I have been attending classes here since I was 7 years old (I am now 15), and it has become a second home and second family to me. This place offers amazing classes with great instructors and a strong support system. The Ashland Karate Academy has changed my life in so many ways and I 100% recommend attending classes here!!!

Practicing Martial Arts is one of the most supportive and helpful activities a person can discipline themselves to do. Especially, little people learning how to be big people. And the Senseis at Ashland Karate Academy are sincere practitioners of the art.My 6y/o has been attending for over a year and I am so pleased with how Sensei Sayres teachings have helped inspired my child to want to be more disciplined. She has her own mediation practice, takes care of her Gi, and ties her long hair back all signs of how much she enjoys participating.This training has been a critical investment in the conscious being that will contribute her wealth to the community someday. We HIGHLY recommend Ashland Karate Academy!

AKA has been wonderful for my son. Sensei Sayre runs a clean operation, and we hope to continue in-person instruction once the Covid hysteria has subsided. Until then, AKA’s Zoom classes have been great, and Sensei Sayre has been very adaptable and accommodating. I strongly recommend this program for children.

They take and do everything with professionalism and have good communication between teachers and students.

I was first attracted to this dojo because of the positive attitude and great spirit displayed by the Instructors. I have three children of different ages who have studied at the Academy. The focus, discipline, confidencs and body awareness that they have developed, I am so very happy with. But what I am most grateful for is the family that we have gained. These people care for eachother and their community and have encouraged me and my children to do the same. I was so impressed, after watching my children study, that I also became a student. We have all grown so much through our involvement.

They have been really supportive and great for our kids. We have felt that they have given our kids new skill sets that they will use for their entire life. Elaine does a fantastic job working with all the kids and their various skills and talents as well as challenges. We have appreciated the focus on meditation, kindness, helping at home, what to do in an emergency, knowing your phone number and address etc. The life skills that are important.

We couldnt be more impressed with the dedicated training and mentoring our son has received at Ashland Karate Academy for the last two years. Our child is learning not only extremely practical martial arts and self-defense skills, but also the self-discipline, self-respect, and self-responsibility required to thrive in todays world. Our child is skillfully challenged at his growing edges, while celebrated for his natural capacity and gifts. So grateful for this gem of a place in our small community!

Ive been studying here for 2 years now and the experience has been incredible. I cant put into words how much this program has changed me and continues to do so. The instructors are some of the most caring, hard working people Ive ever met, and the environment and chemistry of the dojo is proof of that. Anyone looking for a fun/ unique way to exercise both their body and mind needs to give this a try!

Ashland Karate Academy has been great for helping my child develop confidence, emotional flexibility, and perseverance. I am watching him blossom into a strong young man — both inside and out — and I am so grateful to the teachers at AKA. They model patience, integrity, and skill, and I cant imagine a better place for my son to learn this beautiful art form.

After experiencing being bullied in first grade, my child has been able to work through his feelings, triggers and expand his emotional intelligence at Ashland Karate Academy. Sensei Elaine Sayers gave him the most inspiring talk last week after he had a little more aggressive reaction in sparring than was appropriate. She told him that if he were in a self defense situation, his response was absolutely correct. And when practicing with our fellow students, we must develop control. Her respect for him was palpable in the room, and I was so grateful to be witnessing a moment when he could be supported by a fellow warrior. He really got it, and it is facilitating amazing growth for him. I think this program supports the kind of parenting and childhood I strive to give my child, one where he is seen, valued and accepted for who he is, and yet he is taught skills and coping mechanisms to become the best he can be.

Great and accomplished Instructors that care about their students. Love being here and working hard. My self esteem has gone through the roof. If you have ever thought of doing karate, go here

Our family has been involved in classes, campouts and belt tests with the Ashland Karate Academy for nearly 4 years. The vibe of the dojo is respect, kindness, personal accountability, personal challenge and skill development, and fun! We highly recommend it, and all the teachers!

Our son is having a wonderful experience, learning discipline and confidence while having fun. Great staff, encouraging self improvement while maintaining a family atmosphere

After extensive martial arts training in another state, I stopped by Ashland karate academy to check it out for a friend. I was so impressed that I signed my own family up that day. In two years, I have witnessed Hanshi, Sensei Sayre and every teacher at the dojo give the best of themselves to each and every student. The instruction is precise, practical and heart centered.... is hard to find a martial arts school that gets all three. Thank you AKA for all you have done for my family!!

This place is GREAT to families! We are so open to care for communities. Great teachers that really care about anyone! Hanshi is a true teacher that loves everyone!

I had no Idea that when my son joined Ashland Karate Academy I would join myself. After following through with his four month commitment to the Dojo he decided to focus more on soccer. A year and a half later I myself am still taking Karate and have found it to be so much more than a physical outlet. I have found a second family, I have found a form of clearing my mind and I have found the empowerment I would need if I was ever faced with a scary situation. The instructors are impeccable and are really passionate about the art of Karate. I would absolutely recommend this Dojo for anybody that is looking for family, body, mind and soul!!

