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My son started classes a little less than a year ago at Tai Kai and we couldn’t be happier. It’s a very welcoming environment by both the instructors and the other families that attend. My son highly enjoys the classes and the instructors are great with the children. They are patient, understanding and work one on one with them. Not only do they teach jiu jitsu but they also teach them to respect themselves and others and they teach the children a life skill every week. Tai Kai is highly recommend!
I love this place. I take Jiu Jitsu classes and boxing. Very clean place. Showers and lockeroom facilities. Beginner friendly and also has hardcore competitors. The instructors are great I wish I started training sooner:) recently I have been doing Muay Thai and love it.
I have loved my time (2+ months) with Tai Kai. Every class feels like I am getting a wealth of knowledge and all of the instructors do a great job. All of the others students in the class assist in the learning process and are friendly. It seems like everyone there is always there to help you and they have cultivated a great environment. If you’re looking to get into Jiu Jitsu, Tai Kai is the place to do it.
I have been attending the Tai Kai school for about two months now and have enjoyed every single class I've attended. Splitting my time between Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Tai, I have learned an abundance of personal protection skills.
The environment is fantastic as all students are eager to learn and help one another succeed. The instructors are very attentive and encourage the progression of new students.
I would recommend this to anyone seeking martial arts training.
Tai Kai is more than just another martial arts gym. It is a welcoming community of individuals with the common goal of becoming better than they already are and having fun while doing so. I joined about a month ago and already feel accepted as part of the family. I highly recommend anyone looking to start their journey into Brazilian Ju Jitsu to first visit Ken at Tai Kai to see what it's all about
After doing my research looking for a good kid’s program and speaking with a couple of BJJ instructors I came across Tai Kai and signed up my kid. I found the staff to be very professional, knowledgeable and helpful. I also found it to be very welcoming not just the staff but the students as well. As a matter of fact, after watching my kid there for a month I liked what I saw so much I signed myself up as well.
Everyone here at Tai Kai is great. Whether it’s Ken, or many of his other Black belts teaching, or the fellow students. As someone who is not a regular to this school and was traveling and visiting from another school, I was welcomed very openly as though i belonged there. This certainly speaks to the Jiu Jitsu community but more poignantly to this being a great school.
If you’re considering training for the first time, please do not feel intimidated. The school and community is like an extended family.
I’ve been coming here for over 9 yrs and can’t say enough good things. This place is the best place to train. Top of the line instructors and everyone is so friendly and welcoming. This place is like a second home to me. My whole family trains here and I can not imagine training anywhere else!
I love it here. Been training here for 5 years. I initially started with Jiu Jitsu but I also now do Muay Thai and Boxing. great place.They got all kinds of classes here. Huge facility, clean, friendly instructors, and beautiful locker room facilities. Whether you are brand new or experienced they have a class for you. The instructors are so patient. Highly recommended. I wish I started sooner.:) update. I’ve started kickboxing and my son is training here too.
Tai kai brings me some of my best experiences, between learning multiple forms of martial arts such as muay thai which is what I train in mainly at the moment and all of the amazing people there with so many positive vibes, it's fantastic. Makes me feel great just being there and better after a good training and workout. I suggest tai kai to all of my friends, family and co-workers. I've trained there for a couple of years now and I plan on making tai kai part of the rest of my life.
Wonderful environment for the kids, my son loves coming here, very supportive instructors
The atmosphere of Tai Kai is welcoming, encouraging, and teaches extremally practical applications of BJJ, self defense and other martial arts, for beginners and advanced students. I highly recommend Tai Kai to anyone looking to build confidence, learn real self defense, get in shape, and enter a great community.
Was up from Long Island visiting a friend and he brought me to Tai Kai to roll with his crew. Great bunch of guys, solid no gi class with a great mix of skilled athletes. Everyone was respectful, mats were clean, I even brought my son to roll with the kids class which also had great structure and drilling for the kids. Will definitely be back to train when I visit. I highly recommend this gym to anyone looking, Ken and his crew were great hosts!
I have been attending classes at Tai Kai for a couple of months now, and it is a fantastic gym. There are large classes with many rolling partners, but the classes don’t suffer in quality. The instructors still give plenty of individual attention to all of the students, especially newer students. They make sure to foster a very supportive atmosphere for newer people, while providing the opportunity for lots of growth for more experienced BJJ players. Most of the classes I have attended have had roughly 4-6 black belts, as well as many brown and purple belts. The higher belts will roll with you and teach you without hesitation. It is a great community.
