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Santa Monica Dojo (Shotokan Karate)
4.9 ★★★★★ 14 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Santa Monica, California
Part of Shotokan Karate (JKA)
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
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Website & schedule iskfsm.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (310) 395-8545
The classes they run
“It will not matter if you are make or female, advanced or a beginner.”
What students say
“Excellent school for both beginners and advanced students.”
“There is a heavy emphasis on basics, proper techniques, and good etiquette.”
“One of the best Federation so far under Shihan James Field of the International Shotokan Karate Federation Santa Monica Los Angeles, California USA”
From the reviews
This dojo and it’s members are so welcoming. You may enter not knowing anyone and unsure but you leave feeling glad you made the trip. The training is excellent and given freely and with support and assistance. It will not matter if you are make or female, advanced or a beginner.
One of the best Federation so far under Shihan James Field of the International Shotokan Karate Federation Santa Monica Los Angeles, California USA
The best! I was looking for a martial arts school that was a "traditional while being mostly non-contact. Being a woman, I was not interested in fighting or being punched and kicked in the dojo, but I wanted to learn how to defend myself in case things like that happened OUTSIDE the dojo!
Excellent school for both beginners and advanced students. Sensei Field is a wealth of information, and I feel extremely lucky to be able to train under him. There is a heavy emphasis on basics, proper techniques, and good etiquette.
New to Karate? Start at Santa Monica Dojo (Shotokan Karate)
Santa Monica Dojo (Shotokan Karate) 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.
Your first Karate class at Santa Monica Dojo (Shotokan 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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