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World Martial Arts Center Happy Kicks
4.9 ★★★★★ 115 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Brooklyn, New York
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 (ages 3–75) — 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
- Private lessons private, one-on-one instruction available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule happykicks.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (718) 855-9898
Hours
| Monday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Saturday | 10:30 AM–3 PM |
| Sunday | 10:30 AM–3 PM |
The classes they run
“My daughter has been attending the Happy Kicks Summer Camp in Brooklyn this summer, and I can honestly say it has been one of the highlights of her year.”
“The leadership responds in real time to real world concerns.”
Other martial arts here
“This was the place to start my hapkido journey :) The instructors are highly skilled and everyone is welcoming.”
What students say
“After decades of study, they are all deadly in their own, individual ways, and they are all excellent instructors, as patient as they are demanding.”
“WMAC has been a wonderful place for a beginner like myself to learn a deeply rooted and practical school of martial arts.”
“It will not only surpass your expectations of what growth would look like for yourself but also you will feel a sense of community and belonging that I am seriously grateful for.”
“This school is not just about learning martial arts techniques — it’s about healing, discipline, and personal growth.”
“The school's Grandmaster is a strong, dedicated, wise man who challenges students to see beyond our perceived limitations in the best ways.”
“There are people from ALL walks of life studying, working, opening their minds and bodies to the discipline while experiencing one another in respect and love.”
From the reviews
Put it this way: it takes me two hours of commute to attend a class and I've been doing it for the past six years. This school is that good. The curriculum has breadth and depth. The students and instructors are top notch, the true testament of the Master's value.
I had the pleasure of leading a 3 day Womb Practitioner and Spiritual Death Doula training at this location this past weekend. I cannot share enough about how accommodating Grand Master Herbert and his staff were in ensuring myself and my 30 student shad all the materials we needed, allowed for extra time, provided…
My son began attending Happy Kicks this year and we have seen such an improvement in his motor skills, confidence, discipline and focus. We previously tried some local martial arts places and this one is in another league.
The best place to become great! World Martial Arts Center has so much to offer. From physical, mental, even spiritual. We have a large amount of highly skilled instructors and teachers for all ages. No matter the race, beliefs, or sex, all are welcome. Come train and be great with us, see you on the mat,🥋
New to taekwondo? Start at World Martial Arts Center Happy Kicks
World Martial Arts Center Happy Kicks 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 World Martial Arts Center Happy Kicks
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 when you call. 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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