Lion's Den Karate

My son has had an amazing experience at this karate school! The instructors are not only skilled but also incredibly patient and encouraging. Over the summer, he’s learned so much not just in martial arts, but in discipline, confidence, and respect. Perfect for my 3 year old. I can already see a huge difference in his behavior and attitude, and I can’t wait to see how he thrives this fall. The school also offers aftercare for kids during the school year, which is a huge help for working parents. It’s a safe, structured, and positive environment that I completely trust. If you’re looking for a place that builds strong bodies and strong character, check them out. You won’t be disappointed!

This place is one of the best karate places to learn, watching the instructors point out errors and guiding them through it really shows that they know what they're doing. I have a young son and when he got home he basically praised the instructor named "Jayden", I think that was his name, claiming him to be his favorite instructor. Amazing work. I would recommend this to those looking for genuinely good instruction.

We absolutely love Lion's Den! Our entire family takes classes here, including me and my husband, and one of our kids is on the competition team. At this point, I basically live at LDK and I can tell you, this place is so much more than a karate school. It's truly second family. I highly recommend visiting the dojo for a trial - you'll immediately understand why it's special! Prior to Lion's Den, we had been at two other karate studios, which both went out of business. When we landed at Lion's Den two years ago, we noticed the difference immediately. Every instructor here really knows every child. The owners treat everyone like family. Most of the teachers have grown up at Lion's Den themselves - that alone tells you how great this place is. Here, the students receive far more individual attention than I have seen at any other dojo. We were accustomed to classes of 15-20 kids on a small mat with one instructor; at Lion's Den, the ratio is usually less than 4 kids to 1 instructor. They also have an amazing schedule that I have not seen anywhere else. While tuition at most karate schools covers two classes per week, at LDK, you can attend as many classes as you want (at or below your belt level). So, you pay for your two required weekly classes but can attend any class that's appropriate for your belt rank. If we wanted to, my kids could attend 10+ classes a week at no additional charge. Who else offers that?! As a special educator, I also really appreciate how inclusive LDK is. They make karate accessible to everyone. The instructors here are experienced teaching students who are blind and/or deaf, and took the initiative to learn ASL and have black belts printed on Braille. They are also wonderful at working with neurospicy students. Mr. Jose is always calm, steady, and positive. The kids both love and respect him. No matter what your strengths or needs are, you are welcomed and valued here. Finally, at this time, Lion's Den is home to the only karate competition team in St. Augustine. This is such a great opportunity for kids who are dedicated! My youngest joined the team at 6-years-old this year and has made immense progress. It's been a wonderful growth opportunity for her, building both her karate skills and her character. They also have an after school program, run by Ms. Barbara, who is one of the kindest and most nurturing people you will meet! I could probably write a novel about everything that makes Lion's Den wonderful. The best thing you can do is visit the dojo, meet the people, and try a couple of free classes. Once you experience it, I really think you'll want to be a part of our little karate family :)

When you join Lions Den you are joining a family, both of our boys have such a passion for karate thanks to Jose and all the support, I don’t think we’d find this anywhere else and we’ve tried in the past but nothing has made an impact like Lions Den. We do it all - competition team, karate classes and after school care. My boys are absolutely thriving thanks to all the wonderful programs we take part in at Lions Den! 1000+% recommend!