Shotokan Karate Institute

This is a FANTASTIC dojo for kids! The Sensei is fantastic, and the classes are physically and mentally rewarding, as well as empowering. We cannot say enough good things about the dojo! If you are looking for a traditional dojo, this is a wonderful place.
Our 8-​year-​old son has blossomed since joining the dojo. He has grown tremendously, both physically and mentally. The physical part is a given, but he has gained a sharpness of focus and confidence that helps him through less-​than-​optimal times. Moreover, I can see this same confidence and comfort level in the older kids in the dojo…
Sensei Sharifi is great! He is quiet and unassuming, and cares deeply about the kids. He expects hard work, but he’s also very gentle and considerate with the kids. In my opinion, he watches each child to understand his/​her nature and works with him/​her, based on ability and degree of interest in karate.
The dojo is built on respect and empowerment. Respect must be paid to Funakoshi (the father of modern karate), Sensei, and the higher belts. But respect is also due to the other kids and yourself. Everyone is expected to do whatever is requested, without asking questions. While that may seem strange in this day and age, it means everyone has to try new things, and concentration is uninterrupted. Moreover, no one laughs when you try to do something you’ve never done before or a student’s form is corrected (which happens to everyone). The teachers slow down to assist those who need a little extra help.
The warmups themselves show the amount of thought given to the program. The highest non-​teaching belt leads the exercises. The second highest non-​teaching belt assists. This means that the kids, sometimes even yellow belts, get a chance to lead the class, and take on a role other than as a student.
Once warmups are over, the classes are broken down into smaller groups. The black belts and some of the older higher belt kids (brown or purple) teach these groups, and Sensei moves between them to offer additional assistance.
The black belts themselves are very good teachers. They have a great deal of experience teaching kids; some also teach the excellent after school elementary school program in Kensington (which is open to all elementary school kids — search online for KASEP) on Mondays if you want to try karate without committing to the dojo.
In spite of the seriousness, there’s also fun in the dojo; there are very friendly competitive exercises that make everyone try their hardest and laugh, and the kids come off the dojo floor happy and excited.

I’ve been studying with Sensei Sharifi since 1989, and he still teaches every class himself. This is not squishy Berkeley martial arts– we work hard!– but I really appreciate Sensei’s empahsis on karate as a means-​to-​an-​end where the end is spiritual development. As if becoming a better karate practicioner is simply a good way to become a better human being. But thankfully he doesn’t say things like this in class– while he’s hassling you about your sloppy technique, it’s clear his underlying goal is self-​improvement, not just knowing where to put your fist or foot.
Sensei Sharifi clearly loves his students and loves what he does. He’s especially good with kids… as close to Mr Miyagi as you’re going to find. :-)
Not a lot of sparring until you get to higher belts, but if you like working on mental and physical focus through practice (and more practice, and more practice) this is a good place.