Martial arts got its kick-start in America when Korean-American Jhoon Rhee arrived in Texas in 1956 for military training with the USAF. Rhee taught the first known tae kwon do class at the University of Texas in 1959, according to Ashcrafts Martial Fitness. This started a martial arts tradition in Texas with well-known experts, such as champion kick boxer Steve Ashcraft, opening up first-class Texas dojos. Ashcraft's dojo paved the way for some of the best karate classes in San Antonio.
Ashcraft's Influence
Ashcrafts Martial Fitness is still in operation as of 2011 and is located at the site of Steve Ashcraft's original dojo off of Nakoma Drive in San Antonio. It started out as Texas Black belt Institute in the 1970s where Steve Ashcraft first began teaching martial arts. Ashcraft had trained under Allen Steen, American karate champion who had studied under original American tae kwon do initiator and teacher Jhoon Rhee, according to Ashcrafts Martial Fitness. Ashcraft continued to train with Steen and other American martial arts pioneers, such as Alvin Francis, Demetris Havannas and Joe Lewis, in the 1970s. Ashcraft soon went on to develop a career in kick boxing, which eventually led to a No. 3 ranking in the world and a No. 1 ranking in Texas, according to Ashcrafts Martial Fitness. Because of Ashcraft's influence since the 1970s, martial arts, such as tae kwon do, kick boxing and karate, have rapidly gained popularity in the San Antonio area and many training facilities have popped up over the years. Along with the momentum of mixed martial arts, training in the U.S., you can find many dojos in San Antonio as of 2011, but only a few of them offer the best karate classes in San Antonio.
Ashcrafts Martial Fitness
Besides its original location, as of 2011, Ashcrafts Martial Fitness also operates a dojo in Schertz, a suburb of San Antonio. You can participate in a free trial class at either location if you're interested in learning martial arts. Train in a "state of the art" facility and choose from a wide range of programs, such as mixed martial arts, including karate and kick boxing, personal training and weight loss programs, according to the dojo website. Martial arts competition programs are also available. Children from age 4, teens and adults can train at Ashcrafts Martial Fitness.
Karate Plus
Karate Plus was a "Best Martial Arts Classes in San Antonio Winner" in 2009, and provides mixed martial arts and karate training programs, as well as aerobic kick boxing and jujitsu fitness programs. The dojo also offers competition training programs, as well as "Handicapable Programs," says Karate Plus. Children and adult participants are welcome. You can sign up for an introductory class at a reduced rate. The Karate Plus martial arts Personal Development Center is located at Westlakes Village in San Antonio.
Peace Keeper Karate
Peace Keeper Karate was given a 71 percent approval score by San Antonioians on the KENS 5 Mojo Pages consumer rating guide for martial arts in the area. The martial arts school offers MMA training, including karate, as well as self-defense and fitness training programs, for adults and children of all ages. The facility is located off Grissom Road in San Antonio.
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