Reviews of Tenshin-Kai Taichi & Karate

We are pleased to recommend Tenshin-Kai to anyone who wants to learn Karate or Tai Chi. It's a great place, with wonderful instructors and Sensei Hirakawa who is a Gran Master and a huge example for our kids.

Our daughter started karate lessons at Tenshin-Kai a few months ago. At first I wasn't sure she was going to like it, but she loves it. She enjoys the classes and the push she receives from the instructors to always improve. She has learned a lot and enjoys practicing at home. I support Tenshin-Kai and would recommend it to other parents looking for a dojo for their children.

I found this neighborhood dojo following a recommendation from a student. I've been taking Tai Chi with Master Hirakawa for close to 3 years. The master is a patient teacher, works with each of us according to our ability. His traditional approach to strengthening one's balance, both corporal and spiritual is amazing. And he has a sense of humor...

Tenshin-Kai is unique because Grandmaster HIrakawa truly emphasizes the training of both body and mind. The Grandmaster preserves the traditional Japanese way of learning martial arts. He is extremely strict on discipline and very concerned with the spiritual growth of his students. The depth of instruction I have received at this dojo (over 20 years) is incredible. I feel lucky to have found a Grandmaster that has the changed the course of my life and a dojo whose members are a second family.

When I moved here from South Carolina I wanted to continue my karate training. I knew nothing of this city; my company moved me here. I was looking for a traditional Japanese style form of Karate. Throughout the years I have taken several forms Tang su do (Korean), Kung Fu (Chinese), Sogo Goshin-do (Japanese) and now Tenshin Kai (Japanese). I know a lot of people that take karate for the exercise and that is fine, but it is not the priority of this dojo. Kancho, is very focused on training for technique, inner strength and training in a style that parallels his training while growing up in Japan. There is a culture of discipline and respect but there is also a strong commitment to building a family environment. We all go out for coffee and discuss non-karate topics after training on Saturday. The style combines Japanese karate with an equal mix of Tai Chi. You are learning to build your external strength through karate and your internal strength through Tai Chi. Class consist of warm-up, punch and kick practice, kata, and sparring. There is a very traditional starting and ending ritual (spoken in Japanese and English) and finally we all clean the dojo. I participate in the adult class but I speak to a lot of the kids class parents and they are all very happy with the price, timeframe and offerings of the dojo for their children. Another very exciting thing this dojo offers is the opportunity to travel to Japan once a year to train in ancient temples and experience karate where is was established and with people who have dedicated their life to this medium. From Kancho to the black belts to everyone in class; we are all dedicated to the success of our fellow members, new or old. If you are looking to continue your karate training or want to try karate this is certain the best place in West Chester or Southern California for that matter.