LightSpeed Martial Arts Academy - Scotts Valley, California

Jeff Parker

Lightspeed has helped my son with his confidence, attention and over all improvement in school. This is great exercise and has taught dedication and perseverance.

Fiona Williams

My sons (13y and 10y) have been attending Lightspeed Martial Arts for about a year and a half. It is a great, safe, friendly and fun place to learn martial arts. It has noticeably increased their confidence, focus, self-discipline and motivation - even when at school! They also learn about respect, anti bullying, self-defense and programs to help them get back into school after summer break. Highly recommend this place. They offer classes from age 3 to adult.

Aimee McNally

My children have been training at LightSpeed for 8 yrs. Our experience has been positive. The instructors are experienced, helpful, fun, and have normal expectations for the students, not too strict and not too lenient. My children have gained physical strength and are learning various ways to deal with difficult situations and people. I like that the instructors expect respect and kindness in the studio and outside - they talk to the students reminding them when their kicks and punches are appropriate. I am amazed at the level of patience that the instructors have with all of the students. I have seen amazing physical and mental growth of many of their students. My sons are motivated and happy too. Good.

Janet Carpenter

My son has attended this school for 3 years, he has learned control, confidence and respect for his fellow athletes, instructors and friends. He has become more confident and secure in all aspects of his life. I love the transformation this school provided him! The instructors are first class! Their method of teaching is non-threatening yet firm, and the kids have respect for their classmates and instructors. Friendships grow and this little community makes our kids’ lives better; I recommend this studio and this life experience to all!

Light Speed Martial Arts, led by 5th Degree Black belt "Master Matt Salisbury", is a gem in our community!

Melissa Avilla

Our journey with LightSpeed Martial Arts began almost nine years ago when my oldest son was just six and researching a sport that would fit his personality. After visiting a lot of martial arts studios in the area, HE chose LightSpeed (then Scotts Valley Tae Kwon Do). His reason for this was clear, the instruction felt safe and the classes looked like fun. My reason for signing him up was the same but I also saw that the instructors showed maturity, were clearly well trained, were great with kids, and I loved the inviting family atmosphere. Nine years later we all feel the same way about our beloved studio. With the incredible instruction and encouragement of the highly talented instructors at Lightspeed, we now have three Black Belts, one Second Degree Black Belt, and one in training in our family of five. I can’t say enough about the many years of irreplaceable positive experiences we have had through our relationship with the people and training at LightSpeed Martial Arts. We would all be very different people today without it. If you’ve ever wondered what a martial arts class would be like (at any age), LightSpeed Martial Arts is the place you want to take your first step!

Melody Whinnery

My son loves his classes at LightSpeed. I so appreciate the time that the instructors take with him, the way that they tailor the content for each age level, and the support they have given me as a parent. The Verbal Judo that the offer at the local elementary school has benefitted my son immensely as well - and it's nice to have the consistent presence of other caring adults both in class and at school. My son knows that Master Salisbury and Master Jacobson are allies for him in navigating power struggles that he faces daily.

We were so pleased with our daughter's birthday party at Lightspeed. The activities and celebration
materials provided were more than what we expected for the cost. Lightspeed provided not only
the goodie bags, paper goods, and decorations, but also gave us the option to have them get the
cake as well. We were surprised by the number of children who attended, but the number of
kids and the age spread (2 - 10) did not phase the instructors. Every time I was able to look up
from visiting, taking pictures, and helping little ones, the majority of kids were involved in an obstacle
course, breaking boards, and enjoying learning a little bit about martial arts. Best of all were the
compliments I received from my fellow parents all of whom were not only impressed with the activities but with the instructors themselves. My kids loved it and would have another party at Lightspeed sooner if we had a birthday coming up.

Jef Gunion

I've been training at LightSpeed Martial Arts Academy (formerly Scotts Valley Tae Kwon Do Academy) for over 13 years, with many talented and committed instructors. Even from the very beginning as a White Belt, the overall experience has been very supportive and encouraging. I've watched 3 year old Little Dragons, as well as middle-aged adults train hard and become Black Belts. Now my 2 young daughters are on the same martial arts path, and I can see the benefits manifest in them regularly. This entire group of people has become an extended family, and I foresee training here for many years to come. Barring any injuries, next rank 3rd Dan Black Belt!

Heather D

There is something really, reallllly special about Lightspeed Martial Arts... My 8 year old son has been training Taekwondo there for 4 years now, and I have been training for 3 years. In that time, we have become so much more than part of an excellent martial arts training program (which it most certainly is!!) we have become part of a community, a LMA family. And our lives are so much the richer for it! We are more fit, more flexible, stronger, more confident AND we have a BLAST doing it! This is truly an amazing place.

The approach to learning Taekwondo is so positive and enriched. The students learn martial arts skills... kicks, blocks, balance, stances, sparring, all of the technical aspects of the sport. Alongside, and integrated with that, they are taught life lessons about things like discipline, perseverance, respect, honesty, integrity and much more. Students are taught these things as part of their daily classes, and even more importantly, they are taught by the example of their instructors. Master Salisbury is like a superhero to these kids... he teaches them to be strong and skilled... and compassionate and patient, to be someone who gives and deserves respect, to push your own limits and become the best that YOU can be. He is an absolutely amazing mentor to everyone who trains at LMA, and his teaching style and influence is carried out by each and every one of the other instructors. As well, the more advanced students are taught to be respectful, kind, and encouraging to the newer students.The kindness and willingness to help I see among the students is heartwarming. The world needs more Lightspeed kids, it will certainly be a better place for it!

The community aspect of this studio is wonderful. In these days where we shuttle our kids around from school to activities and childcare and homework... it's really easy to feel a bit crazy and over extended, it's so hard to get to everything, so easy to feel disconnected. The way that the classes are arranged, as well as the range of types of classes for adults and kids, makes it possible to train with your children, your spouse, your parents, and of course new friends. The scheduling is flexible, with many options of days & times that kids & adults can train. The family classes on Saturday are a favorite of ours! And in addition to the regular roster of classes, there seems to always be something fun coming up where everyone can get together and have fun as a community. There are often events where family and friends who are not current students are encouraged to come, and so the community circle grows both bigger, and stronger. I have met so many amazing people in our time there, from meeting other parent while we watch the kids, to the wonderful ladies in our morning women's Taekwondo classes, evening classes, kickboxing, special events and more.

I would give LMA a 10 star rating if I could! It has become a delightful, essential part of our lives, our family, our community. The lessons my son has learned, the lessons we both continue to learn, as we travel this journey along with our fellow students and instructors, are invaluable, and I feel so very, very lucky to be part of it all 🙂