Okinawa Karate Academy

Definitely more Mr. Miyagi than Cobra Kai.
I found this place even though I wasn’t looking to get into Karate. My friend suggested I bring my rambunctious son to their kids class. He spent most of his time mugging into the mirror or trying to tear the head off Bob (their training dummy).
After the second month, I went to Sensei Mehran and said «we’ve been coming for a while now and you haven’t asked for any money. What do I owe you?» His response was «he’s not learning anything right now. When he starts to learn, THEN you can pay me.» Being the type that doesn’t like to take advantage of kindness, I then heard myself ask «what if I were to start taking Karate?»
I swear, I’d never had any interest in learning a martial art. I didn’t know the difference between a snap kick and a roundhouse, I hadn’t hit another human body since my brothers outgrew me. WTF did I just say that for?
I’m glad I did. Sensei Mehran is a kind, patient and easy going teacher. He’s not afraid to correct my form (I apparently bow like an old Chinese cook). It is obvious he just likes being with students, teaching and doing Karate. He is also very knowledgeable. I was the only one to make it to morning workout today, and got a lesson in qui gong and tips on improving the specific forms I need to know for my upcoming belt test. It was awesome.
Everyone else who works out here is really nice too. Frequently, I’m the only non-​black belt in class I always learn a lot from them. They take the time to help me with my form and explain in detail why we do what we do. After evening workout, people hang out and chat. It’s a good community, they help each other move, lend tools, and just enjoy each other’s company. Adults in today’s society don’t get that enough.
So, if you’re looking to sweep the leg, go elsewhere. If you want to have fun workouts (and you DO get sweaty) and join a fun community, come here.

I was one of Sensei Mehran’s students for many years, and I feel very privileged to have been mentored by him. All of his awesome reviews are true. He’s a great teacher, and is very knowledgeable, well-​respected and seasoned. I practiced with him as a child until I went off to college, and he and the other students were like family to me. Now that I’m a mom, I hope my son can be one of his lucky students in the future. Mehran is irreplaceable, and all the students under his study may never find another instructor as great as he is. Aside from martial arts, he and his family are really good, nice and down-​to-​earth people. I can’t say enough. 100 stars!

Sensei Mehran Shahkar is awesome! And a nice group people to train with.

Sensei Mehran is absolutely one of the best teachers around. However, his teaching style is not for those who want everything explained to them on a silver platter. He expects his students to discover for themselves how the tools he gives them work, and this reinforces stronger understanding of the concepts and techniques in the long run.
That’s not to say that he won’t take time to explain things to you and demonstrate with you, because he will — and at length. I’ve trained in Uechi-​ryu for more than 15 years, and worked with instructors all over the world. Mehran is on my short-​list of best teachers to have learned from.
As Neil B said, we train hard and have a great community of people. Join us, you’ll be surprised at what you learn!

If you want to learn traditional Okinawan Uech-​ryu Karate, Mehran Sensei is extremely knowledgable and well respected. It is a great dojo with a great bunch of students who are all about helping you learn and progress. Although Uechiryu may not be for everyone because it is considered a «hard-​style», it is great for self-​defense, great for health, and its a great community as well. Highly reccomend training here.

I’ve been a student here for the past two years or so and I must say that Sensei Mehran Shahkar is one of the best martial artists I have ever seen or worked with. The dojo space itself is shared with an Aikido School, Eastshore Aikikai, but the two schools tend to have very little interaction, other than to work together to maintain the space.
This dojo practices Uechi-​Ryu Karate-​do with an emphasis on Kata and application, there is no time wasted on power routines or aerobic exercises. Every movement Mehran Sensei teaches has a direct application in causing someone you don’t like severe discomfort.
One of the most important aspects of the dojo, however, is the open attitude prevalent in all the classes; nobody is out to simply look tough at the expense of good practice. Students are all comfortable being told exactly how badly they suck, and what to work on to suck less and are quite happy to help anybody, regardless of skill level, get better.
The only fault I can really find with this dojo is the liberal attitude of the sensei. He doesn’t mind so much if students take prolonged absences or show up without full Gi’s. He dosen’t observe many Okinawa mannerisms and customs and even the bowing in is pretty a pretty minimal ceremony. If you want to work out with a really traditional and upright Sensei, this might not be the best place. If you want to just come and practice and get really good at Uechi-​Ryu, this place is awesome.