Lacombe Karate is currently celebrating over 30 years of martial arts instruction in the Conejo Valley. Recognizing the desire of the community to learn self-defense, Master Lacombe began teaching in his first studio in 1973 in Westlake Village, California"s "First Neighborhood" area. To accommodate the growing number of students, they moved to a larger studio in Agoura Hills, California in 1979. Continued success and word of mouth spread that Master Lacombe"s studio was the place to train for karate. The Agoura Hills location opened in 1986. The studio is constantly growing and changing to fit our students" needs, and moved back to the SAME BUILDING that housed the "old school" in the mid 1970"s! The karate studio"s new address is 31848-50 Village Center Road, Westlake Village, CA 91361.

A 9th Degree Black Belt and second highest ranking Black Belt in the National Tang Soo Do Congress, Master Lacombe has been repeatedly honored for his Martial Arts Instruction skills. His many credits include "Instructor of the Year" from the United Fighting Arts Federation, recognition as a Master with World Black Belt, certified A.I.D. "America In Defense" instructor, and "The Award for Teaching Excellence" from the National Association of Martial Arts Professionals (NAMPA).

Lacombe Karate offers a well-balanced training regimen for both children and adults. Millions have benefited from karate training world-wide. Karate, which means empty hand, has origins in Eastern Asia dating back thousands of years. The basic tools for training in the martial arts provide a foundation for life skills, such as self discipline, recall, memorization, and focus and concentration. Learning the techniques lead to greater body control, balance, eye coordination and confidence.

Dragon classes for the youngest students increase the ability to follow directions and pay attention while having fun, exercising and learning self-defense. Adult classes are available for teens and adults. Our successful adult programs produce quality martial artists. A high percentage of our adult students progress to Black Belt, the symbol of the mastery of the basic elements of Karate. Junior classes for students in between these age groups engage the class members to enjoy learning and set and achieve their goals as well.

Lacombe Karate specializes in the Korean Martial Art of Tang Soo Do. Popularized in America by Chuck Norris, Tang Soo Do (Way of the Knife Hand, also Way of the Chinese Hand ) emphasizes a balance of hand and foot techniques. It is considered a combination of "hard" and "soft" karate style, deriving softness from flowing Northern Chinese styles and hardness from Korean Soo Bahk Do techniques. Tang Soo Do was founded by Grandmaster Hwang Kee (1914-2002).

Thought of the day:

Establish a policy of taking all criticism as friendly. Once you insist to yourself that the other person is well intentioned, you'll get value from legitimate criticism, if there's any there to get, and you won't be bothered by the rest. When you concede a critic's good will, you disarm an attacker and encourage an ally.