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Corvallis Shao-Lin Kempo

4.8 ★★★★★ 17 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Corvallis, Oregon

Part of Kenpo / Kempo Karate

Karate dojo Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Weapons / kobudo

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
  • Weapons / kobudo traditional weapons (kobudo) classes — kata with the bo, sai, and nunchaku, taught with control and discipline
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule shao-linkempo.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 541-714-3343

Hours

Monday 4:30–8 pm
Tuesday 4:30–8 pm
Wednesday 4:30–8 pm
Thursday 4:30–8 pm
Friday Closed
Saturday 7:30 am–2 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 Corvallis Shao-Lin Kempo, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 4 mentions

“My experience is with children (5-11) taking classes and it's been a very positive experience.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

Teens 2 mentions

“He gave her confidence and helped her deal with pre-teen and teen stressors.”

All dojos that run teens →

🛡️ Self-Defense 5 mentions

“From helping his students get in the best shape of their life, to teaching them real-world self-defense, you have to come see what Mr.”

All dojos that run self-defense →

⚔️ Weapons (Kobudo)

All dojos that run weapons (kobudo) →

Other martial arts here

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

🛡️ Self-Defense 5 mentions

“From helping his students get in the best shape of their life, to teaching them real-world self-defense, you have to come see what Mr.”

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 17 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 2 mentions

“Kempo Dan is an awesome instructor. His attitude is great and he tries his best to teach you.”

friendly, respectful dojo 5 mentions

“The owner is very friendly, knowledgeable, and bends over backwards to allow anyone the opportunity to participate.”

traditional style & affiliation 2 mentions

“Not only did he teach her kempo, but also he helped her deal with boys who were harassing her at school and making her afraid to walk down the hallway.”

builds confidence, discipline & respect 6 mentions

“A great place to work out, learn self defense, safe learning environment, and self discipline.”

From the reviews

My daughter attended Corvallis Martial Arts for several years with Mr. Dan as her instructor. He was a great mentor in and out of the classroom. Not only did he teach her kempo, but also he helped her deal with boys who were harassing her at school and making her afraid to walk down the hallway.

★★★★★ — Gina, Dec 2021

Kempo Dan is an awesome instructor. His attitude is great and he tries his best to teach you.

★★★★★ — Bestevercody, Aug 2020

Daniel and his students taught a self-defense class for a club I’m in, and WOW — I learned so much and had such a fun time! Daniel personalized the teaching for each person in the class, and even though we were imagining scary scenarios, we were all laughing the whole time.

★★★★★ — Maddy, Apr 2025

Daniel was amazing at leading our club CHAARG at Oregon State University! He took the time to address each and every one of our concerns about safety and self defense.

★★★★★ — Jenna, Apr 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 17 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Corvallis Shao-Lin Kempo

Corvallis Shao-Lin Kempo 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first Karate class at Corvallis Shao-Lin Kempo

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 Corvallis Shao-Lin Kempo

1815 NW Circle Blvd, Corvallis, OR97330

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.