Millennium Martial Arts Academy

as I was looking at the few negative comments and the one comment about all the positive comments, I decided to write one too! I guess no-one is perfect... but this school is definitely close enough for me and my family!

we just moved here from the east coast. we've done martial arts as a family for a few years. obviously, the kids didn't want to leave their friends behind and especially their old karate school. after visiting Master Butler and his school (Millennium Academy), we tried a class and signed up pretty much after our first class!

the kids loved him and I think he's one of the BEST teachers I have ever seen. gentle and kind but firm and serious. it's great fun but the way he teaches is honest and direct. I can't explain it. you have to come in for yourselves!!!

good location, good pricing. BEST decision we've made and I even got in class too for my personal fitness need PLUS I now get to spend time with the kids! great FAMILY activity! we're SOLD! thank you SIR!

I've been going to this school since April 2006. As a kid I was never into sports (much more of a bookworm), so I was pretty nervous about walking into something like this as an adult. 6.5 years later and I'm a 1st degree black belt and I teach at the school. As a previous reviewer mentioned, there are probably a lot of these reviewers who help at the school in some way, or since leaving these reviews have been with us long enough now that they are black belts and are starting to help at the school. But here's what that person doesn't point out: we volunteer. We are not employed, therefore no one is paying us to leave positive reviews. In fact, we are still students (a.k.a. "customers"). We leave positive reviews and assist at the school because that is part of the martial arts way and the family atmosphere that Master Butler has created at Millennium. The higher ranks helped support us when we were nervous newbies. So now that we are higher ranks, we see that person walk in for the first time and think, "Boy, I know how that person is feeling", and we want to help. Yes, we are enthusiastic, but it's genuine. Martial arts has been a huge and positive force in my life and I'm excited for others to have that same thing.

A previous reviewer asked for us to "dish out some dirt". Here's the best I can come up with: martial arts is a challenge. There have been plenty of times as a colored belt that I thought to myself, "I can't do this." "This is too hard." Even, "I must be crazy!" But time and again I found that if I worked hard and didn't let myself quit because of doubt and fear, I COULD do whatever it was. There is no greater feeling than realizing you are so much stronger than you give yourself credit for. But it is hard, you will sweat, you will be sore the next day, and you will be expected to push yourself (within your physical limits). Not everyone will be persistent (or in my case, stubborn) enough to stick with it. It is not one of those pay-for-your-belt schools. You will be expected to earn your rank. But if you have that determination in you, you can do it regardless of age or weight or whether or not you are a jock (or bookworm!).

The reason I wanted to start martial arts in the first place was because I knew if I started a gym membership I would never go and would be paying monthly for nothing. I thought martial arts sounded interesting and that would help keep me going. And I liked the idea that in addition to exercise I would also be learning self-defense. Did I get what I came for? Absolutely. Before I had my baby there were some weeks that I was going in 4-5 days a week, learning hapkido, TKD, and tai chi. I could go as often as I wanted and my monthly rate did not increase. So I was definitely interested enough to keep going. And fortunately I've never been tested on this, but I'm pretty sure if anyone ever pegged me for a likely victim and jumped me in a parking lot sometime, that person would be in for quite a surprise.

To sum up, Master Butler KNOWS martial arts. Lots of different kinds. He's a natural teacher. He expects the black belt teachers to know their stuff and teach it appropriately to the age and rank levels. There are really good people there. We love our school and are proud of it.

in response to comment posted by "thinkaboutit". everyone has a right to their opinion. actually we feel sorry that your husband lost his job... we hope things look up for your family. we appreciate your 6 months with the program and please remember we tried to offer you a way out, but unfortunately you seemed a little too stressed out to really listen to what we were offering you and you refused our offer. We sympathize with other people's finances, but please try to understand that we also can NOT just simply cancel a contract (which are our only means of income) and allow you to make your problems, "our problems" too. === please understand and we hope it all works out for you guys! bless you and be well. oh, and as far as the 'sucking the wallet dry', yes the initial start up fees "can" be high, but this person was NOT forced to buy ALL the sparring gear in her first month, she chose to do that because we had a sale and she got a 40% OFF discount price. I am sorry your kids wanted to quit === yes we started a new program, the Little Ninjas and yes, we have had a few changes while trying to work out the kinks... so consistency may be a problem with that ONE program, but that's why the class is only $60 per month (50% OFF most schools for that same kids program) === I am sorry you feel anger at us but we can still work it out if you are interested, but a contract is a contract and we are honoring our part of the agreement as promised. I think cell phones, car payments, house payments, utilities and credit cards have penalties for early termination too... it's not fair that you speak poorly of us === I am a normal guy who is only trying to do right and fair to people. we have over 350 students and 3 locations who love what we are doing === I have no more comments whatsoever about this issue. I have said what I had to share my side. good luck at your next school.