It all started when our concern was the lack of physical exercise our child might have. So when we met Sensei Callahan to talk about goals, we simply hoped that our child would spend some time here doing physical exercise.Then in the past almost four years, we’ve witnessed the dramatic progress and achievements our kid has been making, not only in Karate techniques, but in dedication, confidence, communication, teamwork, courage, courtesy, and leadership skills, just name a few.A great example is leadership skills. our child used to be a quiet girl. But through karate practice, leadership training and instructor program, she becomes assistant instructor, she demonstrates the ability to lead and to teach, and can confidently give orders and train lower level students.In April 2021, she made black belt achievement, now we are very confident that our child will continuously make great progress. We sincerely thank Sensei Callahan and his staff, for excellent guidance, training, and support!

My child has been in the leadership program for about four years now. Mr. Callahan is such a kind, friendly and intelligent sensei. You not only learn karate technique here, but also leadership, dedication, courage, teamwork, courtesy, and self-control.I highly recommend Shotokan Karate Leadership School!

Great team here. Shout out to Sensei Callahan for an awesome experience.

Sensei Callahan is one of the best and most sincere people I have ever met and I have worked with literally hundreds of teachers and instructors in martial arts and in education over my lifetime. I would wholeheartedly recommend this school and all of the instructors and staff at Shotokan Karate Leadership School to any parent wanting to have their child build confidence, improve self-esteem or really any other developmental goals youre trying to achieve.

A Bittersweet FarewellDear Shotokan Families,Although many of you do not know my face, you may know my name and voice.For just over a year now, I’ve been blessed to have had the opportunity to have been brought onto the SKLS team during one of the most difficult times our city, nation, and world has faced. Sensei Callahan took me on and employed me with one goal for the school, and that is to see it survive this pandemic. His drive to continue to be a place where children can grow in strength of character and become prepared to face the new world we seemed to have been given, with leadership, integrity, and a leader’s voice, has never wavered.Being a vested part of what happens behind the scenes at the school has been very eye opening. The daily grit, effort, devotion, and sacrifice that was and is shown by Sensei, and the servitude of Billy, Sam, and Josh during this time, were evidence of the care for humanity we strive to exemplify in our school.They never gave up on the school, they never gave up on you, and during my short time here, neither did I.If this year has taught us anything, it’s that the only thing in life that is always the same is that everything always changes. Which leads me to the purpose behind this letter.With a humble and grateful heart, my family and I have been given the incredible opportunity to own a business in the field of expertise my husband has been gifted. While our family leaving the school is necessary for the future success of this new journey in our lives, it is with a heavy heart that we must say good-bye. Shotokan Karate Leadership School will always hold a special place in our hearts, as we witnessed our three teenagers train here for more than two years. Being some of the oldest on the floor with nary a martial arts skill initially, they were welcomed, encouraged, and when necessary, appropriately pushed to stretch beyond their comfort zones and rise to the caliber their senseis saw in them. In turn, they’ve had the opportunity to help instruct many of your children and I will remember fondly witnessing them grow into this special and coveted role as assistant instructors.It is my hope that each of your children find within themselves their own gift to offer the world as they strive to find what that is, barefoot on the mat, with joy and determination.We know we will hear much of what Shotokan Karate Leadership School will continue to do in the community and will always feel blessed that we held a small part of that legacy.Our family’s last day is July 25th. I look forward to serving you all until then.Sincerest Regards,Caitlin Clary (Roger, Chase, Aislinn, and Brooklyn)Communications DirectorShotokan Karate Leadership School

If ZERO stars was an option I would give it. My son started at this school over two years ago. He became an assistant instructor and quickly worked his way up to black belt training. Once high school took a larger priority and karate became only once or twice a week Mr. Callahan, who runs this school, changed dramatically.In the last few months my son has been verbally abused, cussed at, thrown out of the dojo at 4pm with no phone and nowhere to go as his ride was arranged at 8pm after extended training sessions, been told he is not a man, had his gi torn, was physically injured during aggressive sparring as well as been called a b%$#@h who fights like one. He has also been told he will amount to very little and has no direction. He is 14.After throwing my son out of the dojo I requested a sit down with Mr. Callahan to discuss what exactly happened and why he thought that was an appropriate response with a minor rather than calling me to pick him up due to a bad attitude or whatever was happening? Mr. Callahan began by telling me I was wasting his time over something silly like throwing a kid out for one night. He then proceeded to inform me that my son is the way he is because I am a single mom and women can NOT raise men. He also told me that he speaks however he wants with students and was in no way wrong for putting a 14 year old out with hours to go before a ride home and no phone. He should be a man! When pressed for details as to how my son was disrespectful so we could remedy it he refused to answer stating he did not want to discuss it. When I insisted he please tell me what my kid is doing to have upset him so badly he told me it did not concern me and it was time for me to leave. Meeting over.My son felt it was important to stick with his commitments as he is a few mere weeks from making black belt so against my better judgement i allowed him to continue training. Things were rocky but manageable until a few days ago. After being physically and verbally assaulted at his last class during sparring my son was considering that it is time for us to sever all ties. Mr. Callahan decided for us and had two assistant instructors call my son to tell him he has been expelled from the karate academy and is no longer welcome. My son was not accepting enough of his corporal punishment and talked back during his verbal lashing.I am disgusted that a man who touts the merits of martial arts thinks this is the way one works within a community. I am just as disheartened that he thinks aggression and violence are traits of men. No email or phone call to the parents, no explanation, no responsibility.Please be very wary of sending your children to this academy for training. More damage than good will surely come of it.

