This page shows Reviews & Testimonials of Northern Dragon Martial Arts in Cook, MN. 19 Reviewer rated Northern Dragon Martial Arts as Excellent. Read detailed reviews below.
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Average Rating: Excellent (19 Reviews)
- Quality of Instruction:
- Excellent
- Other aspects:
- Excellent
19 out of 19 Reviewer recommended Northern Dragon Martial Arts.
Great karate school for all ages
Jan 18 2023 by Doug (Active Student with 10+ Years Experience at this school)
- Quality of Instruction:
- Excellent
- Other aspects:
- Excellent
- Recommended:
- Yes
Fun way to get exercise
Jan 18 2023 by Probee (Active Student with 6 Months - 1 Year Experience at this school)
- Quality of Instruction:
- Excellent
- Other aspects:
- Excellent
- Recommended:
- Yes
Age 11
Northern Dragon is an excellent martial arts school. I highly recommend it. It doesn't matter if you're young or old you can still be good at it. The head instructor really knows how to teach the techniques and do them correctly. This teacher has learned from the best in the country, maybe some of the best in the world. Our system goes way back to when martial arts was first created.
I highly recommend this school. I have learned that very simple moves can make big impacts. I really hope you give this martial arts school a try!
A Great Place To Learn Martial Arts
Jan 18 2023 by C.J. (Active Student with 6 Months - 1 Year Experience at this school)
- Quality of Instruction:
- Excellent
- Other aspects:
- Excellent
- Recommended:
- Yes
I strongly recommend Northern Dragon Martial Arts!
To start with, the instructors are amazing! They meet you at your skill level. They know how much to push you. They KNOW THERE STUFF. They are what make karate so enjoyable.
Secondly, the system is ingenious! We are not merely taught techniques, but also how to apply those techniques. We are taught sparing, grappling, self defense moves, the art of falling a rolling, and more! I have learned something new every time I have come to class.
Lastly, I would like to give my perspective. I am a high schooler, and go to karate with my mom, sister, and brother. I started going in the beginning of the year 2022. I really enjoy karate and have recommended it to any and all my friends I thought might be interested (even people I didn’t think would be interested XD). My only regret is that I didn’t start sooner!
An excellent and exciting activity.
Jan 18 2023 by A-bull-gail (Active Student with 6 Months - 1 Year Experience at this school)
- Quality of Instruction:
- Excellent
- Other aspects:
- Excellent
- Recommended:
- Yes
I highly recommend this class because it helps me learn how to defend myself in difficult situations. Mr. Olson is a very easy-going teacher and is personally my favorite to spar against. If you are looking for how to spar, defend yourself, and roll/fall without injury, I suggest this class. Karate is something I look forward to every week. It will get you into shape but will also help you succeed in your knowledge the martial arts.
A Great Family Activity!
Jan 18 2023 by Heth (Active Student with 6 Months - 1 Year Experience at this school)
- Quality of Instruction:
- Excellent
- Other aspects:
- Excellent
- Recommended:
- Yes
I have a daughter who was encouraged by a friend to try Karate. She decided to give it a try. I brought her one evening to just watch a class and see what she thought. That was all it took. She is hooked!
Not only did she join but I (mom) and two of her other siblings joined as well.
We meet two evenings a week and they are truly the highlight of our week. Todd Olson is an excellent instructor. He is an expert in this form of martial arts.
For those who are eager to learn, you will not be disappointed. The class is designed to teach the system. A student will start out with the very basic moves and will progress little by little with time.
I personally think differently about body mechanics because if this class. Currently I am working on how to roll and fall so I have less chance of getting injured. I am in my 50’s and I think that learning how to fall will help me down the road as I age.
I also appreciate learning self defense skills and being more confident in my physical abilities.
Highly recommend the class. I also recommend participating as a family, because you can work off if each other and help each other out.
Consistently offering classes since 1988 and still going strong in 2020.
Oct 14 2020 by UZI (Parent of a Student with 10+ Years Experience at this school)
- Quality of Instruction:
- Excellent
- Other aspects:
- Very Good
- Recommended:
- Yes
The contact phone number is correct but the contact address is now 8979 E Wakemup Village Road. Martial Art instruction of the Bu Ryu Do System since 1988. Several instructors at most classes. Students are separated to train at the appropriate level. Offering training for all levels of martial artists.
Contact: 218. 750. 7907 for current information. Head instructor: Todd K. Olson - Godan/Kyoshi
Great Place to Learn Self Defense/Martial Arts
Jun 14 2014 by Andreas (Active Student with 3 - 5 Years Experience at this school)
- Quality of Instruction:
- Excellent
- Other aspects:
- Excellent
- Recommended:
- Yes
I have been with the system for over three years and every class is an excellent learning experience. It is a great system with great instructors. The main principles and techniques allow for you to have every advantage in a self defense situation no matter what your opponent may know. Would very highly recommend this school and style.
The Big Test
May 21 2013 by MB (Active Student with 5 - 10 Years Experience at this school)
- Quality of Instruction:
- Excellent
- Other aspects:
- Excellent
- Recommended:
- Yes
I am so excited for the big test! Can't wait to see the new black belts.
where to go to get what you need
Jan 27 2013 by Tim K (Active Student with 10+ Years Experience at this school)
- Quality of Instruction:
- Excellent
- Other aspects:
- Excellent
- Recommended:
- Yes
I have been involved with this school for over 20 years. The school combines self defence and martial arts into a well rounded style that covers all aspects of self defence. The concepts and priceples that tought apply in all sports, such as proper foot work and ballance, body possitioning and overall personal behavior. A good work ethic and respect of others is also emphasized. The class atmosphere is energetic and fun with the group becoming one big family. I would recommend this school to anyone!
