Kids Shōrinji Ryū Karate Program

The Kids Shōrinji Ryū Karate Program focuses on Shōrinji Ryū Karate as a complete martial art that includes both striking and grappling. Children practice specific skills such as practical blocks, evasions, kicks, punches, elbow strikes, knee strikes, stand-up restraints, joint locking, throws, pins, and self-defense techniques including escapes from grabs, holds, and being pushed. Training also includes traditional Okinawan weapons practice (Kobudo) with Bo, Sai, and Tonfa, as well as Kata, the Pinan Kata Series, Bunkai, Kumite, fighting drills derived from Kata moves, and mentoring juniors as students advance.

• Ages: 5–12 years old
• Schedule: Kids classes are available during school hours Monday–Thursday between 4:15–7:30pm, with additional Sunday hours from 10:00am–12:00pm; kids karate camp 2026 runs 9:00am–2:00pm daily on July 20–24 for ages 7–9 and August 3–7 for ages 10–14; private sessions are offered in 60- and 90-minute formats; a 2 Month Summer Starter Package runs between June 15 and August 15.
• Price: Kids program monthly price is $175 with a free 1-week trial; kids karate camp 2026 is $459 for July 20–24 (7–9 year olds, sold out) and $519 for August 3–7 (10–14 year olds, sold out); private sessions are $125 per 60 minutes and $160 per 90 minutes with a free week and a spring bonus free 30-minute private session to begin; the 2 Month Summer Starter Package costs $319 for the Kids Starter Program and $419 for the Premier kids program, with teen options at $349 for 2 classes per week and $449 for 3 classes per week, and all sales on specials and discounted programs are final and non-refundable.

The Martial Arts Academy of Marin describes itself as a True Lineage School where children are properly educated in the ways of Karate, with Shōrinji Ryū Karate emphasizing fluid movement, dynamic footwork, internal power, discipline, adaptability, personal growth, and real-world self-defense skills. The kids program states that it aims to help children develop confidence, discipline, respect, physical fitness, focus, coordination, and life skills such as perseverance, self-control, teamwork, respect, compassion, gratitude, confidence, self-esteem, decision-making skills, resilience to peer pressure, respect, and courtesy. The program emphasizes basics (Kihon) such as basic punches (straight punch, hammer fist), open-hand strikes (knife-hand, palm strike), blocks (upward, inside, outside, low), kicks (front, roundhouse, side, back), knee strikes, and stances including horse stance, front stance, and cat stance, along with pins using knees and low crouching techniques.

The Academy describes its dojo environment as supportive and highlights mentorship through a master-apprentice relationship, with kids mentoring juniors once they reach a certain level. Its governing philosophy includes oral stories that teach morality, proper use of force, and de-escalation, and its defense and bully prevention training includes awareness, de-escalation, using voice and body language, simple escapes, and helping others. Kata is described as the heart of karate and a living database of techniques, and Bunkai is practiced in a staged curriculum with cooperative, semi-cooperative, and non-cooperative partners.

The program offers a free 1-week trial with unlimited classes for one week at the dojo, after which kids receive a complimentary 30-minute private session with Sensei and teens/adults receive a 60-minute private session. All 2 Month Summer Starter Packages include a Starter Pack with a TMAA T-shirt, belt, water bottle, and drawstring bag, and a Pro Starter Pack upgrade is available for an additional $40 that includes a traditional Karate gi uniform and drawstring bag. Sensei Will is identified as the leader of the program and is described as having remained close to his Sensei since 1987, often seeking his counsel.

Last updated June 15, 2026.