Five Points Shopping Center · Santa Barbara
Black Belt Starts Here.
Karate lessons in Santa Barbara for kids, teens and adults. Private lessons paired with group classes help students progress faster. Your first lesson is free.
- 5.0 stars on Google
- Teaching in Santa Barbara since 1999
- 3971 State St — Five Points Shopping Center
Programs
Three programs, one training system
Every student trains on the same private-plus-group system. What changes is who is in the room and what they are working toward.
Grades 1–6Kids Karate
Confidence, self defense, and a way to stay active — at any skill level, progressing at their own pace with personalized attention.
See the program
Teen & tween · grades 7–9Youth Program
Practical self-defense and anti-bullying strategies for the transitional years, scheduled around homework, sports, and busy family calendars.
See the program
Any age, profession, fitness levelAdult Program
Real self-defense, core strength, and stress relief — techniques adjusted to your physical ability and goals, injury risk kept low.
See the programFree lesson
Claim your free lesson
Your first lesson is a free private introductory lesson. Send the form and we'll reach out to schedule it.
Prefer to talk? Call 805-696-6820 or text 805-530-5643.
Your free lesson
What happens at your free lesson
Book it in a minute
Send the form, call 805-696-6820, or text 805-530-5643. We'll reach out to schedule your free lesson.
Come as you are
Wear something comfortable you can move in — athletic clothes are perfect. No experience needed, and there's nothing to buy beforehand.
Your free private introductory lesson
An instructor adjusts techniques to your current ability, so you can see how training works here before you commit to anything.
If you enroll, your uniform (gi) is included and we'll get you fitted then.
Our approach
You won't get lost in the crowd
Our private and group training system lets students progress at their own pace and focus on their own needs, rather than keeping step with a room. Beginners and experienced martial artists adjust the same techniques to their own strengths and limitations.
You will get results
- Progress faster with private lessons than with group lessons alone
- Immediate corrections with individualized attention
- Increased likelihood of achieving black belt with private lessons
- Flexible scheduling to fit your availability
- Lessons tailored to your physical ability, age, and interest
- Increased motivation through quick progress
See the full rank chart, from white belt to black, on our approach.
The system
Learn it in private. Practice it in group.
Every student learns new material with focused, personal instruction, in a private lesson — that's where technique actually changes. Group classes give some students a place to practice what they've already learned, training alongside others.
The payoff
Students progress faster with private lessons than with group lessons alone.
Every student
Private lessons
Where new material is learned
Focused instructor attention, every visit — that's where technique actually changes.
Some students
Group classes
Where it gets practiced
Your instructors
Meet your senseis
Shaolin Kempo · Escrima · Boxing
Sensei Donavin
A Santa Barbara local who studied escrima with Dan Inosanto and Shaolin Kempo with 9th degree black belt Hanshi Jack Turner, and is a current amateur boxer.
Karate · Classical ballet · Fencing
Sensei Xena
A Detroit native who trained in classical ballet and fencing, danced with the Macomb Ballet Company and the Detroit Opera House, and discovered karate at USSD Santa Barbara.
Shaolin Kempo · Wrestling
Sensei Aaron
Found state-level success in wrestling before Kempo, and still trains with Shaolin Kempo 9th degree black belt Hanshi Jack Turner.
Reviews
What Santa Barbara families say
“My kids absolutely love attending class.”
“They are great and gave my daughter so much more confidence!”
“My favorite extra curricular activity by a huge margin.”
“Great location, great people, and an awesome place to learn and practice martial arts!”
“The best martial arts studio by far in the Santa Barbara area.”
FAQ
Questions parents and adults ask first
Is the first lesson really free?
Yes. Your first lesson is a free private introductory lesson, so you can see how training works here before you commit to anything. There's nothing to buy beforehand. Book it with the form on our website, by calling 805-696-6820, or by texting 805-530-5643.
What programs do you offer?
Three, split by school grade: Kids Karate for grades 1–6, the Youth Program for grades 7–9, and the Adult Program for adults of any age, profession, and fitness level. Every student trains on the same private-plus-group system.
What age can my child start karate?
Most children start with us around first-grade age. That's usually when kids are ready to follow instruction, hold their focus for a full lesson, and get real benefit from the discipline side of training. If your child is around that age, call us at 805-696-6820 or text 805-530-5643 and we'll start them with a free private introductory lesson so you can both see how it goes.
Am I too old to start karate as an adult?
No. The Adult Program is for adults of any age, profession, and fitness level, and complete beginners are welcome. Instructors adjust techniques to your current ability so you can progress at your own pace.
What's the difference between private and group training?
Every student learns new material in a private lesson — new material with one or two training partners plus an instructor focused on your specific goals. Group classes are where some students practice that material alongside others, and they build camaraderie. Pairing the two helps students progress faster than group lessons alone.
What should I wear to my first class?
Just something comfortable you can move in — athletic clothes are perfect. There's nothing to buy beforehand. Your uniform (gi) is included when you enroll, and we'll get you fitted then.
Visit us
Five Points Shopping Center, on State Street
Come by during normal business hours to see the floor and ask about programs for kids, teens, and adults.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Call 805-696-6820
Text 805-530-5643
Hours