Zen-Shin Martial Arts Academy

I decided to return to Karate after a 30-year break and have now been training at Zen-Shin for a year and a half. I feel very fortunate to have found such a welcoming and supportive club. The Richards family, every single Sensei and fellow students have been nothing short of amazing and the club spirit and dedication is helping me move closer to my fitness, health and black belt goals. Highly recommended.

I have been training with Zen Shin for nearly 9 years now doing kickboxing and more recently Karate. I’m proud to be a Zen Shin student and managed to achieve my black belt through excellent teaching and especially encouragement. I am lucky enough to be taught by all the Sensei’s and they are equally fantastic. Being a Zen Shin student has helped me get through many difficult times by helping me be physically and mentally stronger. Both of my children do Karate and love it! Karate has helped my daughter so so much as she has cerebral palsy and her muscles are so much stronger in her legs also it has encouraged her to use both of her arms and legs rather than just one side. I love my Zen Shin family and will always be grateful how they have changed my life for the better x

The people at zenshin martial arts are truly amazing, there's never a dull moment there! The classes are really interesting and informative. I've learned many valuable skills, aside from self defence, from my time there and I look forward to training all the time. I've also made many treasured memories with the people there. I've recently earned my black belt and its been amazing being able to observe and develop myself as well as other people. The instructors are fantastic and helpful and the other students are also very kind- everyone learns to treat each other with respect- like one big happy family.

I have trained karate for 25 years and this is an exceptional traditional Karate Shotokan Dojo that will make you feel like part of the familyJoining Zen Shin Martial Arts has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. A year ago I decided to get back to Karate classes, although I never stopped training Karate sometimes life leads you to have some ups and downs and I had to be away from classes for a while.During the lockdown they have been offering a large number of Zoom classes (still currently on). The way they run the classes has been amazing, you get not one but two and sometimes even three senseis at the same time, two running the classes and one giving you thorough feedback and that is what it makes it unique, that’s the difference in between dojos that really care about their students. We will all tend to agree that doing a zoom class and feel like a ghost is not what you want if you are serious about karate.We are not going to forget Kyoshi John Richards, when you have a class with Kyoshi you then understand from where Sensei Jumoke, Abian and Afiya Richards gets the legacy from, the passion, dedication, fun, the tradition and the hard work.Zen Shin is what any karateka that is serious about its goals and style of life is looking for.A place with a foundation of family traditions was very important for me. I didn’t really want to end up in a dojo that is based on business where Senseis go in an out and it lacks that traditional touch.Zen Shin is a place where you will feel like home, where you will be able to discover the best version of yourself and that you will feel you are in the right place with the right people that will help you to either create or build upon a way of life and that ultimately they will become family too.Classes are great, you won’t be in a more capable hands than Kyoshi Richards, Sensei Afiya, Sensei Jumoke and Sensei Abian.Also they do run other classes too such as kickboxing, Muay thai and really good stretching classes.See you in the dojo!Oss

Absolutely fantastic, and I'm not just saying it. The whole family are great. Friendly, informative,supportive, encouraging, honest and value each and every child's level of skill and differences. Throughout the year they implement fun and new ways of learning new skills .Dojo and building kept very clean. Fantastic and open lines of communication,via email or phone, parents are kept up to date.There so good i myself join in on the Zoom classes, which are well structured. Here the student's get a chance to share or show there skills and knowledge.Well known for there superb skills i wouldn't send my child anywhere else.Personally I'd like to say a BIG thank you to all of you! For staying relative, being helpful and keeping the Students active through the Pandemic and before.Kaydo & Mom....

Lovely family businessBrilliant care taken to explain everything when signing upVery hands onAnd brilliant classesThe Sensais are great with the children and they enjoy every class

Fantastic club run by fantastic people with great knowledge and passion about martial arts, very friendly and helpful instructors, however hard work and self discipline is the key to success.Here I've found my peace of mind and happiness, Karate itself has changed my life for the better as it is much more than just kicking and punching.

I am having a very bad experience with my kid. The teacher doesn't give any attention to the new joiners. They don't even have any batch for beginners.they should have classes for the basics which they lack. My kid is hardly involved in the mixed batch of students.I feel my time and money is getting wasted. Waiting to see if things improve.

I've been training at Zen-shin Martial Arts Academy for the past 18 years. I started when I was 5 years old and was immediately hooked. All my family joined karate soon after I did and the training I have received has been life changing. I earned my black belt at just 12 years old and my 2nd dan at 16 years old under the teaching at Zen-Shin. Myself and my younger brother have competed at five world championships in our teenage years with Zen-shin and we have both won the title of world champion in our respective categories numerous times. I believe the training and ethos of Zen-shin is one of the main reasons I've been able to recently qualify as a junior doctor. I now not only train but help teach at Zen-shin Aldridge and help referee at our competitions. Zen-shin is just like a big family and I can't recommend them enough.

I have been a student at Zen Shin for 10 years now and am currently still attending as it has been a life-changing experience! Zen Shin is more than just a karate studio, but a welcoming family. All of the instructors are friendly, supportive and strive for all students to reach the best of their potential. From my experience at Zen Shin it has really helped me become more confident in myself and maintain self-discipline, as I have also achieved my black belt. There is excellent, high quality teaching from all of the instructors who encourage the students to do their best. Zen Shin is more than just about teaching karate, but also as a way of life. Therefore, I would definitely recommend Zen Shin Martial Arts Academy to anyone from all age groups who would like to have a life changing experience.