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Paresh Martial Arts

5.0 (48 reviews)
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Vanessa D.

This review is a long time coming and given Paresh Martial Arts has opened a brand new beautiful studio on Grand Ave in San Rafael (in the same complex as Starbucks and FedEx!), I thought this was the perfect time to share my reflections.   How can I possibly distill how much Paresh Martial Arts and its fearless leader, Master Kristina Ohlson, has impacted my life and the life of others in our community in a single review? Let me start by saying two things:  First, Paresh Martial Arts is not just any karate studio. It's a community, a support system, and a family, one that extends far beyond the four corners of the studio walls. Second, Master Ohlson, the chief instructor at Paresh, is far from your average karate instructor. She is disciplined, firm and clear in her expectations for each and every student from her four year old Tiny Tigers all the way up to Black Belt. She is consistent and fair, ensuring the same rules and expectations apply to all, but where she truly stands out is the warmth with which she invites each student into the studio space, her sense of humor and her loving nature. She is extremely gifted in working with small children and growing with them as they age. Many of her former students that started with her when they were only five or six years old continue to reach out and seek an ongoing lasting connection with her, even now as they are off in college.  To me, this says so much about how much Master Ohlson invests in her students. She goes above and beyond, and for many of these students, she is like a second parent to them.  There are many karate studios out there that are solely focused on a business model that moves kids through promotions quickly (i.e. instant gratification for both kids and parents) in an effort to drive up the number of times parents are hit with a point of sale (i.e. new gear, new patches, new belts, new weapons). Master Ohlson's approach is quite the opposite. It's about fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion and creating a community of chosen family. It's about maintaining high standards for oneself, working hard, and always expressing kindness, gratitude and respect to others, both in the studio and at home. If your child is promoted at Paresh, it's because they've exhibited self discipline, learned the material and demonstrated a commitment to their training. These are the values your child will learn at Paresh, and they will be supported by a truly compassionate and encouraging teacher every step of the way.  I've seen so many kids and adults go through Master Ohlson's program and they just thrive.  A few other things to mention:  - Paresh is a LGBTQIA+ 100% woman owned business.  - At Paresh, your child will learn the traditional Korean art of Tang Soo Do and join a larger association known as the World Tang Soo Do Association, that sets the standards for the curriculum and offers opportunities for regional and national tournaments where students can compete against and form friendships with students from other studios. So, students not only join a family at Paresh Martial Arts, but also a larger scale family through the association. If all of this is not enough to convince you to give this studio a try, I encourage you to drop in and witness the Master Ohlson magic for yourself. At Paresh, you will find community, your child will be empowered and you will see true transformation. Thank you Master O and Paresh Martial Arts for enriching my life beyond measure.

Practicing kicks
Cristina B.

My 4yo loves going to the Tiny Tigers class with Master Ohlson! She is so patient with them, and class is always so fun. He's learning to be more in tune with his body through all the different warm ups & stretches, and, also learning to have a still body and focus when that's required of him. It's such a fun positive class that you won't regret sending your kid to!

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9 months ago

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3 years ago

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Kristina O.

Thank you Ibis! It’s been a joy to train with your kids.

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

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Kristina O.

Thank you Cristina, your little guy is so much fun to work with!

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4 years ago

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Kristina O.

Thank you Amy! Those words continue to be close to my heart.

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15 years ago

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9 years ago

Love this place!! Ms Ohlson is great with the kids! Discipline in a caring and tender way! They deserve more than 5 starts

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9 years ago

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13 years ago

What a wonderful offering of Yoga classes! Thank you so much for the relaxing Monday and Wednesday evenings.

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15 years ago

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Kristina O.

I'd choose you back in a heartbeat!

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16 years ago

Kristina O. is the best. Smart, knowledgeable, great with kids. You can't go wrong with this place.

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Review Highlights - Paresh Martial Arts

Ohlson and her crew keep both my children captivated, inspired, and continually learning new skills.

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Paresh Martial Arts - karate - Updated May 2026

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