Okami Martial Arts Karate and Kickboxing in Southend on Sea

My shy, nervous 5 year old has been attending Okami for 5 months now, and has gradually grown in confidence and technique thanks to Sensei and his amazing team, who are all so patient and supportive. He’s just passed his first belt grading exam, and he’s also learned how to defend himself against bullying with just his confidence alone. I cannot rate Okami highly enough. We knew from the taster sessions that this was the right place for my son to flourish. He looks forward to every session now. Thank you

My daughter started training at Okami when she was 3 years old, Sensei Ozel and his SWAT team are amazing at encouraging the younger kids to get involved. We took a break from training when covid occurred, and unfortunately didn’t return to Okami until my daughter was 6 years old. My daughter had really fond memories of Okami and had been asking to return during the whole period we were absent. When we did return approx 9 months ago, my daughter was ecstatic. She was warmly welcomed back to the dojo and made to feel part of the Okami family again, her confidence has improved, her attention has improved and she has developed a genuine love for karate. She is inspired by Sensei Ozel and his supporting SWAT team - so much so, that she has a goal of being in SWAT and she wants to to be a future Sensei! Since returning she has had 3 gradings, she trains hard for each one and it is really lovely to see how how much effort she puts in to this. I would recommend Okami Martial Arts to any parents - it is welcoming to all new members, supportive and really helps to build confidence in our kids, importantly, I love that my daughter is developing the skills to protect herself and enjoying herself at the same time! My only regret is that we didn’t return to training sooner!

Really helped my awfully shy son gain so much confidence.

Joining Okami Martial has been the best decision I've made for my two son’s. Sensei truly teach them respect, focus and discipline. My kids love every single lesson. Definitely recommend!

Made a massive change to my me and my kids life.. best choice I ever made! Karate for the win

One of my LO’s favourite clubs. Boosted his confidence as well as teaching a new skill in a fun environment. Highly recommend

Being new to kickboxing, I was obviously rather anxious, but Oz and his team were really welcoming. The other people in the class were really fun and helpful. Since trying the introductory offer, I have now become a full member and am enjoying learning new skills in a fun environment. Each session is differnt which helps you to keep developing skills and growing. Thanks Oz and the wonderful ladies at kickboxing!

Being new to kickboxing, I was obviously rather anxious, but Oz and his team were really welcoming. The other people in the class were really fun and helpful. Since trying the introductory offer, I have now become a full member and am enjoying learning new skills in a fun environment. Each session is differnt which helps you to keep developing skills and growing. Thanks Oz and the wonderful ladies at kickboxing!

Ozel and team are brilliant!! I would highly recommend

We love okami and Oz! My son has been going for 4 years and his confidence has grown so much. My daughter has now started and they love their karate lessons and I never have trouble getting them there! The encouragement and support they get is amazing. I would suggest everyone tried okami

Really great for the kids. Friendly club. Loads of fun. Great quality karate coaching.

Our son (10) started at Okami in the Warriors class just under a year ago; as a SEN child we were looking for an activity to help with his confidence, and improve his coordination, fitness, and attention. Learning karate has been great for his self esteem, and we have noticed improvements in his concentration and coordination - as well as the physical improvements our son can now count to 10 in Japanese, and is learning the Japanese names for different moves. The school has a very inclusive ethos, and sensei Oz and senpai Dan have both been really supportive of him, providing extra attention in class when he has struggled with something. Since he started his younger sister (8) asked to attend, and she has been really enjoying it as well. They have both made friends (which is something our son has struggled with at times), and the school encourages older students to be responsible for and help with the younger / newer students development. They are both always excited to go, and members can watch lessons remotely so we can see how much fun they have. My wife and I would definitely recommend Okami MA to anyone.

From the first moment I began this class I knew I would be hooked for life. I was made to feel so welcome by Oz and his team that I have kept coming back every week for 7 years. The support and knowledge given by Oz and other members of the class is second to none. You can work supported at your own pace or are encouraged to push further with great guidance but everything is done to your ability. Fantastic class with family style environment, would recommend a thousand times over. Thank you Oz/Okami.          

My son has been attending the Warriors class now for almost a year, he has special needs and this has been great for his confidence and focus as well as fitness - Sensei has an amazing ability to communicate with the kids to help them understand - his guidance and help has been much appreciated and its great to have such a positive role model in my sons life - thanks Sensei Osman Ozel! 100% recommended  

Wonderful martial arts school. Great for building kids' confidence. My 5-year-old loves it.

My eldest child has issues with confidence, so extreme that she is on Learning plans at school. Sensei takes time, I watch him weekly inspiring the young people in his care. He not only creates a safe environment but inspires kids to be better. He is generous and humble and although he listens he refuses to allow a child not to achieve. He is keeping kids fit and encouraging them to work at home....my own daughter has completed a full book of Japanese terms so she can count to ten, encouraged by Sensei. He defies all and has not just created a class but a community and a whole way of being able to engage with others who you would never have the chance of meeting. he brings diverse communities together and it leads to friendship with children and parents that would have never have been suspected. He knows all his participants whether young and old and many will go out of their way to help a vision that you know has a greater benefit than just the class your child attends.