(1 of 1 People found this review helpful)
Jack of all Trades
Jan 11 2013 by Tweeter (Active Student with 10+ Years Experience at this school)
- Quality of Instruction:
- Excellent
- Other aspects:
- Excellent
- Recommended:
- Yes
I truly feel blessed to have grown up in Cook where Sensei Olson has taught Bu Ryu Do for at least 20 years. This style of martial arts makes sense and there is a reason for everything they do. You can watch some martial arts classes and see people doing things(kicks, punches) that are big,flashy and cool, but aren't practical in real life scenarios. The Northern Dragon Martial Arts is awesome group of people with an even better martial art system. A system that keeps growing and isn't far from being nationally recognized.
Northern Dragon Martial Arts
Dec 05 2012 by DMAN 417 (Active Student with 1 - 3 Months Experience at this school)
- Quality of Instruction:
- Excellent
- Other aspects:
- Very Good
- Recommended:
- Yes
A great place to learn martial arts. The instructors are especially good. The only negative is there should be more students!!!!! If you are llooking for a place to learn martial arts, this is it.
(1 of 1 People found this review helpful)
Great opportunity to learn from very dedicated, and experienced instructors
Nov 28 2012 by Ed T (Parent of a Student with 1 - 3 Months Experience at this school)
- Quality of Instruction:
- Excellent
- Other aspects:
- Excellent
- Recommended:
- Yes
I have not trained for over 25 years ( prev. Shotokan/JKA style) Recently signed up with my 16 year old son. I am really enjoying the Bu Ryu Do style and the training. The Sensei/instructors are fantastic, they teach with strong emphasis on proper technique and form. They also teach with a lot of patience for all the different levels and ages of students and make themselves available in class to work one on one
with any student that asks for help. I would highly recommend this Dojo. I am very grateful my son is training at this Dojo.
A great place to learn martial arts
Nov 27 2012 by J Lien (Active Student with 6 Months - 1 Year Experience at this school)
- Quality of Instruction:
- Excellent
- Other aspects:
- Very Good
- Recommended:
- Yes
Very friendly and supportive instructors and students, I always can't wait for the next day of class. Valuable knowledge, great exercise, lots of fun.
(1 of 1 People found this review helpful)
Amazing
Nov 20 2012 by Coco-cola (Active Student with 3 - 5 Years Experience at this school)
- Quality of Instruction:
- Excellent
- Other aspects:
- Excellent
- Recommended:
- Yes
Have you ever been to a karate school that doesn't teach much?
Well this place is not like that.
I learn the meanings and how to do the moves. They do sparring,kata and grappling etc.. I think it is cool that they teach and teach smart things unlike some other schools. I would recomend this dojo to everyone!
Excellent school to learn martial arts in a relaxed environment.
Aug 06 2012 by FH (Active Student with 10+ Years Experience at this school)
- Quality of Instruction:
- Excellent
- Other aspects:
- Good
- Recommended:
- Yes
Great school that adapts to all people's learning style. People learn discipline and a wide range of Martial Concepts. Classes are very free flowing often with multiple concepts being taught on all levels of experience.
Bu Ryu Do is an art based on being a jack of all trades. Concepts are taught for Striking, Trapping, Grappling, and Weapons. As a person progresses through the style, it is easy to personalize the style to yourself.
The instructors are knowledgeable and friendly.
I have personally been in Bu Ryu Do for more than 10 years and I still enjoy every aspect of the classes.
It is a great school!!!!!!!!!!!
May 07 2012 by Coco (Active Student with 3 - 5 Years Experience at this school)
- Quality of Instruction:
- Excellent
- Other aspects:
- Excellent
- Recommended:
- Yes
This is a wonderful school to learn Karate!!!
Excelent Instruction Quality System.
Oct 23 2011 by Raymo (Active Student with 3 - 5 Years Experience at this school)
- Quality of Instruction:
- Excellent
- Other aspects:
- Excellent
- Recommended:
- Yes
Classes are great. The system is solid with most of its purple or red belts able hold there own with black belts from many other systems. I would recommend this Northern Dragon Martial Arts to anyone looking to learn martial arts for self defense or sport, because the the fundamentals of this system are simple yet very effective in all settings. For those who are unfamiliar with the belt ranking system in this stile it goes white, gold, green, purple, red, brown, black.
3 of my best friends go to class with me
Oct 22 2011 by Coco-cola (Active Student with 3 - 5 Years Experience at this school)
- Quality of Instruction:
- Excellent
- Other aspects:
- Excellent
- Recommended:
- Yes
Classes are fun and I learn a lot
(1 of 1 People found this review helpful)
Quality instruction in a well-rounded martial art!
Oct 22 2011 by The "Mayor" (Active Student with 5 - 10 Years Experience at this school)
- Quality of Instruction:
- Excellent
- Other aspects:
- Very Good
- Recommended:
- Yes
Quality intruction in a hard-working and positive environment.
Sensei Olson provides solid instruction without taking himself too seriously. Which makes for a fun and engaging learning atmosphere. In addition the style he teaches, Bu Ryu Do Karate is great for self-defense, competition, or even just general fitness.
The other big win for this dojo is that you can work out right alongside your kids. I understand why a lot of dojos separate adults and kids classes but as a parent who also wants to train it just doesn't work for me. I don't have the time to bring the kids in 2-3 nights a week and then come back on different nights for my own training. Bringing the whole family in at once is awesome! Everyone gets the appropriate level of instruction that they need and I get the added benefit, as a father, of watching my three learn and overcome obstacles as they grow.