Testimonials

Sometimes our students and their parents say it best. Read testimonials for our kids' and adults' programs below.

Kids' Program Testimonials

"Not wanting to spend a summer watching my son play video games, he needed a summer activity. He always loved the sword video games so I decided to see what he would think about being exposed to the real thing. I had seen the Way of the Shadow dojo, decided to go down and do a look see, OK the free week trial appealed to me and we did not have to wait for a 'season' to begin. My son received his complimentary lesson, then he attended a week straight of Junior Ninja classes. Giving him the option of continuing or finding something else he jumped at the chance to continue training. The friendly but disciplined staff, the pace and variety of training, makes for a positive and productive training environment. We could not be happier, thanks, "Way of the Shadow" and keep up the great work."
- Dave W.

"We are very happy with the dojo, my girls love it. They want to be there everyday and all day if I'd let them. The teachers are great and the kids love them. My husband and I can't believe how much the girls look forward to their classes. Now they take responsibility at home and at school a lot more serious because they don't want us to take their Ninjutsu way from them. This is the first place that my girls feel right at home and just in a few months we've become an extended family."
- Patricia H.

"After taking my son to visit many dojo's of many different styles of martial arts, I count my family lucky to have come across The Way of the Shadow dojo. So many times the kids were treated like small adults, quickly dissipating any excitement they had in learning the art. At Way of the Shadow, I can tell the instructors understand and genuinely enjoy children. They have developed a dynamic mix of activities, discipline, and training that keeps the kids interested every day and excited to come back as soon as they can. I have only seen interns with degrees in child psychology work this well with kids, yet Way of the Shadow instructors are true martial artists, with amazing talent. I just can't say enough good stuff about this great dojo. I almost don't want to share them!"
- Shannon H.

"When my 15 year old son first mentioned martial arts, I had visions of him growing bitter & "warrior-like". Ok, silly mom stuff, but when you're used to your children playing soccer and baseball, a mom can be caught off guard when her "gentle giant" says he wants to take Ninjutsu. My son took the initiative to get all the information, take his dad in to check things out and set up his one on one with Sensei. That was a year ago….. Today, I am the proud mom of 3 ninjas ages 16,14, & 6. The Way of the Shadow and its instructors have far surpassed my expectations. They know each one of their students and strive to make each individual accomplishment a "big deal". Sensei and his instructors seem to know that respect given out of fear is just fear, but respect earned because of character is a lasting impression. The friendships that have been made here are priceless to us all and I will forever be grateful to Sensei for the awesome first impression he made on my son & for the continued interest he and the instructors show for my boys. PS: My 17 yr old daughter is now contemplating joining the adult class with her brother."
- Kristy T.

"The Way of the Shadow is training that can always be used in the real world. Just today a friend asked us why our son (who is currently a purple belt) did not do flips and somersaults and flashy competition demonstration style maneuvers. I said, why would you be doing flips and somersaults when you are being attacked and possibly fighting for your life? For this, they can enroll in the dojo's Demo Team. My son has learned so much at The Way of the Shadow, not just self defense: New friendships and real family values that the dojo has brought to us are priceless. Sharing in activities like the dojo's halloween haunted maze (Revenge of the Ninja Maze) and snowboarding trips to Big Bear brings all students, parents and the community closer together. Needless to say, with a dojo like this, the students learn to have self esteem, motivation, and respect for all things in their every day life."
- Rita C.

"We can not express our gratitude enough to the staff and the program as a whole. As the parents of a special need and a typical child, we have found a second home for our children. Society as a whole conforms the way a special need child should be treated, however your staff have given our son a sense of being and he has developed the utmost confidence not only in his ability to learn Ninjutsu but also in his school work and on his basketball team. His basketball coach has commented how he can tell how Jonathan has improved with his ball handling and the controlled manner in which he leads his team. His aggressiveness and rebounding has added better shot selections and has improved his game as a whole with the conditioning your program provides. It has been the instruction of your staff that has made our autistic son fit into society with confidence and the determination to prove that a special need child can do anything once they are properly instructed. Our daughter, who is considered a typical, is very girly and has benefited from your program as well. She now has the confidence that she can protect herself while remaining feminine. Because of her small frame she believes with the added instruction from your staff she is equally competitive not only on her basketball team but also on the soccer field and in her golf tournaments. Thank you once again for your encouraging words and guidance in directing our children on a path of greatness through their self esteem that was built based on the language of the ninja."
- William R. & Adrienne A.