Great space, lots of knowledge and helpful instructors, and students!
Started here several months ago and it's been an extremely welcoming experience! I've seen the instructors with the kids group too and they are phenomenal with the kids! I was pleasantly surprised by the number of females/girls in the classes.
Absolutely love it here.
First time in the Syracuse area for a work trip and have been training just over a year, did a little research ahead of time and Tai Kai was by far the best option for me. It was 8 minutes from my hotel and the professor reached out to me ahead of time and invited me for a free class and met me upon arrival. Great instruction & everyone I rolled with was friendly and respectful, super happy to have found this spot while I was here in the area.
Great place to join,
My children love it ♥️
Great atmosphere with super positive people who are eager to teach and motivate each other. Instructor Ken is tremendously knowledgeable and the classes are geared for BJJ practitioners of all levels. The Muay Thai classes are also a lot of fun. Ajarn Kevin has a vast amount of experience and will present the material to a level that everyone can understand. My daughter loves her BJJ classes and it has given her a level of confidence far beyond anything else we have tried. My 11 year old daughter and I have been going to Tai Kai for over 4 years an honesty we couldn’t see ourselves not being a part of it. We love Tai Kai!!!
World class instruction from world class human beings. Great people, great teachers, great community!
My son has done 5 classes so far and is loving every second of them. He has adhd and the instructors knew it going in, they've all been very nice and very patient with my son, making sure he understands what is expected of him. I fully trust that he will learn a lot from his experience here.
Amazing place! The instructors and even the other students are great. The facility is super nice, clean and really big. Can't say enough good things. No matter your age, fitness level or goals, it's a fantastic place to learn Brazilian jiu Jitsu, striking arts, self defense, and most importantly make new friends.
There is nothing better than the sense of accomplishment I leave this building with. The facility is clean and top notch. The instruction team is able communicate direction to every student regardless of experience level. I can't recommend this school enough as a place to better yourself as a a person.
This school is great for all ages! The atmosphere is amazing! The instructors and students are outstanding! Everyone helps everyone out! You feel extremely comfortable and at home here. Tai-Kai has become my passion! Thanks to everyone that has helped me improve! I couldn't ask for a better place to train!! You won't regret trying a free class! Try it out it has changed my life in so many ways! I haven't been this great in shape since high school! Best decision I have made for myself!
My wife Mary and I have been doing the Fitness Kick-Boxing at Tai-Kai for 5 years now! And we both love it, it has put me in the best shape of my life and I am 73 years young because of it! Pat yourself on the back Ken, your school is worth it! Sheena and Mike Bidwell Fitness Kick-Boxing classes are without a doubt the best! What is neat about them is they teach us the proper technique. This is very important, becasue if you learn how to do it right your workout improves ten fold.
I’ve trained all over the world and Tai Kai is one of the best places I’ve trained, hands down. The facility is spectacular, they have a bunch of really great teachers and the student body is fun and welcoming. I love this place!
Tai Kai is so much more than a place to work out and get in shape. Sure, Tai Kai offers excellent Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, Muay Thai and other classes... and it’s filled with so many knowledgeable teachers and instructors. But more than that, it’s a family, a home, a place to find encouragement and a place to find acceptance. I’m so happy to have found this place, trying my first class was the best decision I’ve ever made.
My kids started training jiu jitsu here earlier this year, and after watching them train and peeking in at the adult jiu jitsu classes, I decided to try it out, too. Best decision I ever made! The instructors are phenomenal in both the kids’ and adult classes, and the atmosphere is friendly and welcoming. I’ve met several incredible people while training here and love coming in to learn and get in better shape. If anyone is intimidated by jiu jitsu (or really, any of the other martial arts classes offered at Tai Kai) this place will set you at ease with a comfortable environment and training partners who are supportive and want you to do your best!
