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Jim Smith Karate Inc
5 ★★★★★ 25 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Yorktown Heights, New York
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 4–12) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Private lessons private, one-on-one instruction available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- Weapons / kobudo traditional weapons (kobudo) classes — kata with the bo, sai, and nunchaku, taught with control and discipline
- Competition team a competition team for students who want to test themselves at kumite tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule jimsmithkarate.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 914-621-0100
Hours
| Monday | 5–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 5–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 5–8 pm |
| Thursday | 5–8 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 10 am–1 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“As I’ve watched my son train at Jim Smith Karate, it has become very clear that Karate is as much or more in the mind as it is in the body.”
“Although classes are in a group setting, Sensei Joe makes sure every student gets personal, one-on-one guidance.”
“He’s learned so much more than just self-defense, his confidence and self-discipline have grown tremendously.”
Other martial arts here
“He’s learned so much more than just self-defense, his confidence and self-discipline have grown tremendously.”
What students say
“The sensei’s and instructors was patient with everyone including him and he always listened to the instructors and did what they instructed him too.”
“As for the students, they have been wonderful with welcoming/embracing him into the JSK Team.”
“He’s now taking his lessons in a bit more, and we see it when he wants to show off for family and friends at home.”
“They are well disciplined and also learning great technique.”
“My son’s confidence, discipline, and respect have grown leaps and bounds.”
“Since we are part of the dojo’s competing team, we get to see at tournaments how well the instructors train their students.”
From the reviews
My daughter is 2 weeks in and she absolutely loves it. They are well disciplined and also learning great technique. It definitely isn’t easy to deal with young 5 year olds but they keep them in order and do a great job working with them.
A textbook definition of what an amazing martial arts dojo should be. The instructors are all experts in their craft and treat everybody like family. The students are all given top-notch instruction during both group and individual training.
My son has been training at Jim Smith Karate for a year now, and the experience has been incredible. He’s learned so much more than just self-defense, his confidence and self-discipline have grown tremendously.
Our son has been attending classes at Jim Smith Karate for almost 6 years. It has been an amazing experience for not only him, but for us as a family. It has helped to shape him into a confident, focused and determined young boy. The instructors are wonderful and provide great support to their students.
New to Karate? Start at Jim Smith Karate Inc
Jim Smith Karate Inc 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 Jim Smith Karate Inc
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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