Tenshin-Kai Tai Chi & Karate

My son has been coming here since September of 2014. At first he was apprehensive and timid because of kancho’s straight forward no nonsense approach. Kancho, who is the head sensei has a different approach when it comes to children. Kancho’s method is more directed towards showing the kids discipline and form versus just teaching them actual moves. If you are there visiting you will have a hard time understanding him because he has an ultra thick Japanese accent. After time you’ll be able to understand him better. Overall it’s a great place to take your child. My son enjoys going and enjoys his classmates as well. You get a free class, you have nothing to lose. Kancho always has a parent assisting him or black belt assistant. Hope this helps you decide to bring your child here. I don’t regret it at all. Compare all the reviews. We are all happy campers

My daughter loves this place. She has been coming here for about 3 months, and she truly enjoys it.
The instructor is very good at what he does. He’s stern and demanding. His focus is discipline over technique. This is great because he teaches his students to be strong both physically and mentally.
Free introductory class for new students.
Monthly price includes attendance to all classes, as often as offered, for age group/​skill level. In other words, you pay one price and come as much or as little as you want.
Pros:
Good instructors
Diverse environment
Affordable

I have been attending Tai Chi classes there for over a year and love the attention to detail and instruction. I had done Kung fu for years before hurting my back and wanted to find a quality place that actually taught tai chi as a martial art with applications and the instructors there take the time to do it and spend with the students one on one, which does not happen everywhere. Everyone is friendly and respectful, with a very family friendly atmosphere.

An outstanding place for you and especially for your children to learn Karate.
Granted Ive only taken my daughter for her 3^rd lesson thus far, she counts the days, hours and minutes for her next lesson to begin. Kancho (the instructor) is a very focused and patient instructor that works very well kids and instantly commands their respect. I’m looking forward to see how my girl developed and grows with this school. Also I’m very pleased that the instructor makes the kids repeat (in a loud strong voice) this important «Dojo Code» throughout the class:
NO DRUGS!
NO STREET FIGHTS!
I RESPECT PARENTS, TEACHERS, FRIENDS!
Based on other reviews… I’m confident that I have chosen well with Tenshin-​Kai!
Stay tuned…

We are very happy to have our 7 year old son enrolled at Tenshin-​Kai. Sensei Hirakawa follows the traditional karate style and my son loves it, as well as us parents. All the instructors are very polite and respectful. On top of that my son is now much more obedient with us, his teachers and his behavior at school improved 100% in just a mont! We highly recommend Tenshin-​kai to anyone who is interested in seious karate classes and tai chi, as well.

Life changing values as well as self-​defense techniques to keep you «Moving Forward»

I have been taking my son for 4 – 7 karate classes since Feb 2010. I am very pleased with what I have observed with regard to the style of teaching and progress the students make.
Kancho has a presence that demands respect from the students. He is difficult to understand sometimes but this does not get in the way of his teaching. The price is good and you can go several times a week, which is one of the things I love about the establishment besides the structure and discipline of the class itself. The children move up through the belts quite quickly, which I think is like a coin. The children benefit from the constant encouragement of their work and progress but to a parent it is costly.
My one wish, is that the class size be a little smaller and that he offer private lessons.

Excellent for Tai Chi also. In my 2^nd week and already gaining benefit from Tai Chi practice. Great instruction at affordable rate. I’m looking forward to also attending the adult karate. What’s also great is you can take as many classes during the week as you like. Open 6 days a week. See website for details:

I joined Tenshin kai Karate in November of 2005. The style is very traditional Japanese (Similar to Okinawa’s Goju Ryu) I like the slogans of we must practice correct technique, we must make strong body, and we must make strong heart, mind and spirit.
This is a good Karate class for learning self defense along with Japanese culture.
Be prepared to learn Tai Chi in the classes. There are also couple of Tai Chi seminars every year. Also, be prepared to participate in two Karate camps each year. There is a summer camp in the Malibu State parks, and the Spring Japan camp when select group of students will travel to Saikyoji Temple outside of Kyoto, Japan. This could be a once in a lifetime opportunity to stay in a temple, and get Karate training!
I recommend this to kids and adults.
Kancho, our grand master, always have some specials for those who are interested in giving his classes a try. If you are interested, please feel free to stop by and talk to Kancho or one of the students.

We looked for a martial arts school for our kids for a long time. This was the only place we truly considered. The instructor is a VERY TRADITIONAL Japanese GrandMaster with over 30 years of teaching in the US, who has combined elements of karate with tai chi (he is also a tai chi master) to create his own very powerful and elegant style of karate. The kids learn discipline and safety, first and foremost. The classes are focused and fun for the younger students and more serious as they get older. The adult classes are tough, but not rough. Hard training with basic techniques, katas (forms) and sparring. My kids and I have studied with «Kancho» for two years now and the dojo has become a very important part of our lives. I encourage ANYONE looking for karate or tai chi for themselves or their kids to visit. This is NOT a dojo full of tough guys and trophies. As Kancho says, it is not a work out, it is spiritual training.
The school is in the Westchester Triangle, behind Staples, across the street from Ayara Thai.