I cannot say enough about how wonderful Sensei Frank and all the staff/instructors at Practical Karate are. This is a great place for martial arts, especially if your child has anxiety. I have a highly anxious preteen daughter, who was very apprehensive about martial arts. Sensei Frank listened to my concerns, and our daughter started with one week of Spring Break camp, and completed two weeks of summer camp at the dojo. To see her blossom after just days of camp has been nothing short of amazing. Sensei Frank has a curriculum for kids to earn their belt stripes, and starts with very achievable goals which builds their confidence to keep trying and striving. I highly recommend this dojo! read more

My child has been attending classes here for a while so this is WAY overdue! My husband found this place on the internet and also read Yelp reviews. They had a try one class free so I completed the form on the site but never heard back. I ended up calling to find out if we could drop in to any class or if we needed to let them know in advance. The answer was just let them know when we wanted to drop on (and apparently there was an issue with the website not processing the sign up for a free class properly). When we came to class we were greeter by the owner Frank, who was super nice and had us review the consent forms and other paperwork. They have a small lobby with a TV so you can see what is going on in class but it is also a suite with a large roller door on the back so you can go around back to watch class (if you like). We decided to sign our child up and they were given a uniform and belt same day. We got an email with the tasks for completion to get stripes and earn the next belt. Kids are allowed to stripe test at the end of class. The studio is clean, staff are friendly and helpful and it seems to be a community feel (I don't go super often, I am the one to take my kid to dance). They have summer camp (and camps over break-we haven't attended one yet) as options as well. Overall a very positive experience and an activity my child enjoys doing! read more

Frank (the sensei) has been an amazing instructor for my son. he is teaches discipline, perseverance, and respect. it has been an amazing learning journey for my son and me as part of this journey of karate. highly recommended read more

Frank is an outstanding instructor and great role model for the kids. He not only teaches them karate but also discipline, perseverance and respect. The dojo is clean and also has a play area for the kids. They also offer summer camps. read more

I started attending karate classes about two months ago and from day one, I have had a great experience. There is only a handful of adults in the evening class, but even if I am partnering with the sensei, I feel like I am getting good training. Every class is progressive and builds upon skills that you learned before, so you are always developing and growing. It's a great workout, but unlike some martial arts gyms, they aren't just trying to blow you up. Eventually, I plan on enrolling my kids. read more

My son started taking classes here this year. We are so happy we found this dojo. Frank Sensei is the best. He is a real karate master! He knows how to interact with kids and teaches them many skills including gross motor skills and self-discipline. My son loves Frank sensei and enjoys the program a lot. I would also like to mention that the facilities are clean and spacious. I highly recommend this dojo. Practical karate is the best! read more

Practical Karate is a great gym. The instructors push the students and the workout is great. Love the location. Love Sensi Frank and this great small business. read more

Frank is the best - our kids love him and his program. Highly recommend Practical Karate

Just started taking the boxing classes here, and beyond obsessed with the Dojo and the instruction. I am new to the sport at 30, and learning very quickly how much i don't know, but Frank and all the experienced students there are super helpful and willing to pass on advice and technique. Great workout. Always leave there drenched and the best part is that Bitter Brothers Brewery is right next store for a pint at the end. read more

Practical Karate is a gift to this community. I don't think I can write this review without telling a bit of our story - so, here we go. Our 5-year-old son is a bright, high energy, intense boy who is tall for his age. In terms of cognitive and motor skills he's generally ahead of the curve - but emotionally and socially, he is very much a 5-year-old boy. Maybe you relate? It can be tough, right? And not just because our kids wake up, hit the ground running, sprint all day, and treat bedtime like the finish-line at the end of a 100-meter dash. It can also be tough because we don't always have the support or skills we need to help our kids develop. A few months ago, we hit a wall. The teachers at our son's school just kept saying "we don't know what to do" with regard to teaching my son (and a few other boys in his class) impulse control and conflict resolution. After talking to a few friends and several requests from our son, we decided to sign him up for karate. Who knew that Practical Karate with Sensei Frank was what we had been missing? Immediately, Sensei Frank created a welcoming environment. He genuinely cares about the students and his lessons go beyond karate. The children learn leadership, self-respect, respect for others, confidence, emotional control, and how to have fun while maintaining discipline, safety, etc. Sensei Frank's interactions are infused with a deep understanding of child development. You see it in his demeanor with children, the words he chooses, how he provides feedback to parents, etc. He also talks to the kids like they are his own. In the first MONTH of starting karate, we noticed a dramatic improvement in our son's social-emotional skills. I waited a few months to write a review to see if the changes would stick - and they have. When I look back on my years of parenting, I know I'm going to remember our experience with this dojo as critical to our son's development...and to our family's growth as we navigate the trials of parenting. MOST IMPORTANTLY...What does my son think? He absolutely loves Practical Karate and talks about all the teachers like they are family. Every week his skills improve, he's learning good karate, and he's even learning some Japanese. We are so grateful for this dojo. Five stars? Sure. All the stars is probably more accurate, though. read more

