United Studios of Self Defense

We have been going for about 8 months. We came to this place even though it is kind off far for us, only because different random friends and teachers recommended it. We have not been disappointed. The instructors are great handling the kids with a perfect mix of being super strict but also warm and fun. I had mixed feelings about sparring but I have seen how carefully they handle it and how they teach the kids about keeping themselves and their partners safe. I am less concerned with martial arts technique, but whenever I have observed the older kids practice their skills I have been very impressed. Although I am normally in and out in flash, it is obvious that this is a place where people stay for the long run and form a very strong community where all members of the family participate.

The best Dojo ever! The teachers really help you learn and give great advice. You get a great workout and learn lots. Great community and very supportive.

I’ve been going for over 10 year, and it is an amazing community and environment. The teachers really help you learn and want you to strive. You get a great workout. I recommend it to all people.

About 6 months ago, my friend gave me a coupon for two weeks of karate classes for my children. I had no martial arts experience when I arrived at the San Francisco dojo. My children were very uncertain at first. After watching a Saturday morning class, they felt they could attend a series of private and group classes. I loved to hear the children run and practice saying «Help! Help! Call 911!» to an adult who was not their parent on the first day my children attended karate. After one week they were ready to commit.
The instructors are positively amazing! I am a former school teacher and I applaud them for their patience and gentleness when working with children from various backgrounds, skill-​levels and attention spans. They can engage the interests of all my children which is quite a feat. My children are constantly striving to do better and be better. I truly appreciate the life lessons that are so explicitly taught. Children are taught and encouraged to be grateful, loyal, compassionate, etc. Each month they have a different value and children are taught to exemplify that value.
The physical requirements are demanding. My children like to challenge themselves now to see who is the most flexible or who can balance on one foot the longest and touch their toes to various points in the air. I marvel at the required memorization level for body movements. This type of karate requires overall physical fitness, self-​discipline and mental exertion. Children are required when sparring to only barely touch the other child. The movement must be slow and controlled. This learned self-​control has been a huge asset to my oldest son.
My final point: I am awed by my daughter’s intense interest in karate. I feel so old-​fashioned to say this but I assumed when we first started that it would be a bigger favorite amongst her brothers. I was wrong! She picked up on the movements so easily as if it were a dance meant for her. She loves to spar and to grapple. The classes are almost equal between boys and girls. The older children/​higher belt ranks set excellent examples for the younger ones/​lower belt ranks. I am so grateful we can give my daughter and her brothers the opportunity to defend themselves if the situation ever came to that.

CA R. I have to say that I just don’t believe your post My youngest son was just 3 when he started. Unlike my eldest son, he did not excel but he had the best time. I never once saw the instructors not be professional or deal with kids who were crying and I sat through almost every single class.
As for the sparring, my kids wore protective gear but I have to say I never saw a child get hit hard. Certainly more advanced students never sparred against lesser students.

Great and safe place! Plenty of awesome and fun things for the younger children to be a part of. Got the chance to visit the studio and had a fun night of sparring!

We trusted the teachers at the United Studios. Our kids are 4 and 6 and on the small side. They do not return from school until after 4pm and were unable to make the classes with their age kids. I flagged this as a big concern and the teachers said the kids would be fine and they would make sure the kids were comfortable. We are serious about pursuing a martial arts for the kids and signed up for the semester. The kids in the class were much older spanning to upper elementary and our kids felt clearly out of place being so young/​small but the teachers said they were fine. In addition there was sparring involved where the children hit each other on the head to earn a point! For young children our pediatrician recommended this is not to be done for young kids and could not believe they have this as part of the program. The kids became so overwhelmed that they soon refused to go. Our son would cry during the class. The teachers were completely unconcerned and refused to refund our money for future months when I decided they were not transitioning and the teachers just were interested in money. They made me call United Studios and a goose chase with basically the studio itself refusing to refund our money and scapegoating United Studios franchise. Horrible experience.

I’m so thankful this holiday season for United Studios of Self Defense!!! They have been so welcoming to my son and I. He is having so much fun and learning a lot. We live in the neighborhood and there isn’t very many fun safe places that kids can go and benefit from. It’s clean, safe, and great vibes, great instructors!!! Thank you and we look forward to more classes.

My two children have been taking lessons here for about a year. Things are going well; the kids enjoy coming here (which can not be underrated — taking kids to an activity they don’t enjoy is a huge hassle!), they seem to be progressing towards their various belts, and the instructors here are good at imparting a few «life lessons» too. The instructors are friendly and very good with children. I highly recommend them.

If you are looking for a great place to learn the martial arts, this is the place. In the past, I’ve learned Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, Judo, and Karate and attended numerous dojos. Sensei JT Collins is absolutely the best sensei I have ever had the honor of learning from. Backed up by fantastic assistant instructors. The right mix of learning skills and more importantly the mental/​physical approach to life and the martial arts. I used to think that finding the right «martial art» was the most important (this art is ‘better than that one, etc). But come to learn that the single most important factor in learning and enjoying is the strength and values of the lead and assistant instructors.
Private lessons are included and are incredible for the level of attention and progress one can make on a regular basis. When you come in to try a class, I believe that you are only scratching the surface. Recommend signing up, doing a month of weekly privates and you will get a deeper understanding of why this dojo is so great.
The adult classes are really diverse and there is a real community at the dojo for those willing. I’ve watched them with the children and they are amazing. Firm and patient with the kids, teaching great skills and values. Can’t wait until my toddler is old enough to start taking classes.

What a great workout. Come on by and try a class to find out for yourself why the martial arts is the best workout.
You owe it to yourself to try it out once and find out why people love to come back.