HomeOhioDayton › Tama Martial Arts - Dayton Kettering Martial Arts

Tama Martial Arts - Dayton Kettering Martial Arts

4.9 ★★★★★ 261 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Dayton, Ohio

Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons 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

  • 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
  • Weapons / kobudo traditional weapons (kobudo) classes — kata with the bo, sai, and nunchaku, taught with control and discipline
  • 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 tamamartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (937) 254-7035

Hours

Monday 10 AM–9 PM
Tuesday 10 AM–9 PM
Wednesday 10 AM–9 PM
Thursday 10 AM–9 PM
Friday 10 AM–9 PM
Saturday 9 AM–2 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 Tama Martial Arts - Dayton Kettering Martial Arts, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 15 mentions

“My son has enjoyed his first experiences learning about karate and is very happy he joined the school.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“Would recommend to anyone, beginners, intermediate, or high level.”

All dojos that run beginners →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“The kids learn self defense, a variety of martial arts, and confidence as well as build life long friendships and mentoring from the teachers.”

All dojos that run self-defense →

⚔️ Weapons (Kobudo)

All dojos that run weapons (kobudo) →

Other martial arts here

Karate dojos are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at Tama Martial Arts - Dayton Kettering Martial Arts — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🥋 Jiu-Jitsu 3 mentions

“There are Instructors here like coach Chris (bjj)that is so kind and sensitive to these kids situations but still technical and encouraging.”

Other dojos that also teach jiu-jitsu →

🥊 Kickboxing 6 mentions

“My son has been going to Tama for going on a year now doing jiu-jitsuand Muay Thai.”

Other dojos that also teach kickboxing →

🐉 Kung Fu

“I have built my life around Nei Jia Kung fu and Taoist internal alchemy.”

Other dojos that also teach kung fu →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“The kids learn self defense, a variety of martial arts, and confidence as well as build life long friendships and mentoring from the teachers.”

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 261 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 4 mentions

“Master T does a great job explaining everything, and you will see improvement shen you stick with it.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 4 mentions

“Master T, his entire staff, and students were all super friendly and welcoming.”

friendly, respectful dojo 21 mentions

“TAMA is a great school for building confidence discipline and a great workout this combined with the family feeling environment you cant get any where else”

strong technique, kata & fundamentals 4 mentions

“The staff is so thorough in explaining technique and form but more than that they are amazing with these kids.”

great workout & fitness 2 mentions

“TAMA is a great school for building confidence discipline and a great workout this combined with the family feeling environment you cant get any where else”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“We are extremely happy here with the wonderful life experience our son is learning and how confident he is becoming in himself.”

From the reviews

Master T and his staff are amazing. We are extremely happy here with the wonderful life experience our son is learning and how confident he is becoming in himself. Tama has really changed my sons outlook and I cannot express my gratitude enough.

★★★★★ — Tiffany, Apr 2019

Tama is an incredible school! As a lifelong martial artist i immediately fell in love with the aesthetics of the school. I love all the different disciplines offered. It even has its own Grandmaster who visits and teaches many of the classes every day. My entire family attends classes together.

★★★★★ — John, Nov 2023

Master Taningco and all of the instructors at TAMA have been very helpful on teaching and training my 12 year old son. My son has enjoyed his first experiences learning about karate and is very happy he joined the school. A great place for both kids and adults.

★★★★★ — Chad, Aug 2020

Both our boys are in Muay Thai. Absolutely love the classes, instructors, and the family atmosphere. Everyone was very welcoming.

★★★★★ — Cynthia, Feb 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 261 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Tama Martial Arts - Dayton Kettering Martial Arts

Tama Martial Arts - Dayton Kettering Martial Arts 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first Karate class at Tama Martial Arts - Dayton Kettering 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 Tama Martial Arts - Dayton Kettering Martial Arts

1753 Woodman Dr, Dayton, OH45420

Get directions Instagram · Facebook

More Karate dojos near Dayton

Kettering-Dayton Kids Karate Lessons Near Me

5 ★★★★★ 23 reviews

1753-A Woodman Dr, Kettering, OH

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Karate dojo Free trial Kids & teens Weapons / kobudo Affiliated strong kids programbuilds confidence, discipline & respect

under a mile away

Award Winning Children's Karate

5 ★★★★★ 4 reviews

1753 Woodman Dr, Dayton, OH

Karate dojo Kids & teens Competition team

under a mile away

Sholin Karate Club

3.7 ★★★★☆ 3 reviews

3136 Presidential Dr, Fairborn, OH

Karate dojo builds confidence, discipline & respect

4.6 miles away

All Karate dojos in Dayton, OH →

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.