★ 5

Paresh Martial Arts is truly outstanding, thanks to Master Kristina Ohlson's exceptional leadership, especially through the Little Dragon program. My son's journey through Tang Soo Do under her guidance has been transformative. Not only has he become a confident young boy, but his overall physical fitness, including cardiorespiratory health, speed, agility, strength, flexibility, coordination, and balance, has seen remarkable improvement.
What sets Paresh Martial Arts apart is its focus on individual growth rather than competition. The program allows children to progress at their own pace, boosting self-esteem and motivation. Master Ohlson's approach of breaking down routines into manageable chunks ensures gradual learning, fostering anticipation and mastery.
The emphasis on self-control and concentration in martial arts is paramount, and Master Ohlson's program excels in teaching these skills. Despite the challenges, my son has made significant strides in attention and focus, not only within the dojo but also in other aspects of his life.
His coordination has improved significantly, and he has gained a better understanding of his body in space, thanks to the structured environment provided by Paresh Martial Arts. The program has also instilled in him the understanding of the power of mind over body.
Moreover, Paresh Martial Arts instills discipline and good behavior, leading to positive feedback from his teachers and emerging leadership qualities. The outlet for physical activity helps him channel his energy constructively, enhancing self-control.
Master Ohlson's emphasis on respect creates an accepting environment where negativity is not tolerated, and students support each other. Choosing Paresh Martial Arts for your child's training is a decision you won't regret, as it fosters holistic development under Master Kristina Ohlson's guidance.

Source: Google

★ 5

I highly endorse Paresh Martial Arts to my friends and family. Upon entering, you instantly feel a sense of welcome, acceptance, and warmth. Master Ohlson, with her extensive experience, is truly remarkable and excels at engaging kids, making learning enjoyable. Witnessing my son grow into a confident and respectful individual has been rewarding. He eagerly anticipates his weekly classes, eagerly earning his stripes. Beyond the excellent martial arts instruction, you become part of a supportive community that feels like an extended family. A five-star experience in every aspect!

Source: Google

★ 5

This review is a long time coming and given Paresh Martial Arts has opened a brand new beautiful studio on Grand Ave in San Rafael (in the same complex as Starbucks and FedEx!), I thought this was the perfect time to share my reflections.

How can I possibly distill how much Paresh Martial Arts and its fearless leader, Master Kristina Ohlson, has impacted my life and the life of others in our community in a single review? Let me start by saying two things:

First, Paresh Martial Arts is not just any karate studio. It's a community, a support system, and a family, one that extends far beyond the four corners of the studio walls.

Second, Master Ohlson, the chief instructor at Paresh, is far from your average karate instructor. She is disciplined, firm and clear in her expectations for each and every student from her four year old Tiny Tigers all the way up to Black Belt. She is consistent and fair, ensuring the same rules and expectations apply to all, but where she truly stands out is the warmth with which she invites each student into the studio space, her sense of humor and her loving nature. She is extremely gifted in working with small children and growing with them as they age. Many of her former students that started with her when they were only five or six years old continue to reach out and seek an ongoing lasting connection with her, even now as they are off in college.  To me, this says so much about how much Master Ohlson invests in her students. She goes above and beyond, and for many of these students, she is like a second parent to them.

There are many karate studios out there that are solely focused on a business model that moves kids through promotions quickly (i.e. instant gratification for both kids and parents) in an effort to drive up the number of times parents are hit with a point of sale (i.e. new gear, new patches, new belts, new weapons). Master Ohlson's approach is quite the opposite. It's about fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion and creating a community of chosen family. It's about maintaining high standards for oneself, working hard, and always expressing kindness, gratitude and respect to others, both in the studio and at home. If your child is promoted at Paresh, it's because they've exhibited self discipline, learned the material and demonstrated a commitment to their training. These are the values your child will learn at Paresh, and they will be supported by a truly compassionate and encouraging teacher every step of the way.  I've seen so many kids and adults go through Master Ohlson's program and they just thrive.

A few other things to mention:
- Paresh is a LGBTQIA+ 100% woman owned business.
- At Paresh, your child will learn the traditional Korean art of Tang Soo Do and join a larger association known as the World Tang Soo Do Association, that sets the standards for the curriculum and offers opportunities for regional and national tournaments where students can compete against and form friendships with students from other studios. So, students not only join a family at Paresh Martial Arts, but also a larger scale family through the association.
- Lots of fun activities offered outside the studio too - baseball games, camping trips, movie nights and more!

If all of this is not enough to convince you to give this studio a try, I encourage you to drop in and witness the Master Ohlson magic for yourself. At Paresh, you will find community, your child will be empowered and you will see true transformation.

Thank you Master O and Paresh Martial Arts for enriching my life beyond measure.

Source: Google

★ 5

We love Paresh! If you're anywhere near San Rafael, you should definitely try out a class!

Source: Google

★ 5

Paresh is such a special place, we feel incredibly lucky that we found it for our son. Master Ohlson is amazing with these kids. The perfect mix of funny easy going and firm respect demanding. My son has thrived in her programs over the past year and a half. She has created a community that is like family for the kids and even parents. I can't recommend her classes enough!

Source: Google

★ 5

My 4yo loves going to the Tiny Tigers class with Master Ohlson! She is so patient with them, and class is always so fun. He’s learning to be more in tune with his body through all the different warm ups & stretching, and, also learning to have a still body and focus when that’s required of him. It’s such a fun positive class that you won’t regret sending your kid to!

Source: Google

★ 5

Master Ohlson is amazing! She started hosting outdoor Tang Soo Do classes in San Rafael for kids and adults during the pandemic. She created an awesome space for kids to connect and learn and our 6 year old has a blast!! He just promoted into his next belt and it has been amazing to see his confidence grow and the pride in his eyes. Master Ohlson is a master (pun intended) of keeping their little goldfish brains engaged and excited. We can’t recommend Paresh enough. And it’s so convenient to have classes right in San Rafael!!

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

A great martial arts studio with a strong female head instructor- great role model for my girls

Source: Google

★ 3

Source: Google