Children of all ages can benefit from martial arts training. Studying martial arts comes with a host of benefits that can improve kids’ physical and mental health. One of the things that we get asked about frequently is whether neurodivergent kids can take martial arts and how it benefits them. The good news is […]
Children love taking martial arts classes. What we love (and what parents love, too) is that martial arts practice is also a terrific way to teach kids leadership skills without making it feel like a lesson. What’s the Connection Between Martial Arts and Leadership? Whenever you see a martial artist on the mat, whether […]
Bullying has become an epidemic in recent years. Yes, there have always been bullies, and yes, those bullies have always caused serious and lasting damage to their victims; however, bullying in the 21st century has changed – and not for the better. According to Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center, one in four students has […]
Mental health in youth is at a crisis level. Bullying, anxiety, depression, and suicide are on the rise. Reports show that 160,000 students are missing school EVERY DAY due to fear of being bullied. 85% of bullied children have no intervention and are forced to deal with the bullying by themselves. Martial arts have […]
After teaching our kids what it means to have nice manners and demonstrating it for them every day, the next best thing is to reinforce these lessons with games and books. Children having fun playing the board game on manners called, Blunders. If you ask any child if they want to learn about manners […]
Thousands of kids suffer from being bullied every day. But what should they do about it? Tell their parents? Tell the teacher? That may go some way to helping solve the problem, but it is hardly sufficient. It is my belief that Jiu Jitsu training is the absolute best way to either solve the problem […]
Science says 92 percent of people don’t achieve their goals. Perhaps, most of them have never learned how to effectively set goals. You can help your child learn the skill of goal-setting, which is critical for developing grit and just simply getting what you want out of life. Other reasons WHY your child should learn goal-setting include: […]
Photo: Emma Pursey. A Sport like BJJ demands a high degree of flexibility to perform a wide range of techniques, both defensive and offensive. And, if you are just starting then stretching can be very painful. Though, over time it does get easier, but you need to keep up with it. Regular stretching can lead […]
It’s said that a picture is worth a thousand words. This one is really worth far more. The elephant is tied with a piece of rope that it could easily break. It has been conditioned since he was young to think that he’s stuck and can’t get away… so he doesn’t try. Our minds […]
Halloween & COVID-19: Have Fun While Staying Safe Choosing costumes, decorating pumpkins, and getting special treats brings joy to many children at Halloween. Some Halloween traditions may look different this year to keep everyone safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are still plenty of ways families can have fun while avoiding the scare of being […]
Why BJJ is Safe for your kids. When it comes to youth sports, safety is a concern. Sports are a great way to teach your kids valuable lessons; how to make friends, be active, and stay healthy. Jiu-jitsu is one of the most fun, engaging and safe sports for children. Jiu-jitsu is a martial art, […]
Best friends? Worst enemies, buddies, adversaries, confidants, competitors? There’s no relationship like it– siblings! One minute they’re getting along and the next minute they are fighting tooth and nail like lions and tigers! Some parents might even wonder under the most extreme duress, will there ever be a day when they just get along? […]
We all need to hone the ability to regulate ourselves, and teach and model for our children and students how to do the same. That means sharpening our social and emotional skills so that we can function and thrive in today’s society—creating healthy relationships and health and wellbeing for ourselves as well. What are […]
Brazilian jiu jitsu is more than just a sport. It’s more than a martial art. It’s a way to change your life. You hear a lot of people talk about the jiu jitsu lifestyle, but what does that mean? Does it mean you train all day? Does it mean you surf and then head […]
We live in an uncertain world. Modern times from politics to illness to how the economy functions, racial and gender bias and even the opening and closings of schools and camps has taught us that. Nobody can perfectly predict what is to happen from year to year, month to month and even from […]
As a parent, teacher or martial arts instructor, you might have had moments where children experience overwhelming feelings such as anger, anxiety or agitation leading to fitful moments, tantrums and melt-downs. Who hasn’t? Statistics tell us that 20% of young children have tantrums daily—this is normal. And as children get older, some still have […]
As parents, we have heard that the days are long and the years are short. The days can be filled with mistakes, sibling rivalry, tantrums, boundary testing, bedtime battles and tough discussions—and even as they are interspersed with fun, excitement, pride, connection and love, as parents, it’s normal to feel frustrated at times and want […]
TIP 1 – KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON: We know it is not business as usual, but children and young people need as much stability as possible, especially during such uncertain times. They look to us, the adults to model how they should respond in the current pandemic and our words and […]