My daughter has been going to classes for over two years. Her progress in the program has been very beneficial to her growth. Karate isn’t the only skills that she is learning. She is also learning social skills and how to keep a commitment. Using the good habit stripe rewards has been helpful in getting my daughter to be more involved in helping out at home. I like how each class she gets to introduce herself and sometimes help read the class lesson to the group. I’m happy that she is on this journey.

I took Shotokan for almost two years. I am currently out of state but am hoping to get back near Santa Rosa. Master Callahan is an excellent instructor and outstanding human being. My little grandson is 16 months old but when he older we are going to hopefully go to this dojo.

Sensi Callahan and everyone that takes part of Shotokan leadership school has been exceptional when it comes to helping my sons confidence grow and his karate skills improve. They are all very welcoming and do a great job at making sure that both parents and students know the curriculum. They take the time to make sure that every student has the proper accommodations and it shows that they truly care about the work they do.I would highly recommend this program.

The instructors are so kind and work hard to make it fun. My son has been here 7 months and made some great friends, learned a lot about karate and always has a good time. They do daily lessons about leadership skills, focus on the fundamentals and work games in to make classes more engaging for the kids.

Shotokan Karate Studio is a great studio with even better instructors. They are very focused on leadership and character building as well as karate and mixing in some fun for the kids. My son had a great time in this program.

Shotokan is a fantastic leadership program. The staff are all friendly, professional and really care about the progress of their students. The curriculum is great and teaches timeless lessons about being a leader and building confidence. Marty is accommodating and friendly and you won’t be disappointed in checking this local karate school out!

There aren’t enough words to express how this school has benefitted our three children. They had their very first introduction to martial arts at Shotokan 11 months ago and haven’t looked back. They have, of course, received the wonderful physical benefits of increased strength, flexibility, and coordination, but more importantly, as they continue to rise in their belt status, have gained confidence, independence, and leadership skills that only a program like this could offer. The instructors are well versed in their expertise and teach the kids with confidence, expectation, and gentle encouragement. The Chief Instructor, Marty Callahan, with his years of experience and dedication, has fine tuned this program with precision and care and has created a welcoming environment where the only comparison that is made is to the kids’ “own mirror”. This view creates an opportunity to relinquish the pressure of success and failure compared to others, and instead encourages the students to break through their own self imposed boundaries and become the best version of themselves. For anyone on the precipice of putting their child into this school, I encourage you to go for it with confidence!

My daughter has been doing shotokan karate for over a year and is absolutely loving it. She has grown so much in her confidence and her willing to step forward and help. Recently she got the chance to introduce a new student to the class and I got to see just how much she has grown. She immediately took to teaching the new student and was not shy. For someone who is only 4 years old she has more courage and confidence then some adults. I would recommend this class to all children for the structure and confidence building.

I absolutely love this school. The education that the kids receive is just phenomenal, it’s amazing to see how your child grows. My daughter is very energetic and not much held her attention. She struggles with self-control as most four year olds do, but she’s been doing this program for almost a year now and she has drastically changed! Now she knows to be patient, wait your turn and wait till others where done talking. There’s so much more than just karate it is truly a phenomenal curriculum All the teachers are so great. Sensei Callahans grandson is one of the instructors and he is very young and he has already earned black belt, he teaches the children so well and to think he is just a teenager. They are all doing an amazing job!It is really great you see the older kids teaching the younger kids and how much patience and understanding they have when doing it, it is just amazing. I believe the school is helping these kids grow, learn and have a little fun.

Im 14

The best activity for my child. I recommend to everyone who has a child

Excellent experience with quality school for my 11 year old daughter.

Master Callahan and his team are exceptional at what they do. I am very impressed with their level of professionalism and their level of mastery, not only of Shotokan Karate but also how they develop students in such a complete way. I strongly recommend Shotokan Karate Leadership School.Sifu Andre JohnsonQuest Martial Arts Coral Springs

This is a positive and warm environment for little kids. It is rigorous and aims at high ideals, so they get good results not just teaching kids karate but improving lives.

I had my son in this school for abt 6 months now an I love it he loves it the instructors are very nice and he learns a lot so it’s worth the drive and money #denzel mom

Great experienced sensei I have just returned to training after a ten year lapse and am glad hes going strong.