HomeFloridaWinter Park › Life Martial Arts - Formerly The Dojo Karate Centers

Life Martial Arts - Formerly The Dojo Karate Centers

5 ★★★★★ 35 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Winter Park, Florida

Karate dojo Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons

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
  • 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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule winterparkkarate.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (407) 896-5788

Hours

Monday 4–7 PM
Tuesday 4–7 PM
Wednesday 4–7 PM
Thursday 4–7 PM
Friday Closed
Saturday 9–11 AM
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 Life Martial Arts - Formerly The Dojo Karate Centers, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 31 mentions

“My children have gained self confidence and their self esteem has significantly improved because of the work they have done at the center.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“The instructors are not only highly skilled but also incredibly patient and encouraging, making the classes accessible for students of all levels.”

All dojos that run beginners →

👤 Private Lessons 2 mentions

“There are options to take private lessons to learn additional skills, but there is no pressure.”

All dojos that run private lessons →

🛡️ Self-Defense 4 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 Life Martial Arts - Formerly The Dojo Karate Centers — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🛡️ Self-Defense 3 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 35 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 3 mentions

“Sensei Adam is great with young and unfocused kids and has a fun approach.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 3 mentions

“The instructors are not only highly skilled but also incredibly patient and encouraging, making the classes accessible for students of all levels.”

friendly, respectful dojo 8 mentions

“The sense of community here is amazing—everyone is supportive and motivated to help each other grow, both physically and mentally.”

strong technique, kata & fundamentals 2 mentions
🧒 strong kids program 7 mentions

“Your children will not only learn Karate and the discipline that comes with it - but also learn the value of working hard and helping their fellow students master skills.”

builds confidence, discipline & respect 24 mentions

“Growing up as 'dojo kids' in these instructors' environment has given them added confidence, a sense of mastery of a skillset, and of the day-by-day work that goes into it!”

From the reviews

My 3 boys (ages 11, 8 & 8) have been taking karate at Life Martial Arts for the past 5 years and we couldn’t imagine going anywhere else. The class schedule is flexible so if you do other activities it’s easy to fit it in.

★★★★★ — Rhonda, Jul 2019

My experience at Life Martial Arts has been nothing short of transformative! The instructors are not only highly skilled but also incredibly patient and encouraging, making the classes accessible for students of all levels.

★★★★★ — Jackson, Aug 2024

I could never say enough good things about Life MA! My son (10 years old) has been coming here for the past 7 months. The instructors are kind but firm, they instill values and morals, and they push him to be his best every single class.

★★★★★ — Melissa, Jul 2019

I love going to Life Martial Arts! The teachers are super nice and make learning fun. I’ve made a lot of friends here, and we all help each other get better. Every class is exciting because we learn cool moves and get to practice them in a safe way. The best part is how strong and confident I feel now.

★★★★★ — Rj, Aug 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 35 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Life Martial Arts - Formerly The Dojo Karate Centers

Life Martial Arts - Formerly The Dojo Karate Centers 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 Life Martial Arts - Formerly The Dojo Karate Centers

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 Life Martial Arts - Formerly The Dojo Karate Centers

5478 Lake Howell Rd, Winter Park, FL32792

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.