Karate Kids In America

We just love this place our little guys loves coming to karate. He talks about his sensei sal all day and can’t wait to go. Just been a great experience since we started

What a GEM!!! Great dojo! My son looooves it. Sensei Sal’s very good with kids. Our youngest son 7 yr old loved it the first week he went. Researched several dojos before coming here. Was looking somewhere that would be a fun extracurricular activity for my very active child who loves all fighting action super hero type things.
Wanted something spacious where parents could sit during the lesson. The have quite a large dojo mat and all the cool kicking and punching and weaponry and tumbling equipment to make for lots of fun. Even a piano next to the front desk, haha.
Wanted a fun environment but as well as respect and where discipline was upheld. I think this dojos holds that balance really well. Not sure how Sensei Sal manages to give such quality attention and detail to all his students memorizing there names and noticing what they need to work on, but he does exceptionally well. He even speaks pretty good spanish with the many spanish speaking families.
I was also looking for something that had tournaments and an opportunity to be challenged. With a full tournament schedule up in the dojo and other random tournaments in connection with other dojos that was a plus.
There’s also a lot of committed teacher assistants in the classes. Other brown and black belts helping teach and train the younger belts in smaller groups. It’s really like a little community with everyone helping out. You’ll see business cards and ads on the tv screen from student family businesses.
Also I know I’m not highlighting all the legitimacy of the dojo as it deserves only cause that part is a little over my head. From what I understand «Shorinkan» in Vista is part of a much larger well respected Shorinkon organization with the head quarters in Okinawa and they even have tournament trips there. There are awards and certificates all around the dojo. There is a lot of history and background to the Shorinkan organization that Sensei Sal can probably fill you in on much better than I, lol!!!
Pricing is fair. There’s no contracts. Just month to month. You get the first two weeks free plus a free karate alfit when you sign up. Parking can be a little challenging on busier days but we have always managed.
In general this is a pretty cool place for a great community oriented dojo!!!

A great dojo led by a great Sensei. This place is like a big family. Everyone is supportive. I have three family members enrolled here and they love it.

This the THE place to learn Karate! Great atmosphere and superb instruction. Every time I leave the dojo I feel great physically and mentally. Students get the chance to go to Okinawa every year with Sensei Sal to study under the Grand Master which is really cool.

My girls are nine months apart, they have been in training with Sensei for only a few months and already the difference in the behavior is ineffable. They were both challenged at a very early age of being responsible for homework and home chores. I knew that being a single Mom would be challenging but I never knew how much. Sensei has become the Godfather of all the kids in class dojo– The students age range is from 2 – 72.
The environment is family oriented and a great place overall. Thank you Sensei for giving my girls the opportunity of a lifetime.

Sensei Sal has a very unique and gifted ability to gain genuine respect of all ages and to especially steer children and young adults in the right direction. He becomes a figure that guides young minds down a better path, encouraging them to try harder and realize their dreams. Sensei Sal is able to be a guiding beacon because he’s genuine in his beliefs and therefore leads by example. He’s a figure a young person will reflect on in their old age.
Sensei Sal not only encourages one to want to excel in karate and physical fitness, but also inspires his students to be better in all things.
Student 7 years.
Age 52

I’ve Been training here since 2005 when I was in elementary school all through high school and still currently train there when I’m in town. I highly recommend this studio for all ages. It’s a great way to have your family come together and learn about Traditional Okinawan Karate. My son is 1 year old and loves the classes that are held by Sensei Sal. Which brings me to my next point. Sensei Sal is the best Martial Arts instructor out there, he genuinely cares about you and your martial arts. You will not be disappointed. Thank you Sensei for your hard work and dedication to all of us !

I have been a student at Shorinkan San Diego for almost 10 years. Sensei Sal and his senior students are great teachers, who teach with love as well as discipline. Sensei Sal is great with kids, especially special needs kids. He teaches little kids all the way through senior citizens, and all with the same results. He is a wonderful mentor and technician. This dojo is top rated in my book. You won’t find the kind of quality teaching that you do here anywhere else.

Sensei Sal’s Dojo is a great family environment to train with your whole family. Everyone there is welcome from the young one and the not so young one :) My family and I have being training with Sensei Sal for almost 5yrs and we love it since the begging Shorinkan Dojo open the wide heart doors for us and there is always more space 4U :)