Atlanta’s Traditional Okinawan Karate-Do Dojo

I’ve trained with Moeller Sensei since 2001. For me I value a traditional approach to martial arts, and this school keeps with the traditions of Okinawan masters. This is important, because many schools go for «flash» which aren’t really teaching good martial principles. This pursuit of «flash» can make the karate «look» really neat with big kicks and jumps and lots of movement but in reality all this flash works exactly the opposite of martial applicability. By focusing on the principles build over centuries, Atlanta’s Traditional Okinawan Karate-​Do Dojo is teaching martial applicability that will help all students with self-​defense but also much more than that. Good martial principles lead to improved body awareness and control, better fittedness, balance through the body, improved health and a strong mind. I like the adage, «Strong body, strong mind.»
Moeller Sensei is a tremendous teacher. I’m amazed by how many different learning programs he can keep straight in his head at once. He knows what each student should be working on to improve and has specific tasks to help each person. Moeller Sensei has many senior black belts and brown belts who likewise work with younger students and help improve other students. There is a belief in martial arts that teaching is learning, and that’s clearly true under Moeller Sensei. Clearly the teachers at the school are excellent, but I believe the fellow students also make the environment welcoming and fun. The school has social get togethers and parties that foster interconnectedness of the students.
Finally, a real gem of the school is the children’s program. There are several teachers who contribute much to the kids under Moeller Sensei’s guidance, so I hesitate to mention any single person, but I’m going to mention a couple, because I know the boundless energy Abe Sensei brings to leading the kids classes. Kent Sensei and others also patiently work with the children and do so much to give early exposure to such a wonderful sense of self-​esteem and accomplishment. Further, the benefits of body awareness and conditioning is so important for young, growing bodies and minds. If you have children, I cannot emphasize enough what a nurturing environment Moeller Sensei has built for the children.

I’ve trained with Sensei Moeller since January 2006. Prior to that I had experience with numerous other schools and styles but I’ve never found anywhere else like this school. The depth and breadth of knowledge are unmatched. The teaching styles are catered to the individual student. The attention to detail and subtleties of martial arts and biomechanics continual impress me after more than nine years at the school. I could not recommend a martial art, martial arts school, or martial art teacher more than I do for this school.