West Los Angeles Karate School
About
West Los Angeles Karate School offers traditional Japanese karate instruction in a welcoming community environment. The school features a highly qualified coaching staff led by Founder and Chief Instructor George Takahashi, an 8th Dan Black Belt, along with multiple senior instructors including Alan Weil and Stephen K Young, both 6th Dan Black Belts. The facility itself receives praise for its excellent amenities, with one reviewer noting the amazing facility available to members. Classes cater to all experience levels, from complete beginners with no martial arts background to advanced black belts seeking continuous training, with specialized kids classes available for ages six and up.
reviewsWhat Members Say
Members praise the fantastic teachers who provide detailed instruction in traditional Japanese karate. They describe the classes as challenging yet well balanced, with training that is both rigorous and fun. Reviewers consistently mention the welcoming and supportive community that makes newcomers feel comfortable, with several noting they started with zero martial arts experience and have progressed through multiple belt levels. Specific compliments highlight the amazing facility and the school's ability to cater to all levels from beginners to black belts.
rate_reviewGoogle Reviews (3)
Sigthor Markusson
a year ago
Amazing karate classes. West LA karate teaches traditional Japanese karate. Very detailed instruction and the Y has amazing facility
Robin Coluzzi
a year ago
This is a great dojo. The teachers are fantastic, the classes are challenging and well balanced, and the students are a welcoming and supportive group .
Penny He
a year ago
I came to West Los Angeles Karate School about 18 months ago with zero Marshall arts or athletic experience. The welcoming and kind community, fun and rigorous training, and top notch instructors kept me till now achieving my green belt. It is a place for all levels from the brand new students who want to taste the essence of traditional Japanese style Karate to the black belts who seek for continuous training. They also have kids class from age 6 up. A must-to-try if you are looking for a dojo, or for your kiddo, in the West LA area.
scheduleHours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 6:30 – 7:45 PM
Thursday: Closed
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 10:30 AM – 12:45 PM
Sunday: Closed
groupCoaches & Instructors
George Takahashi
Founder and Chief Instructor
8th Dan Black Belt
Founder of WLAK in 1972. Trained under Sensei Tsutomu Ohshima and Sensei Hidetaka Nishiyama, direct pupils of Master Gichin Funakoshi. Awarded 8th Dan in 2004.
Alan Weil
Senior Instructor
6th Dan Black Belt
6th degree black belt in Shotokan Karate. Has trained since the mid-1970s. Taught the UCLA Extension Course in Karate. Volunteer instructor at the Westside YMCA.
Stephen K Young
Instructor
6th Dan Black Belt
Practitioner of Shotokan karate since 1975, instructor for more than 30 years at WLAK. Began training under Sensei George Takahashi at UCLA.
Mak King
Instructor
4th Dan Black Belt
4th degree black belt in Shotokan Karate. Has been training at WLAK since 1980 and teaching since the late 80s. Background in wrestling.
David Heldman
Instructor
4th Dan Black Belt
4th degree black belt in Shotokan Karate. Has been training in Karate since 1990. Prior training in Judo. Volunteer instructor at the Westside YMCA.
Joseph
Instructor
Listed as teaching classes on the schedule (e.g., Beginner-Intermediate, Advanced). Referred to as 'Sensei Joseph'.
Naveed
Instructor
Listed as teaching classes on the schedule (e.g., Intermediate to advanced). Referred to as 'Sensei Naveed'.
Holly
Instructor
Listed as teaching classes on the schedule (e.g., Intermediate to advanced). Referred to as 'Sensei Holly'.
Tiffany
Instructor
Listed as teaching classes on the schedule (e.g., Beginner-Intermediate). Referred to as 'Sensei Tiffany'.
Juan
Instructor
Listed as teaching classes on the schedule (e.g., Beginner-Intermediate). Referred to as 'Sensei Juan'.