Takai Mine Karate/Tae Kwon Do4522

My young kids have been going to Takai Mine Karate for a couple of years now. Master Chavez is very committed to her students. She works extremely hard with each and everyone of her students. All her students compete at the very highest levels in all State and National tournaments. Her commitment to her students shows in all of their accomplishments. This has lead to a self confidence and discipline to anyone that is fortunate enough to have her as their instructor.

I have been an active practitioner of martial arts since 1967 and have many talented martial artists during that time frame. I am very proud to have met Master Chavez, and have followed with interest her martial arts school and students. During my twenty years in the Albquerque area I have found her program complete and challenging, which drives her students to excel not only in the martial arts but in their personal lives as well. Her students are highly discipled individuals which adhere to the precepts found in true martial arts ( Humility, Patience, Kindness and Diligence) I can go on noting the achievements of Master Chavez and the members of the Takai Mine school but just let me say that its individals like Master Chavez and her students that make me proud to be part of the martial arts community. Respectfully, Sifu Francisco Rivera Chin Wu Athletic Association of the Philippines, U.S.A branch.

I am another instructor from another School here in NM. I feel so sad that people have to bad mouth Master Chavez and her School. I have known Master Chavez for over 30 years now and have seen her teach and compete. She is a true Martial artist and well respected in the community. I think people need to get their facts straight before saying things that are not true. Please, check her out for yourself before you listen to such negative information.

I started training with this school in 1993 along with my teen-aged daughter. She dropped out but I was more than impressed with the level of training I received. Her interest was not in training, but in hanging out with her friends. Although competition is not required, it is there for the ones who want to compete. That was right down my way of thinking. I trained there for several years and, unfortunately had to move out of state. I was afraid of not finding dojo as good as hers. The one I ended up at was one of the best in the area I moved to and they were impressed by the level of training I had considering I was not a Black Belt at the time. They immediately started me on the fast track to my BB test. Master Chavez will give back in training what you put into it. If you are serious about martial arts in Albuquerque, then this is the school for you.

They have their favorites, and if you are not one of them, forget it. Won't give you much but will sure take your money!

Avoid this one at ALL COSTS!

Master Hoines Rocks!

I stopped in at Takai Mine Karate ("High-Mountain" Karate) 14 years ago because I drove by it everyday and was interested in getting my daughter started in karate. After that first meeting with the owner and head instructor Master Antionette Chavez I knew there was no turning back. I had found a home. Master Chavez personifies the best of martial arts. She strives to teach students of all ages and abilities the valuable techniques of the martial arts together with the warrior spirit of never giving up, responsibility, respect and consideration for others: the total package, necessary to develop a strong, capable good citizen. She does this in a very positive, supportive environment. Competition is encouraged, but students are taught to help one another become stronger. What more could a parent ask for? Regarding techniques, the school is unique in that Master Chavez [6th degree black belt] teaches 4 distinct styles [Tae Kwon Do, Shorin Ryu, Shotokan, and Kali/Escrima]. The self-defense training is especially strong due to the influence of multiple styles. For all this, the tuition is modest and a bargain compared to most schools. FYI concerning another review, to my knowledge there has never been a black belt candidate named Tyrone at TMK.

I used to attend Takai Mine. Takai Mine was the biggest waste of my time.

Her testing fees start low, but go up very quickyl. Try more than $1500.00 for your BB test.

My daughter and I have been coming to Takai Mine since she was 4 years old (she'll soon be 18), and we're now both black belts and instructors at Takai Mine. I started training two years after my daughter started, and Master Antionette Chavez has had a huge impact on both our lives. Training together has helped us have a warm, close relationship even during her teenage years! Soon my daughter will be going off to college, and, with her years of self-defense training, I know that she will be able to take care of herself in any dangerous situation that may arise, and that's due to Master Chavez' training!
We've seen Master Chavez in action for years--in class, at local, regional, and national tournaments, in our lives, and in the lives of many others. When a family was robbed at Christmas time, Master Chavez rallied the school to help insure that the family had a good holiday complete with presents. After 9/11 she trained airline personnel in self-defense for free. She's trained four students who are or have been self-defense instructors for the military. While it's true that no one instructor is the perfect teacher for every student, I've seen Master Chavez work wonders with ADD and ADHD students--students that I, one of the assistant instructors, have problems teaching.
It's true Takai Mine students win in tournaments; however, there is no winning without training! Since joining AAU in 2002, 122 Takai Mine competitors have received 193 medals at the AAU national taekwondo championships--that's better than one and a half medals per person (that's children, adults, males, and females) over an 8 year period. All those medals came only as the result of years of training and dedication on the parts of both the students and the head instructor!
So for fighting, self-defense, and traditional martial arts (including Korean taekwondo, Okinawan and Japanese karate, and Philippine escrima styles), there's no better school in Albuquerque than Takai Mine!

The top place to study. Regardless of any factors, once you come, you're part of a family that will care for you for life. ^_^

great school with a great environment students actually learn something here

Keep up the good work.

Great school! Always treats students with respect and has a family environment.

Great School I tried many, and this is one of the best in the state..I recomend
this school to all ages...

In the mid 90's I was looking for a martial arts school in Albq. I visited numerous schools and watched their program. At Takai Mine I was impressed by the respect that the students gave their instructors and each other. I learned that this was a requirement of this school. Respect for instructors, teachers at regular school, parents and siblings. Parents have a say in the first belt recieved. Younger students must have a note from their parents stateing that they are respectful at home, school etc. before they recieve their first belt. I also noticed hundreds of trophies and medals along the wall. When I asked about these I was told they all belonged to Master Chavez, who won them in tournaments all over the country. I was impressed by the fact that an instructor practised what she taught. Many instructors never compete. Many students that have moved away remain loyal to Takai Mine and some return regularly to work out with Master Chavez. For these reasons (and more) I chose Takai Mine for my martial arts school and would recomend this school to adults and children alike.

Master Chavez really wants the children to learn martial arts. She also wants the children to just have fun. My five year old goes here and I would highly recommend Takai Mine to anyone who wants to learn from a great instructor.

Master Chavez treats all of her students adults and kids alike, as if they were her family. She is a great teacher and treats all with respect. If you want to learn martial arts, this is the school for you.

Lot's of trophies, not much training. She has her favorites, and it you're not, then forget it.

I spent several years at this school and all I got was grief.

This is great place for the whole family!There are classes for all ages and skill levels. There are many styles of martial arts addressed,giving a much broader experience. The instructor has a great demeanor with kids and adults alike.If you're interested in wide range of martial arts I highly recommend this school.