LightSpeed Martial Arts Academy

I hosted my son’s 4^th birthday party at LightSpeed and it exceeded my husband and I’s expectations! I called to book and they let me know that the sheet cake, decorations and goodie bags were all included in the very reasonable party fees! They also offered to send out invitations for me. The staff sets up everything for you so there’s no need to arrive super early. There is a clean and very large party room in the back where lunch, snacks and cutting of the yummy and free birthday cake takes place with a gigantic sword! The cake cutting was a highlight for my son for sure — don’t worry, it’s all very safe. Owner Matt had such an enthusiastic approach with the kids and made my son feel really special. We extended the party by 30 minutes and the kids were thoroughly entertained the entire time. If you are looking to host a super fun and active party for little ones 3−7ish years of age for a great price consider LightSpeed for sure! We would do it again in a heartbeat.

If you are shopping around for a martial arts academy for your very young child to older teenager, I highly recommend Lightspeed! The staff is amazing with the children, and just all around great to everyone. They offer a free introductory session for you to get a feel for the place, and for you to see how your child will like it. Take them up on it and see for yourself.

The instructors are very skilled working with kids. The kids are learning, having fun and are absorbing wonderful life lessons about respect and decency. Bravo.

This place is great! I’ve loved working with Master Sulburry! It’s a great place to train and bring your kids to train too!!! All ages!!!

We were so pleased with our daughter’s birthday party at LightSpeed. The activities and celebration materials provided were more than what we expected for the cost. LightSpeed provided not only the goodie bags, paper goods, and decorations, but also gave us the option to have them get the cake as well. We were surprised by the number of children who attended, but the number of kids and the age spread (2 — 10) did not phase the instructors. Every time I was able to look up from visiting, taking pictures, and helping little ones, the majority of kids were involved in an obstacle
course, breaking boards, and enjoying learning a little bit about martial arts. Best of all were the compliments I received from my fellow parents all of whom were not only impressed with the activities but with the instructors themselves. My kids loved it and would have another party at LightSpeed sooner if we had a birthday coming up.

This place is awesome! We asked LightSpeed Martial Arts Academy to put on a Self Defense Seminar for our Moms & Daughters retreat and they were amazing. Super family friendly and great activity for people of ages to do. We appreciate these guys so much. They are a great addition to the Scotts Valley Community. Thanks for all you guys do. If you are looking for a great activity to get involved in use these guys because they are great and they know their stuff!

This place has so much to offer!
My 5 year old son has been going here for the past 6 months and loves it! He takes awhile to get warmed up in new places, but right away he felt comfortable and excited to participate. The skills they teach are developmentally appropriate yet challenging. Master Salisbury is great at building a respectful but fun rapport with the students. He leads the class well and the kids are always giggling and enjoying themselves. Since starting at Light Speed my child has gained more self-​control, diligence and commitment even when it’s tough to keep going, more physical stamina and a respectful attitude. Students become like their teachers and I would say all the teachers here are great role models. They have lots of classes for all ages and even an after school program. They have once a month parent-​night-​out on Friday evenings. It’s nice to have peace that your child (ren) are in safe and capable hands and they are having a blast with their friends. I am so happy to have a great place like this for my son!

Our two girls, 8 & 9 years old, have been going here since first grade. We have watched this group of kids grow up on this school’s curriculum. We have nothing but positive things to say about the quality of the education and the depth of their caring for their little charges. Mr. Salisbury is patient, empathetic and really seems to love what he does! Our oldest wants to add that he is, «really energetic and fun!»

I have a 6 year old son who came here for almost a year before he lost interest.
However, right off the bat I could see how unique and awesome LightSpeed Martial Arts Academy was going to be. The moment I walked in to the unassuming building I could see that the place is like a crazy hybrid between preschool and martial arts, and I think any child other than my own ADHD son would love the style that the teachers employ in their classes. When my daughter is old enough I will definitely be enrolling her in classes, as this place makes martial arts fun for young kids!!!

There is something really, reallllly special about Lightspeed Martial Arts… My 6 year old son has been training Taekwondo there for coming up on 2 years now, and I started about six months ago. In that time, we have become so much more than part of an excellent martial arts training program (which it most certainly is!!) we have become part of a community, a LMA family. And our lives are so much the richer for it!!! We are more fit, more flexible, stronger, more confident AND we have a BLAST doing it! This is truly an amazing place.
The approach to learning Taekwondo is so positive and enriched. The students learn martial arts skills… kicks, blocks, balance, stances, sparring, all of the technical aspects of the sport. Alongside, and integrated with that, they are taught life lessons about things like discipline, perseverance, respect, honesty, integrity and much more. Students are taught these things as part of their daily classes, and even more importantly, they are taught by the example of their instructors. Master Salisbury is like a superhero to these kids… he teaches them to be strong and skilled… and compassionate and patient, to be someone who gives and deserves respect, to push your own limits and become the best that YOU can be. He is an absolutely amazing mentor to everyone who trains at LMA, and his teaching style and influence is carried out by each and every one of the other instructors. As well, the more advanced students are taught to be respectful, kind, and encouraging to the newer students. The kindness and willingness to help I see among the students is heartwarming. The world needs more Lightspeed kids, it will certainly be a better place for it!!!
The community aspect of this studio is wonderful. In these days where we shuttle our kids around from school to activities and childcare and homework… it’s really easy to feel a bit crazy and over extended, it’s so hard to get to everything, so easy to feel disconnected. The way that the classes are arranged, as well as the range of types of classes for adults and kids, makes it possible to train with your children, your spouse, your parents, and of course new friends. The scheduling is flexible, with many options of days & times that kids & adults can train. The family classes on Saturday are a favorite of ours! And in addition to the regular roster of classes, there seems to always be something fun coming up where everyone can get together and have fun as a community. There are often events where family and friends who are not current students are encouraged to come, and so the community circle grows both bigger, and stronger. I have met so many amazing people in our time there, from meeting other parent while we watch the kids, to the wonderful ladies in our morning women’s Taekwondo classes, evening classes, kickboxing, special events and more.
I would give LMA a 10 star rating if I could! It has become a delightful, essential part of our lives, our family, our community. The lessons my son has learned, the lessons we both continue to learn, as we travel this journey along with our fellow students and instructors, are invaluable, and I feel so very, very lucky to be part of it all :)

I have to say the instructors at SVTKD are the most patient instructors I have ever encountered. They tried really hard to help our son to acclimate to the class. I would highly recommend them!