Sharon is a wonderful woman that I look up to and respect very much. Every time, I come to a class,…read moreI am inspired and filled with excitement and positive energy. I highly recommend this school.

I went here for over a year, about twice per week. One of the masters talks too much, to the point…read moreit was disrespectful to the time and money we invested. Most days, in the middle of learning a technique, The Master would stop to talk about politics, movies, more politics, Netflix shows and books for LITERALLY a half hour at a time (I counted), often irrelevant to what we're learning. Other Examples: -Paid $50 for a 2 hour class in Drunken Boxing -The instructor goes off on tangents for first hour. By the end of the second hour, he told so many stories that he never finished teaching the class. We did not go through the technique enough times to remember how to do it by the next day. -Wooden man class is supposed to start at 7 PM - The Master is talking shop and says class will start soon. I leave at 7:45 because he's still talking. The teacher asks me the next day why I didn't stay around for class. -They are oblivious to how much they talk, compared to how little they teach. The teacher asks how one of my techniques is going, 1 week prior to a belt test. I tell him I have not been taught the technique he is referring to (despite going to class twice a week), and he didn't understand why. If you want to go to shoot-the-breeze about random and occasionally learn kung fu, without getting much exercise, go here. If you decide to go, Do NOT bring up politics, movies or Netflix. Do NOT ask about the difference between Shao-Lin and other kung fu. He'll talk for a half hour about why his is the best, and then forget that he was supposed to be teaching it. You won't even be able to have a conversation with them because they won't let you get a word in. I promise you I have LITERALLY stood there for 30 to 60 minutes at a time being told long stories about nothing, while not learning kung fu.

A true local neighborhood gem. It's worth walking in and taking advantage of the free lessons to…read moreunderstand and see if it fits with what you want. Great group, friendly non intimidating and they teach techniques that work. I say techniques that work based on personal experience. I was very much into the martial arts when I was in middle school. A decade later, after not doing anything in the martial arts, while in college I had to defend myself twice. The same type of technique worked and I ended both attacks without having to throw a single punch. I benefit from exercising in a social class environment. In my 30's I tried to find a martial arts school that I could enjoy going to. Many of the schools I briefly tried were either too strict or intense. I feel lucky to have found this school. I'm now in my 50's and they are mindful of who I am and what I can do. The classes have young to old and everybody fits in, has a good work out and an enjoyable time. Most classes, I find myself being taught high ranking members that have been coming to the school for decades. Very respectful of all members and understanding that our western culture is different from Japan.

Recently the instructor of the instructor was in town and held class. I only got a few chances to…read moretrain with him, but it was an exceptional experience and I took alot from it. Once again, I can't recommend this place enough, if it fits what you're looking for in a dojo. If you're looking for an MMA experience with speedo's and Affliction t-shirts, you'd be best served to go elsewhere. :)

I love Shotokan karate... Sensei David Gould is a great…read morekarate teacher. I am a brown belt from Orlando Florida ( Kuro Obi Shotokan Karate Dojo) and I travel all around the United States for business. I expended 10 days near Aurora CO for work and I needed to train, I called his dojo asking if I can go to do the classes and he was so nice and positive about it. teaching me to perfect my techniques and polishing my Katas and forms knowing I was coming from a different dojo... i'd liked his way of teaching and I looked at his classes with the kids prior mine... and I can say he is very good explaining and teaching all the karate techniques. Thumbs up 100%. I really like it!!! Oss Sensei thank you so much. Carlos

Excellent place to begin your jiu jitsu journey. Really…read morefriendly and safe place to train.

I dropped in for a class and received great instruction and felt super welcome. They were getting…read moreready for worlds so I got a glimpse of their advanced training. I still need a shirt. It's a small but clean and comfortable gym. There are showing facilities on hand. They typically charge a $25 mat fee but let me off the hook for the first day. I was enthusiastically invited back anytime. The sparring was great as well as the technique instruction. I recommended this place if you're traveling in the area or are looking for a new gym. It's super accessible from the airport.

