Norfolk Karate Academy

I love Norfolk Karate !!! The instructors are super talented in teaching people of all learning and skill levels. The students are very respectful and courteous. Norfolk Karate is a very inviting place and will make you feel at home the minute you walk in the door. As a woman, I especially like this place and learning Gracie Jiu-​Jitsu because the techniques are easy to understand, perform and are very effective. I think it is best to be proactive and learn to defend oneself rather than falling prey and becoming a victim of an attack and then having to deal with the mental and physical aspects that would result from that. Norfolk Karate all the way !!!

Awesome, awesome place to train. Let’s get the boring stuff out of the way: the facilities are great. They have a spacious training room mainly for the karate classes that has brand new padding that makes falling feel like landing on pillows (ok, so not THAT soft). There is also a secondary training room that is used for the Gracie Jiu-​jitsu with even softer padding. In addition to all this, there is even a mini gym with elliptical machines and weights (free and machines).
Now, the reason this place is really great: the people! The owner, Bill Odom, is open and friendly and I think knows every student by name. The instructors are knowledgeable and makes learning fun for both kids and adults.
Norfolk Karate Academy is also very family friendly. There are entire families who train here and everyone is very welcoming. There is usually some event every month such as parents’ date night (drop the kiddies off), a potluck, or seminars taught by experts such as Felix Valencia or Javier Vasquez.
A must try for those looking to keep training or to learn something new.

Awesome place to train! This team is top notch. Great combination of striking (Tang Soo do) and groundfighting (Gracie Jiu-​jitsu). Beautiful school and cavernous mat space! Definitely get over there if you are in the area and are serious about your training!~

The best of both worlds, Gracie Jiu-​jitsu and Tang Soo Do! I plan on training there when I’m in town.

Studied Gracie Jiu-​Jitsu there for a while. The instructors are the greatest in the area and having the Gracie’s come out a few times a year adds to the level of instruction. I can’t say enough kind words about the owner. He truly helps you to feel welcome and creates an atmosphere that is above any school in the area in regards to quality and helping you to learn. A philosophy that is big there is «There is no bad student, only bad teachers» and they live it. Always there to take to the time to help you learn. Too bad the Navy has kept me too busy to remain a student, but I can’t wait to return.