Martial Arts & Karate Classes in Plymouth/Wayzata, MN
Confidence, Fitness & Life Skills for Kids, Teens and Adults
Owners and Directors
Hours of Operations
Mon-Fri: 4:30pm – 9:00pm
Sat: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Sun: Closed
About Plymouth/Wayzata National Karate
National Karate has been servicing the Plymouth/Wayzata area since 2001. The first school was located where Turn style consignment is now. We are currently located next door to Sushi fix at the bottom of the hill in downtown Wayzata. We offer two classrooms and a small viewing area for parents. We service the Plymouth, Wayzata, Mound, Orono, Minnetonka, and surrounding communities.
Classes run from 4:45pm in the afternoons to evenings and Saturday mornings. We are closed on Sundays. We do have on-site parking as well as tons of street parking available. Classes are broken into Beginner 30 min/intermediate 40 min/ and advanced 50 min. Students should expect the athletic equivalent of a brisk walk in beginner classes progressing to more physically challenging as they progress.
You’ve probably seen us at James J Hill Days or tried our obstacle course during the Wayzata Boo Bash!
Kids, Teens and Adults Martial Arts Classes
- Kids classes focus on listening skills, coordination, and self-confidence.
- Teen programs build discipline, resilience, and leadership.
- Adult classes combine fitness, flexibility, and self-defense.
Self-Defense Training in Plymouth & Wayzata
Our Plymouth & Wayzata martial arts programs emphasize practical self-defense techniques that can be applied in real-life situations. Students learn awareness, control, and how to respond confidently under pressure. Beyond physical skills, training helps improve mental focus, self-discipline, and overall confidence—benefits that extend into school, work, and everyday life.
- All students receive age appropriate self-defense training.
- Self-defense techniques taught include: grab defenses, punch defense, containments, take-downs, and weapons defenses.
- Adult students and youth black belts have the opportunity to learn Krav Maga techniques from certified Krav Maga instructors.
Why Choose National Karate?
At National Karate in Plymouth/Wayzata, your student will be instructed by some of North America’s finest martial arts instructors with years of experience teaching students of all ages and abilities. We take the time to get to know our students personally and mentor them toward becoming the best version of themselves both on and off the mat.
Plymouth/Wayzata Martial Arts and Karate Classes
Meet our Leadership Team & Instructors
Mr. Worley started his teaching career as an assistant instructor in 1986 at the Excelsior National Karate Moving to a full time position in 1991 at the Edina NK earning the Head instructor roll there in 1992. When Master Nelson left to open the Chicago NK schools Kelly took over as Director of the Minnetonka location and lead MTKA from 1995-2001. Finally leaving to Open the Plymouth/Wayzata school in 2001 and has been in a leadership position with Plymouth/Way since.
Through out the 90’s Mr. Worley was a successful competitor on the NCKA tournament circuit winning several Grand Championship awards in both Forms & Sparring. He was also the first NCKA black belt competitor to finish #1 over-all in both form and sparring in the same tournament season.
Since 1986 Mr. Worley has worked with thousands of students helped countless attain the rank of Black Belt and seen students achieve great things in Martial Arts and in life. Now the thing he looks forward to the most is seeing students he worked with as children bringing their children in for classes.
Mr. Worley owns the Crystal, Richfield, Chaska, & Wayzata schools with his wife Jamey Worley (5th degree). They make their home in Plymouth and have 3 children Devon, Rhett, & Cassidy
What People Are Saying About Us
Book a 2-Week Trial
Includes required training uniform
FAQs
National Karate teaches child classes for ages 4-7*, youth classes for ages 8-12 and teen/adult classes for ages 13 and up.
*Ages of child classes may vary by school.
National Karate offers age appropriate self-defense as a part of their programs across all levels child through adult. Our instructors are skilled in grabs, containments, throws, and punch defense as well as many other practical techniques. Self-defense skills taught to children may not be the same techniques taught to adults. For example, Krav Maga specifically is taught to only adults. Please reach out to your local school for details on Krav Maga or womens only self-defense classes.
The average amount of time students practice to earn a black belt in National Karate is 3-4 years. However, this timeline is not guarenteed. Students of all ages must meet strict expectations of skills mastery, commitment to practice and excellence in character in order to qualify for black belt. Rank is not given; only earned.
National Karate has an over 50 year long legacy reaching back to the beginnings of Sport Karate in the United States. Our founder studied under martial arts legend Grand Master Jhoon Rhee and passed down his traditions of excellence to each school. Many of our students and instructors are nationally and world rated competitors in the North American Sport Karate Association.