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CMAI Karate

5 ★★★★★ 15 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Jacksonville, Florida

Karate dojo Beginners welcome Kids & teens

Plan your first class

  • Membership memberships around $59/mo — many dojos also offer a discounted first month and family plans, so ask about new-student rates
  • 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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule cmaikarate.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 904-742-7007

Hours

Monday 5:30–8 pm
Tuesday 5:30–8 pm
Wednesday 5:30–7 pm
Thursday 5:30–8 pm
Friday Closed
Saturday 10 am–12 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 CMAI Karate, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 6 mentions

“Great studio, the teachers are excellent and my child has been coming here for years and the progress he has from attending this dojo is incredible!”

All dojos that run kids karate →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

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 CMAI Karate — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

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 15 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 4 mentions

“Grand Master Carter is an excellent teacher and the children loves him.”

friendly, respectful dojo 5 mentions

“Wonderful school and family of students!”

From the reviews

Master Carter is a serious student of the martial arts, extremely patient and skilled. His school reflects his personality: easy-going. yet respectful, caring, and supporting. His is invested in his students, and the martial arts community as a whole. Go see him.

★★★★★ — M.M., Apr 2015

This is the only dojo I have ever been too that starts you off learning self defense as a white belt unheard of plus you learn modern arnis as a white belt Grandmaster Carter cares for his students whether man, woman or children his knowledge of what he teaches is superb whether it is kenpo, trapping, arnis, knife…

★★★★★ — Will, Apr 2026

Wonderful school and family of students! Master Carter definitely makes you feel as if you're family!!

★★★★★ — Guro, Feb 2021

Absolutely amazing atmosphere for learning and exhibiting karate skills...our son started and has been here for over 6 years...Sensei Carter is the best!!

★★★★★ — Toni, Aug 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 15 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at CMAI Karate

CMAI Karate 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 CMAI Karate

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 CMAI Karate

8029 Ramona Blvd W, Jacksonville, FL32221

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.