Short Version Review: This place is amazing! We are extremely fortunate to have found the Academy of Okinawan Karate (AOK). Weve now been enrolled for one year now and look forward to several more years. My kids are inspired and have experienced tremendous growth mentally and physically.Long-ish Version Review: Very few opportunities, like the one that presented itself to us when we first walked into the Academy of Okinawan Karate, come around in a persons life. The founder of Okinawan Shuri-Ryu karate was Grand-Master Robert Trias (Tenth Degree Black Belt). He founded the first karate school in the mainland United States and was one of the first known American Black Belts, but has since passed away. Shihan Joseph Walker (9th degree black belt), owner and operator of the Academy of Okinawan Karate, was trained directly by Grandmaster Robert Trias. He has been teaching Okinawan Shuri Ryu Karate for over 40 years. He is a great man and a great teacher. Everyone here is like family and makes each new member feel comfortable. Opportunities to train under someone of this caliper NEVER happens. Finding someone like Shihan Walker and the AOK in a little town, like Burleson, Texas is analagous to finding a pearl in an oyster. Go get your free lesson and meet Shihan. Hes one of a kind, as is AOK.

As someone who has trained in martial arts in the past my experience here was quite different. Everything that is taught here is taught in both a technical and practical sense.The instructors here are very patient and down to earth making you feel as a student that you are important.  Another thing that makes this place unique is that the more advanced students are more than willing to help and answer any questions I had making me feel a strong sense of community. Everyone helps and looks out for one another from mentors to students.There may be some more polished schools with fancy marketing videos and budgets but the quality of instruction and training here is great in my opinion and not to mention according to my research and Wikipedia Mr. Walker is a World Champion.

I was a student, 3 years ago, and it was amazing, they taught us self discipline and it was an amazing experience, i would go back!

Self discipline and self defense taught with fun and family! Its great how many parents and children (and grandchildren!) are all working out in class together.

Great learning

Both my son and I have been members of the dojo for almost a year now. They form a great extended family for both kids and adults to learn and grow with. They have all sorts of fun classes, from regular karate to sword and weapons classes as well as Black Belt Club and Black Belt Leadership Club. They also have all sorts of fun activites throughout the year. Come in for a visit and become a member, you wont regret it!

READ the paperwork you sign carefully. I would actually advise you do NOT sign after the initial intro lesson and take it home to review.The owner is no doubt very skilled and is great with kids however our issues are more with his business practices. For one, he will not speak to my husband about any account matters because the day we signed up my son, i signed the paperwork due to my husband being at work. When we decided to pull our young son from the dojo due to him struggling academically at school, my husband tried to discuss the matter with the owner and was told I would need to call. When I attempted to explain the situation my son is in, the owner seemed indifferent and reminded us of the 12 month contract we signed. We understand that this sport take lots of time and practice but would wish the owner would respect us as parents and be understanding of the situation we are in but we do feel a little burned because not all parts of the contract were fully explained. Had I taken the contract home to review I would have NEVER signed our son up.From our and other parents perspectives the owner seems to be more oriented toward making more money off of the students/ families that attend. No doubt your child will learn Karate at this studio but I feel requiring a 12 month contract out of students younger than 10 is not a wise decision. I know several parents that have expressed they will not be renewing their contracts after the initial 12 month agreement.

Best Karate school in the world!

I would highly recommend AOK, quite a confidence builder for children and young adults. Instructors are like no other far as a family friendly organization that teaches so much, manors, discipline and respect. Definitely a top investment for anyone. Hats off to Shihan Walker, top notch leadership in every way. Looking forward to many years of fun.

Ive been training with head instructor Shihan Joseph Walker for over 11 years, and Ive enjoyed every moment of it. He is a great teacher and an inspiring leader to aspiring martial artists of all ages.

The environment here is one that promotes encouraging one another, discipline, and also having fun. My daughter and I love it and we attend together!

Once the year contract is up and I mailed the certified letter they still kept charging me. Also they charged me way more then what was agreed on the contract. When I called all he said was I havent seen the certified letter, which I have a reciept and tracking number for.

Be aware the owner rushes to paperwork and before you know you signed a year contract ! He didnt even had the curtesy to give you a copy of the contract! The kids are packed like sardines in he class and get not the promised attention!

My family and I have been learning under Shihan Walker for many years. He is a great instructor.

My husband and I have been students of Shihan Joseph Walker for a little over two years. Our 14 year old son decided to join us about 4 months after we signed up. We love being able to practice karate together as a family and so thankful we made the decision to go in for that first lesson. If youve been interested in karate for yourself or your children, The Academy of Okinawan Karate is definitely the school to check out!! For me personally, since becoming a part of this school Ive not only learned to defend myself and enjoy an amazing workout, but my self confidence has grown immensely! Shihan Walker provides quality instruction in the Shuri-ryu style of Okinawan Karate, teaches self-discipline, focus, and encourages students of all ages to strive to be their best!! The atmosphere is encouraging and family oriented! We recommend The Academy of Okinawan Karate of Texas!!

So many things can be said. After teaching combatives in the military and taking martial arts when I was younger I wanted to get back into it after a long time off. It just so happened that I ended up at the academy of okinawan karate of Texas. After speaking with Shihan my wife and I signed up and our son four months later. Let me tell you this first of all my wife has developed a confidence that she never had before. She has come out of her shell and gets out there and proves that she has earned where she is at. Our son who is 14 has been taken off of adhd medication, grades improved, discipline improved, athletic ability improved and just all around I do not have to worry about him. It is not just about karate at this dojo. It is about family because once you sign up you are treated like family. Core values are reinforced every class. Shihan makes kids want to be disciplined and respectful and he teaches it in a way that they can understand. Kids and adults are supported and everyone is everyone else’s cheering crowd because it is family oriented. Shihan teaches the simple things of yes sir or ma’am and kids strive to better themselves. They are awarded for doing things at home without their parents having to tell them, grades, and working out. Shihan invites parents to be part of the solution of getting kids involved with anything that they want and he pushes them to succeed. We have been going there for over two years now and look forward to many more as we rise in the ranks.

Shihan Walker is a fantastic martial arts instructor and renowned expert on the Shuri-Ryu (Okinawan) style of karate. The students are welcoming and the school offers a strong spirit of community with a desire for excellence and personal achievement.

If you are on a quest to be the best; look no further than the Academy of Okinawan Karate of Texas.My son was born with low muscle tone. He had endured years of physical therapy. For him team sports were not something he was interested in because of the competitiveness and he felt he was always behind. In November of last year he had a seizure and was diagnosed with Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. As part of treatment a doctor had recommended physical activity. A doctor recommended martial arts. Because of his muscle tone issue we were unsure how to proceed.We started researching dojos and came upon this one. After speaking with Shihan Walker, he assured us that our son would get taught karate correctly. He said our son would be assimilated into class and given the instruction needed.There are not enough words to express the joy our family has with Shihan, the other instructors, and the school in general. Truly, everyone is like a family. In todays day of people not teaching or using respect for each other, it is a tenet of what is taught here. Every level of every belt cheers on other levels, and everyone is truly invested in the success of every student here.At every class he teaches history of karate, talks about the why of what they are learning and reminds them they are on a quest to be the best. Students get rewarded for practicing at home and for being good citizens in the community.My son. He is now a Yellow Belt. He has confidence and coordination. His physical life path has changed for the better and the school and Shihan are responsible for that.Shihan Walker is a gifted martial arts instructor and renowned expert on the Shuri-Ryu (Okinawan) style of karate.

Awesome place. Great teacher.

Worked with this instructor for almost 20 years. No one compares.