Zen-Shin Martial Arts Academy

Zen shin academy is an outstanding club, it caters for all ages and ability’s ! The dojo is large as is the waiting area which provides lots of comfortable seating. The instructors teach with every ounce of passion, and there warm friendly nature makes you feel part of the family. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

An amazing and caring club that takes pride in the progress of each student, the betterment of each club and the rewards that karate brings in life improvements to those within the Zen-Shin community. Very highly recommended.

Reviewed on Facebook

Love this place!!!!!!!! Great place to learn self defence and be healthy.

Reviewed on Google Maps

My sister inlaw has been training at this club for some years now,definately the best club around.The instructors here are very passionate about what they teach. Highly skilled ,inspiring and bring out the best in there students.I wish them every success for the future in return for there integrity and hard work,and thank them for there positive influence! More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Really good

Reviewed on Facebook

Our whole family has been training with Zen-Shin for over two years and we love it. The club has a really community feel about it, we don't just turn up and train; we do social activities together and even a weekend away in Devon! Sensei John Richards is an amazing teacher and we can't recommend him enough. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

greaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat

Reviewed on Facebook

Great family atmosphere - good staff - value !

Reviewed on Facebook

Great atmosphere, great discipline and great job ���

Reviewed on Facebook

Incredible Karate club! Understands children's needs and development, great people and instructors too

Reviewed on Facebook

Huge part of my life growing up. So many good and positive memories. Lovely to see the club continuing its journey �

Reviewed on Facebook

With one of, if not the highest graded instructors in Europe in the shape of Kyoshi John Richards, Zen Shin endeavours to produce quality students and instructors who know and embody all the disciplines of traditional Shotakan Karate.

Reviewed on Facebook

Absolute respect to Master Richards and his team. My Son Phoenix-Montana has ADHD and I find that this is helping him deal with his sensory issues and anger issue's. Very friendly approach and make you feel very welcome. 1st time I met them tonight. One thing I do love is the DISCIPLINE and RESPECT! My son definitely need's this in his life! Thank you for teaching my boy. X More...

Reviewed on Facebook

My son Joshua struggled at school with his behaviour when he was in year 1 we turned to karate to help him with self control and improve his behaviour.
With sensei Richards help Joshua turned his behaviour around unfortunately school never forgot about year 1 but Joshua gives his all to karate and he is happiest when he is there and now goes twice a week sometimes three times with sensei Mitch we can't thank you all enough you are fab xxxx More...

Reviewed on Facebook

I joined ladies kickboxing it has inspired me. I was encouraged to keep going by San, zerica , and a few others helped me along the path getting better it was great for my health. My instructor sensei pansy Wright made me realise to never to loose the willing to give up sensei made me work hard it was all worth it at end she taught me alot.I have also joined karate which has More...

Reviewed on Facebook

I trained with Zen Shin for almost 20 years. You learn a martial art from one of the best in the country but you are also taught self discipline, respect and overall fitness. Every grade achieved is a grade earned unlike other clubs. Thanks Sensei, Oss. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Kyoshi John Richards is the real deal, I train at the club, my 7 year old boy trains with the junior's and we both love, the club has a great atmosphere, the training is excellent, if you were thinking of training and been putting it off, dont delay this is a family club so come join us and try it out.

Reviewed on Facebook

Fantastic club!

Reviewed on Facebook

Before moving to Australia in 2006 my son ( Benjamin) and daughter ( Bethany) attended lessons at Sutto Coldfield . We found John Richards to have a true passion about the martial arts he was teaching. It was done in a proffesional way and upon meeting John for the first time w as s put at complete ease. He was pleasant, understanding and very patient and this showed throughout his immediate family who all showed the same traits. My children looked forward to all their lessons.I would recommend Zen - Shin above all others and wish John and his family all the very best and thank you.P More...

Reviewed on Facebook

If you're looking for the best martial arts club in Birmingham, then you've come to the right place - Zen Shin Martial Arts Association! Kyoshi John Richards and his team are inspirational - they'll bring out the best in you physically and mentally - suitable for kids and adults! X More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Couldn't imagine a world without it. Zen-Shin is life

Reviewed on Facebook

Zen-Shin is the best martial arts association I could possibly recommend.They offer more than the martial arts themselves they teach the history of arts and give you a new outlook on life and how live it in a peaceful calm and inspired manner. Our whole family does karate and Kyoshi Richards and Sensei Mitch have enriched all our lives in different ways.Dont think about it join and you won't look back More...

Reviewed on Facebook

I loved my time at Zen-Shin Martial Arts Academy. I learnt many skills that I still remember today and I enjoyed the feeling of being a part of the Zen-Shin family.

