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AAMA Karate School

4.4 ★★★★☆ 8 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Waco, Texas

Karate dojo Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team

Affiliated dojo — reviews and the dojo's own info point to a recognized Karate style organization or franchise (think Shotokan/JKA, Kyokushin, Goju-Ryu, Isshinryu, Tiger Schulmann's or Villari's). If lineage matters to you, ask which style and organization the dojo belongs to, and under whom the head sensei earned their black belt.

Plan your first class

  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth Karate classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Competition team a competition team for students who want to test themselves at kumite tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule aamakarateschool.net — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 254-242-6984

Hours

Monday 5:30–8 pm
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday Closed
Thursday Closed
Friday 5:30–8 pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, belt tests, and seminars — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Karate classes on the schedule at AAMA Karate School, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“There are beginner's & intermediate's classes 3 days a week along with the opportunity for advanced training 2 days a week.”

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🌀 Kata (Forms)

“We participate in kata & kumite competitions with the AAU & other organizations so there is opportunity to compete.”

All dojos that run kata (forms) →

🥊 Kumite / Sparring

“We participate in kata & kumite competitions with the AAU & other organizations so there is opportunity to compete.”

All dojos that run kumite / sparring →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“We also travel to seminars across the country to meet & train with the top self-defense practitioners in the industry to keep our skills sharp & ready.”

All dojos that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

Karate dojos are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at AAMA Karate School — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🥋 Jiu-Jitsu

“There is opportunity to train in BJJ as well with AAMA.”

Other dojos that also teach jiu-jitsu →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“We also travel to seminars across the country to meet & train with the top self-defense practitioners in the industry to keep our skills sharp & ready.”

Other dojos that also teach self-defense →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the dojo's own info — they show what students have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want taekwondo, jiu-jitsu, or kickboxing alongside your Karate, confirm the current schedule with the dojo.

What students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 8 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 2 mentions

“Also probably the best teachers you’ll ever have.”

active competition / tournament team 5 mentions

“We participate in kata & kumite competitions with the AAU & other organizations so there is opportunity to compete.”

traditional style & affiliation 2 mentions

“I have worked my way up to a 2nd degree black belt along with a black belt in kobujutsu, or traditional Okinawan weapons application.”

From the reviews

My son has been going to AAMA for several months and it's amazing. The instructors are very patient and knowledgeable. I even started to the classes with them myself after a few weeks. Great environment and flexible class schedule with multiple days a week available for beginners. Highly recommended.

★★★★★ — Chris, Jan 2018

I have been training at AAMA of the Wado Shinzen Kai since 2010. I have worked my way up to a 2nd degree black belt along with a black belt in kobujutsu, or traditional Okinawan weapons application. This was all achieved here at AAMA in Waco.

★★★★★ — Chris, Jan 2018

Amazing place. Great people, and I personally have made very close friends here. Also probably the best teachers you’ll ever have. Sensei Wilson and Renshi Johnson are very great at teaching the subject.

★★★★★ — Noah, Dec 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 8 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at AAMA Karate School

AAMA Karate School comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo, going by their listing and students’ reviews. If you've never thrown a punch or set foot in a dojo, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and the sensei scales the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable dojos build fundamentals (stances, blocks, punches, and kicks) for weeks, and kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, with pads and control. Third, all levels and ages really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most dojos are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first Karate class at AAMA Karate School

Nervous about walking into a Karate dojo for the first time? Almost everyone is, and a good sensei expects beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic stances, blocks, punches, and kicks — not hard sparring. Step to the side whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot. What to bring: water, and a mouthguard if you have one — many dojos lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi and the belt your dojo awards you. Kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the sensei. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Karate is a contact sport. Ease in, train within your limits, listen to your instructors, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find AAMA Karate School

Family of Faith Community Center, 4112 Memorial Dr, Waco, TX76711

Get directions

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this dojo? Claim your listing — it's free.