Build character, confidence, and self-defense skills
Discover a new level of physical and mental strength with Sacramento's top martial arts school.

See why parents and students love Kovar's Satori Academy!

Josiah Henderson
August 19, 2021
We love the instructors and program at Kovars at Madison! Our son has learned skills and grown his confidence in his training here. The Kovars staff has evolved so well during the covid pandemic as well. Great team and program.
Trace Bowers
December 13, 2022
Kovar's is a fantastic program for kids from toddlers to teens. And all the instructors are great with kids!!!
Ashley Cress
November 8, 2022
Kovars is one of the best things that has happened to my children. They love it here so much. They feel like they have a second family. They are learning so much. I love seeing there faces when they are training. My daughter is wanting to become an instructor. She is so dedicated and has learned a lot. My son is learning as well and learning more and more every day. Everyone that works there knows everyone and is so friendly and positive. Would recommend 100 percent. Thank you
April Smith
February 7, 2023
My daughter loves her classes. All the instructors are motivating and very friendly. They also teach the kids other life skills, like the importance of eating healthy, doing well in school, and doing their chores.
Khamphay Phongsavath
July 4, 2022
Great school!!!! I did my research along with advices from family who is in Martial Arts school of karate. The teachers and staff are extraordinary!!! My child loves going to this school 5-6 days a week. Very supported and understanding staff and teachers. I can say " to believed is to see if for yourself " Any reviews is not as good as seeing it yourself in person that is the FACT!!!
M'leesa Rogers
May 18, 2022
My son has been coming here for 3 weeks. He has a hard time focusing for long periods of time and he can be quite emotional on a not so great day but WOW. Everyone at Kovars is SO incredibly patient and kind. We do a lot of activities and I have NEVER seen so many people as a group or individually be so good with children. Even with larger groups, they find a way to individually make every child feel included and they do such a good job at cheering each kid on and making sure they know what to do and how to do it.
Greg Levin
September 17, 2022
For those seeking a facility for children, this review is intended. We chose Karate to help teach discipline, respect, self control, body awareness, and more to my 5 year old son who has been reluctant to engage in peer activities. Kovars was recommended by a friend and continues to exceed my expectations. Their ability to positively engage children is amazing. Their lessons consist of not only activity and training but also positive life lessons about engaging and interacting with others in their daily lives. The program director responded promptly to my initial inquiry into their program and continued to assist me until I had completed registration and arranged the first class. Upon arrival my son was nervous and did not want to enter the building, despite being excited to start class. A staff member came outside and immediately attempted to connect with him and within minutes he was ready to go inside. I am not sure he would have gone inside otherwise. This initial interaction set the tone and I immediately knew we had come to the right place. Once inside multiple instructors quickly recognized and addressed my sons anxiety and reservation about joining the group and assured us (mainly me) that many young students may just want to sit and watch for a few classes to gain comfort. During our time observing we were regularly greeted and by various staff members who were patient and engaging. Once he was ready, near the end of our second class he began a lesson off to the side with one of the instructors which made him comfortable participating. At the next class he was excited and ready to fully join the group. Upon completion of his classes, the pride and accomplishment he feels is palpable and he is determined to continue his training and looks forward to future accomplishments, with Kovars to thank.
Tia Guzman
April 21, 2021
My son has been apart of the academy for a little over 2 years and we absolutely love all of the instructors and the program overall! They are always so helpful and really involved and care about helping your child succeed not only with karate but also at home. They are always available for any and everything we might need for assistance with our son. HIGHLY RECOMEND for any child and also if you child is having trouble with focus this academy is awesome!!!!!!!
Andi Shaw
August 15, 2022
We love Kovar's Waterman and really every Kovar's my son has gotten to attend. They have the best staff. Our family greatly appreciates them. Thank you Kovars for being so awesome!
Justin Hurst
April 22, 2018
Dave Kovar is not just a fantastic person but runs an incredible company. Not only do you learn to defend yourself but you also become a better and more disciplined person.
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Locations
Across The Greater Sacramento Area
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Certified
Instructors & Program Directors
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Years
Serving The Sacramento Community
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Programs for all ages

Kids
Ages 4 to 12
Our martial arts program is second to none and has been voted Sacramento’s Top Martial Arts school for over a decade in the Sacramento A-List. Youth classes are broken up into two age groups - Lil' Samurai (Ages 4-7) and Juniors (Ages 8-12).

