East Bay Seido Karate

East Bay Seido, on Bonita Avenue near downtown Berkeley, has classes like that, although full-on sparring isn’t allowed until a student is a green belt for safety reasons. If your daughter is willing to be a little patient, though, the instruction is excellent.

Both of my daughters attended the children’s and teens classes from six years old on, and have recently “graduated” to the adult program (at 16 years old).

One huge bonus of taking classes at East Bay Seido from my girls’ point of view is that if you live in Berkeley and are in the public schools, the dojo has a relationship with Berkeley High; students who are taking classes at EBS can waive their  high school PE requirements.

Hi there-

Our ADHD kid is very happy at Seido Karate http://www.eastbayseido.com/ . They offer lots of classes during the week and on the weekend.  Sensei Todd has great patience with kids like ours and a good sense of humor. My son says that he not only feels physically stronger, but also has learned some grit that helps him at school. 

East Bay Seido Karate, on Bonita Avenue near downtown Berkeley, runs classes specifically for 9-15 year olds. My teenage daughters have been studying at that dojo since they were 5 years old, but beginners are always welcome, and the current cohort of kids is really great - supportive, respectful, and encouraging of each other. I don’t know if you live in Berkeley, but if your son sticks with it and attends Berkeley High, he would be able to earn PE credit through his training at East Bay Seido.