1. Yes, it's a whole new look! Have questions or need help? Please post your question in the New Forum Questions thread Click the X to the right to dismiss this notice
    Dismiss Notice
  2. Seeing tons of unread posts after the upgrade? See this thread for help. Click the X to the right to dismiss this notice
    Dismiss Notice

Karate School Recommendation

Discussion in 'General Chat Forum' started by efpenp, Sep 6, 2008.

  1. efpenp

    efpenp New Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2006
    Messages:
    77
    Likes Received:
    0
    I'm looking to sign my 3 1/2 yr old son up for Karate and since there are dozens of schools around, thought I'd check to see what people recommend.
    Thanks!
     
  2. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2003
    Messages:
    5,236
    Likes Received:
    249
    Top Kick is awesome! Located by the Harris Teeter.
     
  3. phitnessfiend

    phitnessfiend New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2007
    Messages:
    287
    Likes Received:
    0
    We've been very happy with Dragon Yong-In next to Safeway.
     
  4. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2005
    Messages:
    5,929
    Likes Received:
    69
    just karate or any martial arts? Williams gets high marks from many people who i've talked to with children there. my son has been with ustigers since he was 5, and we really love their philosphy and dedication to the children and principles of tae kwon do.

    www.ustigers.net
     
  5. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2006
    Messages:
    2,512
    Likes Received:
    19
    I had always heard great things about Action Martial Arts. Last spring my daughter took a class there and really enjoyed it. I know many people who have had their children take classes there and everyone loved it. The owner, Dave Moss, has several kids of his own and is very good with the students.
     
  6. Dkukrer

    Dkukrer New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2004
    Messages:
    109
    Likes Received:
    0
    Our son has been going to Tiger Den since April 08. We love it and the Master there is very good. It is on Yukon Drive in Broadlands... By the new Red Robin.
     
  7. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2003
    Messages:
    5,236
    Likes Received:
    249
    I do believe that shopping area is Ashburn, not Broadlands.

    Close enough tho!
     
  8. wahoogeek

    wahoogeek New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2004
    Messages:
    505
    Likes Received:
    2
    We second the recommendation for Action, especially for the younger crowd. Dave is great with the kids and makes it lots of fun. I think that several of the other places like Williams and Tiger Den are better if your (older) child gets really serious about it.
     
  9. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2006
    Messages:
    2,512
    Likes Received:
    19
    That's a good point. I would imagine that different schools are better for different age groups. Action Martial Arts serves ages 3 and up so it offers classes for most everyone, but they are particularly good for young kids just learning and having fun with it.
     
  10. SchwarzFamily

    SchwarzFamily New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2006
    Messages:
    271
    Likes Received:
    1
    Denise, any other thoughts about Tiger Den. I'm thinking of signing up my 4 year old daughter - they seem to have the nicest facility and schedule that best aligns with our needs.
     
  11. Dkukrer

    Dkukrer New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2004
    Messages:
    109
    Likes Received:
    0
    I would definitely recommend tigerden, the ryan park location. I have also met the other instructors for Leesburg and Franklin farms during some of the belt promotion exams. They are all very good with kids, and the kids love them. We have seen the benefit of Martial Arts with our son who goes there. Once our youngest is a little older we are thinking of enrolling him as well. If you have any specific questions, feel free to email or PM me.

    Thanks,
     
  12. SchwarzFamily

    SchwarzFamily New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2006
    Messages:
    271
    Likes Received:
    1
    Just closing the loop. We signed our 4-year old daughter up for taekwando at Tiger Den After School (Ryan Park, near Red Robin). It's fantastic...she loves it. The teachers are excellent and very positive, including two female instructors she really enjoys. Thanks for the recommendation!
     
  13. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2006
    Messages:
    2,512
    Likes Received:
    19
    A Top Kick will be opening soon in the shopping center with the new Bloom on Belmont Ridge and Portsmouth Blvd. I don't know anything about it except that it's there.
     
