Geist Martial Arts

We couldn’t be happier with our experience at Geist Martial Arts! Our daughter is small for her age, and we were initially worried about bullying at school. After researching various karate classes, we found Geist Martial Arts and were impressed. From the very first class, it was clear that this was the perfect fit. Fast forward two years, and our daughter is now about to earn her black belt! The Byrd family has created an exceptional environment that goes beyond teaching karate—they foster a true sense of community and family. They are incredibly skilled, accommodating, and supportive, making every child feel confident and empowered. Geist Martial Arts is hands down one of the best karate schools in the area!

This is the very first martial arts class my son has ever attended! My son has been coming here for a few years now and is very happy! We really loved it here since day one! Mr. Byrd and everyone else here makes class very fun and engaging everyday. He has a very unique fun way to instruct a class. Everyone here is very nice! My son feels safe and special here! We really love Geist Martial Arts and we highly recommend you bring your child here.

The Byrd’s were a huge part of my now 22 and 20y/o son’s youth. Can’t say enough wonderful things about them and their studio. My boys are confident, respectful and, are in the road to a great adult life due to the influence and skills acquired at Geist Martial Arts! Thanks you…, we are forever grateful!!

I can’t say enough great things about the Byrd family and the program they run. Mr. Byrd does an excellent job of teaching discipline, perseverance, and self control in a fun way that resonates with the kids. My children have been a part of this program for almost a year and they continue to get excited about karate. Highly recommend!

Let's start off with saying my kids love Mr. Byrd and all the instructors. Mr. Byrd adds a little humor into his teachings, keeping the kids engaged. He also teaches them about having self control, determination when it gets hard, and other lessons that matter in their daily lives..all while providing them with skills in self defense and confidence. Another benefit is they don't make you sign a contract, gracious with payment times when needed and they are flexible with class times (we are a very busy family and they have allowed us to attend a different class level when needed since the times worked better for us). I also love that they genuinely like to give back to the community. I wish all businesses ran the way they do. I could go on, but come find out for yourselves.

All 3 members of my family have earned black belts at Geist Martial Arts. My daughter was the first to join, as a "Tiny Tiger" at age 4. I was last, in September of 2020. This upcoming summer, we will have been a part of the Geist Martial Arts family for 10 years as my wife is still on her journey at 3rd degree black belt. It's been wonderful for all of us and valuable to each of us in different ways. For example, as a hater of exercise, classes kept me engaged and practicing longer than anything else I've tried. The individual modifications to exercises, accountability of a small environment where the owners and instructors care about each person, and the individual attention to specific aspects of progress mean that I was able to stick with it long enough to reach my starting goal of reaching black belt. Unlike my wife and daughter, I spent almost the entirety of my journey through the color belts in my 40s and a hundred pounds overweight. My favorite thing that I have yet to mention is the affordability (go to as many classes as you want per month AND each additional student in a family costs less) and that there is no contract required. There was zero way I would have signed a contract to put a 4 year-old in any activity. I've seen so many kids of all types of backgrounds succeed here. But the only common thread I've seen between people who haven't succeeded at Geist Martial Arts is if they've given up. As long as they keep trying, I've never seen a child or adult not make it to black belt. And it's so much fun, the kids almost never want to quit!

We are coming up on a year of lessons at Geist Martial Arts and I cannot say enough good things about this place and the people who are there! I work in the world of informal education in one of the best children’s museums in the world and I can say without a doubt that Mr. Byrd is one of the best teachers I have watched. Every teacher here is amazing! I love that my son can experience not only wonderful adult role models, but also children who are teachers he can aspire to be like. Geist Martial Arts is not only awesome for learning taekwondo, but also learning how to be a good human with confidence, integrity, and the ability to never give up! Not to mention how accessible this place is! You really should come try it out!