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Mendonca Academy
4.8 ★★★★★ 21 Google reviews · Karate dojo in McMinnville, Oregon
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
- Competition team a competition team for students who want to test themselves at kumite tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule mendoncaama.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (503) 857-5450
Hours
| Monday | 4–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 4–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 4–8 PM |
| Thursday | 4–8 PM |
| Friday | 4–8 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Sensei Tony creates a positive and structured environment where kids develop respect, perseverance, and mental toughness.”
“Mendonca Academy of Martial Arts, 1255 NE Alpine Street, appears to be a fine facility to take the youngsters to learn self-defense techniques.”
Other martial arts here
“Mendonca Academy of Martial Arts, 1255 NE Alpine Street, appears to be a fine facility to take the youngsters to learn self-defense techniques.”
What students say
“Sensei Tony is great with the kids, he encourages them to try hard and pushes them to do their best.”
“From the moment we walked our kids in, we felt like part of a welcoming and supportive family.”
“From the moment we walked our kids in, we felt like part of a welcoming and supportive family.”
“Mendonca Academy of Martial Arts, 1255 NE Alpine Street, appears to be a fine facility to take the youngsters to learn self-defense techniques.”
“I’ve noticed improvements in my children's strength, focus, and confidence, and I love the way the kids embrace their teammates from top to bottom!”
“Traditional Okinawa style Karate and Sensei Mendonca is one of the top national coaches for helping athletes compete on a USA Olympic level.”
From the reviews
"I can’t recommend Mendonca Academy enough! From the moment we walked our kids in, we felt like part of a welcoming and supportive family. The instructors are highly skilled and genuinely care about your kids progress. They take the time to teach proper technique while ensuring you feel confident and motivated.
If you're looking for a place where your child can build confidence, discipline, and resilience, Mendonca Academy is an incredible choice. Sensei Tony creates a positive and structured environment where kids develop respect, perseverance, and mental toughness.
Great place for kids to grow and learn respect. Traditional Okinawa style Karate and Sensei Mendonca is one of the top national coaches for helping athletes compete on a USA Olympic level. Mr. Mendonca also runs the athletes K-fit programs, Strength & Conditioning, with SAQ drills to boost any young athletes skills.
With world renowned experience, our children receive top-notch training to use during competition and life. We have seen them grow in their skills more during their time at Mendonca Academy than in any other sport or activity they have done.
New to Karate? Start at Mendonca Academy
Mendonca Academy 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 Mendonca Academy
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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