Traditional Karate. Built for Real Life.
Okinawan karate for adults -- for self-defense, not sport. Small groups. Expert instruction. A community worth belonging to.
Traditional Okinawan Self-Defense Karate for Active Adults,
Self-Defense Martial Arts for Grown-Ups
You're never too old to learn karate and practical self-defense. But why settle for a kids' school. You deserve to learn from the best adult-focused instructors, and train with other adult students.
We offer 3 programs: Adult Karate, The Midday Dojo, Women's Karate. All rooted in the same traditional Okinawan karate.
Our Self-Defense Karate Programs
Adult Self-Defense Karate
Women's Self-Defense Karate
Adult Self-Defense Karate
Serious karate for serious adults.
Our core program teaches traditional Okinawan karate the way it was meant to be practiced — for real self-defense, not sport or performance. Classes run evenings throughout the week and at noon Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. All levels train together. Beginners are always paired with experienced students.
Serious karate for serious adults.
Our core program teaches traditional Okinawan karate the way it was meant to be practiced — for real self-defense, not sport or performance. Classes run evenings throughout the week and at noon Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. All levels train together. Beginners are always paired with experienced students. Your membership gives you access to every class we offer.
Class Details: Evenings Mon –Thur, Saturday morning + Noon Mon · Wed · Fri · All levels welcome · No experience required
The Midday Dojo
Women's Self-Defense Karate
Adult Self-Defense Karate
You don't have to have started young.
Noon classes Monday, Wednesday, and Friday — built for active adults who have the freedom to train during the day. Our Midday Dojo draws men and women in their 50s, 60s, and beyond who wanted something more meaningful than a gym membership. Same traditional Okinawan karate. Same expert instruction. Don
You don't have to have started young.
Noon classes Monday, Wednesday, and Friday — built for active adults who have the freedom to train during the day. Our Midday Dojo draws men and women in their 50s, 60s, and beyond who wanted something more meaningful than a gym membership. Same traditional Okinawan karate. Same expert instruction. Done by 1pm.
Class Details: Mon · Wed · Fri · Noon · Active adults · No experience required
Women's Self-Defense Karate
Women's Self-Defense Karate
Women's Self-Defense Karate
Built for women. Taught by women.
Our women's program teaches the same traditional Okinawan karate curriculum in a women-only environment — practical self-defense in a supportive, focused setting. Open to women of all ages and fitness levels. Teens are welcome to train on their own or with their mother.
Class Details: Evenings Tues & Thurs
Built for women. Taught by women.
Our women's program teaches the same traditional Okinawan karate curriculum in a women-only environment — practical self-defense in a supportive, focused setting. Open to women of all ages and fitness levels. Teens are welcome to train on their own or with their mother.
Class Details: Evenings Tues & Thurs, Sunday Afternoon · All ages and fitness levels · Women-only classes
Your Instructors
World-class instruction. On your Schedule.
Virginia Dojo is led by Hanshi Roberto Curtis, 9th dan — a direct student of the late Grand Master Seikichi Iha, 10th dan, and a 50-year practitioner recognized as Alexandria's Best Martial Arts Instructor every year since 2017.
Alongside him, Denise Coursey, 4th dan, co-owner and founder of Okinawan Karate for Women, brings more than two decades of teaching experience to the mat.
Hanshi Curtis (and many of our senior students) speak English and Spanish — so if Spanish is your first language, you're welcome here.
About Virginia Martial Arts: What Makes Us Special
Our Proud Karate Lineage
Virginia Okinawan Karate (DBA Virginia Dojo LLC) is a proud member of the Beikoku Shidokan Karatedo Association -- founded by Hanshi Seikichi Iha, 10th Dan. Our experienced instructors have trained with some of the best in the world and are dedicated to teaching the art of self-defense karate to students of all ages and abilities.