Sawtelle Judo Dojo

If anyone wants to learn something for his/her whole life instead of 'just' throwing or fighting skills, I definitely recommend Sawtelle. Sensei Osugi is just like Dr. Kano (who is the founder of Judo). They both put emphasis on every individual's full development as the real goal of Judo. Yes, championship matters. But without a solid foundation and the right vision/value, you will not make it. In this way, I'd like to say every time you come to Sawtelle, you will feel like you are joining a special philosophy class. I am only a parent. But, I learned so much by just sitting here! Not only that. This is the place makes feel like I am in a big family. Sensei Osugi, Sensei Jerry, Sensei Mike and so many other people here are just so nice and friendly. This place just has so many good people who really care about you or your kid. My son just learned so much and enjoyed so much here. Beside the regular 3 times practice during the week, you can also have a lot fun and learn a lot from the beach practice and group hiking too.In this sense, Sawtelle is really really like a community or family. We are very grateful to Sawtelle and Judo. Hope more and more people come and join this big family with us! Our blessings to Sawtelle!

We love this place, I’m happy I found this school for my child. We love the sensei’s/instructors. Each Sensei and all volunteer instructors are super dedicated, it’s unbelievable how much time and energy they invest for no money. They spent same energy and dedication with one or 20 kids. This place is all about teaching your child to become a great citizen and a great Athlet with discipline and knowledge . They don’t do this for the money, it’s about $60 a month and you can train 3x a week for 1 hour. It’s about $5 an hour of judo training. They encourage you to come and train as often as possible and it doesn’t matter if you are boy or girl, male female, beginner or advanced. Everyone treats each other with respect and everyone is there to train. They handle Covid situation perfectly and follow guidelines. 3 black belt Senseis are there almost every time during juniors class with 2-3 volunteers. That says everything. This Dojo is a real traditionell judo where you can train to become a judo champion in Olympics one day or just to build self confidence and be physically in great shape. Judo teaches hard work, discipline, patience, builds self confidence and sets goals at school or life. Encourages to be better in academics and everything necessary in life.

Sawtelle Judo Dojo is amazing. The senseis, the students Sawtelle attracts, are all such great people and great judokas. Stick with your practice here and you will get *so much* in return! Self defense, absolutely, but a lot more than that.

Having trained here for several years in the past, I do not recommend that adults train here due to outdated and extremely rigid quality of the instruction.

Got a concussion from one of the young black belts because the coaches don't really coach and the students are too competitive and don't take necessary safety precautions. After the kid slammed me on the back of my head the kid's parents came and glared at me for the rest of the practice like it was my fault their kid gave me a concussion.