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United Studios of Self Defense - Livermore
5 ★★★★★ 31 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Livermore, 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
- 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 karatelivermore.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 925-449-1746
Hours
| Monday | 11 am–8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 11 am–8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 11 am–8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 11 am–8:30 pm |
| Friday | 12–6 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–2 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My son has been training with him for over 2 years, and we’ve seen tremendous improvement in his skills, discipline, and confidence.”
“For children and teens, the how to overcome obstacles with wisdom, with focus.”
“Our son has learned to focus more on his school as well as his self defense lessons and talks about mike all the time.”
“For adults, how to protect ourselves, is just the tip of the iceberg in what you will receive.”
Other martial arts here
“Our son has learned to focus more on his school as well as his self defense lessons and talks about mike all the time.”
What students say
“Its a great school, Sensei Mike is a great teacher and has a program where students can become Sempei and then Jr Sensei and then Sensei.”
“What I've learned here has made me so much more confident in all walks of life, and not only that but in the process I feel like I've gained a whole new family along the way!”
“Our son was experiencing some confidence issues and had a little bullying happening at school so we wanted to help build his confidence.”
“The head instructor is wonderful at instilling the core principles of the martial arts (such as discipline and self control) while also making it enjoyable and fun.”
From the reviews
What an amazing school, Mr. Delfino and his crew are fantastic, you will be happy you checked out their program. For adults, how to protect ourselves, is just the tip of the iceberg in what you will receive. This Martial Arts program is a virtual fountain of youth, you will feel younger and more alive.
I am one of the the older folks, in my sixties now. I wanted to learn self-defense but I find myself improving balance, coordination, flexibility and strength. Sensei Mike brings humor and years of professional experience to each class. Great group of people and I highly recommend USSD.
Highly recommended! Well rounded instruction with a genuine love for the art and craft of karate. Sensei is truly fantastic with students, allowing them to enjoy learning while challenging them to do their personal best at each class/lesson.
Sensei mike and all the staff at USSD have been some of the most important people to me. As I grew up, I grew up with this dojo by my side. I spent 9 years learning from them and not is Sensei mike extremely competent, but he is relentlessly kind, generous, and caring.
New to Karate? Start at United Studios of Self Defense - Livermore
United Studios of Self Defense - Livermore 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 United Studios of Self Defense - Livermore
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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