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Silicon Valley Karate
5 ★★★★★ 9 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Palo Alto, California
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
- Private lessons private, one-on-one instruction available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- Adult classes adult Karate classes — training built for grown-ups, from fitness and fundamentals to kumite (sparring) at your own pace
- Competition team a competition team for students who want to test themselves at kumite tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule svkarate.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (650) 580-3696
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–10 PM |
The classes they run
“Sensei (teacher) Jon Keeling has a profound understanding of karate, is a wonderful instructor, is good with kids, teens and adults.”
“Sensei (teacher) Jon Keeling has a profound understanding of karate, is a wonderful instructor, is good with kids, teens and adults.”
Other martial arts here
What students say
“Sensei Jon is great with kids, incorporating learning through games, having more experienced kids mentor less experienced ones, and just being fun and unintimidating.”
“My daughter joined several weeks ago and we love SV Karate.”
From the reviews
My daughter has been practicing at Silicon Valley Karate for over a year and she loves it. The dojo is at the same time traditional in the way they teach and friendly towards children. This friendliness doesn't take away much from the quality of instruction.
My daughter joined several weeks ago and we love SV Karate. Sensei Jon is great with kids, incorporating learning through games, having more experienced kids mentor less experienced ones, and just being fun and unintimidating. We're looking forward to a fun journey.
Great place to learn karate for adults and kids. Very supportive environment. Learn karate from the best instructors. This dojo provide in-person and over-zoom classes.
A wonderful school for both kids and adults. My son is enrolled in the Kinder program and he loves it! It is a great introduction program that he is fully enjoying and has spearheaded since the beginning. Luca sees the older kids and aspired to compete like them one day!
New to Karate? Start at Silicon Valley Karate
Silicon Valley 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 Silicon Valley 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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