students there grow into their responsibilities, to begin taking their training seriously, to gain a strong understanding of respect, and to engage in difficult activities and use failure as a learning tool and not a defeat. You earn each stripe on your belt, and the owners and instructors have high expectations of all who walk through the doors. But those expectations are backed up by support, solid instruction, and recognition of achievement. Couldn't be happier with the program.

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    Academy of Steve Curran Karate & Fitness
    Academy of Steve Curran Karate & Fitness
    Currens academy,working because she wants to be there. She just became an orange belt  friday, along with student of the month

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    Currens academy,working because she wants to be there. She just became an orange belt friday, along with student of the month
    Gig Harbor Self Defense

    Gig Harbor Self Defense

    5.0
    (3 reviews)
    12.4 km

    In a word: Empowering. I'll admit that upon first hearing that my wife had signed us up for this…read moreclass, I was apprehensive that it would be an uncomfortable experIence. IDK Perhaps it was just the name. C.O.B.R.A. sounded so macho. But with all the dangers in the world today, it seemed prudent to take a self-defense course. Any apprehensions I had were immediately dispelled the moment we met Theresa Norris. (Apparently no relation to Chuck Norris. However, it is said that the dark is afraid of Theresa Norris. So who knows for sure. ‍ ) But seriously, Theresa is just awesome! She is smart, skilled, professional, warm, friendly, witty, and just an overall class act. We learned so very much from her in a relatively short amount of time. One of my (many) favorite parts of each class was reviewing what we'd learned previously. It was fun to "test" on what we'd retained and (sometimes even) practiced between classes. Invariably one or both of us had forgotten a certain move or two. Theresa was always happy to show us and let us practice again--until we had it right. Sometimes it would come down to just not having 100% understood the move to begin with. So review time was very beneficial. Another part that I really liked was learning interesting human physiology traits. For example, learning how we humans have comparatively little strength in our arms once they are just behind our body's centerline. Facial pressure points were interesting to learn about as well. The only part of each class that I "didn't like" (but thoroughly appreciated) was the scenarios where Theresa was the "attacker" and we were the "victims." I'm just naturally kind of a jumpy person. When we'd start each scenario, I was always anxiously thinking, "Oh no, what is she going to do this time--and can I really fend her off/disarm her?" Even though I knew it was all just for practice, it was still a bit unnerving to imagine it as real. (I guess that was all part of what she described as "constantly pushing those fear buttons.") But thanks to Theresa's teaching, we were able to defend ourselves virtually every time. If you're still reading this review at this point, I'll just close by saying that this C.O.B.R.A. class is a must for every woman and really anybody who wants to give themselves a fighting chance should danger find them. Honestly, I felt so empowered after the very first class. And each successive class gave me just that much more knowledge, practice, and confidence. Loved this class!!! Money sooooooo well invested.

    I have wanted to do a self defense training class for the staff at our company for several years,…read morebut I could only find martial arts classes. I was so excited when I found Gig Harbor Self-Defense. COBRA training was perfect for us and Theresa was awesome! She even came to our location which allowed us to take less time away from work. The class was very hands on and Theresa was extremely knowledgeable. She made it fun and relevant with real world scenarios. Our staff loved the class and it was a great team building experience that made all of us feel so confident. It also was great for all levels of physical ability. I plan to take my college age daughter to classes when she is home this summer.

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    Cobra self-defense
    Cobra self-defense
    Cobra self-defense
    Cobra self-defense
    Cobra self-defense

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    Cobra self-defense
    Tiger Taekwondo Academy

    Tiger Taekwondo Academy

    4.6
    (9 reviews)
    5.4 km

    My child was hugged within a day of attending her first lesson by Lead Master Choi. She gave me a…read morepanicked look, so I explained to him he must first ask her permission to touch or hug her. His hugging and arm/head rubbing felt like a violation to her. Mr. Choi was not my child's instructor while there. Her instructor uses (like other coaches instructors) fist bumps for acknowledgments. On the second incident, I told him he must ask her for permission to receive any kind of affection from her. The very next lesson the Lead Master told my child to hug him, and I was forced to inform him that a command is not asking for permission. He began to ignore her completely, perfectly fine with me. However, I began noticing how this over 6' tall man often pulls many girls and boys in against his body for a hug of affection. I withdrew my child from lessons at this location.

    Don't let age stop you! I was 39 (almost 40) when I signed up and had experienced a lot of muscle…read moreloss during the pandemic (sitting for long periods at the home office working tirelessly). After 4 weeks of TKD I dropped about 10lbs, started to regain my balance, and started to feel/look much healthier. All of the students (all belt colors) are very welcoming and you'll see pretty quickly that your belt status doesn't matter socially, it's all about challenging yourself and seeing your own improvements each week. Master Choi and Master Larson are full of knowledge and have answered all of my questions on how to improve flexbility, technique, strength, etc. We need more fun, spirited, energetic adults on the mats, so get in there! Can't wait to meet you.

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    Newest Master (4th Dan black Belt) and other new Black Belts. Congratulations!
    Newest Master (4th Dan black Belt) and other new Black Belts. Congratulations!
    Tiger Taekwondo Academy
    Tiger Taekwondo Academy

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    NOVA Self Defense - selfdefenseclasses - Updated July 2026

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