My son has been training at MMA now for a couple years and I would DEFINITELY recommend Sensei Mark and the whole MMA group as a phenomenal Karate, self defense, martial arts training and really- LIFE TRAINING for my child. I really think Sensei Mark's motto "A Dream is a Goal With a Deadline" speaks to the nurturing environment of MMA. It is SO much more than just karate and physicality. The instructors are truly mentors that are helping to shape the mind and emotional health of the students. My son has(and continues to) learn respect, commitment, courage, self discipline, and so much more! When I first enrolled my son here at MMA, he was being bullied at school. I will never forget how Sensei Courtney met with him one on one after training one day spending time listening and giving my son the strength, wisdom, knowledge, and mostly just a real sense of personal empowerment to help him overcome the situation. AND THEN - he also went out of his way to follow up with us to make sure the situation was being resolved. The commitment of Sensei Courtney and ALL the instructors here is amazing and I feel very lucky that my son is growing, training, and learning here. I definitely recommend MMA to anyone with children(young or old) and adults as well!! Sensei Mark Cameron and Manteca Martial Arts is definitely the best place train - not just your physical self but your mental self as well! Give them a shout out today! I hear they have a free trial deal!***That is how I started my son- he didn't think he would like it at first. now a couple years later and a confident blue belt starting junior high, he is striving for his black belt with pure determination!***

Our son has been training with Manteca Martial Arts for a few months now and he really enjoys his training and takes it very seriously. He has gained strength, technique and self-confidence with each class. When I asked Jackson what he values from his training he said, “how he is gaining strength”. I really appreciate how the class reinforces good values and etiquette that will help him grow well.

My son loves it at MMA. Everyone is professional, friendly, dedicated and very passionate about what they do. I totally recommend MMA to everyone and I brag about how awesome this place is, Specially the stranger danger class... so, thank you!

My kids love MMA. From my observations Sensei Mark and his team care about the children and teaching them respect, discipline, safety, awareness and motivation. They are encouraging and make a fun environment for learning. I use going to MMA as motivation to have good behavior at home. They respect all their Sensei and want to do their best. I feel my kids are more disciplined and self motivated since going to Manteca Martial Arts.

My name is Leslie Buchalter. I am the founder and director of Adventures Through Open Minds Science Club for Kids. I have a background in teaching Anatomy and Physiology at the Junior College level as well as tutoring and teaching science to young children for over 33 years. I have two children who are now 18 and 21 years old. I would like to state the powerful influence that Sensei Mark Cameron had on both of my children during their most important formative years of ages three to thirteen. Sensei Mark taught my children martial arts for ten years. During that time he was the most important mentor in both of their lives. I not only made sure that they took martial arts class three days a week on a year round basis, but in addition, and what turned out to be possibly even more important to their personal development, were the private one on one lessons each of my children took on a weekly basis. I gave them this weekly private lesson to ensure they would have a chance to receive Sensei Marks incredible gift of guiding young children's minds to learn: 1) to respect them self as well as the laws and morals of society 2) to be kind and patient to their fellow students and 3) to seek wisdom in order to discover their dream and then have the courage to tenaciously pursue it. In the karate school each students black belt hung on a wall with the words above them "A DREAM IS A GOAL WITH A DEADLINE." Because of Sensei Mark my son became a black belt martial arts instructor. In addition to that profession he is also going to college. The words of wisdom and training by their Sensei Mark still, to this day, have a strong influence on both of my children. For example, this year my son in a speech class took martial arts as has topic to speak on and took first place in a Bay Area public speaking competition. I hope my words are helpful in explaining who I have come to know as one of the most wonderful teachers a child could ever have the good fortune to be taught by.

i have been a student at mma for about 4 years and have trained at other karate schools in the area, sensei mark and the staff at MMA are by far the best in the business...

My daughter has been going to classes here for about a year. She has grown and learned so much. She loves coming to karate class. She started out in the little kids class and she has now grown into the bigger kids class. She is thriving here. The Sensei’s are amazing and the classes are very disciplined but have so many fun aspects to them as well. We would recommend anyone join Manteca Martial Arts.

My name is Patrick Ho. I am fifteen years old, a sophomore, attending Manteca High School. I am currently a math tutor at MHS, a black belt at the International Self-Defense Institute of Manteca, and I also help instruct at ISDI Manteca. I have done martial arts for six years under the guidance and teachings Sensei Mark Cameron and Sensei Courtney Meyer. I can say, from personal experience, that studying martial arts at the International Self-Defense Institute has given me the most useful tools to apply in life. Before studying martial arts, I had no sense of respect, self-confidence, or determination. Respect is a big part of what we learn at the martial arts studio. Respect for our parents, elders, peers, and ourselves. Without respect for others, you can never earn any respect. That is a valuable thing that some of us has forgotten and all of us must share. The confidence that this martial arts studio had given me is beyond measure. If it were six years ago, I would never have imagined myself demonstrating a technique in front of a class of twenty people; not only do I do that now, I’ve made an eighth grade graduation speech in front of hundreds of parents and students. It was something that I would never have done if I hadn’t taken martial arts. Plus it had led me to become more enthusiastic about asking questions in school and making plenty of new friends. Determination is one of the things I am most grateful for. The will-power that Sensei Mark Cameron has taught me through this well designed program has shaped me into a stronger person. It has gotten me through lots of tough times. Whenever I’m on the verge of quitting, I remember the wise words of my teacher, “You can never lose if you never quit. Just keep going at it and you will get it someday.” Sensei Mark Cameron has taught me the true meaning of a winner. Winners are those that don’t quit and I will remember that throughout my life. These are only some of the things that have I gained throughout these six years of training. I am mainly thankful for all the wisdom that my instructors had given me. Not only that, but the sense of a family I feel whenever I come in to train. The friendly atmosphere and welcoming smiles are also a plus.

My son was enrolled with a different dojo a few years ago and he lost interest after 2 weeks, that’s pretty much the pattern that he had with everything he showed interest in. It would only last long enough for my money to be spent on registration and equipment and then DONE. Since joining MMA, it’s been very different. I see motivation, confidence, commitment, and happiness. He looks forward to training every week and I’m so proud to see him growing through this program. We love Manteca Martial Arts!

My kids love this place.

Before my daughter started attending Manteca Martial Arts she was taking dance classes which she wasn’t very interested in. As soon as she started the class dojo she was very excited and now can’t wait to go to class! She loves learning new techniques. And it has really helped her overcome her shyness.

I took martial arts as a teenager, right up until the time I had a devastating knee injury. I figured that would be it for me so I never went back and pretty much gave up on the idea. While at one of Manteca's street fairs I talked to the people at the MMA booth and it started me thinking, maybe I could? What's the harm in trying? I can leave if I feel I can't physically take it and the trial is free. I went into the Dojo, watched a class and talked to one of the Senseis. I found out that my age (59 at the time) didn't make any difference and physical issues could and would be worked around, so I started my free trial. That "trial" was a year and a half ago and I'm still going almost every night. Don't get me wrong, you will get a good workout. It's amazing how much it's helped my balance, strength, flexibility and cardio endurance. I feel so much better physically and mentally, it helps with stress relief and even works my memory at the same time. No pressure, I focus on making progress not perfection and have come a long way in just this short time. So if you think your too old or can't physically handle it, think again, you just may surprise yourself. While researching on line "Am I'm I tool old for martial arts?" I found this quote: "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the next best time in now". It is so true. Johnny V.