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Open Hand Kempo

5 ★★★★★ 21 Google reviews · Karate dojo in McMinnville, Oregon

Part of Kenpo / Kempo Karate

Karate dojo Free trial Affiliated Kids & teens

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
  • 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 openhandkempo.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (503) 434-2707

Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday 3:30–8 PM
Wednesday 11 AM–8 PM
Thursday 11 AM–8 PM
Friday 11 AM–8 PM
Saturday 7:30 AM–2 PM
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 Open Hand Kempo, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 15 mentions

“Wonderful instructor, very caring and good with kids, got my son in a class that fit him wonderfully, my son loved the lessons.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“My son was in taekwondo for a year before switching to kempo and the instructors there never learned his name or taught actual moves or self defense.”

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 Open Hand Kempo — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🦵 Taekwondo

“My son was in taekwondo for a year before switching to kempo and the instructors there never learned his name or taught actual moves or self defense.”

Other dojos that also teach taekwondo →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“My son was in taekwondo for a year before switching to kempo and the instructors there never learned his name or taught actual moves or self defense.”

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 21 Google reviews — in their own words.

traditional style & affiliation 5 mentions

“My son was in taekwondo for a year before switching to kempo and the instructors there never learned his name or taught actual moves or self defense.”

builds confidence, discipline & respect 4 mentions

“Respect, care, discipline, excercise, fun.”

From the reviews

I would recommend this to anyone, they are committed to helping a wide variety of children's ages / distractions 😱 & so helpful for the parents to polish up the children in respect, confidence, self defense, awareness and more. I really appreciate their Great staff and what they are teaching our 4 kiddos! :)

★★★★★ — Cindi, Oct 2018

We attended an event today where the class received their next belt. All the instructors were really good at what they do and the kids were amazing. They offer classes to men women and children of all ages.

★★★★★ — Jaimie, Mar 2022

Fantastic education provided my Master Miller and his staff. Very friendly, positive, and educational. Cannot recommend highly enough.

★★★★★ — Patrick, Jan 2018

This place is fantastic, the instructors are all very kind and great with the kids. They have multiple instructors per lesson and break up into small groups during class based on skill level to help the kids learn. The biggest plus to me is they actually learn everyone's name and teach them forms.

★★★★★ — Jenna, Jan 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 21 reviews →

Your first Karate class at Open Hand Kempo

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 Open Hand Kempo

800 NE 8th St Ste 100, McMinnville, OR97128

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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.