Norfolk Karate Academy, Norfolk martial arts

Testimonials

When I began training at Norfolk Karate Academy I was beginning my career, out of shape, and overweight; I was looking for an activity to keep me interested and help me shape up. Not only was my health a motivating factor, but I was also looking for an outlet from my busy work schedule, a place to make new acquaintances. Now, almost a year and a half later, I have not only met many of my fitness goals, including losing over fifty pounds, but I have also developed an eclectic and encouraging group of friends. Inside and outside of the dojang, the people I have met at NKA offer support in all aspects of life, not just karate. NKA has become a second home for me, a place where I can grow, learn, and stretch my limits, ever striving to develop myself as a person and as a martial artist. The quality instruction, provided by Mr. Odom himself, coupled with the inviting atmosphere makes it a place I look forward to visiting daily, as I continue my journey of self improvement. [Aubrey Anderson, 24, Norfolk] Aubrey earned her black belt in tang soo do in June 2008.
I started training at NKA in Oct. 2005 - nine months before my 50th birthday -- partly out of curiosity (I'd always been intrigued by the martial arts), partly to spend time with my son, who was already enrolled, and partly because I wanted to write about the subject from the inside out. My wife didn't think I'd stick with it, and she had a point. I'd never stayed with a fitness regimen for more than about six months and even at my best had managed to work out only sporadically. Fast forward 18 months: I've lost 20 pounds without changing my diet (still love my beer!), and I go four to five times a week - NO WILL POWER REQUIRED. I look forward to it as one of the high points of my day for the physical and mental conditioning, the chance to bond with my son and the social interactions. (I've made some great friends there.) All of this is due to the skill, teaching style and commitment of owner/instructor Bill Odom. He's as good with six year olds as he is with old guys like me - and everyone in between, men and women alike. [Tom Robotham, 50, Norfolk] Tom earned his black belt in tang soo do in June 2008.
I grew up in a very sports-centric family. My father played college football and his plans to sire an entire offensive line was foiled by the birth of two daughters. We played every sport imaginable in grade school, but after college, I found myself with a desk job and getting motivated to stay fit was less appealing than eating cookies and watching Lifetime. I tried every spinning, cardio-kickboxing, body-sculpting, Pilates and yoga class at my gym only to find that I was either bored to tears or completely unwilling to wake-up at 5 am to listen to Japanese techno while riding a stationary bike. Martial arts seemed like the only mildly interesting form of exercise left. I worked on the appraisal of the facility, so I knew that the gym was going to be a nice one. On my first day, I felt so welcomed by the other students and the instructors. I have only been at the school for a month, but days that I have class are the highlight of my week. I am in better shape after one month of class than I was after years of elliptical machines and aerobics. I am more focused at work and self-confident in general. I have never worked harder or had more fun. It’s the best! [Katie Viccellio, 25]
I remember seeing a new karate dojang opening across from my favorite place to eat and seeing all the students hanging outside. After going up there I saw it saying "Norfolk Karate Academy." As soon as I got home I did some research on the internet and called right away. It was the best phone call I could have ever made. It changed my life in more ways than one. One of my goals in life was to get a black belt in karate. On and off for years, finding a great school with a great instructor was hard to find until now. Norfolk Karate Academy has improved my mentality, self-esteem, self-confidence, but most of all helped me live a healthier lifestyle. [Lorielee Jacinto, 27, Norfolk] Lorielee earned her black belt in tang soo do in June 2007.
I had been wanting to start a martial art for years, but had always been turned off by the strip-mall approach of most of the studios I encountered. Norfolk Karate Academy, in contrast, is a "real" school with a great facility, a flexible class schedule, and where the master teaches all of the classes himself. NKA attracts a wide range of students and is welcoming to many different ability levels. I really appreciate the team spirit of the other students, the skills and humor of the instructor, and the chance to make a long-held dream for myself come true. [Michael Harvey, 42, Norfolk]
I was almost 38 years old and at the beginning of what was shaping up to be a long, slow metamorphosis into being a middle aged couch potato. I had been looking for some challenging endeavor to get me back in to shape but found going to the gym very boring. That's when I read an article about Bill Odom and Norfolk Karate Academy in Portfolio Weekly. I had always been fascinated with the martial arts but had heard too many horror stories about charlatans who were more interested in separating you from your money than they were in teaching martial arts the right way. It seemed to me from the article that Mr. Odom did not fall into this category and was, in fact, "the real thing." So I decided to give NKA a try and it is one of the best things I have ever done for myself. Mr. Odom is an excellent and patient instructor. The environment at NKA is extremely welcoming and encouraging. After 11 months of practice, I am in the best overall physical condition of my life. In addition to the physical benefits and the fact that it's just a lot of fun, I have found martial arts practice at NKA to be an excellent vehicle to building confidence, patience, perseverance, camaraderie and respect for others. [Jeff Walter, 38, Portsmouth]
After moving to the Norfolk area, my boys and I started looking for a martial arts school with which they could continue their training. Both boys had five years training in Tae Kwon Do and black belts to go with it. Mr. Odom's personalized style is a great compliment to what they were taught before. Not only do they get to learn a new style of martial arts, they have some of the best and most practical self-defense training I have seen. I was so impressed, I took the women's self-defense class and learned alot. Norfolk Karate Academy was the best move we made. [Karen Adams, Chesapeake] Cody and Sam earned their student black belts in tang soo do in June 2007.
One month after my children enrolled in NKA, I donned a “gi” and had my first karate lesson at the age of 42. I trained several times a week and after a year of karate training, but no “dieting”, I lost 40 pounds. In addition to this serendipitous benefit, I have found that the NKA program instills in its participants the virtues of patience, endurance, camaraderie and physical well-being. [Lee Teevan, 43, Norfolk]
Why am I here? I was watching my son, Edwin aka The Destroyer, in class one day when two things struck me. One – Mr. Odom taught each form, kick or move in simple terms. They were simple enough that just by sitting on the side-lines I learned some of them. Two – the self-defense/jiu-jitsu moves that were being taught were similar to the Defensive Tactics taught at the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office Academy. So I figured why not join up. I get to spend time with my teenage son and keep my NSO skills up (and upgrade them, also). What have I gained? I have made friends of all ages and watched my son do the same. My coordination has improved and so has my self-confidence. Also as a result of NKA, I was able to become a NSO Defensive Tactics Instructor. I encourage any and all who read this to join up and/or stick with it. It is well worth your time and efforts (and the occasional bumps and bruises). [Kim Wells, Norfolk] Kim is now a certified Gracie Combatives for Law Enforcment instructor and a brown belt in tang soo do.

You Can Do It!

CALL 757.623.8997
EMAIL info@norfolkkarate.com
VISIT 814 W. 45th Street, Norfolk VA 23508