The Quiet Power of Mastery: My Encounter with Sensei Scott at the U.S. Olympic Training Center…read more By Dr. Garfield Johnson, 3rd Dan USA Judo In the winter of 1992, I found myself on the tatami at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs--an environment saturated with the relentless spirit of Olympic ambition. At that time, I was not just a judoka; I was a struggling, unhoused athlete clinging to the fading edge of a dream. The do (path) of judo is often austere, demanding total commitment--physical, mental, and spiritual--and I had given all three, with little to shield me from life's harsher throws. It was in this crucible that I first encountered Sensei Scott. We met during randori, that beautiful, unscripted form of sparring that reveals both technical fluency and psychological resilience. Randori is where the art of judo is laid bare--where kuzushi (balance breaking), tsukuri (fitting in), and kake (execution) fuse into an expression of pure will and refined technique. It was amid this flow that I felt, rather than saw, the unmistakable presence of mastery. What struck me most wasn't the precision of his nage-waza (throwing techniques) or the seamless transitions into ne-waza (ground techniques)--though they were impeccable. It was the revelation, only later confirmed, that Sensei Scott was visually impaired. Here stood a blind judoka not merely participating but teaching and leading at an elite level. This, in itself, was a profound kuzushi--a breaking of assumptions. In judo, we are trained to seek advantage through the redirection of force, to use our opponent's strengths against them. But what Sensei Scott embodied was a redirection of perceived limitation into undeniable strength. His condition was not a deficit--it was, in judo terms, a shinten (progressive transformation), a turning of adversity into mastery. Sensei Scott's approach to instruction was steeped in kihon (fundamentals), but also adaptive, deeply intuitive, and intellectually rigorous. His command of tai-sabaki (body movement), his sensitivity to tactile feedback, and his ability to perceive tempo, rhythm, and intent in randori placed him within the upper echelons of judo pedagogy. He was, and is, a shihan in the truest sense--not merely a master of technique, but a cultivator of character, resilience, and possibility. For any prospective judoka considering where to train or whom to emulate, understand this: elite judo is not solely defined by podium finishes or belt ranks. It is measured in seiryoku zen'yō (maximum efficiency with minimum effort) and jita kyōei (mutual welfare and benefit). The Denver Judo team coaches, and Sensei Scott embodies these principles with every grip, every word, and every correction. He is not just a coach--he is a living testament that the randori of life, with all its unpredictable attacks and falls, can still be navigated with grace, adaptability, and unwavering resolve. It is without hesitation that I place Sensei Scott and the Denver Judo coaching staff among the most elite and proficient judo coaches in North America. His kata may be unconventional, but his ippon seoi nage, tokui-waza--his specialty technique--is his unshakable spirit and transformative mentorship. To step onto the tatami with Sensei Scott is not merely to train. It is to keiko (engage in reflective practice) with a master whose vision transcends sight--and whose judo transcends limitation.

Came down to Denver Judo and was largely disappointed. I had…read moreprevious judo experience and the reviews for this place was overwhelmingly positive, so it really caught me by surprise by what I saw. Firstly, it was disturbing how many lower belts were coaching. This concerning because 1) inexperienced judoka teaching other inexperienced judoka could be a safety concern- yellow and green belts have no business coaching , yet that's exactly what I saw... and secondly 2)There is a very high level of aggressive behavior within the club itself with the members, almost like a military hazing mindset- this has it's place, but what it turns into is anyone who isn't instantly 'popluar' gets ran off. God forbid if I let my kids come to a place like this. Save the competitive aggression for competition, not instruction, and keep the coaching to experienced sensei- not just anyone with a higher rank than the next guy. The curriculum is fairly basic. Sadly, it needs to be said that this school really caters to the "PARA-lympic" judo community, which is a different competition pool from college, nation and olympic level competitors.There is no nice way of saying this, but this is a primer judo club for people with disabilities. while there are a good number non disabled athletes... the roots of this club are the Paralympics.. and I'll let you draw your own conclusions if this club will suit your needs. Lastly, I notice many injured competitors. Too many. This place is a firm believer in overtraining to build toughness, which is probably accounts for the very high injury rate. All that being said, I do think the 'punch card' is an excellent idea and I wish more judo and martial arts clubs in general had something like that. I hope that was helpful for anyone wondering about Denver judo. I'd love to be more positive, but they charged me money and I have certain exceptions with 'for profit' judo clubs. I paid money, this is my opinion based on attending several classes, and they can take that as they will.

Excellent Training. Japanese Shotokan Karate!…read more Experienced Sensei's! The Best. Gifted Teachers with a lifetime of Training.

So I enrolled my son here, and the folks are nice enough, but when it came to testing, half of the…read morekids didn't know what they were doing, and everyone just got passed a belt. What incentive is there for kids to try hard when it doesn't really matter if they try or not? When I was in Karate, we had to try hard just to get a stripe, or 2 or 3. These people are passing out belts like a free meal on Colfax. I wouldn't recommend. You should be awarded based on skill, not on if you pay your monthly bill.

Such a wonderful, family owned and run business! My son has been taking their classes for the last…read more8 years. Not always the easiest years, but have helped him transform into the focused, respectful, young man he is today. The instructors are the best. That actually care about their students, and not making it a race to earn your black belt. If you're looking for true Japanese karate, this is the place!

This dojo is a hidden treasure of martial arts knowledge and training. Ninjutsu is not a sport, but…read moreteaches real life combat skills for self defense . The sensai is professional, approachable, and highly skilled in his art as well as teaching.