My 2 boys, ages 9 & 5, attend King Tiger Martial Arts and I started taking classes right along with…read morethem! We started going to keep in shape during Covid and partly for me to live out my dream of being a Kung Fu fighting Hero and we ended up falling in love with it and the teachers! Just recently the instructors incorporated a "Squid Game" theme for our class and it was soo much fun that we were almost ok with doing intense training because of all the fun we were having. That just shows, to me at least, that the teachers are knowledgeable on the current times/events and are committed to looking for new ways to keep us engaged. Did I mention how friendly and kind everyone from the owner to staff members are? They are patient with my boys, but also stern and I find that to be a great balance. I can't wait to see how much we all grow from these classes and experience. I recommend King Tiger Martial Arts to all! Even if you think you're old like me sign up lol!

I used to come and train here 10 years ago. I love the instructors here. And because of that I…read morebrought my son here. He's been here 1 year and he loves it They are amazing with the kids

Great academy love the hospitality of the place friendly and pation people love this placeread more

Focus , confidence & strenght. My 2 children have developed stronger minds and bodies.The founder -…read moreMaster Marco Sias (7 times workd champion ) and his dedicated team of instructors are very patient and friendly. My sons tells me that this isnhis favourite place. They have program for kids 2+ old , teenagers and also adults. Recently they opened up a kids club so they can watch your kids for free while adults break a sweat. Very family-oriented atmosfere, clean and plenty of parking. Highly recommended !!

When my kids finally expressed interest in taking taekwondo, we checked out 4 schools and had a…read morelist of criteria: good teachers and classes, clean, good philosophy, and not a black belt diploma mill as most schools are. We found all of that and more in DCSDKA. The teachers and classes are great. The kids not only learn taekwondo but also Krav Maga self-defense, and how to be safe in everyday situations, especially for little kids. The school fosters respect, responsibility and camaraderie and my children have found lots of good friends in the school. I'm very particular about what school they go to since I have experience in taekwondo, and I highly recommend this school.

GrandMaster Sensei Carol Middleton is a world-class martial artist. I get chills when I see her…read moreskills in action. As a student, I love that the dojo is a welcoming and friendly atmosphere, that the values of respect, responsibility and leadership are taught and displayed by the instructors and students and I am thankful for the the precision of training I get. DC residents are lucky to have this incredible resource at their fingertips. I hope others will take advantage of these classes, whether they are looking for self-defense, fitness, social opportunities or just wanting to learn a valuable new skill.

My son has been a student of Kim's Karate for the past four years in their before/after and summer…read morecamp program. He really enjoys the program. He has learned a lot of different skills, and has met a lot of children. Kim's Karate drops and picks him up from school. I know he's safe there. I recommend the program.

I do NOT recommend this place, the staff smoke, and most of the time your child will go…read moreunsupervised! This place needs to get shut down. Don't take your child here, take them to Bee Academy or dance makers, it's way better than this piece of crap. Also, the prices are ridiculous, and they make you sign a contract. Please don't take your child here, save yourself.

My kids started with Kaizen in kindergarten as an after school club. That's how they started…read more They've had 3 years of Kaizen summer camp now at the Tifereth IsraeI facility. My oldest daughter is a purple belt. She's in weekend and Monday night classes during the school year. The instructors are excellent - that's the distinction. They know the students. It's a cooperative and disciplined environment. When I observe a class, the students all seem like leaders irrespective of their belt colors. They look purposeful to me. With Kaizen, it's a never-ending season. And no one sits on the bench. I could go on about how this helps my parenting role, but every kid is unique. I've seen kids engage; I've seen them mature.

I have tried to register my 4 kids with Kaizen Karate since 2012 fall. I have heard such good thing…read moreabout them and the instructors. Whenever I tried to go to their website I felt I am signing up for a high level security job. The online registration system is far most the difficult for after school sign ups. I like to do my things online. It is much easier for me to pull my records. I had my kids in one week Kaizen camp. I was told they don't take checks by a gentlemen. I paid by phone with their office staff. I received a flyer and PTA ask me to write a check. I believe they are still old school with online registration. If they would consider upgrading I would return and refer other families.

With so many martial arts schools available in the Northern Virginia area that cover a wide…read morespectrum of styles and disciplines, Master Folta's Traditional Uechi-Ryu Karate stands out among them. Seriously, this is the real deal - this school is probably the closest opportunity outside Okinawa you'll get to learning authentic traditional karate from a master practitioner as it was originally conceived by Kanbun Uechi back at the beginning of the 20th century. This style of karate is practical for both self defense and physical fitness, and promotes self-discipline and a healthy life style. Progressing through the various ranks is well structured and meaningful, and you absolutely get a sense of accomplishment as you do so. The staff at Okinawa Karate and Cultural Center make learning karate easy and fun, for all ages and abilities, with hands on classes at the Okinawa Karate and Cultural Center and at various Parktakes rec centers throughout Fairfax County. My whole family signed up for karate classes during the pandemic on a whim, but it only took just a few short classes to realize what a gem of an opportunity we have right here in northern Virginia. I cannot recommend it highly enough! Give it a try and join a great karate community!

