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Dan Charatin's Kenpo Karate Organization, LLC

5 ★★★★★ 37 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Glendale Heights, Illinois

Part of Kenpo / Kempo Karate

Karate dojo 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 (ages 5) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Women's classes dedicated women's Karate classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
  • 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 kenpomat.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 630-290-6433

Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday 7–9 pm
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 7:45–9 pm
Friday Closed
Saturday 10 am–1 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 Dan Charatin's Kenpo Karate Organization, LLC, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 6 mentions

“From the moment we walked in, the instructors were welcoming, patient, and incredibly engaging with our kids.”

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🌱 Beginners 3 mentions

“I joined a class last Saturday and everyone I met in the class was also kind, encouraging and patient as I’m very much a beginner just getting back into the swing of things.”

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💪 Women's Karate 7 mentions

“I recently attended a women’s self-defense class at this karate studio with my best friend Lily, and we had such a great experience!”

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Teens

“I was involved with Kenpo for a brief period as an adolescent some 40 years ago and have been wanting to get back into it.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 20 mentions

“As women we have to take precaution, and classes like this where you can learn real life skills on how to properly protect yourself could save your life!”

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 Dan Charatin's Kenpo Karate Organization, LLC — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🦵 Taekwondo

“I’ve been through the taekwondo system and I loved it but this is a whole new level of self defense!”

Other dojos that also teach taekwondo →

🛡️ Self-Defense 17 mentions

“I recently attended a women’s self-defense class at this karate studio with my best friend Lily, and we had such a great experience!”

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 37 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 6 mentions

“The instructor was incredibly knowledgeable and took the time to break down each technique in a way that felt easy to understand and actually useful in real-life situations.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 7 mentions

“I joined a class last Saturday and everyone I met in the class was also kind, encouraging and patient as I’m very much a beginner just getting back into the swing of things.”

friendly, respectful dojo 9 mentions

“The class was led by Dan, along with his wife Tianna and guest instructor Sonny, and they all did an amazing job creating a welcoming and supportive environment.”

strong technique, kata & fundamentals 9 mentions

“The instructor was incredibly knowledgeable and took the time to break down each technique in a way that felt easy to understand and actually useful in real-life situations.”

traditional style & affiliation 13 mentions

“The style taught, Ed Parker's Kenpo Karate, is the perfect balance of modern fighting techniques that are rooted in the "old ways" handed down master to student.”

💗 welcoming to women 11 mentions

“As women we have to take precaution, and classes like this where you can learn real life skills on how to properly protect yourself could save your life!”

From the reviews

Joining Dan Charatin’s Kenpo Karate is one of the best decisions you could make. You will receive not only excellent training in the style of American Kenpo karate, but specifically practical and street adaptable skills. Mr.

★★★★★ — Elizabeth, Jul 2024

This place is the real deal. The training is as solid as you can get. It encompasses all of the best a martial school has to offer...a high calibre of teaching, streetwise self defense, and a fun, yet focused learning environment.

★★★★★ — Jeremiah, May 2023

Mr. C and crew put on an excellent self defense class for women. It was very practical with moves for all levels, including beginners. They are excellent teachers and make everyone feel comfortable learning a new skill.

★★★★★ — Catherine, Aug 2024

Danny and his staff with knowledge, experienced, and fully supportive of all agility levels! The best women’s self-defense class I have ever been to. 10/10 recommend!

★★★★★ — Beautiful-Joy, Jul 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 37 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Dan Charatin's Kenpo Karate Organization, LLC

Dan Charatin's Kenpo Karate Organization, LLC 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 Dan Charatin's Kenpo Karate Organization, LLC

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 Dan Charatin's Kenpo Karate Organization, LLC

1120 N Main St #3, Glendale Heights, IL60139

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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.