CHICAGO dojo
The Chicago Dojo made its debut in early 2017 in the heart of the Roscoe Village Neighborhood. Since then, it has flourished into a thriving dojo where residents from all over the Windy City come to practice.
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Have you experienced the FMA Chicago Dojo? Give us your feedback!
I feel so lucky that we ended up trying this place out of all the options in Chicago. When my son told me he wanted to try karate, we signed up for a trial class at Fonseca and I knew within the first ten minutes we had stumbled upon a special place. My son was having a blast while learning an amazing new skill. Sensei Gerson Guillen and Sensei Shaza are wonderful. They make the children feel so welcome and give them such confidence in their abilities. They have the perfect blend of playfulness and fun and yet can command the room in the most amazing way in order to teach the lesson along with skills of respectfulness and cooperation. It is a sight to behold to watch them interact with the kids… they really know what they are doing and the children adore them and respect them. Your child will have fun, build confidence, learn discipline, make friends, and learn a wonderful new skill. I cannot recommend this place enough!
My 4- and 6-year-olds love their karate classes at this dojo! Both Sensei Gerson and Sensei Shaza are patient and great with kids, making it fun while teaching discipline and focus. The facility is clean and welcoming, perfect for young beginners. Highly recommend for any parent looking to get their little ones into martial arts!
Our experience with Fonseca Martial Arts has been nothing short of amazing! Our son absolutely loves attending the school, and we’ve seen such positive growth in him since he started. Sensei Gerson Guillen and Sensei Shaza are incredible with the children. They truly care about their students and foster a welcoming, respectful, and fun environment. We’re so grateful to have found such a wonderful place for him to learn and grow!
Both our kids (5 and 7) have been at Fonseca for over a year now and they enjoy it more and more each week. The staff is great and make every session fun. We have been so impressed with everything they do and feel very lucky to be a part of their community.
My two kids — 7 and 5 — have been taking karate at FMA for the past 18 months. It’s been a great experience for the kids. They were novices when starting and have progressed well. Both kids really enjoy their weekly class. The senseis are great with the kids and personable. The dojo is well-run. Highly recommend FMA.
Fonseca is a great martial arts school for kids hoping to get into karate. Gerson is a fantastic instructor who knows how to get kids involved and confident no matter how shy they are feeling. We've taking our daughter here for six months and she loves it. We even did her birthday party at the dojo and all the other kids were raving about how cool it was. Hard to beat letting a kid cut a cake with a samurai sword. If you're looking for a karate school, this is the one.
Great class, Sensei Gerson is amazing with kids and can bring even the most shy and youngest kiddo. This has been a great way for our kiddo to learn to control her aggression and strength. The stickers and belt changes are a reward system that keep them moving and making progress.
We have been part of Fonseca Martial Arts-Roscoe Village Dojo for over a year now. My son enjoys the classes. If you want patient and knowledgeable instructors, this is the place for you!! Sensei Gerson and Sensei Shaza are truly dedicated instructors and amazing competitors!!!
A fantastic place for kids to learn Karate! The instructors are incredibly friendly and create a welcoming environment that helps kids adjust quickly. Kids are always excited to attend class every week—it’s a highlight of their routine!
My kids love it here. Instructors are super engaging and awesome with the kids. Great watching my kids be active and learn important life skills.
The best place to learn karate, treats children very well and my son is happy to come every week
Sensei Guillen took over to lead Roscoe Fonseca since late spring 2024. He is a great leader and teaches my son in little dragons. He teaches skills, challenges the kids to work, listen and learn. I really think my son has improved in dojo duels thanks to weekly lessons. Guillen has a great balance of teaching, patience, resilience and fun.I recommend Fonseca Roscoe and look forward to my sons next chapter in beginner karate!
My daughter joined this dojo a few years ago and four years later, we continue to be impressed with what she takes away from every class. Confidence, self improvement and character building are just a few of the valuable areas that stressed here. And karate! Fonseca has the best instructors- every location is amazing. Take a class and you or your child will not regret it!
Awesome dojo and great community! Classes start at 3 years old and it's our toddler's favorite activity!
Our son has a great time at Fonseca and it’s been a valuable experience. Highly recommend Sensei Gerson and Sensei Shaza!
Instructors are great. Easy to communicate and book classes. My son has really enjoyed it. Great balance of exercise, technique and fun.
I cannot say enough good things about Fonseca. My kids have been coming here for almost a year now and they love it almost as much as I do! They have learned respect and discipline and are learning to control their bodies in a super fun way. I’d specifically note that Sensei Gerson and Sensei Shaza are not only incredible instructors but also such wonderful and genuine people. They care so much about their students and families and I will always be telling people about them and Fonseca as a whole.Karate is a great way for young kids to learn to move their bodies in a safe way and if you’re looking for a school where the teachers care about your kids as much as you do, Fonseca is the place! Oh! And they also do adult classes so definitely check them out!
We have really enjoyed our experience at Fonseca Martial Arts! Each sensei is so patient and helpful. As parents, we love the message and learning that karate teaches. Our child enjoys going to practice, earning new belts, and participating in competitions. Fonseca makes it fun and competitive for all ages! Highly recommend!
Great instructors (sensei)! My child is always improving self- control, listening, and discipline in a fun and motivated environment!
Such a great experience for my little guy. He has learned a lot in a short amount of time, and I’m excited to join him int he martial arts journey when he is a little older. Thank you Sensei Gerson and Sensei Shaza!!