Teens
Ages 13 to 17
Kovar's Teen Program helps your young adult manage the stresses of school and teenage life. Our classes are a safe space for your teen to have fun and be themselves while developing life skills and good judgment through mental and physical skill-building exercises.
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Adults
Ages 18+
Take charge of your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Gain powerful self-defense skills in a supportive atmosphere. Enhance focus and perseverance for success in business. Develop attributes that positively impact both your own life and that of your children.
Looking for a more specific training style?
Specialty classes available at select Kovar's academies.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Available at our Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Roseville, and Natomas Academies
With Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, you learn real-life strategies for bringing your opponent to the ground, so that you can neutralize the attacks of larger, stronger assailants no matter their size.

Krav Maga
Available at our Carmichael Academy
Learn the battlefield-tested techniques military personnel and law enforcement agents use to handle confrontation. Krav Maga makes you stronger and faster in a short time.

What makes martial arts different from other sports?
While participating in other sports or activities can benefit your child, no other sport can provide the level of discipline, challenge, or emotional competency that Kovar's Martial Arts can.

Kovar’s
Martial Arts
Martial Arts
Other
Sports
Sports
Improves Physical Fitness
Provides Social Opportunities
Instills Discipline and Focus
Teaches Self-Defense
Decreases Likelihood of Being Bullied
Consistently Builds Confidence
Training For Preventing Bullying
Everyone Participates

Elite training for more than 40 years
In 1978, Hanshi Dave Kovar opened his first martial arts academy with the vision to empower people by teaching martial arts on an elite level found nowhere else. Joined by his brother Tim, the Kovar's quickly gained national recognition, opening new locations and earning industry accolades.
At Kovar's, we embody the spirit of Satori, a Japanese phrase that means “in the moment, at your best.” We added Satori to our name as a north star for the principles that make our academy unique: indomitable spirit, generosity, teamwork, and community. Our unique and unparalleled approach to martial arts has helped countless individuals achieve their full potential, and our story continues to evolve with each new student that joins our community.
Kovar's Blend of Martial Arts incorporates elements from: Mixed Martial Arts, Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kenpo, Eskrima, and Krav Maga, catering to diverse interests and providing a well-rounded training experience.

Ready to join Sacramento’s top Martial Arts community?

Frequently asked questions
What are the benefits of practicing martial arts?
Practicing martial arts offers numerous benefits, including self-defense and improved physical fitness, strength and agility, as well as increased mental focus and discipline. It can also help build confidence and self-esteem while providing a safe environment for learning. For more information, please visit Why Martial Arts?
How often are classes held?
We offer a variety of classes Monday-Saturday. Our hours are:
Monday - Friday: 3-9 PM
Saturday: 9 AM-12 PM
For the schedule of classes, please refer to each location page.
What qualifications and experience do your instructors have?
Our instructors boast a wide range of qualifications and experience in various martial arts styles, such as Mixed Martial Arts, Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kenpo, Eskrima, and Krav Maga. All of our instructors have been carefully trained and certified to ensure that our students receive the highest quality instruction.
Are there self-defense components included in the curriculum?
Self-defense is an integral part of our curriculum. We teach a hybrid of multiple styles of martial arts to provide students with the opportunity to apply self-defense skills against a resisting opponent through live training. Our classes cover five ranges of combat: Weapons, Kicking, Punching, Clinching, and Grappling so that you can be prepared for any situation. Self-defense training is a key benefit to training in the martial arts and you'll get plenty of practice with it in class!
How many classes can you attend per week?
Recommended attendance is 2-3 times per week, however, our programs come with unlimited classes. So you can attend as much or as little as your schedule allows!