United Studios of Self Defense - Livermore

My son started attending USSD in Livermore back in April and has quickly integrated in. We chose USSD due to the reviews and proximity to our home and work. Our son was experiencing some confidence issues and had a little bullying happening at school so we wanted to help build his confidence. Sensei Mike immediately set up a time that he could come in and do an assessment and he started class the following week. In a few short months he has grown leaps and bounds and his confidence is back. Karate and the dojo have made him a new kid again. He looks forward to each class and is upset if there is something that he has to miss. Sensei Mike and his staff do a great job to train and build all their students up. They are passionate about the martial arts and are yet so patient while teaching students respect. I would recommend Sensei Mike and USSD to anyone!

My son attended Sensei Mike’s dojo for quite some time. My goal for my spirited son was not for him to become a black belt, but for him to find a positive male role model who would respectfully work with me on my sons ability to listen to directions, his impulse control, and how to consciously focus his energy to himself, while becoming more aware of his spacial awareness. When first meeting with Sensei Mike, his first question to me was, what do you wish Terrance would get out of this, and this is how I answered his question, not realizing at the time that we would gain a lot more from his class than what we had expected.Sensei Mike was a great role model for my son. He promoted/modeled patience, assertiveness, humor, humility, success, self respect, anger management, kindness, acceptance, forgiveness, self love, good choices, mistakes made right, self reflection, etc. Sensei Mike taught the kids in his class to be themselves.. and that nobody is perfect. He taught good morals and values. My son looked up to him, and respected him. I absolutely recommend this dojo for your kids.. plus they get to learn some pretty cool Karate moves while feeling good about themselves.I also would like to add that my son loved Sensei Mike, and so did my daughter (she also wanted to attend his classes). Sensei Mike really cares about his students and you can see his passion for treating everyone with respect, including the kids.Thank you Sensei Mike for being such a positive light.

I absolutely LOVE this place. I joined this dojo wanting to learn a little self defense. I was super timid and nervous about going. The instructor, Mike is such a genuine and kind person that I instantly felt at home in this dojo. I'd be lying if I said this place didn't change my life. What I've learned here has made me so much more confident in all walks of life, and not only that but in the process I feel like I've gained a whole new family along the way! If I could give it 10 stars I would, I HIGHLY recommend this place. :)

Highly recommended! Well rounded instruction with a genuine love for the art and craft of karate. Sensei is truly fantastic with students, allowing them to enjoy learning while challenging them to do their personal best at each class/lesson.

I am one of the the older folks, in my sixties now. I wanted to learn self-defense but I find myself improving balance, coordination, flexibility and strength. Sensei Mike brings humor and years of professional experience to each class. Great group of people and I highly recommend USSD.

I have been studying at this dojo for over 10 years and I have nothing but positive things to say about the instructors and the students. The head instructor is wonderful at instilling the core principles of the martial arts (such as discipline and self control) while also making it enjoyable and fun. It’s great to have classmates who I have known for so long and who are so willing to help one another as we learn together. Studying at USSD has enriched my life immensely.

Sensei mike and all the staff at USSD have been some of the most important people to me. As I grew up, I grew up with this dojo by my side. I spent 9 years learning from them and not is Sensei mike extremely competent, but he is relentlessly kind, generous, and caring. This is a dojo where *anyone* can learn, kids or adults, and he will make sure you get what you need to be the best you can be. I cannot recommend them enough. If you want to learn from an incredibly amazing teacher under an authentic “curriculum,” do not pass them up.

My kids and I all attend this dojo, and have for many years. The kids started at least 8 years ago, and I a year or so later. Mike is an awesome instructor. He genuinely cares about the students. He makes the training fun, but manages to keep everyone focused. He has great passion for the martial arts, which he conveys to his students.

What an amazing school, Mr. Delfino and his crew are fantastic, you will be happy you checked out their program. For adults, how to protect ourselves, is just the tip of the iceberg in what you will receive. This Martial Arts program is a virtual fountain of youth, you will feel younger and more alive. For children and teens, the how to overcome obstacles with wisdom, with focus. How to master their emotions , and the confidence you will see from training with United Studios is impressive. You will love it to.

Mike is phenomenal. He is one of those rare instructors that really cares about what he is teaching rather then there for the check. He teaches discipline as well as self respect for others and yourself in his lessons. Our son has learned to focus more on his school as well as his self defense lessons and talks about mike all the time. Would recommend this dojo and especially this teacher.