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Charleston Family Martial Arts
5 ★★★★★ 63 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Summerville, South Carolina
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 (ages 4–7) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Weapons / kobudo traditional weapons (kobudo) classes — kata with the bo, sai, and nunchaku, taught with control and discipline
- 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 charlestonfamilymartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 843-508-0210
Hours
| Monday | 4–8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 4–8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 4–8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 4–8:30 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 9 am–1 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“I love that the instructors also encourage the kids to make positive life choices and well as highlighting actions taken before, during or after class.”
“It’s the perfect place for children to learn self-defense, respect, and focus — and for families to reconnect while training together.”
Other martial arts here
“It’s the perfect place for children to learn self-defense, respect, and focus — and for families to reconnect while training together.”
What students say
“Have great instructors here who really know how to communicate with all different types of personalities, I have so much respect for what they do.”
“The instructors are very attentive, welcoming, and involved which makes it just as exciting for myself as a parent as it is for my little guy.”
“My kids love going and are always asking to attend the extra events, like Parents Night Out.”
“They are definitely worth it.”
“Dees and Lyon strike the perfect balance of discipline, focus, and fun, creating an environment where students of all ages can grow and thrive.”
From the reviews
Started my kids here a few months back and the change in their behavior and respect level is incredible. Have great instructors here who really know how to communicate with all different types of personalities, I have so much respect for what they do. Thank you Ms.Lyons and Mr.Dees
Promotes a lot of core values important in becoming a respectable person. In my experience it is great place for father and son bonding while learning how to protect yourself. I am very happy with our decision to train here.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Charleston Family Martial Arts is absolutely outstanding! My son had taken lessons at another local dojo before, but CFMA is leaps and bounds above the rest. Mr. Dees and Ms. Lyon are not only excellent instructors — they’re truly wonderful people who care deeply about every student, kids and adults alike.
I signed my daughters up, I was kind of timid of how they would participate but amongst my own feelings they have flourished! They love it and practice everyday. Mr. Dees and Ms. Lyon are absolutely wonderful teachers and engage with my children and all their other students throughout the class.
New to Karate? Start at Charleston Family Martial Arts
Charleston Family Martial Arts comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo — noted on their own site. 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.
Your first Karate class at Charleston Family 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.
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🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
