Traditional Martial Arts Schools in Sherman Oaks, CA

8 of the 13 martial arts schools we list in Sherman Oaks have traditional styles. A basic map listing can't tell you whether a "martial arts" result teaches lineage-based traditional forms like karate, taekwondo, or kung fu, or runs a modern fitness-kickboxing class under the same label. Every school on this page has its traditional style confirmed from its own website or class listings, not inferred from the business name.

Dawn Barnes Karate Kids Kids classesFree trial classBJJ / grapplingKarate / taekwondo

13409 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423-3938

+18189062100 Website Directions

Kenpo Karate Evolution Karate / taekwondo

13950 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

8189058246 Directions

Krav Maga Self Defense & Fitness BJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo

15250 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

(818) 377-5401 Website Directions

Krav Maga Worldwide Sherman Oaks BJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo

15233 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

+18183777700 Website Directions

Lions TaeKwonDo Academy Karate / taekwondo

15222 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

(818) 994-9439 Website Directions

Sensei John's Karate Karate / taekwondo

13557 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

(323) 828-6740 Directions

SoCal Karate Kids Kids classesKarate / taekwondo

4816 Fulton Ave, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423-2504

🕒 Wednesdays @ 3:30PM and Saturdays @ 9AM & ...

+18052852752 Website Directions

Southern California Taekwondo Center Kids classesFree trial classMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo

4454 Van Nuys Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403-2912

🕒 Monday - Wednesday - Friday: 8:30am - 8:30pm

+18189075744 Website Directions

Ask exactly which style and lineage the school teaches before your first class. "Traditional" covers very different systems — striking-focused styles like karate and taekwondo, grappling-focused styles like judo and aikido, and internal styles like tai chi — so the right fit depends on what you actually want to train.

Also in Sherman Oaks

Traditional Martial Arts Schools near Sherman Oaks

Good to know

What's the difference between traditional and modern martial arts schools?
Traditional schools generally follow a set curriculum tied to a specific style's history, forms, and belt-ranking system, often with added emphasis on etiquette and philosophy. Modern or hybrid schools tend to blend techniques from multiple styles or focus more narrowly on fitness or competition.

How long does it take to get a black belt in a traditional martial art?
Most traditional styles take about 3-5 years of consistent training to reach black belt, though the exact timeline varies by style, school, and how often a student trains. A school that awards black belts much faster than that is generally worth a closer look before signing up.