My daughter is loving karate at the Roscoe village location! The sensei’s are so patient with the kids. They are encouraging and know how to speak to kids, in tern the kids listen well and learn so much, quickly. I recommend Fonseca to all my kids friends’ parents.
Fonseca Martial Arts in Roscoe Village is terrific. The program offer several classes throughout the week, making it easy to find classes to fit one’s schedule. The facility is fairly small but it is kept clean and orderly. Our toddler only started this year and he is already exhibiting learned skills, including martial arts technique, discipline, listening, and self-control. The senseis are incredibly kind, attentive, and patient. We are grateful for Fonseca and look forward to many years of instruction.
I am so grateful to have found this place! I am the mother of a child with autism💙, and even though it took my son a few sessions to integrate into the class, the senseis (teachers) were always attentive and motivating my son to participate in the class and that day arrived when my son I feel safe being part of the group! That security was thanks to the senseis, the healthy and pleasant atmosphere of the place, the respect that exists between their colleagues and the senseis, the professionalism with which they teach the classes. These classes are excellent for my son because they teach him discipline, to take turns, help him with the coordination and strength that his body needs, to have confidence in himself and they teach him to be brave🤎🙏. It is important to mention that all senseis are bilingual😃.
Spectacular classes for all ages! Instructors are fabulous. Classes are also different week-to-week, so kids remain interested.
Wonderful experience. My daughter can’t wait to come every week and we now even come multiple times a week! The teachers are fantastic and we have had a great experience with every instructor. Highly recommend this program for kids, not just for karate but respect and listening skills. Will be going for many months and hopefully years to come!
We love the Roscoe Village Dojo, especially Sensei Guillen and Shaza! They do a great job both teaching a kids and having a little fun. The kids love it and the parents get the benefit of exercise, focus and self control coaching for the kids.
Our son just LOVES Karate and looks forward to it each week. Sensai is so great with the kids!
My 7 year old and 5 year old sons have attended this dojo for the past few years and we’ve been very happy with the teachers and staff. They truly care about the kids and not only teach them self-defense skills, fitness and coordination, but discipline and self-confidence as well. They are also much better at dealing with children and meeting them at their current level - we tried another dojo before finding Fonseca and they were way too intense/intimidating for kids. Would love it if they added BJJ classes to the Roscoe Village location!
My son is coming here for a few months. He absolutely loves it. All the teachers (senseis) are very professional and make the classes fun and engaging. Highly recommend!
Great karate dojo with excellent instruction. My child has been going here for approximately 3 years. Over that time, I have seen her gain more confidence and mature as a person. The technique taught here has allowed my child to understand the training and continue to grow in her karate journey. She loves attending classes, private lessons and competing. This is a great place for any age and ability. Love this dojo!
My son has been going to Fonseca Roscoe Village for 2 years, and we’ve had a fantastic experience. Sensei Nolys instills good values, hard work and discipline in the kids, but he does so with a sense of humor and approachability that is rare in this field. I’ve seen my son grow so much in his confidence and ability over the past 2 years, thanks in large part to his training at Fonseca.We just had a kids party at the dojo and it was the most fun party my kids have ever been to - I would highly recommend a party here for kids to actually be able to play together.
Fonseca is a treasure- my son really enjoys his classes and truly loves going to class. He had his sixth birthday party at Fonseca so he could show all his friends how much he loves the dojo. Karate has been a really positive experience, building his self control and sense of accomplishment.
This is an outstanding place for karate training. For nearly two years now, my son and I have been participating in the classes here. We're both close to achieving our green belts. Sensei Nollys does an excellent job at engaging the children, ensuring the sessions are enjoyable yet retaining a sense of seriousness when the moment calls for focused work.
Fonseca Martial Arts is FANTASTIC! At the suggestion of a friend we decided to try Martial Arts as a way to find some focus and self control in our kiddo, and couldn't be happier. In just a few short months my kid has become more confident, more in control, and shown more respect than ever before. The classes are just the right length, the moves and the activities require the kids to focus, and the pride they have after an accomplishment is priceless. We could not be happier with Fonseca and Sensei Oswaldo Lopez is simply the best!
Been a 2nd home...My 7 year old has trained with Fonseca for ~2 years and has had a tremendous experience. Developed strength, confidence and friendships. She loves her sensei and considers the dojo her 2nd home.
Definitely recommend ., excellent place to learn KARATE my son has been going there for 5 years now; he has become more mature and more responsible he is almost black belt now. Sensei Nollys and Senpai Jose are great with the kids, they keep the clases fun yet serious when it’s time to get to work.
Such a great learning of a life skill and so much fun for the kids! My 8 year old son loves it! He learned and improved with time while becoming stronger mentally and physically. Karate is great for hand and eye coordinating. Sensei Nolys is a fantastic teacher and a great human being very passionate about Karate. Strongly recommend this Dojo and Fonseca for all ages!
Highly recommend Fonseca. My child has been there for about a year and it has been a very positive community. The sensei's are all consistently kind and caring while also expecting the kids to work hard. They know how to balance and bring together having fun while focusing on learning new skills. It has definitely built character and physical strength for my child.
Solid workout in the Jiu Jitsu class. They have kids and adults Jiu Jitsu. Class is very fun and Coach Tony always there to inspire you. He has thorough program and his teaching helps you work through opponents tactics. Best part is he is always around after class for questions, review, and talk all things Jiu Jitsu.