Here is our current online virtual schedule Monday: 6PM SOLO Adult BJJ Drills with Dennis Sugrue on ZOOM Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/4261709906?pwd=dTB1ZXFxYWN2bHdoQVQ5UU1ZNzVjZz09 Meeting ID: 426 170 9906 Password: TaiKai Tuesday: Kids BJJ at 5PM with Dennis Sugrue on ZOOM Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/167186945?pwd=dXp4SERhRmllR2c2bHBJMWcyTkl6Zz09 Meeting ID: 167 186 945 Password: 028957 Wednesday: Facebook LIVE Breakdowns and Techniques on […]
The school years are a critical time when parents must allow their children to fail—to experience disappointment and frustration that occur when life gives us lemons. By learning to fail, how to cope with disappointment and try again (while the stakes are low), kids can grow up to become self-assured, resilient, competent, self-reliant and […]
We’ve all seen the ads on the internet for “One Quick Trick” to get better at something we like. Unfortunately, there is no quick trick to get better at an activity. That only comes with hard work and determination. Before you succumb to the cycle of wave riding trends, look inward to see if you […]
Kids are not naturally self-motivated. When your child’s mindset is not in the right place, even the most fun activities can be a struggle to get to. With that said, here are some strategies to help you work around lack of motivation when trying to get your kid to class. Be attentive to […]
Everyone asked for it so here it is. 8 week kids striking workshop. It will focus on Muay Thai, Kickboxing and Boxing. Kid’s must have boxing gloves and it is recommended to eventually get shin guards It will be on Fridays at 5PM starting April 3rd and run for 8 weeks […]
Today we are discussing how to talk to kids about treating each other with dignity and respect. What are the cultural messages that our kids receive? Are their differences between how boys deal with their relationships and girls cope with their relationships? How do kids bond and what do betrayals look like? How do […]
THE SHOCKING RISE IN CHILDHOOD OBESITY. OVERWEIGHT AND OBESE KIDS FACE SO MANY CHALLENGES… FROM PHYSICAL HEALTH PROBLEMS TO MENTAL WELL BEING CHALLENGES. Our kids need to change. This is all lifestyle driven. It doesn’t have to be this way. Exercise is one of the key components missing from most kids lives today. Many parents struggle to find some […]
In today’s world competition is everywhere and it often starts at a very young age. It begins as a fun, skill-developing event but can quickly become time-consuming and competitive. While some parents want their children pushed to help them learn the hard lessons of life, others want to protect their children from the disappointment […]
Halloween is such a fun time of the year for children; but when children encounter tricks instead of treats, this holiday can become very scary – and not just because of the decorations and frightening costumes. Abductions, bullying, candy that has been compromised; these are all things that can make Halloween a dreadful holiday […]
Play is Children’s “Work” We are strong supporters of children learning through play. Therefore, we want to share with you what we feel are the Top 3 Benefits of Pretend Play. Who doesn’t want to play “grocery store” or “rocket to the moon”? These were some of the pretend play scenarios I loved playing as […]
Bullying has become an epidemic in recent years. Yes, there have always been bullies, and yes, those bullies have always caused serious and lasting damage to their victims; however, bullying in the 21st century has changed – and not for the better. According to Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center, one in four […]
Have your child start today Children’s martial arts classes not only tend to be profitable for schools but also are an amazing way to improve the lives of the kids, their families and the communities. This is because of the values the martial arts impart to children. Those values include the following: […]
Join us at Tai-Kai Goal setting is one of the most highly linked characteristics to the success that individuals have. Top athletes and successful people all use goal setting. And while it is a trait that is most often associated with adolescents and adults, younger children can also benefit greatly from beginning this life […]
It’s that time again. Summertime is coming to an end, and with that comes all of the back to school anxiety and jitters that are common amongst children. Your child may experience common physical effects of anxiety associated with back to school time including symptoms from stomachaches to sleeping problems. They will also […]
I am proud to introduce to you Tai-Kai’s The Code of 26. The Code of 26 is unique to our program. We will be giving our children a framework for their decision making process that will be with them for the rest of their lives. We will cover one value per week for 26 weeks. […]
This year’s Kids’ MMA Camp was by far the youngest group to ever participate. However, with the help of Coach Kevin, Coach Cory, and the first ever Junior Coaches (straight from the program), Jack and Dom, we had the best camp ever! Every day consisted of movement, evasion, striking, takedowns, cage work, grappling, drills […]
Here are some thoughts and Ideas on Bullying Bullying has become an epidemic in recent years. Yes, there have always been bullies, and yes, those bullies have always caused serious and lasting damage to their victims; however, bullying in the 21st century has changed – and not for the better. According to Pacer’s National […]
