The Martial Arts Institute

I have trained at The Martial Arts Institute since the school opened three decades ago. I found the training that I received from Sensei Arango so valuable that I still travel nearly 400 miles on a monthly basis to continue my training. The training is difficult but you are not alone at the Dojo (school). It is a welcoming group without attitudes. There is a family type atmosphere where each person becomes invested in helping each other become better in character, physical fitness, and martial arts skills. The Martial Arts Institute is a safe environment where both children and adults can learn. Each person is motivated to be the best they can be for whatever level they may be. Some of Sensei Arango's students have become National Tournament Champions, Sensei's (instructors) themselves and some have gone on to successfully teach karate elsewhere. Of course there is the confidence, knowledge and skill of defending oneself, at the Martial Arts Institute you will undoubtedly be WELL TRAINED. more

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I joined the school after watching my sons participate in the training at the dojo. I saw them learn defense techniques, fitness and most importantly, respect, discipline and the ability to work with others in a non-threatening environment. As a parent, that is what I wanted for my children and what I decided I wanted for myself. I am now a brown belt and I am so proud to say that this is my dojo. There is a sense of family here and everyone works together to help each other. The senseis are respectful, eager to teach and help , and very knowledgeable . They are patient and know how to work with children as well as the adult student. Physical limitations are taken into account and worked with . As a woman, I feel that it is important to know how to defend and protect myself. Sensei feels that way too and has classes on self defense and protection. I have gained confidence, physical and emotional strength, and eagerly looked forward to going to class and learning more each day. Karate is not just kicks and punches. It is an art that develops your mind as well as your body. Sensei cultivates this atmosphere at the dojo. I am a better person because of my karate training and I carry the lessons of hard work, respect,discipline and perseverance with me in my life outside the dojo. Sensei Arango is an accomplished martial artist in many areas and yet he sees himself as a teacher first . This philosophy of being a teacher first is instilled in every sensei at the dojo. That is why I feel the school is so successful and why I love to train and be a part of this school. more

My children started going to this school about 3 years ago. My wife and I had agreed they would need to learn how to self-protect themselves in the world we live in as we all learn there are great people out there and not such great people. We feel they need to learn to protect themselves and know what to do if they ever were to encounter a bad situation. After 2 years of my children attending classes I found out that The Martial Arts Institute has a family plan. So I decided to take advantage of it. Living the family style I hardly have time to get to the gym to work out and I figured what better way to squeeze in some work out time than with the kids all under one roof. Low and be hold I was hooked. I would highly recommend this school to anyone wanting to learn Martial Arts or get into shape or back into shape. I have been to plenty of gyms in my life time and I have never sweated so much as I do in the dojo. My end result is I get an awesome work out and learn how to defend myself and protect my family all at the same time. Sensei Arango and his teaching staff are all excellent at teaching and motivating classes. I find myself fully satisfied at the end of every work out. After a stressful day of work I look forward to releasing it in the dojo. As far as I more

My name is Andrew Capul and I'm 53 years old. This past Saturday November 19th I received my black belt here at the Martial Arts Institute. My journey started 9 1/2 years ago when I walked into the dojo and met with Sensei Arango who has spent his entire life in the martial arts. The meeting lasted about 5 minutes he told me in the simplest terms, "" you come to class 3 times a week and we will do the rest."" I sat there puzzled he suggested that I watch an upcoming class which I did. In the class were 24 adults ranging from black belts to white belts and one black belt instructor. The class was intense from start to finish all the students were focused on the particular technique they were working on. Higher ranks assisted the lower rank student to help them understand the technique they were doing. When class was over the higher ranks padded up and started sparring. the lower ranks continued to work on their own or with partners. Two days later my journey began, I spent my first day as a student at the Martial Arts Institute. During my 9 1/2 years at the Martial Arts Institute I quit smoking, I lost 30 lbs, I learned how to protect myself and my family. But most important are the friends that I have come to know at the Martial Arts Institute. First and foremost I am privileged that I can call Sensei Arango my friend, his commitment to his students and school is why the Martial Arts Institute has been around for over 30 years with an impeccable reputation. If you are interested in training in the martial arts I suggest you come and have a 5 minute meeting with Sensei Arango. more

I would recommend the Martial Art Institute for anyone that wants to learn martial arts. This school is amazing. Sensei Arango and his black belt instructors are very professional and take the time to work with every student. They make you feel comfortable from the beginning of your first class. The students at the school are all very friendly and encouraging as well. Everyone works really well with each other and we get a great training session in. Since I started training at the Martial Art Institute 2 years ago at the age of 42 I never felt better. I have lost over 30 pounds and built up a lot of muscle. They have regular classes as well as personal protection classes and even a jujitsu program that I enjoy very much. If you more

I started my daughter at the Martial Arts Institute about 3 1/2 years ago. She had been doing karate through a school martial arts program for the prior 2 years. Although she got plenty of exercise and learned some cool looking moves - they didn't spar or do self defense and I didn't feel she could really defend herself if the need arose. We were referred here from a friend, this school has a great reputation and many of the students are referred by others. I started myself almost two years ago. One day I asked Sensei Arango how my daughter was doing and he said she was doing great on her own but needed some help with her partnering work and since she is an only child and doesn't have siblings to practice with I really should get in the dojo. I am a jogger and also have a free gym at work so in my mind it was just one more thing I had to do for my child. I never knew I wanted to do karate. Within two weeks I was addicted. Most people mistake karate for an activity(I did myself until I got involved) which it is not. It is an art. Therefore, you spend a lot of time in the dojo practicing and you want it to be with people who you respect and like and where you will feel at home. The Martial Arts Institute addresses body, mind, and soul. It gives you life skills both physical and mental that carry through to your life outside the dojo. If you are serious about learning martial arts - The Martial Arts Institute is where you want to be! Marcia B more