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

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!


Jessica Bauer
November 7, 2022

My son (8 years old) was struggling with school and social anxiety. Kovar’s helps students with confidence and everyday life issues. Each class they have a teachable moment for mental well-being as well as physical activity. After just 2 classes, my son’s performance drastically changed at school. Instructors are personable and friendly and the entire program is supportive. Absolutely love Kovar’s Satori Academy. Highly recommend.

Chris Tatro
July 3, 2023

I went there from maybe 2016 to 2020. Loved all of my instructors and I learned a lot.


Ben Combs
October 17, 2019

I have trained in this location for a number of years in Krav Maga. The instructors create a safe and encouraging environment for all ages, skill levels, and levels of conditioning. They have an obvious level of proficiency in the curriculum that has been published by the Krav Maga Alliance while still being able to expand with tips on how maneuvers may be applied more effectively. Krav Maga is the quickest route from knowing absolutely nothing about defending yourself to becoming an able combatant in a variety of situations, and each level builds upon the previous one (from learning how to throw a proper punch in level 1 through defending from an armed assailant on the other side of a countertop in levels 5 and 6).Beyond the high quality of instruction, the sense of team and camaraderie that I experience with my fellow students is built quickly and strongly. This is because it is a unique experience that you are sharing with these people and you have to trust them to practice safely just as they must trust you. Class after class of sweating, training and sparring with the same people is a relationship that you can only know if you've been party to it. I have built friendships with these people that I see twice a week for an hour far more quickly than I do with people at work that I see every day for 8 hours.

Sheri lynn Gansel - Cortez
August 4, 2020

My 5 year old grand daughter s self esteem  has gone up!Unbelievable!She loves  earning the star patches. And it helps teaches her to follow the instructions too

The Santiago Family Home
March 8, 2024
We can’t say enough wonderful things about Kovar’s Natomas. We have been training there for over 10 years. The life lessons we have learned, the skills we have obtained, the great people we have met and continue to grow with… are just a few of the experiences we love and enjoy. Looking forward to many more years to come.
1776
June 28, 2023

My son started here at Kovar’s a few months ago. He absolutely loves coming to class. Every instructor is professional and extremely good with the toddlers/preschool age kids in his class (who are significantly harder to coach well and maintain patience with compared to school aged children)

I taught competitive sports for well over 14 years at a high level. Worked with Olympian’s and the coaches who coached them. Take my word for it - the instructors here are excellent.

Caswell has been teaching since I was a child (in fact, he was my instructor)

The very few times I have had to defend myself in the real world, I won the fights in devastating fashion and my aggressors honestly had no idea what happened to them.

From correct striking to discipline and routine, kovars is worth every penny.

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.

Tina Scholz
July 6, 2023

My daughter has been at the Folsom location for the last year and never once have I had to argue the facts that she needed to go to class.   She loves learning all the different styles this Dojo and Sensa has to offer.

Robert Du Gaue
December 6, 2022

Beat place in town for Martial Arts, both kids and adults.

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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
junior kovar students holding fists

Martial arts skills
are life skills

Get the tools to succeed at school, at home, and in life with elite martial arts training

Try our program risk-free

Programs for all ages

Looking for a more specific training style?

Specialty classes available at select Kovar's academies.

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.

boy boxing
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 45 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!