Norfolk Karate Academy/Gracie Jiu Jitsu Norfolk 814-A West 45th Street, Norfolk, VA 23508

"My kids started here last month. Instructors do a great job instructing 15 or so 4-8ish year olds. The place is clean, well kept, and professional. Their office staff are great as well!"

"Instructors here are phenomenal. My eldest started a few years ago and now my youngest. A place that's very welcoming and friendly. Will work with students on technique over and over until they are comfortable. My kids will continue here and I highly recommend this place to others when they ask where my kids go for Karate."

"For as long as I can remember I have always been interested in self defense. I wanted to learn some type of martial art that could help me to protect myself and others. I just didn’t know where to begin. I first learned of Gracie Jiu Jitsu randomly searching YouTube. Rener Gracie’s charisma immediately grabbed my attention, but it was the logical explanations of why Jiu Jitsu was superior to all other forms of self defense that made me a believer. At the time their were no certified Gracie Jiu Jitsu training centers near me. So I tried a different sport jujitsu school in my area. I was frustrated by the lack of curriculum and feeling like I was the personal practice dummy of the day. I would leave class beat up and not remembering anything about the techniques. I recently moved to a different location that has Norfolk karate Academy and Hampton roads Karate Academy right nearby. Both are a certified training center and owned by Bill Odom who is a black belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu. My very first class was a far different experience than my previous one at the sport school. It was everything I thought it would be and more! The style of teaching and curriculum really do help with retention and perfection of the techniques. The certified trainers are friendly, knowledgeable, and dedicated to passing on everything they know about the gentle art. I feel like I’ve learned so much already in the short four months since I began. Obviously I am aware that I’ve just begun to scratch the surface of the vast knowledge available in this martial art. But I’m happy to be on the path and enjoying every step of the journey. I was asked to share my opinion but I was all too happy to do so. I have already told random strangers that I’ve met about Norfolk Karate Academy and Hampton roads karate Academy. I am a believer in Gracie jujitsu and I am proud to be a member of these two schools that represent the martial art so well. I seriously cannot recommend it enough. Thank you to all of my instructors and friends who help make me a better man, and a better Jiu Jitsu practitioner!"

"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."

"Outstanding! Norfolk Karate Academy has brought together a community of martial arts practitioners from all walks of life who share a passion for learning. There is something for everyone here, with classes for kids and adults at all levels and a self-defense program specifically for women. Wether you start as a complete beginner to martial arts as I did, or have many years of experience under your belt, you will find the atmosphere supportive yet challenging enough to keep you growing and improving. The curriculum is extensive but very well laid out, with superb attention to detail at each level. Instructors and students alike are dedicated to improving their understanding of the art, and that is where the focus is in each class. With the Gracie approaches of Keep it Playful and Keep it Real, I doubt you will find a more ego-less, authentic place to train in this area. I've been training at NKA for about a year and a half now and look forward to every class. In short, well worth your time and money."