Sensei John Richards is the greatest teacher anyone could ask for, with the uncanny ability to bring out the best in every student. You are taught self-disipline, respect and life skills that stay with you for many years.

I look forward to seeing Sensei and Zen-Shin again in the future. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Zen Shin is definitely a way of life. It builds you spiritually as well as physically. More than just a sport. It's a way of connecting to your inner self.

Reviewed on Facebook

Been doing kickboxing for over a year now lost 3 and a half stones. It's a life changing experience.was diabetic type 2 and had a high blood pressure but it's all controlled now.

Reviewed on Google Maps

My husband ,myself and my 11 year old son train with Kyo-shi John Richards. My son Ruaidhri, known as Bear, starting when he was six , he had won Silver and Bronze in Germany last year , his first International competition, to add to his other medals, and his dream is to train for the Olympics in 2014. Kyo-shi is an 8 th Dan and is astounding to watch. The club teaches the real essence of Karate - respect, honour, discipline and morality. However I believe there is nowhere that I know of that can also teach the art itself so well. Such attention to detail.Regarding defending yourself we are taught everything from how to walk so you don't look like a victim to how to deal with an attack quickly and effectively. As a woman my habits in how I deal with situations have changed and I'm no longer scared walking alone at night or in multi story car parks. It has helped my mental and physical health and made me a better person. I've also dropped a stone and a half without trying and I'm fitter than Ive ever been. When I started I could only do 15 miniuts due to health reasons, now it's my way of life. If I can do it anyone can do it , you can overcome health problems, mental and physical. I would recommend Zen-shin to anyone considering a martial art, They have wonderful Sensei's and an extrodinary world renowned Kyo-shi John Richards. Come along we are a nice bunch of people who will be delighted make you feel welcome and part of our Karate family. We also have a great deal of fun and lots of laughs. Come on! Pick up the phone and change your life for the better.! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Wow...

Reviewed on Google Maps

recommend

Reviewed on Google Maps

very helpful and nice helpline very friendly and understanding

Reviewed on Google Maps

My son has been a student at this club based in Hockley, for just over 2 years and the improvement in him both mentally and physically has been quite astounding. This club encourages their students, stimulates discipline, responsibility and maturity, no matter their age or background. I have been and still am impressed with the quality, stability and organisation of this club and the high level of achievement they expect from their students, not only in karate, but also academically. My son has three (3) instructors and I am proud to say that they are respectable, approachable and most of all trustworthy; I would have no doubt that, he would be truly 'looked after' and safe, if left in their care for any reason. they have been so inspirational that, I was tempted to start doing kickboxing/karate myself but thought that I would not physically 'endure the test'. I will encourage anyone both adult or child, if you lack self-esteem, excellent work, Zen-Shin!!Elva James-Galloway More...

Reviewed on Yell

it is fantasic

Reviewed on Google Maps

I go here it's great

Reviewed on Google Maps

I have trained with zen-shin since I was 10 years old. For 13 years I have been apart of the zen-shin family. The confidence it has given me growing up as young lady in such a big city has been life changing. Kyoshi Richards is an inspiration to us all. We love him! Jade xxx More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

