About
USSD Encinitas Karate offers training in Kempo Karate and Karate, along with self defense training that includes bully-prevention, women’s self defense, and weapons training. The program includes kids classes, teens classes, adult classes, specialized training, and special events, and blends traditional martial arts philosophies with modern self defense training. The training environment at USSD Encinitas Karate is described as welcoming and hard-working, with a focus on building confidence, discipline, and real-world life skills through “old school training, real world skills” and “Character Through Action.”
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Schedule: Class options Monday–Saturday during afternoon and evening hours
United Studios of Self Defense has been America’s Self Defense Leader since 1968, and USSD Encinitas has been serving Encinitas since 1988. The program offers Peewees Classes for ages 4–7 focused on fitness, self esteem, and character building through karate; Teens Classes for ages 9–13; and Adults Classes for ages 14 and up, with classes available for men, women, and children of all ages. Other services for all ages include bully-prevention, women’s self defense, weapons training, and total self defense training, and new students are offered a first lesson free.
Craig Joyner is the Chief Instructor and a 6th Degree Black Belt, and the leadership team includes Assistant Instructors such as Sensei Taybor. Master Joyner participated in United Studios of Self Defense’s first trips to the Shaolin Temple. The Encinitas dojo states that students are trained to give their full effort, be humble in their success, and unshakable in their confidence, and to show up for themselves and their community, with the phrase “chivalry lives at USSD Encinitas.” USSD Encinitas is described as “the Beach Cities’ choice for Karate” and emphasizes community and chivalry.
United Studios of Self Defense has been America’s Self Defense Leader since 1968, and students have given USSD Encinitas a 4.9 rating on Google and Yelp based on more than 53 reviews. One parent from Encinitas reports that a 9-year-old student of Master Joyner and Sensei Taybor is learning respect, self-discipline, collaboration with classmates, responsibility, and accountability, and that the instructors keep the child engaged with the program and classmates. Another student from Encinitas, who started training at age 9 and continued to age 23, describes USSD Encinitas as a second home and reports gaining confidence, leadership, and lifelong friendships. A 75-year-old student from Encinitas describes being in great physical shape and enjoying golf, and describes Master Joyner as a skilled teacher with the highest level of knowledge and skill who is patient, inspiring, respectful, passionate, and emphatic with students ages 5 to 80. Another reviewer from Encinitas states they will definitely recommend USSD Encinitas Karate for people of all ages.
Last updated July 8, 2026.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Schedule: Class options Monday–Saturday during afternoon and evening hours
United Studios of Self Defense has been America’s Self Defense Leader since 1968, and USSD Encinitas has been serving Encinitas since 1988. The program offers Peewees Classes for ages 4–7 focused on fitness, self esteem, and character building through karate; Teens Classes for ages 9–13; and Adults Classes for ages 14 and up, with classes available for men, women, and children of all ages. Other services for all ages include bully-prevention, women’s self defense, weapons training, and total self defense training, and new students are offered a first lesson free.
Craig Joyner is the Chief Instructor and a 6th Degree Black Belt, and the leadership team includes Assistant Instructors such as Sensei Taybor. Master Joyner participated in United Studios of Self Defense’s first trips to the Shaolin Temple. The Encinitas dojo states that students are trained to give their full effort, be humble in their success, and unshakable in their confidence, and to show up for themselves and their community, with the phrase “chivalry lives at USSD Encinitas.” USSD Encinitas is described as “the Beach Cities’ choice for Karate” and emphasizes community and chivalry.
United Studios of Self Defense has been America’s Self Defense Leader since 1968, and students have given USSD Encinitas a 4.9 rating on Google and Yelp based on more than 53 reviews. One parent from Encinitas reports that a 9-year-old student of Master Joyner and Sensei Taybor is learning respect, self-discipline, collaboration with classmates, responsibility, and accountability, and that the instructors keep the child engaged with the program and classmates. Another student from Encinitas, who started training at age 9 and continued to age 23, describes USSD Encinitas as a second home and reports gaining confidence, leadership, and lifelong friendships. A 75-year-old student from Encinitas describes being in great physical shape and enjoying golf, and describes Master Joyner as a skilled teacher with the highest level of knowledge and skill who is patient, inspiring, respectful, passionate, and emphatic with students ages 5 to 80. Another reviewer from Encinitas states they will definitely recommend USSD Encinitas Karate for people of all ages.
Last updated July 8, 2026.
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