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Karate 4 Excellence
4.9 ★★★★★ 37 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Poughkeepsie, New York
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
- 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 karate4excellence.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 845-462-0624
Hours
| Monday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–12 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“If you are looking for your child or children to get into a sport that teaches: discipline, respect, structure, confidence, self defense, and dedication this is the place.”
“If you are looking for your child or children to get into a sport that teaches: discipline, respect, structure, confidence, self defense, and dedication this is the place.”
Other martial arts here
“One of the best taekwondo schools here in NY.”
“If you are looking for your child or children to get into a sport that teaches: discipline, respect, structure, confidence, self defense, and dedication this is the place.”
What students say
“Master Dunn is an Excellent teacher, he has my shy son breaking out of his shell learning how to lead and become more coordinated and confident!”
“The bonus of this school is we all are a family and everyone is so welcoming and really enjoy coming.”
“They will teach your child honesty, courage, self respect, forms, and you will see a change in your childs abilities.”
“I also must say that the morals that he teaches the children is so very important and makes a great impact on my child! Way to go Master Dunn we love your school!”
“If you are looking for your child or children to get into a sport that teaches: discipline, respect, structure, confidence, self defense, and dedication this is the place.”
From the reviews
Master Dunn really is excellent with teaching the children discipline, character, leadership, and integrity - not to mention self-confidence and self-defense skills. He is patient yet firm, and gains the respect of those he teaches. Thanks for working with our daughter and teaching her so much! Dave & Alison
Our son has been going to ATA Karate for Kids since he was 5 years old, and he is now 11. My husband and I feel like Master and Mrs. Dunn are part of our family. They have guided our son through all these years, and he has thrived in discipline, perseverance, integrity, and skill.
My daughter was afraid In the beginning. She was bullied in school, she has special needs but that didn't stop Master Dunn from working with her.. his patience is profound and he can teach any kid I believe to feel confident and work on mastering his classes.
Our son has been part of A.T.A. Martial Arts: Karate for Kids for years. He began just before five-years-old, and we learned quickly that no matter what age of the children in the program, the instructors provide the utmost care for their students in an age-appropriate way.
New to Karate? Start at Karate 4 Excellence
Karate 4 Excellence 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 Karate 4 Excellence
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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