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River Valley Taekwondo
4.9 ★★★★★ 11 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Northampton, Massachusetts
Style / system: Olympic / World Taekwondo · Kukkiwon-certified — based on the school's own site and student reviews. Taekwondo systems (Olympic/World Taekwondo, ITF, and ATA/Songahm) differ in forms, sparring rules, and tournaments; if lineage matters to you, confirm it with the school. ATA vs WT vs ITF, explained →
Affiliated school — reviews and the school's own info point to a recognized taekwondo organization or franchise (think ATA Martial Arts, Kukkiwon certification, World Taekwondo, or ITF). If credentials matter to you, ask which association the school belongs to and where the head instructor earned their black-belt (dan) rank and certification.
Plan your first class
- Free trial or intro class most schools welcome new students with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- Kids & teens classes kids and teens taekwondo classes — built around discipline, focus, confidence, and anti-bully skills
- Beginner-friendly all ages and levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Poomsae & forms forms (poomsae) practice — the patterns at the heart of taekwondo and your belt testing
- Competition & demo team a competition and demonstration team for students who want to test themselves at tournaments and events
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule rivervalleytkd.com — book classes and see the live schedule
Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 6–7:30 pm |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | 6–7:30 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | 6–7:30 pm |
The classes they run
“I started at River Valley Taekwondo as a teenager and now 20 years (and 2 kids) later it is still my Dojang of choice.”
“The traditional Korean practice that Bill and the other teachers are passing down to us is authentic and practical for self defense.”
Other martial arts here
“The traditional Korean practice that Bill and the other teachers are passing down to us is authentic and practical for self defense.”
What students say
“This school has a community that makes you feel welcome from your first class, that's why I feel motivated to learn more every day.”
“The instructors were friendly, knowledgeable, and caring and there was a wonderful sense of comaraderie amongst the students too, no matter our experience level.”
“I love the traditional approach to martial arts, without focusing on tournaments or competitions.”
“I love the traditional approach to martial arts, without focusing on tournaments or competitions.”
From the reviews
I have been interested in practicing a martial art for a long time, but I couldn't find something that felt right for me. I joined River Valley Taekwondo a few months ago and the first thing I could notice was how friendly all the instructors and students at the school were.
I’ve been a part of RVTKD since the early 2000’s and recently rejoined the school after many years away. One thing is for sure, River Valley Taekwondo is a safe space for all to practice. When I am in class, I feel focused, determined, and part of a unique group.
I attended class 2-3 times per week for 2 years and loved every minute of it! The instructors were friendly, knowledgeable, and caring and there was a wonderful sense of comaraderie amongst the students too, no matter our experience level.
This practice has made me aware of my mind, body, and energy. It has improved my confidence in relationships and my self esteem. The instructors’ motivation comes from a timeless source, as you can tell from the fact that students with perfect attendance (just 3 classes per week) get full scholarships.
New to taekwondo? Start at River Valley Taekwondo
River Valley Taekwondo comes up as a beginner-friendly school — noted on their own site. If you've never trained or set foot in a dojang, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and instructors scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable schools build fundamentals (stances, blocks, kicks, and basic forms) for weeks, sparring eases in gradually and with gear on, and instructors keep it controlled and safe. Third, all ages and all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most schools are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first taekwondo class at River Valley Taekwondo
Nervous about walking into a taekwondo school for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good instructors expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic stances, blocks, and kicks with a partner or on pads — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: loose athletic wear you can move in (or a dobok if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the floor. What to bring: water and a positive attitude — many schools lend a loaner dobok for a first class, so it's worth asking. As you keep training you'll get your own dobok and belt, and sparring gear (mouthguard, headgear, and guards) once you begin sparring. Sparring eases in gradually, once your fundamentals and forms are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the instructor. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site