Yamakan Dojo

I highly recommend this school for anyone looking for exceptional instruction in traditional martial arts for practical, effective self-​defense. I trained directly with Sensei Wayne Van Horne for many years before moving to the west coast. If I still lived in the Greater Atlanta area, I would still be training at the Yamakan dojo. In addition to being a highly qualified technician who can really do what is being taught, Van Horne is a university professor and published author — meaning, he is a highly skilled educator who knows how to TEACH as well as DO! If you are new to Ogasawara-​Ha Shorinji-​Ryu, it is a traditional Karatedo system brought to us by the Ogasawara family (same family tree as Ogasawara-​Ryu {formal school of etiquette practiced by the Japanese imperial family} and Ogasawara Kyudo {Japanese archery on horseback}). What this means to the student is that classes are run with considerable respect to one another, intense spirit, and a comprehensive curriculum that retains the full practice of standing techniques, throwing/​controlling/​restraining techniques, and Kobudo (Japanese and Okinawan weapons). There is great information on the website that explores this more. My recommendation to anyone in the Greater Atlanta Area is to try it out first-​hand, or better yet bring a friend too.