Dont take your child here if you want them to learn accountability. The instructors do not care if your child uses karate to bully other children. All they care about is money. No morale whatsoever

I just spent A couple days at the Ashland Karate Academy as A guest Instructor - This is A great School with really Awesome Instructors some of the best Ive seen If I could I would attend 7 days a week . - Give The gift of love , Self Defense , Exercise Through Mental and Physical Training for Confidence Health And well Being , I Highly Recommend Ashland Karate Academy -- Adults And children - Reshi Mikie Rowe Moore

This is much more than a dojo, it is a family. My oldest daughter had been attending classes since early 2012 and now she is joined by her two sisters. The karate instruction from Hanshi, and his hand picked group of instructors, is second to none. I have watch some amazing person transformations of kids and adults through the years and have been brought to tears more than once. There are camps in the summer, parties at Halloween and even kids night out events. I cant imagine life with out it, for my girls and myself.We are so blessed to have this world class dojo in our town.

As a fresh-on-board in Ashland, I was welcomed by the Ashland Karate Academy with opened arms. They are non-judgmental and treating everyone with a pure heart of gold, love and respect.Hanshi is definitely not the generic gym or karate trainer, he teaches mainly for his passion to pass on the spirit of dojo, not the money. Ashland Karate Academy helps to groom the little humans & big humans into quality human-beings .I remember when I first walked into the school, there was a rules & regulations print-out on the notice board. I was amazed that one of the clause was stating helping your parents at home or respect the elders something along that line, it says a lot about the school to me.As I remember my parents once said to me,As the parents, we tend to over-pamper our kids regardless what they do. It hurts seeing our kids shed even just a tear, which eventually allowing them to do what they please disregarding the right spirit, discipline and respect. Life is not as simple as a bed of roses. We need our kids to realize there are thorns within. They need to learn how to handle the thorns since young. So, therell be no surprise for them and they will be able to handle anything thats coming their way. Thats why we send them to school and classes. It rings true to me.I met the younger kids, even as young as 3 year-old girl from the school and was proud to see how strong the young girl becomes through her trainings in the Academy.Being said that, if you are looking for a school that will groom you/ your kids and feel the empowerment. Become a quality human. Youre at the right place.

I have known Hanshi Jerry Piddington, aka The Untamed Lion, since I was a child. He, in-part, helped raised me as one of his own - along with his own children and students.Anytime I ever needed to be housed or fed, there was no questions needed.As a locally raised veteran - returning home from several years abroad and deployments galore - Ashland retains a walking legend and a prime example of lifelong leadership and commitment to an art.One need look no further than the countless loyal students of the American Open Style Karate (which he founded and has spanned across 9 US States), to understand the caliber of such a man.If you do not wish to keep to your commitments, verbal or contractual, nor do not take accountability for the actions of yourself, or for your childs success - STAY AWAY FROM HIM!Karate Illustrated, in May of 1974, didnt mention he was, an animal to be fought with a chair and a whip! because hes a pacifist.Hanshi has been, and trained other, world champions. Maybe you or your child could be next. Otherwise, you could just witness the greatness of his students performing summer family Black Belt testing retreats, or filming feature films in Cambodia & Thailand, or being inducted into a number of hall of fames.This man and his clan are the real deal. Its an honor to be a part of it....next question.

Ive known of Hanshi Piddington for a long time, but I only met him about 6 years ago. When I heard he was teaching karate again in Ashland, I jumped at the chance to learn from one of the great masters of martial arts.This dojo provides an AMAZING experience. It is an honor for me to have been able to learn at this dojo.It is a welcoming family of folks trying to improve themselves and help others improve for the betterment of all.

I found an amazing dojo here in Ashland OR., who would have thunk it, in such a tiny place as Ashland would there be such an incredible dojo/school that could actually teach an old man new tricks. I though I was unteachable, figured one more thing to put on my bucket list, to attempt a black belt. Who would have thought I am actually on my way because of the dojos phenomenal instructor: Sensei Ms Elaine Sayre a 40+ something second degree black belt who also runs/owns the dojo. Elaines warm and fiery spirit make her the best kind of teacher to handle all, from the young people (ages 4) to the oldies (age 60) like myself, in the most compassionate and effective way.I have now studied with her for 2 1/2 years and have found her to be the only one able to take me to places I never believed I could reach in my ancient 60 years. To think I almost didnt study Karate because I could never find a dojo or an instructor that could successfully help me get to where I want to go conditioning wise and would never give up on me.I am now in the best shape of my life both mentally and physically and hopefully someday soon I will get that black belt I always wanted but thought was so too far out of reach for me. This school is the single factor that will get me there and Sensei Elaine is absolutely the underlying reasons it is happening for me. Thank you Ashland Karate Academy!:)

Ive known Hanshi Piddington through martial arts for many, many years, and I can unequivocally state that he is an incredible Blackbelt of skill and character. Hanshi Piddington has a long record of creating champions - both in Karate and in Life. Deep bow of love, friendship, and respect for Hanshi Piddington and Ashland Karate Academy.

Elayne has recently taken over the Dojo. She seems to really care about the customers and doing right by them.