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Ocala Karate Dojo
4.5 ★★★★★ 37 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Ocala, Florida
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 ocalakarate.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (352) 237-9076
Hours
| Monday | 1–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 1–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 1–9 PM |
| Thursday | 1–9 PM |
| Friday | 3–7 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My son, Jeremiah, began karate at OKD when he was 10 years old, when he was smaller than other children in his grade and needed more confidence to stand up for himself.”
“Six years later and having been an AAU Florida State Champion several years in a row, he has graduated high school’s EMIT program and moved on to college.”
Other martial arts here
What students say
“From an instructional standpoint, Bill is an amazing instructor and has a wonderful, friendly, and equally talented supporting staff.”
“My son started as a white belt and has progressed to full Black Belt in just under 3 years.”
“As a student who has been going to this dojo for over six years, I can personally say it has a wonderful and lively environment as well as supportive, friendly staffers.”
“The OKD helped transform my son into a focused student with flourishing grades.”
“Six years later and having been an AAU Florida State Champion several years in a row, he has graduated high school’s EMIT program and moved on to college.”
From the reviews
My son Liam has been going to Ocala Karate Dojo since January 2017. He was 3 years old when he started. About a month later he turned 4 years old. Today he is 5 1/2 years old.
My son has been a student here for over seven years and I ha sent been a student as well for for over five years. This has been a live changing experience for the best. This is the best Martial Arts school in the city. The school has been top 20 martial arts school in the country for the last 4 years and counting.
My eight and seven year old daughters have been at Ocala Karate Dojo for over two years. What originally started as an alternative to “extended day” at school has become a place where they look forward to going every day. They are surrounded by wonderful loving people. Bill and Mrs.
I honestly can’t believe I haven’t written a review sooner, I’m not sure if mrs. Vicky or sensei would remember me but I went here for the summer camp multiple years in a row what must have been 10 (?) years ago. Going here was a life changing experience for me me, I was (and still am) a pretty small person.
New to Karate? Start at Ocala Karate Dojo
Ocala Karate Dojo 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 Ocala Karate Dojo
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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🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site