It's taken me way too long to write this review--I know this because as each week of training passes, I have more and more good things to say. As other commenters have added, this is a dojo for people of all levels--I am a 38 yr old novice and my daughter is a 6 yr old beginner. Anyone in the judo world--or with access to the internet--knows what a top-notch competitor, technician, and coach Colton is, but anyone to train under him will be equally as inspired by the deep care he has for each one of his students--the least among us and the best alike. In between traveling around the world to coach some of the best judokas in our country and teaching at our dojo nonstop, he somehow always finds the time to listen, with patience, to whatever kindergarten concerns my daughter and her young classmates want to talk to him about; equally so is his willingness to listen to and give advice to the old men among us with injury complaints. All of the instructors are equally as caring as they are top-notch in their instruction (I am a coach and teacher and am blessed to have met some of the best coaches and teachers in the world and can say with honesty that some of the very best judo coaches in my experience are at Colton's dojo). Sensei Jeff is a great but deeply caring instructor--it's hard to not be inspired by his genuine enthusiasm each day, and easy to see how he's been such an important coach for Colton. More than once he has stayed after practice to give me tips and exercises to do on my own--and the joy he expresses when he sees a student finally get a technique or earn that throw in randori is second to none. My daughter's teachers, Nooran, Julie, and Anat, are amazing role models for her; I cant tell if her excitement for class is more due to her love of them or her love of judo. They teach real judo every day but find creative games to keep the kids engaged and to teach them discipline and respect at the same time (and all in under an hour!). Although my daughter has tried ballet, swimming, gymnastics, soccer, and jujitsu, it wasn't until trying Judo last spring that we found an activity where we don't need to motivate her to go to practice. I'm really grateful that my daughter and I can now share our love of Judo--it's brought us even closer together--but I'm even more grateful for how far she's matured since she began her training. The other week her mom asked her to ask for milk more respectfully and she asked "wait, like in Judo class?"--ever since she's enjoyed practicing speaking more respectfully to elders at home. It's a modern and welcoming dojo but still one where we are inspired and challenged to find better ways to express that we care. Perhaps because it is modeled from the top down, the dojo truly embodies jita kyouei (mutal benefit and prosperity): everyone is treated equally and treats each other, regardless of background and experience, with respect, with the idea that everyone is someone to learn from and grow with.
Instructors
Facility
Classes
Atmosphere
Posted 4 years ago