Mountainside Martial Arts Center

"We are so lucky to have Mountainside Martial Arts Center (MMAC) right here in Ahwatukee. It has truly become part of our family over the past 9 years, and we have made lifelong friends there. Rick Savagian is the Owner and Head Instructor of an extremely unique dojo and traditional program. Most people do not know that MMAC is one of very few dojos in the US that is sanctioned by a governing body in Japan – so it is the real deal! As fellow small business owners in this community, we can appreciate how Rick has run a highly successful business for over 40 years while also supporting this community. Both of our boys went through Rick’s program and our youngest recently earned his black belt. With Rick’s program, even when the black belt rank is achieved, the learning continues when those students teach other students with lower ranks. The opportunities for growth are endless. Over the past several years, his program has helped to build so many tremendous characteristics in both of our boys – discipline, confidence, and integrity - just to name a few. In a world where these qualities are minimized or not taught at all, Rick has built his entire program around them to set them up for successful futures. We cannot say enough wonderful things about our experience here!"

"My mom introduced me to Mountainside Martial Arts about 7 years ago when she was considering trying martial arts. She encouraged my 3 boys to join with her, and they all became students of the dojo. Fast forward 7ish years, my oldest son and youngest son are still students. Both children have gained confidence in themselves and improved their fine and gross motor skills greatly. The founder of the dojo, Sensei Rick has done a tremendous job of working with his students (and their parents) to grow as confident, respectful, capable people. Many of the students who earn their black belt, return to help teach lower ranks gain the same skills they have learned. Not many other martial arts studios can say that. In regard to the Christmas tree parking situation, I am saddened to hear the community turn on a long standing community leader. Instead of getting both sides of the story, people have made a premature conclusion regarding a short-term event. I understand having a holiday spirit; however, it is interesting to see how fast people will turn on others just because the were slightly inconvenienced. Instead of Bah-Humbugging and criticizing, let's join together in helping the Christmas Tree Lot find a new location for the next year. If he is still selling jam, purchase from his website or social media sites. You can still help your favorite community members without punishing others. Ahwatukee, let's come together and have a happy holiday. The world is messed up as it is...let's not let our community follow suit. Merry Christmas!"

"I have lived in the Ahwatukee area since 1995 and have seen businesses come and go over the years here in Tukee. My older children are in there 20’s and 30’s and have been involved with many different Dance and Basketball organizations/businesses over the years here in Tukee. It wasn’t until my wife and I were blessed with another child, now 8 yrs old, where we once again began looking for another sporting activity for our younger son to get involved in. We decided martial arts would be good for him. We looked at other martial art studios but knowing that Mountainside Martial Arts and owner Rick S. has been established for many, many years here in Ahwatukee, we chose them to work and train our son. Our son has been going there for almost 4 1/2 years and loves it. From our own experience I know that Rick treats our son and the other students as his own. Taking each students training personally. Recently there has been some negative posts about Mountainside Martial Arsts, which is outrageous. Most of the negativity is coming from grown adults over a Christmas tree lot. In my opinion it’s all about greed were one man makes money selling Christmas trees, while another man profits from renting out the parking lot. What that gentlemen did not take into consideration or even care about is that the PAYING parents at the karate dojo during this same time every year, have to park either across the street or find other parking because the tree lot. In fact a couple years ago the tree man (Fitch) yelled at me for parking. Well, am also a customer of the foothills animal clinic as well. So I would hope that the owner would also be Sympathetic in the parking situation because his employees will also park in the same parking lot as the karate dojo, as well as some of his customers. In closing, Can’t we all be adults and simply find another place to put your tree lot. it’s not about being Scrooge it’s about being sensible. And for the tree man and the vet man please don’t let greed affect you. Be considerate to all those paying parents that have hard time parking this time of year. There are Several businesses in the small parking lot as it is, and I doubt you guys ever really thought about what’s happening with the other businesses and how their customers are being inconvenienced. Merry Christmas, Ho Ho Ho,,,, Santa in the Red Hummer H1"

"Sensei Rick has been teaching in Ahwatukee for almost 40 years. He has been a strong supporter of our local schools and community. His dojo encourages strong values, a strong work ethic, and good grades in their students. The school is apart of Wado-Ryu karate based in Japan, and Sensei Rick is one of the top teachers in the US. This is a traditional karate school which you are unlikely to find elsewhere in AZ. We are so fortunate to have our son studying karate under Sensei Rick. If you are serious about karate, I strongly recommend Mountainside Martial Arts. There is no better karate school in AZ in my opinion."

"Our family (and especially our child) absolutely love the team of highly qualified and trained professionals led by Sensei Rick! The whole community here is special, focused on bringing the children up together while encouraging independence, developing self-esteem, and emphasizing the value of each individual child's effort and contributions to the Mountainside family. This is the training that will prepare them to be successful, active, and positive members of society. Join our community today, I guarantee you will love it too!"