I have experience in teaching internationally, young people, and yet, I sit in this class and watch my daughters and am inspired by the commitment to impart expertise that encourages development, empowerment, and a sense of worth along with strict technique and a sense of discipline and understanding of the heritage and language of Karate that ensures that every young person not only achieves their best but realises who they are as an individual and the nature of the area of study. There is patience, knowledge, and a sharing of a sense of community and family with a real engagement of every child's issues! Oh and did I mention, FUN! This is a Sensei that is very special, adores his craft but more importantly....adores sharing it.....I sometimes wish I could join in, I am that inspired!

I want to thank you for supporting my son in being able to stand up for himself and friends. Yesterday at school a child was fighting another, Frazier was confident to say no and stand up for this child, unfortunately this child then turned on frazier. He then blocked it using his blocking moves and then punched the child as the child went to the floor he went for Frazier again, at this point Frazier used the move he recently learnt and put the child to the floor. He held the child until a teacher came over. Frazier was praised for bravery and supporting his friends in self defence. Thank you for making my son a hero and confident to protect himself and his friends.

Both my 10 year old boy and 8 year old girl attend Sensei Oz's classes. Oz is great with the kids but also able to teach them respect at the same time. My son is quite shy and it's certainly bringing my son's confidence out. Thoroughly recommend.

Oz and his team are amazing with our little one. They take the time to help him understand what he is learning, as well as how to do it. We've seen his self confidence blossom in these classes and would recommend that anybody try them.

My boy has been going for almost 2 years and he has really come out of his shell, his confidence has soared and he has made some great friends as well. The staff has been wonderful and very understanding. Would recommend this wonderful group to anyone and everyone.

My son who is purple belt now has always really enjoyed his Karate classes with Oz. He goes to two classes a week, the discipline is great and makes for an excellent learning environment. Keep up the good work.

Oz is a fantastic teacher my child has come out of her shell alot. Great fun and teaching style he has to keep the kids focused. We had a 121 session and he was amazing with my child.

I would say that don't let your age stop you taking up martial arts. I started kickboxing when I was 50 and at 55 I now have my blue belt and am eager to keep progressing. I believe martial arts training has helped me stay fit and given me confidence in my body to give anything a go. You'll be surprised how many people of my age dismiss taking up any new sport because they think they are "too old". Well that's not true! Give it go, you'll feel fantastic afterwards.

Been coming here longer than I can remember. It has always been great fun and keeps my fitness levels up.

Oz and his team are great at making learning fun while working towards a good standard and wanting to see all kids progress.

Oz and his team have helped my son turn his path around. Often a shy boy is growing in confidence every week. I have found not just oz but the whole team very supportive to me and my son. The lessons are taught to a very high standard with a focus on technique. I recommend Okami to all my friends and family.

My son has hypermobility syndrome and was advised to take up karate to help strengthen his muscles and stabilise his joints. A friend recommended Okami Martial Arts, I’m so glad they did! My son now attends twice a week and couldn’t enjoy it more. Ozel is a brilliant sensei, he encourages his students in firm but fair way and makes his classes fun. He has been providing one to one tuition for my son working on strengthening exercises. We have seen a huge improvement in a short time and a significant reduction in pain. My son finds Ozel’s exercises much easier to follow than the sheet provided by his physiotherapist, probably because Ozel makes them fun!

Okami ladies' kickboxing and adult karate classes are amazing! I spent many years doing different kinds of exercise classes, gym, and swimming and I can honestly say nothing has been as effective as my sessions here. Since I joined my body has completely changed, I'm so much fitter and stronger and I feel so much better about myself. The classes give you a great mix of cardio and strength training and of course, we are learning skills to defend ourselves. My confidence has increased so much and I no longer feel as vulnerable as I once did when I am out alone. I have made so many fantastic friends, I love to go every week because I get to spend time with them all doing what we love. The classes are also brilliant stress relief. Being able to punch and kick the pads gives you a great outlet for the stresses of the week and helps to keep your mind focused on the here and now. There are so many benefits it's hard to squeeze them all into one review, but I would highly recommend anyone thinking of trying to give it a go!

My 10 year old son joined Okami warriors in November 2020. He always had a lack of confidence and used to get anxious regularly. Since joining the Okami family he has been warmly welcomed since day one. He has progressed so much so that he is now very confident and outgoing and very keen to gain his next belts. We cannot thank Sensei Osman and his team enough! Would highly recommend.

Okami Martial Arts has been nothing but amazing to our 4 year old with behaviour problems. Since joining in September 2020 we've seen great changes, better focus, listening to instructions, more discipline. The staff are 5 Star And Sensei Oz is always there to support, and amazing with the children, wish we would have joined a long time ago;).

Lily is enjoying the challenge coming up from dragons to warriors. Shy at first, but her confidence builds week by week and reflects in her approach to other things she undertakes at home and at school. To any parent I whole heartedly recommend this route to build many positive skills to assist your children in their lives ahead of them.

My son has attended Oz’s classes for 9 or 10 months now and has come on leaps and bounds with his confidence! He loves coming and I would happily travel to wherever a class was held! Excellent teacher!