I started ladies kickboxing with the Zen Shin academy nearly 3 years ago. It is one of the best things i have ever done in my life. It has improved my confidence, fitness, strength, mood and waist line!!! I have a lovely circle of friends in the club (its like having another family) and has improved my social life.The teaching i receive from Sensei Pansy Wright and Kyoshi John Richards is of the highest quality and the standard is consistantly high. My two children are taught Karate also with this club and thoroughly enjoy it. Karate here has helped amazingly with my 5 year old sons behaviour through encouragement and discipline and my 9 year old daughter who has moderate cerebral palsy has recently joined and loves it with a passion her teachers and physiotherapists have already noticed the increased strenght in her legs.Zen Shin has done so so much for me and my children and i will always be grateful. It is an honour to be a Zen Shin student x More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Zen-Shin Back Belt Academy is a fantastic Shotokan Karate club. All of my family train. My son and daughter are both World Champions and would not be the children they are with out this club My daughter is also a black belt and my son is in the process of taking his. The instructors are committed, hard working and enthusiastic, they value each child and every child is treated as an individual. This club encourages students to be the very best they can be both as martial artists and as people. The chief instructor Kyoshi John Richards is an inspiration and was recently recognised in an award ceremony for his outstanding contribution to martial arts.Don't be intimidated by this, the club is very friendly and welcoming and many long standing friendships are forged during training. There is an opportunity for students to try out sessions free of charge before they commit, If you are looking for a Karate Class give Zen- Shin a go, I have no doubt that you will be impressed! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I started practicing Karate in December 1988 where my parents found a local Zen-shin club as a 9 year old boy I was made to feel not only welcome as a new student but almost part of a new extended family. The instructors where aware of the needs of each individual and accommodated there needs to get the best out of every one, my instructor is the assistant chief instructor at Zen-shin and when you talk to him and see him teach or train he oozes Pride, Passion, and Love for the sport he does, have trained with other instructors within the organization I found this to be the same at which ever club you train at.Now after training myself for almost 22 years I enrolled my 5 year old daughter into a Zen -shin club and am so pleased with the benefits she has gained from training,ConfidenceFitnessBetter ConcentrationDisciplineJust to list a few,If what you are looking for is a an organization that is Family friendly, dedicated to each and every student whilst teaching with passion which creates a spirit that no student could get bored with, Or an organization that offers safe well controlled environment to train in, as well as opportunity to attend National and World Championship Competitions, Instructors courses, Referee and Judge courses, Kata and Kumite Squad training not to mention much much more, Then with out a doubt I would Recommend Zen-shin. Wayne Jones More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Zen Shin for me is the epitomy of quality martial arts. I first came to Zen Shin as an eight-year-old girl and have been training with the association for almost ten years. Now eighteen, I can safely say I'd be nothing like the person I am today had I never come to Zen Shin. I had previously trained at a club in Nottinghamshire, a large, money-making factory which readily churned out 'black belts'. The difference between that and Zen Shin was striking. I've found that both as a child and as an adult, individual attention is paid to each and every student, which is a massive help to those low on confidence. I have heard instructors consider individual students carefully, discussing what they can improve on, and how to help them. This is just one of many things which confirm just how much the Senseis care about their students' progress, and this shows in the development of each member. The standard of teaching itself is fantastic. It's hard to fully appreciate how professional the Senseis are. They really are instructors through and through, and I have always felt how I am in such excellent hands. Zen Shin has a brilliant blend of challenges and community feel. I have taken gradings, participated in competitions and challenged myself by going on weekend training courses in Devon which have all inspired me to constantly up my standard. Social evenings out and simply chatting to other members before and after lessons are part of what builds up the all-accepting attitude of the Zen Shin community, which sometimes can be so hard to come by in other clubs. Nor is it 'elitist', like so many other academies where slow starters are quickly washed out. The quality of karate is extremely high but I have seen this is due to instructors truly caring about their students and not being able to wait to see individual development. They recognise, after all, that each student has their own story and will have difficulties along the way because of different things. Never is a child or adult written off. Those of my fellow students who are challenged with physical or mental disabilities benefit enormously from being at Zen Shin just like any other member. In fact I've found that many embody the hard-working spirit and determination that is so prominent in the club. As a child it was easy to take the high level of discipline in the dojo for granted. It really is uncanny though, seeing how well-behaved young children can be during their karate class when they're at the age at which distraction or lack of discipline in the school classroom is typical. The instructors seem to be so sensitive to the children's needs and have such a good knowledge of how they tick, that classes are always well-maintained and the instructors actually make keeping twenty or so kids under control look easy. The Student's Creed, which all members must learn, is particularly useful for younger people who are reminded about the values and responsibilities which come with learning karate. I've actually heard quite a few parents describing how much more focused their children are becoming at school thanks to karate, and it has definitely done the same for me. Like many others, the sense of achievement has helped develop my confidence and I've been surprised at how this has translated to so many other areas of my life. I have been extremely lucky to have grown up with karate, and the way in which it was taught at Zen Shin. As an adult now, the classes are challenging but just as fun and worthwhile. An advantage of training as an adult is the ability to connect with your instructors, who, in my case, have known me since my childhood. Each instructor is a friend of mine and it would be extremely hard for me not to admire them after seeing how great they are as teachers, but also for their values and beliefs about karate. Unlike so many others, they haven't fallen into the trap of karate-for-money, but instead are focused on long-term development of the individual and for this reason, I'm fortunate enough not to be part of the recycled thousands of martial artists who passed in and out of the art because teachers weren't quite bent enough upon committing to each student.They have a real passion for karate, the same way they have a real passion for positively influencing lives, as they've done mine. Karate is now a part of my identity and confidence. Really, one of the most essential things I've realised from being at Zen Shin is that whatever belt you're grading for - be it black, brown, orange... - it's not really about getting it. What captures you more is the thought of deserving it. More...

Reviewed on Yelp