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Takai Mine Karate

4.9 ★★★★★ 81 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Karate dojo Affiliated Kids & teens Weapons / kobudo Competition team

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

  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth Karate classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Weapons / kobudo traditional weapons (kobudo) classes — kata with the bo, sai, and nunchaku, taught with control and discipline
  • Competition team a competition team for students who want to test themselves at kumite tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule takaiminekarate.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (505) 294-6302

Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday 3:30–7 PM
Wednesday 3:30–7 PM
Thursday 4–7 PM
Friday Closed
Saturday 9 AM–12 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 Takai Mine Karate, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 22 mentions

“The grandmaster and all the staff are truly great especially for kids but they teach all ages and offer weapons training too!”

All dojos that run kids karate →

🥊 Kumite / Sparring

“I’ve gotten better at my sparring and forms.”

All dojos that run kumite / sparring →

⚔️ Weapons (Kobudo) 3 mentions

“The grandmaster and all the staff are truly great especially for kids but they teach all ages and offer weapons training too!”

All dojos that run weapons (kobudo) →

Teens

“The younger teen years are extremely difficult for anyone, but with the help he's getting at Takai Mine, he's thriving.”

All dojos that run teens →

🛡️ Self-Defense 3 mentions

“Her program, besides developing the obvious self-defense skills, also develops self-confidence and discipline and hand-eye coordination.”

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 Takai Mine Karate — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🦵 Taekwondo 7 mentions

“Our two kids are learning taekwondo from Grand Master Chavez and her excellent team for more than 3 years now.”

Other dojos that also teach taekwondo →

🛡️ Self-Defense 3 mentions

“Her program, besides developing the obvious self-defense skills, also develops self-confidence and discipline and hand-eye coordination.”

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 81 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 4 mentions

“The grandmaster and all the staff are truly great especially for kids but they teach all ages and offer weapons training too!”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 3 mentions

“Small class sizes allow for personalized attention, accessible for all levels and enable students to keep improving, interested, and having fun.”

friendly, respectful dojo 24 mentions

“What began as a simple desire to get them involved in a sport has evolved into a profound and life-changing experience for both the children and our entire family.”

strong technique, kata & fundamentals 3 mentions

“Her school doesn’t teach just Tae Kon Do or Karate, but is a wonderful combination of both with self-defense techniques from many different styles of martial arts.”

active competition / tournament team 3 mentions

“Over the next several years Master Chavez coached me to become one of the most successful competitors of my generation.”

traditional style & affiliation 5 mentions

“Our daughter received her black belt under Grand Master Chavez’s guidance and my son is two ranks below the black belt rank.”

From the reviews

Our two kids are learning taekwondo from Grand Master Chavez and her excellent team for more than 3 years now. Our daughter received her black belt under Grand Master Chavez’s guidance and my son is two ranks below the black belt rank. It has been a great experience and journey for all of us. Our kids improved a lot.

★★★★★ — Kunal, Dec 2021

I would like to express my enthusiastic support for TK and its exceptional staff. My two grandchildren have been attending TK for four years and two years, respectively.

★★★★★ — C, Apr 2026

I have been a student here at takai mine taekwondo for about 4 years now . I love this environment because it helps me with stress and built up aggression . This is my second Family and they have taught me a lot and I really appreciate being at this dojo.

★★★★★ — Valentina, Apr 2026

🥋 I’m a proud 2nd Degree Black Belt with Takai Mine Karate, and I couldn’t be happier to be part of this amazing family. Grandmaster Chavez has such a wealth of experience and education — she leads with heart, respect, and wisdom.

★★★★★ — Fatfreeforonce, Oct 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 81 reviews →

Your first Karate class at Takai Mine 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.

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 Takai Mine Karate

1027 Juan Tabo Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM87112

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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.