"My son has been attending The Way of The Shadow Martial Arts Academy since 2007, at the age of 5.He is now in the Advanced Little's class. He has Mild Cerebral Palsy that affects the left side of his body. His neurologist advised me to enroll my son into martial arts. My sister-in law referred me to the dojo since his cousin was already a student there. Enrolling my son was the best thing I've done to help him overcome and improve balance, stamina,stretching, mental focus, and mental clarity. He has overcome so much, and it has helped his self-esteem and muscle strengthening. My soon to be 5 year old is on his way following his older brothers foot steps. He has been enrolled in the Mini Ninjas class for 7 months now. My one and a half is eagerly waiting to come of age to enroll as well. The instructors are amazing, they are patience, great mentors, and truly care about their students. The interaction between the children and parents has bonded friendships among all of us and has created a wonderful extension of all our families. The Way of The Shadow is The Way to Go."
- Melissa B.

"Both of my grandsons attend here and as soon as they are old enough I will sign up my granddaughters. The boys are learning not only the moves, but also when and why to use them. It has been great exercise and fun for them. They are learning balance, grace, positive thinking and self discipline. The instructors are patient, yet have high expectations for the kids which encourages them to excel. I would highly recommend this for children and adults."
- Sandra C.

"My step son have been going to the Way of the Shadow for the last 2 years and he absolutely LOVES it. There are great instructors and the summer camps are filled with great activities and weekly excursions to the local theme parks and entertainments. I also appreciate that the martial arts training teaches great self defense skills and they teach RESPECT for each other, to the Sensei, and to the martial arts. It's a very community conscious and family focus business and I feel really good sending my step son there knowing that he's being taught by great people! Highly recommend it for any children and adults. Will be sending my 3 year old there to learn as soon as he turns 4".
- Joanna R.


Adult Program Testimonials

"My wife and I have been attending this school for several months now and have been nothing but pleased every step of the way. We have been regularly attended their Cardio and Ninjutsu classes and love the results we've gotten. The Cardio classes will get you in shape faster than you can imagine, and they have upbeat music to keep your energy up. The Ninjutsu classes are very defense oriented and I now feel safer having been there. I have also been to the Yoga classes and I can tell you, it is harder than it looks. Highest marks!".
- Ronnie R.

"This place is perfect. I have been coming here for years and the instructors have been nothing but kind to me, helping me out with form, technique, and just about anything else when I needed it. They are really great at showing how to flow from one position to the next. It is all about the economy of motion and using the enemies as tools against them. Another thing is that the Sensei has taken traditional techniques and modernized them for more practical us. In a normal class, you won't be learning how to use a katana and or a shuriken (although we do go over those on a rare occasion). What you will learn instead would be how to fight using modern weapons. How to counter a small concealed knife, how to quickly disarm a gun from an enemies grasp. Things you would need in a urban brawl. Overall, this is one of the more practical styles of martial arts I have seen, and the instructors do an excellent job of teaching it in a way you would understand."
- Steven W.

We enrolled my step-son here because I thought the variety of striking, weapons, and grappling would be enough variety to keep him interested AND because I observed each of the classes during his trial week and found the quality of instruction excellent! After a few months of watching, I decided to join myself, and have been coming 4x/week for over two years now in the adult program. The instructors create a family atmosphere that is safe, yet challenging for all levels. Students get individualized instruction at some point each class, and the owner ensures his teachers all have CPR and first aid training as well as instruction on how to teach. There is a structured curriculum and clear system for progressing through the belt system. A very reasonable monthly tuition allows you to attend as many classes as you care to (up to 6/week!). This allows folks to come M-W-F if that's what their schedule allows, but since I travel for work a lot, I don't "lose out" on my class if I need to come certain days one week and different days another week. Oh, and did I mention that I have lost 20 pounds and am in better shape than I could have imagined for a 40+ woman?!
Love Way of the Shadow!  Can't recommend highly enough!
- Heather D.

follow us