Santa Monica Dojo (Shotokan Karate)
About
Santa Monica Dojo offers traditional Shotokan karate training in a welcoming environment that caters to both beginners and advanced students. Located just steps from the beach in downtown Santa Monica, this dojo emphasizes proper technique, strong fundamentals, and traditional etiquette. Sensei Field leads classes with a blend of warmth and challenge, focusing on non-contact training that builds self-defense skills while maintaining a respectful atmosphere. The instruction is described as freely given with support and assistance, making it accessible regardless of gender or experience level.
reviewsWhat Members Say
Members consistently praise Sensei Field's exceptional teaching ability, describing him as humble yet highly skilled with a gift for making traditional etiquette accessible to modern students. Reviewers highlight the welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels included regardless of gender or experience level, and many mention leaving their first class feeling glad they made the trip. The training receives specific praise for its emphasis on proper technique and fundamentals, with classes described as challenging but energizing due to the collective effort of all participants. Several members note that the dojo's traditional Shotokan approach provides exactly what they were seeking in a martial arts school.
rate_reviewGoogle Reviews (5)
Bruce Costa
14 years ago
Mr. Field has a gift for introducing a modern audience to the old ways of etiquette. His extraordinary humility belies his extraordinary rank, which was earned the hard way. I would do anything to train with him.
Miguel Franco
12 years ago
Excellent school for both beginners and advanced students. Sensei Field is a wealth of information, and I feel extremely lucky to be able to train under him. There is a heavy emphasis on basics, proper techniques, and good etiquette. The classes can sometimes be exhausting, but you get such a burst of energy from everyone giving it their all!
Lynn
7 years ago
A traditional shotokan karate dojo in the heart of downtown Santa Monica, and just a few steps from the beach. You can't get much better than here.
Robin McCutcheon
6 years ago
This dojo and it’s members are so welcoming. You may enter not knowing anyone and unsure but you leave feeling glad you made the trip. The training is excellent and given freely and with support and assistance. It will not matter if you are make or female, advanced or a beginner. Join up, it will change your whole perspective on life.
Stephanie V
7 years ago
The best! I was looking for a martial arts school that was a "traditional while being mostly non-contact. Being a woman, I was not interested in fighting or being punched and kicked in the dojo, but I wanted to learn how to defend myself in case things like that happened OUTSIDE the dojo! I'd tried a few other styles that weren't right for me and in this kdojo I found the perfect style, the perfect school and the perfect sensei! Sensei Field teaches traditional shotokan style. He's warm but tough, fair but challenging. He is just what I was looking for in sensei and shotokan is what I was looking for in style.