About
iYa Taekwondo offers Kids Martial Arts, Teen Martial Arts, Adult Martial Arts, Poomsae, birthday parties, and summer camp. The program offers Kids, Teens, and Adult Karate and Taekwondo classes, as well as self-defense classes. Families are encouraged to have parents watch their children in kids martial arts lessons and to join adult classes to build a strong family bond.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
iYa Taekwondo has been serving the Sacramento area since 2011 and provides martial arts classes to the West Sacramento, Elk Grove, Natomas, Downtown Sacramento, Elk Grove, and Citrus Heights communities. The program states that martial arts can be for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or experience levels, and that students can get fit by doing its martial arts classes. It emphasizes life skills such as focus, discipline, respect, confidence, and improved school performance in kids programs, and positions Teen Martial Arts as a “tech alternative” to get teens active and engaged and help them feel confident. The Adult Martial Arts program is described as combining fitness with fun and as “no more boring workouts.” Birthday parties are promoted as stress-free for parents, and summer camp is promoted as an experience children “won’t forget,” with the statement that “martial arts changes lives.” The program also offers an exclusive online-only offer of 2 free classes for a limited time and states that instructors are dedicated to helping students on their journey to Black Belt or other personal goals. Families are advised to wear comfortable clothes suitable for sports and to bring a water bottle to martial arts classes.
The leadership team includes Master Xai Lor, described as a World Class Instructor and 4th Dan black belt and founder of a non-profit organization that provides scholarships for higher education and youth sports; Ms. Ana Thorne, the Program Director and a 5th Dan; Coach Jayson Matsurra, the Poomsae Coach; and Ms. Tanya Martinez, who has an administrative role ensuring smooth operation of daily activities and fostering a warm and welcoming environment. Other named staff members include Dr. Artavia Edwards, Ms. Lauren Felder, Ms. Malay Phu, Mr. Tyler Shum, Ms. Elodie Liu, and Mr. Ahmad Houjeij. The mission statement says the program is dedicated to changing lives through martial arts, education, and coaching, and to providing a safe, comfortable, and welcoming atmosphere for students and family members, with a focus on helping individuals achieve, develop, and succeed in their personal goals through realistic and practical martial arts training.
Master Xai is described as a seasoned martial artist with over 20 years of Taekwondo experience and nearly 30 years of working with children, holding a 4th Dan black belt earned under Grandmaster Franco Parchamento. She is a two-time metastatic breast and colon cancer survivor and has traveled nationwide as a motivational speaker since the age of 18. Ana Thorne has over 25 years of experience in Taekwondo, has traveled both nationally and internationally, and holds the rank of 5th Dan. Coach Jayson began his Taekwondo journey over a decade ago at iYa, earned his black belt under Ms. Xai, served as captain of both the demonstration and competition teams, and has trained extensively in both recognized and freestyle poomsae alongside national team coaches, athletes, and world champions. He earned titles as a California State Champion and national medalist, holds a black belt in the World-Class Male Under 30 Division, and was recognized by USA Taekwondo as a High-Potential Poomsae athlete and invited to a national Talent ID Camp led by US National Team coaches.
Parent and community testimonials describe that the program teaches not only hand forms, weapons, and sparring but also important life lessons and principles. One parent states that their daughter loves iYa and that teachers and superiors are wonderful. Another notes that the staff is very friendly, that the SWAT team is very involved, and calls it a great organization they would recommend to everyone. Instructor Xai Lor is described in a testimonial as highly respected in the Taekwondo community, a wonderful role model, and an inspiration to her students. Another testimonial calls iYa an excellent place to learn martial arts for both children and adults, with everyone described as very friendly and dedicated to helping students succeed.
Last updated June 25, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
iYa Taekwondo has been serving the Sacramento area since 2011 and provides martial arts classes to the West Sacramento, Elk Grove, Natomas, Downtown Sacramento, Elk Grove, and Citrus Heights communities. The program states that martial arts can be for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or experience levels, and that students can get fit by doing its martial arts classes. It emphasizes life skills such as focus, discipline, respect, confidence, and improved school performance in kids programs, and positions Teen Martial Arts as a “tech alternative” to get teens active and engaged and help them feel confident. The Adult Martial Arts program is described as combining fitness with fun and as “no more boring workouts.” Birthday parties are promoted as stress-free for parents, and summer camp is promoted as an experience children “won’t forget,” with the statement that “martial arts changes lives.” The program also offers an exclusive online-only offer of 2 free classes for a limited time and states that instructors are dedicated to helping students on their journey to Black Belt or other personal goals. Families are advised to wear comfortable clothes suitable for sports and to bring a water bottle to martial arts classes.
The leadership team includes Master Xai Lor, described as a World Class Instructor and 4th Dan black belt and founder of a non-profit organization that provides scholarships for higher education and youth sports; Ms. Ana Thorne, the Program Director and a 5th Dan; Coach Jayson Matsurra, the Poomsae Coach; and Ms. Tanya Martinez, who has an administrative role ensuring smooth operation of daily activities and fostering a warm and welcoming environment. Other named staff members include Dr. Artavia Edwards, Ms. Lauren Felder, Ms. Malay Phu, Mr. Tyler Shum, Ms. Elodie Liu, and Mr. Ahmad Houjeij. The mission statement says the program is dedicated to changing lives through martial arts, education, and coaching, and to providing a safe, comfortable, and welcoming atmosphere for students and family members, with a focus on helping individuals achieve, develop, and succeed in their personal goals through realistic and practical martial arts training.
Master Xai is described as a seasoned martial artist with over 20 years of Taekwondo experience and nearly 30 years of working with children, holding a 4th Dan black belt earned under Grandmaster Franco Parchamento. She is a two-time metastatic breast and colon cancer survivor and has traveled nationwide as a motivational speaker since the age of 18. Ana Thorne has over 25 years of experience in Taekwondo, has traveled both nationally and internationally, and holds the rank of 5th Dan. Coach Jayson began his Taekwondo journey over a decade ago at iYa, earned his black belt under Ms. Xai, served as captain of both the demonstration and competition teams, and has trained extensively in both recognized and freestyle poomsae alongside national team coaches, athletes, and world champions. He earned titles as a California State Champion and national medalist, holds a black belt in the World-Class Male Under 30 Division, and was recognized by USA Taekwondo as a High-Potential Poomsae athlete and invited to a national Talent ID Camp led by US National Team coaches.
Parent and community testimonials describe that the program teaches not only hand forms, weapons, and sparring but also important life lessons and principles. One parent states that their daughter loves iYa and that teachers and superiors are wonderful. Another notes that the staff is very friendly, that the SWAT team is very involved, and calls it a great organization they would recommend to everyone. Instructor Xai Lor is described in a testimonial as highly respected in the Taekwondo community, a wonderful role model, and an inspiration to her students. Another testimonial calls iYa an excellent place to learn martial arts for both children and adults, with everyone described as very friendly and dedicated to helping students succeed.
Last updated June 25, 2026.
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