HomeMarylandPotomac › Positive Impact Martial Arts

Positive Impact Martial Arts

5 ★★★★★ 14 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Potomac, Maryland

Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team

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 (ages 4–12) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Competition team a competition team for students who want to test themselves at kumite tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule positiveimpactma.net — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 301-299-7500

Hours

Monday 1–8 pm
Tuesday 1–8 pm
Wednesday 1–8 pm
Thursday 1–8 pm
Friday 1–8 pm
Saturday 9 am–4 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 Positive Impact Martial Arts, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 19 mentions

“We've seen him grow from trembling before his first ever tournament into a kid who can't wait to confidently march onto the mat to show the judges just what he can do.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“He has been going for 4+ years, moving from beginner to advanced, gaining skills and discipline at each level.”

All dojos that run beginners →

🥊 Kumite / Sparring 2 mentions

“I have greatly improved in strength, balance, fitness, knowledge of martial arts and sparring techniques over the past several years.”

All dojos that run kumite / sparring →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“Anyone interested in comprehensive health improvement through various self-defense, personal development and fitness activities will find a welcoming environment here.”

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 Positive Impact Martial Arts — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🦵 Taekwondo

“Our kids have been coming to Positive Impact Martial Arts for taekwondo classes since the past few months now.”

Other dojos that also teach taekwondo →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“Anyone interested in comprehensive health improvement through various self-defense, personal development and fitness activities will find a welcoming environment here.”

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 14 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 3 mentions

“Anyone interested in comprehensive health improvement through various self-defense, personal development and fitness activities will find a welcoming environment here.”

friendly, respectful dojo 4 mentions

“My family and I are very happy to have found Positive Impact Martial Arts and my daughter (11) and son (8) love going here.”

strong technique, kata & fundamentals 3 mentions

“I have greatly improved in strength, balance, fitness, knowledge of martial arts and sparring techniques over the past several years.”

active competition / tournament team 2 mentions

“We've seen him grow from trembling before his first ever tournament into a kid who can't wait to confidently march onto the mat to show the judges just what he can do.”

builds confidence, discipline & respect 7 mentions

“He learned about discipline and how to respect, as well as self confidence when he receives strips and new belt.”

From the reviews

I hobbled into the dojang over 10 years ago with my oldest daughter to give her something to do. Next thing I knew, we started a journey together to Black Belt. Back doing it with my other daughter. Master Maye doesn't only teach the martial arts skills, but develops kids in social skills for what the future brings.

★★★★★ — Jim, Sep 2020

Our kids have been coming to Positive Impact Martial Arts for taekwondo classes since the past few months now. They are strict with following COVID guidelines which is great! The location is nice and big too and the kids have enough space to be socially distant. Class sizes are reasonable too.

★★★★★ — Vishaal, Apr 2021

Both my kids have been going here since Fall 2023 after trying out 3-4 martial arts school around the area. We were sold by how the teachers are so patient and the largest training space I have came across!

★★★★★ — Zen, Mar 2025

Very Good Class! Master Maye is a very passionate instructor and he trains everybody like World Champions! It's great to see how much you progress each day and how you can surpass yourself. There is no better Martial Arts Dojo in the entire DMV!

★★★★★ — Newboyvirgo, Jul 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 14 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Positive Impact Martial Arts

Positive Impact Martial Arts 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first Karate class at Positive Impact Martial Arts

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 Positive Impact Martial Arts

11815 Seven Locks Rd, Potomac, MD20854

Get directions

More Karate dojos near Potomac

Jue Tao Martial Arts Center

2100 Wootton Pkwy, Rockville, MD

Karate dojo

2.1 miles away

Master Method Karate

4.8 ★★★★★ 68 reviews

5538 Randolph Rd, Rockville, MD

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Karate dojo Free trial Kids & teens expert instruction from a great senseifriendly, respectful dojostrong technique, kata & fundamentals

2.7 miles away

Phoenix Karetedo Association - Rockville Dojo

5 ★★★★★ 4 reviews

12077 Nebel St, Rockville, MD

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Karate dojo Free trial Kids & teens Affiliated

2.9 miles away

All Karate dojos in Potomac, MD →

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.