Seeking Karate or Tae Kwon Do Classes

Oyama Karate on 31st between 5th and Broadway was great!
oyamakaratenyc.org

They were great and very reasonably priced. The teachers there are very serious about the craft but still keep it fun for the kids. They also are careful about teaching the kids respect and that karate is not to be used for fighting,etc.

Westside Taekwando on 95th off columbus.

I don't know at what age they start but my daughter goes to Tiger Shulman on 19th street between 5th/6th. She's 11 years old but I know there are plenty of younger children who take classes there.

Hi L.,
After extensive research, I chose the Tae Kwon Doe program at Sokol on East 71st street - www.sokolnewyork.org. There are several choices in the area, but this one seemed to have the best balance of elements for which I was seeking: age-appropriate instruction, fun, discipline, and age-appropriate competition. Other schools I audited were heavily into fun/entertainment and light on actual instruction. These kids did seem to enjoy it, they were promoted often which they and their parents liked, however I felt that if my son were to engage in a martial art it should be more about participating and respecting the art and the culture, than getting the "trophy" (or higher belt). I thought it should be different than his multi-sport class (Cavaliers - which I highly recommend as well) I also waited until he was in the 1st grade to start, but I have seen the classes for the younger children and they are learning, enjoying it, and feeling very proud of their accomplishments even though they only have a chance for promotion once per year.
Additionally, the other schools cost considerably more and there are many extra fees throughout the term. Promotion tests and equipment cost extra, often more than $100. So it feels like the students are buying their belts rather than earning them.
Also at Sokol as opposed to many other schools, they follow more traditional and standard requirements for rank promotions so that the students are learning the entire range of skills. Tournaments and exhibitions are also offered for students who enjoy competition and like to showcase their skills. The owner/Master of the school is Amanda Haddock who seems rough and tough at first but is a lovely, warm hearted person who is dedicated to the kids, loves them and they love her.
Incidentally, after watching my son take classes there for 2 years, I decided to join their evening adult class and it is great fun, an excellent workout, and a reall treat to myself. I'm now in my 3rd year and I feel great about what I've accomplished - especially at my age (late 40s!)

Good Luck,
Kathryn

Hi L.,
I am a student at a great school on 14th and 6th avenue. I used to be one of the instructors for the children's classes but had to give them up once I had my daughter (she's 18 months old) and I could not commit to the class anymore. I watched the kids in my class all grow to be very confident, happy and wonderful older children.

I'm so glad you want to put your son in martial arts. The respect, focus and discipline emphasized in martial arts are excellent ways to bolster your own parenting!

What some of the parents actually do (a lot in our Brooklyn location) is also take the classes (the adult ones) so that they have an activity that they can share with their kids. We have a lot of female students and instructors which is pretty rare for a martial arts school so it should be less intimidating for a women to start here. I think that if children can see that their mom can kick some butt (in a good way), it is always a positive thing.

The school is World Martial Arts Center, the website is www.happykicks.com, the telephone is ###-###-####. The only thing is that we usually start the students at 5 years old but if he's a little mature for his age in terms of his focus, he should do fine.

Best of luck!
B.

hi L.
my 4 yr old is in tiger schulman karate cubs program they are great alittle pricy but i love it and my son enjoys it