About Us

Welcome to TAMA Martial Arts: Your Premier Martial Arts Academy in Dayton, Ohio At the Taningco Academy of Martial Arts (TAMA), we have been shaping lives and empowering individuals through martial arts training since 1976. As Dayton’s leading martial arts center, TAMA was founded on the belief that progressive martial arts training can unlock personal growth, discipline, and confidence in every student. Located in the heart of the Miami Valley, our state-of-the-art TAMA Martial Arts Center, built in 1988, stands as a symbol of our unwavering dedication to excellence. For nearly 50 years, we have proudly served Dayton and surrounding areas, fostering a tradition of high-quality martial arts education under the guidance of Grandmaster Taningco. Grandmaster Taningco, a revered martial artist with decades of experience, continues to lead as our Chief Martial Arts Instructor, providing insight about martial arts. His passion for teaching and his commitment to students’ success are the cornerstones of TAMA’s reputation for excellence in martial arts training. At TAMA, we offer a wide range of martial arts programs tailored to meet the needs of individuals of all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re interested in Muay Thai kickboxing and boxing, karate, taekwondo, kung fu, jiu-jitsu, or other martial arts disciplines, we are here to help you achieve your goals. Our programs are designed to instill essential martial arts values, including discipline, determination, dedication, and self-esteem. Through personalized training and a supportive community, we help our students set and achieve both short-term and long-term objectives. Join the TAMA family today and experience the life-changing benefits of martial arts training in Dayton. Discover how TAMA can help you build confidence, improve fitness, and develop skills that will last a lifetime. Visit us at 1753 Woodman Drive – check out the class schedule at TAMA Martial Arts to learn more about our programs, schedule a visit, and take the first step in your martial arts journey.
Ajarn Manuel Taningco Muay Thai

Tama- A Family Martial Arts Center

Grandmaster Manuel R. Taningco – Founder of TAMA Family Martial Arts
“TAMA … building knowledge in the mind, honesty in the heart, and strength in the body through martial arts training, since 1976.”

What We Offer – Eight Diverse Martial Arts Programs

Founded on the strength of our progressive Kenpo karate program, TAMA has grown to offer a total of eight diverse martial arts training programs:

Each challenging and rewarding program has its unique focus and personality that motivates our members to grow, not only physically, but also spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. With all programs offered in the same martial arts center, students also have the option to cross-train in as many other disciplines as they wish to find what best meets their personal goals. Through proper martial arts training methodology and studies, continuous research, and fine-tuning of practical application, TAMA provides students a blueprint for success.

Separate Classes For Kids and Adults

Kids Martial Arts Classes (Ages 4-12)

We proudly offer Kids Karate, Kids Muay Thai, Kids Jiu-Jitsu, and Kung Fu classes, crafted to nurture children’s physical, mental, and emotional development. These programs focus on building core skills like strength, balance, and coordination, while fostering essential life attributes like confidence, self-esteem, accountability, and teamwork.

Through these engaging classes, children not only learn martial arts techniques but also build meaningful social connections. Group activities teach the importance of diversity, collaboration, and unity, creating a positive, well-rounded experience for every student.

Mighty Mites Kid’s Karate (Ages 4-6)

Our Mighty Mites Karate class is specifically designed for young children aged 4-6, capturing their curiosity and energy through fun, interactive lessons. This program helps kids develop focus, self-discipline, respect, and self-confidence while channeling their enthusiasm into structured activities that promote learning and growth.

Adult Martial Arts Programs (Ages 13 and Up)

Our adult programs cover all eight martial arts disciplines offered at TAMA Martial Arts, catering to students at every level—from beginners to advanced practitioners. Each system is taught progressively, starting with foundational techniques and advancing to more complex skills as students grow in ability.

These adult martial arts classes are perfect for achieving goals such as self-defense, improved fitness, or even personal transformation. By combining traditional training methods with modern approaches, we ensure every student receives the tools they need to succeed in their martial arts journey.

Whether you’re seeking martial arts training for yourself or your child, TAMA Martial Arts Center provides a supportive environment where students of all ages can thrive. Join us today to discover how martial arts can empower you!

Visit us at TAMA Martial Arts Center to learn more and sign up for a class!

OUR MOTTO

Virtue, Wisdom, Humility, Martial Arts

The art of Kuoshu (coming from the Chinese characters for “national art”) is the ancestral Chinese terminology for the complete variation of Chinese martial arts and is created to improve the certain person from a physical perspective. We exercise the Tien Shan Pai motto to establish the absolute individual, not just the physical, but the mind, body and spirit.

Virtue

Virtue 德( dé).

Virtue consists of calibers including morality, kindness, ethics, good character, undertaking the appropriate thing, sincerity, mindfulness, and even gallantry. The committed martial specialist chooses in their life — inside and outside of the US Kuoshu Studio — persistent with the fundamentals of virtue.

Wisdom

Wisdom 智( zhì).

Wisdom is thought that happens as a result of life experience. It is not simply expertise acquired from studying a handbook or getting a training course. The clever person has a point of view that is wider than their own perspective; they have the ability to combine many contexts, and recognize the lasting effects of picking one path or another. To propagate wisdom, one requires to be open, aware, and cautious at all times.

Humility

Humility 謙( qiān).

As martial professionals build physical and mental expertise, it becomes significantly vital to toughen these achievements with humbleness. Martial arts are used to protect oneself as a last option. If we misuse our ability with cocky actions, bragging, or daunting others, we take shame to our System and our instructors. There is always the chance that we can discover more about any undertaking, including martial arts. The more we feel that we know, the less open we are to learn. Grow a “beginner’s mind” when approaching Kuoshu training course or other things in life. Think of yourself an unfilled cup standing by to be loaded with something new and interesting. If you are already loaded, everything new will just spillover and be thrown away.

Martial Art 武( wǔ).

Martial Art 武( wǔ).

This character holds the meaning of martial arts competence. It can also indicate valor, courage, and ferociousness. All of the attributes in our motto are essential, but we put this value last. This arrangement is intended. Enhancing our martial arts capability is the focal point of our everyday training at the US Kuoshu Studio but it is not our utmost intention. Our main objective is to establish into the best possible individuals we can be. Persistent and committed training in Chinese martial arts can help us better individually. This classic Chinese method– our teaching procedures, our course material, and our focus on character– identifies the US Kuoshu Studio from other, less traditional schools.

Dragon Left
Black Belt Logo
USAdojo logo
Karate Lessons
Dragon Right

GM MANUEL TANINGCO FEATURED IN AFFILIATE NEWS NETWORKS

The Fox News
The CNN Logo
th nbc logo
the cbs news
the abc logo
USA Today

DO YOU WANT TO BE A CHAMPION IN LIFE?

Give yourself or your child a “Gift Of CONFIDENCE. Help your child build lifelong skills and learn practical self-defense techniques. One of many solutions to stop being bullied.

Scroll to Top