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Breaking Wave Martial Arts

5 ★★★★★ 123 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Latham, New York

Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens

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

  • Free trial / intro class most dojos welcome new students with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • 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
  • Adult classes adult Karate classes — training built for grown-ups, from fitness and fundamentals to kumite (sparring) at your own pace
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule martialartsalbany.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (518) 755-7512

Hours

Monday 9 AM–9 PM
Tuesday 9 AM–9 PM
Wednesday 9 AM–9 PM
Thursday 9 AM–9 PM
Friday 9 AM–9 PM
Saturday 8 AM–3 PM
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 Breaking Wave Martial Arts, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 16 mentions

“My two kids and wife have been studying Wushu with Master Geller since the school opened, and we all cannot recommend the school enough.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

🌱 Beginners 3 mentions

“That makes it a comfortable environment whether you’re brand new or have prior experience.”

All dojos that run beginners →

Other martial arts here

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

🥊 Kickboxing

“I take combative and kickboxing classes here and I love it!”

Other dojos that also teach kickboxing →

🐉 Kung Fu 6 mentions

“My two kids and wife have been studying Wushu with Master Geller since the school opened, and we all cannot recommend the school enough.”

Other dojos that also teach kung fu →

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 123 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 5 mentions

“Lucas Geller is an amazing teacher/shifu, he will help kids individually if they need they extra help and he will be serious when he needs to and funny when he needs to.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 5 mentions

“Very welcoming environment that treats people with all levels of martial arts the same.”

friendly, respectful dojo 10 mentions

“Very welcoming environment that treats people with all levels of martial arts the same.”

strong technique, kata & fundamentals 5 mentions

“They'll give modifications for more advanced forms if you can't or need to work up to crouching low or standing on one leg, for example.”

traditional style & affiliation 7 mentions

“I had always been interested in Tai Chi, but I never realized that Albany had such an authentic Tai Chi and Qigong academy.”

builds confidence, discipline & respect 6 mentions

“Shifu Lucas shows the mixture of kindness, patience, and discipline that allows my son to flourish.”

From the reviews

Having a son with an ADHD and autism diagnosis makes it hard to find extra curricular activities where he feels challenged, understood, and amongst his peers. CMAA checks all of those boxes for my son. Shifu Lucas shows the mixture of kindness, patience, and discipline that allows my son to flourish.

★★★★★ — Jared, May 2022

I had been searching for the perfect martial arts center, one that was offering different styles but also had experienced instructors that would preserve the integrity of each style while offering a welcoming family atmosphere. I found all that here at Chinese Martial Arts Academy.

★★★★★ — Laura, Oct 2022

Our son started taking classes in Kyokushin Karate here. We started our journey with trail classes and they were spot on. Shifu Lucas gave us all the information we needed and taught every class with equal passion and dedication. He is one of the best instructors in this field.

★★★★★ — Anya, Jul 2021

What I like about this martial art studio is that you pay one fee and can come to class everyday, except for Sunday when closed. The difference is that you meet those who are really interested in martial art and would like to continuously and steadily sharpen their skills: they come to class everyday for more than one…

★★★★★ — Josephine, Jan 2016

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 123 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Breaking Wave Martial Arts

Breaking Wave Martial Arts 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 Breaking Wave Martial Arts

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 Breaking Wave Martial Arts

3 Johnson Rd, Latham, NY12110

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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.