Next Evolution Martial Arts & Kioto BJJ

More Than Just Karate: Six Months Later, We’ve Seen a True Evolution I intentionally waited six months to write this review because I wanted to witness genuine, lasting progress—not just the initial excitement of a new activity. I can say with absolute confidence that Next Evolution Martial Arts has not only met but far exceeded every single expectation our family had. My grandchildren have been attending the Tumbling Toddlers and Tiny Ninjas classes, and the transformation in them has been nothing short of remarkable. It has been a joy to watch them grow across every dimension: · Emotionally: They carry themselves with a newfound confidence and resilience. The pride they feel when mastering a new skill is visible, and they’ve learned to handle challenges with a "never-give-up" attitude. · Physically: Their improvement in balance, coordination, strength, and agility has been tremendous. It’s wonderful to see them becoming more aware and in control of their bodies. · Mentally: Perhaps most impressively, the focus, listening skills, patience, and discipline they’ve developed have translated beautifully into their behavior at home and in everyday life. As a grandparent, the peace of mind I feel when I walk through the doors is priceless. The facility is always immaculate, well-organized, and radiates a positive, welcoming energy. But the true heart of this school is its leadership. The Sensei and Professor are simply exceptional. They are warm, professional, and highly trained, but their true gift is their incredible skill in working with young children—especially those with boundless energy. They have a masterful way of guiding even the most active little ones with a perfect blend of structure, encouragement, and respect, all while ensuring the kids are having a blast. The greatest testament to this positive environment is my grandchildren's enthusiasm. They wake up asking, "Is it karate day today?" That genuine excitement speaks volumes about the culture of fun and achievement that has been cultivated here. This program is so much more than just martial arts instruction. It’s a character-development program that builds confidence, emotional strength, and life skills that will serve them for years to come. As a grandparent, I am profoundly grateful for the positive impact it has had on my grandchildren's development. If you are a parent or grandparent on the fence about enrolling your child, please do not hesitate. My advice is to go and see the magic for yourself. Investing in Next Evolution Martial Arts is absolutely worth it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I came here on the 3-class intro for $30 and instantly felt at home. The gym isn’t huge or intimidating ; it’s small, cozy, and full of good energy. The teachers are patient and skilled, and the training partners make you feel like part of the team right away. This place has been around for 20 years in Spanish Harlem on the Upper East Side, and you can feel the history and heart in the mats. For me, it’s exactly what I was looking for: a comfortable space to push myself and keep growing in martial arts. I’m super grateful I found it, and I’d recommend anyone; whether you’re starting fresh or already training to check it out. Shoutout to all the coaches and teammates for creating such a solid community.

I bring my son here 2-3x/weekly. At his other spot he would often shut down and become shy. And hide in a corner, Not here my son loves it and enjoys the hands on.

I’ve been training here for almost two months now, and I can’t express how grateful I am to have found this place. Walking in as a complete beginner, I wasn’t sure what to expect, the classes are definitely technical and challenging but in the best way. Little by little, I feel myself learning, growing, and discovering a whole new sense of confidence. It’s not always easy, but that’s exactly what makes it so rewarding. As an adult, it’s rare to find something that pushes you in a healthy, empowering way, and I’m so thankful this has become that space for me. I also enrolled my 4 year old, and seeing his growth has been just as meaningful. He takes class three times a week and absolutely loves it. He’s becoming more aware of his body, his confidence is growing, and it’s such a great outlet for all that toddler energy. The sensei who teaches the little ones is incredible patient, funny, and so good at connecting with kids. My son looks forward to every class. The community here is welcoming, family-oriented, and truly supportive. Whether you’re an adult starting something new or a parent looking for a positive activity for your child, this studio is a gem. We’re so happy to be part of it.

My son absolutely loves this place, and it brings happiness to both him and us as parents. 😅 My son was just 3 years old when he first joined the Next Evolution family. He was initially shy and apprehensive, but the teachers here displayed incredible patience and friendliness. After a few classes, I started to see smiles on his little face, and he began picking up karate skills. He eagerly looked forward to his classes each week, eagerly anticipating the time spent with his teachers and friends. His journey took him from a white belt to an orange and green belt, and we've never considered changing karate schools. We've been here for years. Now, as my son approaches 8 years old by the end of September, he's about to start his first jiu-jitsu class. Time truly flies. 😭 When my daughter turns 3, she'll follow in her big brother's footsteps and join this school to learn karate as well. Sensei Delsin and Sensei Aden, I've witnessed how you've taught kids throughout the years. So many young kids are learning from you, and you're clearly on your way to becoming the best versions of yourselves. Keep up the fantastic work! 💪🏼✊🏼 Thank you for always being there for the kids when they're feeling down; they look up to you. You're more than Senseis to them. They love seeing you, talking to you, and view you as their best friends and big brothers. When they're around you, they exude confidence and have no worries. You're role models to them. Sensei Mike, it's no easy feat to earn a new belt from you. Fancy moves can't deceive you. Although I'm not learning martial arts myself, I've observed and know that you embody the principle of 'Do One Thing And Do It Well.' Many qualified karate, jiu-jitsu, and kickboxing students, both young and adult, have graduated from the Next Evolution under your guidance. It takes tons of hard work and time to earn your approval, but when a student receives their next belt from you, it's a serious accomplishment. No matter where they go in the future, they go with genuine talent. As for those who've complained about this school, I must admit, I don't understand. I was surprised to see some of those comments. You're not coming here for a vacation; this isn't a hotel. Any issues, like the leaking problem, were promptly addressed, and the mats might be sweaty, but they're not beds. They were properly cleaned between classes. My perspective is based on years of classes my husband and son attended, not just one or two experiences. A strict teacher indeed produces outstanding students. Sensei Mike, as a second Dan, is qualified to award black belts to others, and he does so for those who truly deserve it. If you obtain your belts easily from your Sensei, you should be cautious; otherwise, the next thing you know, you might face a takedown by a lower-level belt. We are eternally thankful and grateful for everything. Thank you for your hard work and time, Sensei Mike, Sensei Delsin, and Sensei Aden. I've uploaded some pictures (with Photoshopped faces) because I don't want to cause any trouble for the school. Please let me know if I need to delete them.