I've been a long time student of Master Folta since 2005. I started at Oak Marr Recenter, before…read moremoving up the ranks, and eventually teaching for his dojo. I'm very pleased to see that he finally was able to open his own independent dojo to celebrate traditional Okinawan Uechi Ryu Karate, as well as the rich cultures that Okinawa brings. The Cultural Center has many artifacts in a museum style in a side room. There's also many people from the community like the DC Okinawan Kai who utilizes the space. It is a safe and welcoming space for not just Okinawan people, but those interested in learning more about the culture and tradition. This spacious dojo has two kicking/punching bags ready for training, many talented instructors, and classes for children and adult alike! I am excited for what's to come for this OKCC! I hope new students can find their new karate home like it's been for me throughout the years!

Miss Vianca and team are great with the kids! They are always energetic and engaging. The school…read moreoffers a variety of times during the week to fit our schedule. My kids look forward to each class and having fun with new friends. I've seen a great improvement in their listening and following directions at home.

My son has been going here since opening. Ms. V and staff are awesome. They teach not only karate…read moreskills but they teach respect, kindness, be responsible. They are wonderful. You won't be disappointed if you try it out .

Sensei Roberto is a great sensei, funny, and really care about his students. Love going to this…read moredojo, all the teachers and students are very friendly and always happy help lower rank students.

BEST dojo in the State of Virginia (one of the best in the world, I am sure). If you want to learn…read morefrom a great Sensei (Roberto) and other blackbelt instructors, then Virginia Dojo is the only choice. I am so happy to be a part of this dojo! Sensei Roberto is quite simply AMAZING. He truly cares about his students and teaching karate. The atmosphere at the dojo is welcoming and friendly--from beginner to advanced! Everyone participates to help others learn. The women's class with Denise is fantastic as well! Denise is an inspring third degree blackbelt instructor who is passionate about women's karate and karate in general. As a student, you can take her classes and or the mixed group classes with Sensei Roberto. Check out this dojo for yourself. I signed up a little over a year ago with my kids and we love it and highly recommend.

Trained here for almost four years and was approaching my shodan test. I used to think of aikido as…read moremy organizing principle. That all changed when a third-degree black belt instructor dropped me on my head. He was showing off for his buddy, the chief instructor. Both those men are no longer at this dojo, but regardless I cannot train any more as I used to - following my concussion, I tried to come back (after time off for recuperation). But after weeks/months of headaches, and trying various sorts of accommodations, my doctor strongly recommended that I discontinue training. Aikido may be called the "art of peace" and its practitioners may say that good ukemi will neutralize any throw. But it is still possible for a careless person to injure you badly. I used to think (see my previous review) that if I spoke up, was careful about whom I trained with, and practiced diligently, it would protect me from harm. Not true. Being a good driver does not always save you from the bad drivers. (I decided to update my old review, after much time and thought, so that newcomers will have a more complete picture. It's hard to ask questions of people who have left.) As with any endeavor: caveat emptor. Do your research. Visit multiple places and compare them, before you choose. Ask around - what is the reputation of the place you are considering? What is their record for follow-up when someone gets injured? How long have the most senior students been training at this place? Are classes made up of mostly newbies - i.e., does the student body turn over regularly, or are there a lot of stalwarts? How many black belts come to practice regularly? (an indication of whether the place continues to offer room for growth, once that first black belt has been attained). How often is the chief instructor present and instructing? What precautions are in place when junior (smaller/younger/inexperienced) students train with senior (stronger/faster/aggressive) students? How long has each teacher been teaching? (Being a skilled practitioner is not always the same as being a good teacher.) Pick your partners (and teachers) carefully. (Even if everyone says "but he's such a nice guy!" - if you break a collarbone because he attempted a too-ambitious throw, you will be the one in a sling, not the nice guy.) How often does the dojo host community events? Do senior staff/teachers show up for community events? I have visited from time to time. (I still hang out socially with many friends from here.) With all my heart I still miss the practice and the community I used to have. But I have had to step back from both.

NEEDED to find a social outlet for my 5-year old grandson while he is on an extended visit from out…read moreof state. NEEDED to find a safe, social, in-person way for him to spend time and energy with little people his own size. So perfectly pleased to have found DC Aikido --- perfect fit. He was hooked from the first class. 3x a week - in the dojo - with 30 minute sessions is exactly the right prescription. Right across the street from the Red Line Metro --- and free parking garage for drivers like us. The most important part: The instructors are amazing. Patient like saints but with an eye toward discipline. Great instruction at the 5-6 year old level mixed with discipline and exercise. The classes are very disciplined for spacing, too --- all of the students and staff are good about wearing their masks and keeping the students on "their own square" to keep social distance norms intact. So sorry my grandson is going home at the end of this month. Thank you, DC Aikido!