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San Diego Kyokushin Karate
5 ★★★★★ 19 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Poway, California
Part of Kyokushin Karate
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
- Competition team a competition team for students who want to test themselves at kumite tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule sandiegokyokushin.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (917) 628-0322
Hours
| Monday | 9–10 PM |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 7:30–9 PM |
| Thursday | Closed |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 1–3 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“This place was so fun and great for people of all levels!”
“There is a strong focus on fundamentals and a general holistic approach to training - kumite (sparring), pad work, kihon (basics), and kata.”
“There is a strong focus on fundamentals and a general holistic approach to training - kumite (sparring), pad work, kihon (basics), and kata.”
“You will learn invaluable self-defense and fighting skills, and learn the Kyokushin way!”
Other martial arts here
“You will learn invaluable self-defense and fighting skills, and learn the Kyokushin way!”
What students say
“Sensei Sogyel is knowledgeable and instructs with great detail and care, so you can learn so much while breaking a sweat!”
“Senpai Sogyel is such a blessing, breaks the techniques down in ways that white belts and black belts can both learn from it.”
“The dojo has strong spirit, disciplined training, and a welcoming group of students and instructors.”
“Here you'll find well-crafted classes with focus on all important building blocks of a karateka: technique, endurance, combinations, close-to-real-life yet safe sparring.”
“Sensei Sogyel is knowledgeable and instructs with great detail and care, so you can learn so much while breaking a sweat!”
“We also periodically exercise in the nature, go to national karate seminars taught by high-ranking masters, tournaments, and learn from visiting instructors.”
From the reviews
I started training in 2005 until Covid in 2020. A lot of dojos closed and I have been searching for a Kyokushin dojo ever since. The black belts here are awesome and even a lot of the lower ranked belts have black belts in other styles. Senpai Sogyel is knowledgeable and embodies the Ultimate Truth.
Great place for beginners to learn Kyokushin Karate. The instructors are very knowledgeable and other senior students are very helpful. Sensei spent extra time with me to make sure I learned the proper techniques.
So glad I came across this dojo, while searching for Kyokushin classes in the San Diego area. The instructors and students are top notch along with a well structured curriculum. Proper technique and safety are emphasized, classes are 2 hrs long which always leads to a great work-out.
While I was in San Diego, I reached out to this dojo to see if they would allow me to train with them for a day or two—and I’m so glad I did! The experience was incredible from start to finish. The atmosphere was both highly technical and genuinely warm and welcoming.
New to Karate? Start at San Diego Kyokushin Karate
San Diego Kyokushin Karate 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 San Diego Kyokushin Karate
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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