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Virginia Dojo - Alexandria Karate Dojo
5 ★★★★★ 101 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Alexandria, Virginia
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
- Adult classes adult Karate classes — training built for grown-ups, from fitness and fundamentals to kumite (sparring) at your own pace
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule virginiadojo.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 703-215-2715
Hours
| Monday | 8:30 am–8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 8:30 am–8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30 am–8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 8:30 am–8:30 pm |
| Friday | 8:30 am–8:30 pm |
| Saturday | 8:30–11 am |
| Sunday | 8:30 am–3 pm |
The classes they run
“We’ve had a fantastic experience at Virginia Dojo - Alexandria Martial Arts where my daughter has been attending classes for the last year.”
“If you are looking for adult karate instruction focused on self-defense, this is the place!”
“I came in with virtually no experience with any martial arts but the instructors and other students were so thoughtful and made me feel welcome immediately.”
“Working with partner or doing katas in groups, I found katate lessons being liberating yet grounding.”
“Maximum learning experience- yes, self defense skills but also the philosophy of interpersonal encounters across many spheres beyond the merely (but very important) physical zones.”
Other martial arts here
“Maximum learning experience- yes, self defense skills but also the philosophy of interpersonal encounters across many spheres beyond the merely (but very important) physical zones.”
What students say
“Virginia Dojo is an amazing place to train, and Denise is an exceptional instructor! She’s knowledgeable, patient, and truly cares about her students’ progress.”
“I came in with virtually no experience with any martial arts but the instructors and other students were so thoughtful and made me feel welcome immediately.”
“Over several decades I've learned and practiced karate at different dojos, and none of them have been as welcoming as the Virginia Dojo.”
“Classes are challenging but incredibly rewarding, and they teach more than just technique, they instill confidence, focus, and resilience.”
“It has helped me stay fit, taught me real self-defense, and kept me sane during the pandemic.”
“Sensei Roberto brings decades of experience, blending traditional karate with practical, real-world self-defense techniques.”
From the reviews
Sensei Roberto and the other teachers are very knowledgeable and patient. I love the exercise, the mental discipline, and it's fun to learn something new every time you step on the mat. In addition to the instructors, the the members are always helping each other improve, too.
We’ve had a fantastic experience at Virginia Dojo - Alexandria Martial Arts where my daughter has been attending classes for the last year. The instructors are knowledgeable, incredibly warm and welcoming.
Great Dojo with amazing instructors! I highly recommend anyone starting out in the world of martial arts and self defense to join. They are extremely patient and Sensei Roberto's humor and wisdom creates a great learning atmosphere.
Over several decades I've learned and practiced karate at different dojos, and none of them have been as welcoming as the Virginia Dojo. I'm new to Okinawa Shorin Ryu Shidokan karate and find it both challenging and rewarding.
New to Karate? Start at Virginia Dojo - Alexandria Karate Dojo
Virginia Dojo - Alexandria Karate Dojo 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 Virginia Dojo - Alexandria Karate Dojo
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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