  14. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2005
    Messages:
    5,929
    Likes Received:
    69
    US Tigers in Broadlands (by Cafe Opera and the Pub) is no more. In what can only be described as a nasty takeover by Tigen Den, masters were fired in front of the kids and chaos has ensued over the past several days.

    I'm disgusted with the behavior of the new management and removed my son from the program entirely. I'm sure once the dust settles and it becomes about teaching TKD again, this will all be forgotten, but what WON'T be forgotten is the tears of many children as the masters they've been with for years were dumped RIGHT in front of their eyes, the frantic phone call from my son wanting to be picked up...

    to put this dirty business out there in front of the same students you should be teaching discipline, self control, respect and HONOR to is unthinkable to me.

    just thought you all should know since i have been a champion of this school for years and can no longer retain that position in light of the disturbing behavior of the "new regime."

    I know no other details, and will not spread any rumors, and I have stated only facts and my opinion based on observation here, and have nothing else to say on the matter. :(
     
  15. CuriousGo

    CuriousGo New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2007
    Messages:
    49
    Likes Received:
    0
    Redon. I more than agree with you. I too got a call from my sons. Both asked to leave. What is worst of all, they have destroyed a community of kids who truly loved each other and their masters. It wasn't just Tae Kwon Do being learned, it was just so much more. My one son had philosophical chats about life all the time. Yesterday was my son's birthday. How he really wanted to get his day. Instead, he was in tears and sad all day.
     
  16. hampshire

    hampshire New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2006
    Messages:
    56
    Likes Received:
    0
    Curious to get feedback specifically on after school programs in martial arts. I read various comments from members on local programs, but would like to learn not only about their martial arts instruction but also what else the kids do in the few hours they're waiting for mom or dad to pick them up. If anyone has recommendations for (or against) any local martial arts after school programs, I would greatly appreciate your feedback. thanks
     
  17. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2005
    Messages:
    5,929
    Likes Received:
    69
    here i go again! They play kickball, do homework, play video games, and watch movies. Phoenix has a HUGE (as compared to BEFORE!) recreational space for them to hang out in with a separate space for homework.

    for the record they are NOT a paid advertiser with my buisness- I support them to see their business grow because it is EXCEPTIONAL and they make a huge difference in our lives.

    If G messes up in school, they hear about it because what they think matters to him, and they support us in matters of discipline and driving home the point of respecting authority. even during the time when they HAD no school, and G wasn't their student, they attended his baseball and football games and cheered him on, always give him praise and recognition for grades and being a good citizen- I can't say enough about how much we appreciate them. they care about the KIDS not just TKD.

    Gino will ALWAYS remember the masters as men who helped to shape who he becomes as a man. dramatic- but true!

    just go visit the facility and you will be as impressed as i have always been.
     
  18. hampshire

    hampshire New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2006
    Messages:
    56
    Likes Received:
    0
    Looking for more current recommendations for an after school martial arts program. Any new comments either promoting (or discouraging against) local programs? Thanks!
     
  19. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2005
    Messages:
    5,929
    Likes Received:
    69
    everything I said about Phoenix still stands- The Boy is still there advancing toward his 2nd degree black belt and we are still huge fans. they have an ad in the Broadlnads newsletter this month. they are 10000% worth a look before you make a final decision!

    there are several good programs in town but finding the fir means chekc a few. GET TO PHOENIX!!! :)

    no they don't pay me... I simply LOVE what they've done for my kid.
     
  20. PowerPlay

    PowerPlay Member

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2008
    Messages:
    436
    Likes Received:
    16
    I second the recommendation for Phoenix. Master Park and the others have a GREAT rapport with the kids and the facility is very large and clean. I have only been sending my kids there for summer camp but I plan to continue their TKD classes right into the fall and beyond. My kids LOVE IT!!!

    They have video games and movies but the kids also play kickball, volleyball, build mini obstacle courses with the sparing equipment, etc.
     

Share This Page