Franck is a great karate teacher. He find ways to teach karate in a very fun way and keep good discipline at the same time. His students have a good level and are polite with correct attitude. Franck also keep training karate and other martial arts to bring some realistic self defense to his program. Practical karate is very good place to learn or get better in martial arts. I highly recommend this dojo. The place is very clean and the price affordable to everyone. read more

Sensei Frank, an educator, as well as a diverse martial artist is AMAZING!!!!! Our 5 and 9-year-old sons are energetic, loud (which is an encouraged self-defense technique, and students must Kiai "like they mean it, every time") and seemingly inexhaustible. But, they come home from Practical Karate and Judo class sweaty, red and focused on the goals they've set for more stripes and higher belts. Sensei Frank and his wife have thoughtfully considered the comfort of everyone, from changing tables for babies in the restrooms, chilled filtered water, art classes for younger siblings, cushy and clean mats, capable assistant instructors, monthly date nights out for parents. read more

My 4 year old son has been taking karate at this dojo for the past couple months and he loves it! First off, the facility is very clean and I love that it has a community vibe. There is a place for siblings to do homework and/or play in the play area during or after class. Frank is an excellent teacher and is the perfect mix of discipline and fun. I love that even when he corrects the children, he does it without judgement, from a neutral place. So important. My son already looks up to him and is so excited to go to class. Highly recommend! read more

Awesome instructors & very well educated in the art!! Clean place and very big mat space. Kids have a play room and bathrooms and showers are always a plus!! Most of all You will love the instructor !!! read more

For any parent shopping around for a karate dojo, this is the perfect place. Frank is doing what he is born to do. My 7 and 10 year old go twice a week, and the self respect, self discipline, and self confidence I see growing in them is amazing. After a year of watching from the side lines, I decided I might as well start taking classes with them. It's helping me with my balance and core strength, and it's a great work out. Plus it's something we can do as a family which is rewarding in itself. read more

I cannot say enough good things about this dojo and Sensei Frank. This is a "real" dojo teaching a specific style of karate. Sensei Frank lived and trained in Japan and classes are taught in both English and Japanese. He has an incredible amount of integrity and extremely high standards for his students both children and adults. Please don't come here if you are defensive/or easily offended by authority figures setting high standards of conduct and call you or your child out for not meeting them (you know who you are.) He not only teaches karate but incorporates social and safety lessons into his classes. The price point is very competitive and his summer camps are phenomenal. The facility is fantastic with a large soft play room and drop in art classes for other siblings who may not want to take classes or are too young and would otherwise have nothing to do. I cannot say enough good things about this dojo and would not hesitate to recommend it to both children and adults. read more

Great Sensei, Great Environment! Our son (4yr) loves going to karate! Not only does Frank make the kids feel welcome he teaches them life lessons that even the littlest of kids have fun with i.e, what to do if a dog approaches, crossing the street, and what if there is a fire. Again great place, great teacher and enjoyable to watch kids grow and learn in a safe environment. Thank you Frank read more

It doesn't get better than Practical Karate. I never miss an opportunity to share with other parents how great sensei Frank has been with my son. As a professional educator and dedicated Sensei he has found a way to emphasize not only the importance of physical exercise and discipline but also to incorporate art and practical life skills as well. He is genuinely interested in my son's personal growth and will speak with him about struggles and successes outside of the dojo as well. To top it off the sense of community at the dojo is something I am extremely thankful for. As a military family we move often so it is important to build a network of friends quickly, being a part of the practical karate community has allowed us to find lifelong friends! We feel so lucky to have found this gem and can't wait until our new little one can participate too! read more

My boys (ages 4 and 7) attend Practical Karate and we love it. We started in October and highly recommend it. It's a great physical activity for the boys after school while also reinforcing skills to sit quietly and listen to directions. As a teacher myself, I think karate is a great activity for all kids; it helps prepare them for school in many ways. Sensei Frank is great at working with all kids, no matter their age or ability, and the dojo is fantastic. It has a nice waiting area and room where kids can play and do homework while waiting for their class to start or for their sibling to finish their class. I'm so glad a friend told me about Practical Karate. read more