Ancient Arts Family Karate/Ju-Jitsu Academy

I am a small-​business owner and know how hard the hustle to remain afloat can sometimes be. I have also worked in the service industry and know how truly awful some customers and clients can be. But I am aghast at the tone and tenor of my correspondence with the owner of this facility. (And his two stellar reviews should be taken under advisement, because the wording of them sounds exactly like the way this owner spoke of himself to me). On Sunday, 1/​24, I sent out generic emails to several facilities, inquiring about martial arts classes for my family. Four days later, with no provocation from me, I received this from the owner of Ancient Arts. (I won’t throw around my personal feelings or opinions, I will just copy/​paste my email interactions with this business owner and let you decide for yourselves).
AA– «Want to wish you best of luck in your endeavors! No response to any of my emails so must not be interested. I want serious students only. At $ 99.50 a month for 3 days a week and 45 minutes classes, we only accept serious students. I quoted you 3 students for $ 150 a month. Can’t be it! Best instruction in North Carolina. Take care.»
Me– «Dear Mr. & Mrs. Isaak–
I am a full-​time working parent of three children. I am a small-​business owner and operator. I teach an exercise class three times a week. I volunteer in my child’s school once a week. I race out of bed each day well before dawn and collapse into it well after dark. I sent you an inquiring email four days ago. I also sent out other emails to other martial arts programs, and, like yours, got several prompt replies. But unlike your follow-​up response, I have not received any bullying emails accusing me of being less than serious in my inquiry. Not that it matters anymore, but for the record, I just want to state the following:
1. Four days (one of which is a Sunday and shouldn’t be included) is not a long time to compare programs and try and make an informed decision about a martial arts program (or anything else, for that matter).
2. Not that it’s any of your business, but I am, in fact, not the one who is making the final decision. That belongs to my husband, the one who actually will be participating with the children, and he is even busier than I am.
3.We can discern from your communication that you are NOT student-​centered, but rather business-​centered, and rather than displaying the qualities of patience and discipline, your tone instead screams of bullishness and desperation.
4. I want to thank you– your email was so aggressive, pushy and rude that you saved us a lot of time and energy by removing your facility from consideration. Sincerely…»
AA– «Take care. I want to wish you the best of luck. At least you replied which I appreciate! It only took a minute. DI»
…and finally, one more passive-​aggressive zinger from this «family-​oriented» business owner–
AA– «PS… I removed you email from all future correspondence. Have a great day!»
I promised not to get my feelings involved at the beginning of this review, but I was truly taken aback by this interaction from a total stranger who just didn’t think that I was responding fast enough. There are too many other worthy and deserving businesses who will respect you and your time to deal with this nonsense. In case anyone thinks I am altering this or making it up in any way, I am happy to forward you the email thread at your request as proof of how this person is operating their business.
Inquire at

My family and I have been at this dojo for over 3 years now and continue to grow and learn with each class.
The fees are very reasonable compared to other martial arts schools in the area.
Shuri-​Ryu karate is a complete system with Okinawan and Chinese martial arts roots. When you train regularly in this art, you learn self-​defense and get an exceptional workout to keep you physically fit too.
Our instructor has 40 years of experience practicing and teaching karate and has been inducted into the Living Legends Hall of Fame for lifetime achievement and was named «Master of the Year» (2011) by the American Martial Arts Alliance.
The Ancient Arts Family Karate dojo is an outstanding program and value, and master Don Isaak, is an excellent instructor!

I am a student and black belt at the Ancient Arts Family Karate School, I have both my children enrolled in this school as well. In addition I have studied at various martial art schools for over 20 years. With that said, this school is the most cost effective, highly dedicated, and traditional martial art school you will find in the Triangle. I know because I priced them all. Shihan is a 7^th degree black belt that teaches all classes from the children’s beginner to my Black Belt class. This is normally unheard of in most schools. Usually a student receives instruction primarily from a 1^st or 2^nd degree black belt, who is watched over by someone with Shihan’s credentials. His classes are fun but you will work hard. You earn every belt and stripe that is received and no you do not pay a promotion fee every month only when the student advances a belt level. Shihan has a very easy going disposition, I would not let my children train here if he didn’t. I am at the school every Tues, Weds, Thurs, as well as Saturdays training and learning and have found Shihan to be extremely flexible an more than fair. If you want a school that will teach you the art and science of self defense, and are prepared to work hard this is your school. If you wish to have your ego stroked than this school isn’t for you. This is a school of black belt excellence and where leaders are developed. I can see it in my own children and one is even a special needs child.