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Way of the Crane Martial Arts and Streetwize Self Defense
5 ★★★★★ 24 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Boulder, Colorado
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
- Women's classes dedicated women's Karate classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- 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 wayofthecrane.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 303-442-7559
Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 12–7:30 pm |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | 12–7:30 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 9 am–12 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“At first my daughter didn't want to go, but I thought it was important to send her away with some tools to protect herself in case she finds herself in a bad position.”
“A great mix of fighting skills, self defense and the traditional practice of kata.”
“The women's self defense is ferocious, effective, and delightful - I want every woman I know to do it, and I wish it was taught in every school around the world!”
“The instructors are truly invested in the development of the children and go out of their way to work one on one with the kids.”
“The women's self defense is ferocious, effective, and delightful - I want every woman I know to do it, and I wish it was taught in every school around the world!”
“I've trained in many places in my time as a martial artist and especially for beginners the fundamentals and teaching are second to none here.”
Other martial arts here
“The women's self defense is ferocious, effective, and delightful - I want every woman I know to do it, and I wish it was taught in every school around the world!”
What students say
“Melanie Sensei is an incredible teacher-firm, honest, motivating, funny, and full of wisdom.”
“The community of students is friendly and supportive, and it's just a fabulous place to train!”
“Learn the proper striking techniques, defense, body language, deescalate and proven verbal commands that make a difference in most self defense situations.”
“We tried other dojos in the past but this dojo is authentic and so worth our time and love.”
“The women's self defense is ferocious, effective, and delightful - I want every woman I know to do it, and I wish it was taught in every school around the world!”
“I now have confidence that if my daughter is in a bad situation, she will have the knowledge, strategy and tactics in her toolkit to survive and get away.”
From the reviews
I sent my 18 year old daughter who is leaving for college this fall to a Streetwize Self Defense class with Sensei Melanie Murphy. At first my daughter didn't want to go, but I thought it was important to send her away with some tools to protect herself in case she finds herself in a bad position.
StreetWize has great self defense instructors who take the time to teach you how to physically defend yourself if in case something goes wrong. Learn the proper striking techniques, defense, body language, deescalate and proven verbal commands that make a difference in most self defense situations.
It has been easy to devote 16 years of regular practice to this school. It's a deep training that is nearly impossible to find these days, far from instant gratification based, and the marital artists there are incredible people that embody integrity.
Authentic martial ARTS. Not a tournament school. No macho garbage - safe and chill for everyone. Just a friendly, thorough, intelligent, effective place to train. I have yet to leave a class without laughing out loud, working up a great sweat, and learning something amazing.
New to Karate? Start at Way of the Crane Martial Arts and Streetwize Self Defense
Way of the Crane Martial Arts and Streetwize Self Defense 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 Way of the Crane Martial Arts and Streetwize Self Defense
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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