Norfolk Karate Academy/Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Norfolk

Fabulous Tang Soo Do (Korean martial art ~ karate) and Brazilian Jui Jitsu training center with individual, couples and family memberships that grant access to programs/classes for all experience/ages. In addition to yoga and female self defense classes, they're the only certified Gracie Jui Jitsu gym around; there are even photos of the owners/instructors with Grand Master Rorion taken in the gym. They run unlimited membership trial specials ranging from 10-14 days at no cost, including a uniform!

Our son has been enrolled in "Gracie Bulleyproof" since Oct 2017 and he loves it; though he's small for his age, we like that Gracie has structured rules of engagement, first focusing on avoiding altercations then preparing him how to diffuse situations and defend himself as a last resort. The non-striking aspect was key, especially since he's likely to "practice" on his younger boy-so-littler brother.

All of his instructors really care about the kids and take time to teach/demonstrate on their levels of understanding and experience. Our son's favorite is Bernardo, who just happens to be from Brazil!

The gym does a great job of making you feel like a member of a family while also valuing you as a paying customer. Going out of town for a long period of time? They've allowed us to freeze our membership without ridicule!

It's a worthwhile investment and experience that I personally wish I would have undertaken sooner.

Grew up doing martial arts and hadn't quite found a good fit now as an adult until I came across NKA. The classes are very thorough, instructors really take their time with you one on one as much as they can until you perfect your technique. Very organized plan for you to keep up with what you have learned and plenty of time to practice. The spaces are very clean and everyone is very helpful and friendly! Staff and students. Highly recommend!

I've been training jujitsu at NKA for about two and a half years. The gym has a warmth and positivity that is hard to find. The instructors stress the importance of skill before the use of power and strength that creates very technique oriented students. From a woman's perspective, NKA has made me feel comfortable in an environment that is primarily male-dominated​ and has continually supported my empowerment.

If you want to train your body and mind to be strong and to defend yourself just come here! You'll be glad you did. My only regret is that I only found this place about 2 years ago and not 10. I drive in from Hampton to train in Gracie Jiujitsu here because it's the best place to do it. It's clean. The staff is great and the insrtuctors are experts. The environment is friendly and inviting so you can't go wrong. Here at Norfolk Karate Academy you become your best self learning self defense principles and techniques that are truely effective but have biggest impact when you don't use them at all. Come try it for free for ten days. You're gonna love it. The ten days is to determine if you simply love it or if you can't live without it.

Awesome, awesome place to train. Let's get the boring stuff out of the way: the facilities are great. They have a spacious training room mainly for the karate classes that has brand new padding that makes falling feel like landing on pillows (ok, so not THAT soft). There is also a secondary training room that is used for the Gracie Jiu-jitsu with even softer padding. In addition to all this, there is even a mini gym with elliptical machines and weights (free and machines).

Now, the reason this place is really great: the people! The owner, Bill Odom, is open and friendly and I think knows every student by name. The instructors are knowledgeable and makes learning fun for both kids and adults.

Norfolk Karate Academy is also very family friendly. There are entire families who train here and everyone is very welcoming. There is usually some event every month such as parents' date night (drop the kiddies off), a potluck, or seminars taught by experts such as Felix Valencia or Javier Vasquez.

A must try for those looking to keep training or to learn something new.

Best place to train in Hampton Roads. Here's the thing....Bill and his instructors genuinely care about their student. This is a place where you will grow and develop in an environment that exists for their students. This is top notch training. Top notch instructors.

Studied Gracie Jiu-Jitsu there for a while. The instructors are the greatest in the area and having the Gracie's come out a few times a year adds to the level of instruction. I can't say enough kind words about the owner. He truly helps you to feel welcome and creates an atmosphere that is above any school in the area in regards to quality and helping you to learn. A philosophy that is big there is "There is no bad student, only bad teachers" and they live it. Always there to take to the time to help you learn. Too bad the Navy has kept me too busy to remain a student, but I can't wait to return.

Awesome place to train! This team is top notch. Great combination of striking (Tang Soo do) and groundfighting (Gracie Jiu-jitsu). Beautiful school and cavernous mat space! Definitely get over there if you are in the area and are serious about your training!~

For 4 years my boys trained at NKA 2-3 times a week. They learned about control, perseverance and the glory of working hard to reach a goal. The instructors are knowledgeable, patient and committed. We've recently moved away from Norfolk, VA. We miss the school and the community of students there. If you live in Norfolk and are not training here, you are missing out.

Norfolk Karate Academy has a thriving community of martial arts practitioners from all walks of life who share a passion for learning and a dedication to their art. There is something for everyone here, with classes for kids and adults at all levels and a self-defense program specifically for women. Wether you start as a complete beginner to martial arts as I did, or have many years of experience under your belt, you will find the atmosphere supportive yet challenging enough to keep you growing and improving. The curriculum is extensive and well structured, with superb attention to detail at each level. The combined Tang Soo Do and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu curriculum is outstanding and will give you a very well-rounded understanding of fighting and self-defense. As a Certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Training Center, members of the Gracie family teach workshops several times a year, giving you instruction that's as direct from the source as it gets. I've found the instructors and advanced students to be enthusiastic, welcoming and very down-to-earth. I doubt you will find a more authentic and ego-less place to train in this area.