Reviews of Silent Tiger Martial Arts

We have been to a lot of dojos, this is one of the worst.

There isn’t really an room to watch your children in the classes.

The owner is ok, she is a little rude at times. The instructors are ok as well but need more practice handeling the younger kids

I fully believe in supporting the club you belong to but this place seem to be always asking for donations

We signed my son up for 2 months. When I originally asked on pricing before signing up I was quoted $110. I was not told this was a promo price and after the 2 months the price went up a lot and you have to sign a 6 month contract. I felt all pricing should have been disclosed upfront.

Instructors are really nice but lack the ability or expertise to teach. They didn’t seem to feel comfortable teaching.

Owner/Renshi is rude and is always gossiping with other parents in the “lounge”

Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this place. There is other studio in Clarington that are a lot better

We are still at Silent Tiger and we still love it. I still feel the same way as I did when I wrote my first review and I still highly recommend Silent Tiger for yourself or your kids.

I'm so surprised by the negative comments about Silent Tiger. My 2 boys aged 8 and 6 have been Tiny Tigers for a year now and we LOVE it. We genuinely enjoy our time at the school and I think the family that runs the school are lovely people. The owner, Angela Fice is upfront and brutally honest but totally friendly. She is also kind, understanding and full of helpful advice when it comes to kids. What you see is what you get and I like that. My son's would be really upset if they couldn't go there anymore. Further, to the comments of them being expensive. Nonsense, I have friends who go to upscale, fancy clubs and they pay hundreds more than I do (yes, hundreds) upfront, a year at a time. Not at Silent Tiger. Decide for yourself, for us it's a great fit and I highly recommend them.

Our daughter is six years old and had been asking about taking karate for the past two years. Last summer I found a wag jag deal for 2 months of karate for $60 so figured we had nothing to lose and we could find out whether our daughter likes it before a big financial commitment. Two months later she was having fun and wanted to continue.

Now it's been six months and she is still loving it and thriving. She's started competing in tournaments and has stepped outside of her comfort zone on several occasions. The caring and supportive nature of the instructors and students at this school have made the experience better than I could have hoped and the friends we have made in this new "karate family" have made everything more fun for everyone.

Honestly, I didn't research reviews or other clubs prior to signing my daughter up because of the awesome deal we got, but I could not imagine a better experience than we have had and look forward to being involved in this club for many years to come.

We started out with our son in self defense and have moved onto karate. It has been a good experience for him, especially his self esteem. I'm proud of him and pleased with the instruction he's received. Thanks guys.

Our son thinks he is a ninja turtle. We researched schools and like Silent Tiger for the atmosphere, Romper room (for young daughter) and flexible schedule. We read reviews prior and were shocked people stayed for so long if they were so unhappy. So really they were pointless. Who pays money for years for something BAD? We asked Renchi Fice about the reviews, she said there is good and bad and you can't please everyone - makes sense. We have only been to a few classes but love the instruction. Right now I would recommend this dojo in a heartbeat. We are not sure who this man is that reviews are about, I asked several other parents only one remembers his from years ago. Our son loves karate and he has changed in the few classes we have done so I am glad I did not pay attention to the bad reviews and we hope our son will continue and become a black belt that Sensei Ryan seems to be. Renchi is funny and straight forward and it has to be hard to be the heavy and a friend. The other students seem to adore her. The contract is basic and the Intro special is great. We will sign up after it is done. Looking forward to meeting this Sensei Shane and Sensei Linda and all the other black belts. Thanks Silent Tiger

After reading all reviews it seems some people based opinions on some guy that was there and is not now. Not sure how this reflects the schools ability to teach? I like Silent Tiger, like the flexible schedule, the instructors and really like Sensei Lynda who is the day teacher and was there in summer for kids day classes. Like Sensei Fice or not, she provides excellent instruction, her door is always open and she encourages students to try their best and be accountable. I am not impressed with those that leave a review that attack the people not the facility. We found this one of the best schools for our child.

I read comments

1. REALLY? imagine a business going after you for breaking a contract - seriously does this define the teaching. . NO I can't imagine my cell phone company or cable or mortgage not coming after me for breaking a contract I read and then signed?

2. STRUCTURE - you sign up for discipline - you don't like it join something else?

3. HARD - guess what - welcome to LIFE

4. SEEMS those with the worse things to say were there a LONG time or NOT very long at all?? perhaps you enjoying attacking someone

I am impressed with the instruction, the structure, the NO nonsense attitude. NO games, No gimmicks - IT is all up front. My child loves Silent Tiger and I love Sensei Rachel and Sensei Ryan and the straight forward attitude of Mrs. Fice. If you have an issue go talk, don't sit and judge. If Mrs. Fice was a man would her attitude be in question NO. she would be considered a hard ass and it would be acceptable.

I just read a review from "Figure it out yourself!!". I know there are things that I dislike ( Liver, McDonalds, Brussel Sprouts ) but there are people out there that cant get enough of them. I think that Figure it out yourself was only correct on that statement. You will have to Figure it out yourself, If you like it or not. Students have been going there for years for a reason. My daughter loves going Silent Tiger, she is a changed person to the better because of Silent Tiger and that is all that matters to me.

I am a current black belt at this club. I have been at this club for 10 years and both of my boys went to this school. I searched for quite a while before choosing this school and Angela Fice is the reason I chose it. My boys are sensitive, but needed to work on their focus and concentration. I was also looking for a club for myself. I did not want a club that focused on fighting. I wanted to learn a martial art and exercise while progressing through the ranks.

The latest in a string of bad reviews continue to speak of students who are no longer at the club and the relationships of those people, but one of the latest refers to a past "lover". How about you resubmit that review "Figureitoutyourself" and put your NAME on it. Because you have your information very wrong and Angela Fice should investigate the submission and have you charged with slander. Regardless of her so-called relationships, her teaching is awesome. If your child did not practice and was called out on the mat for not knowing something, TOUGH. I and my children have been stuck on something during class and had to admit that we did not practice it or didn't write it in our book. Get over it.

Some people cannot handle criticism but the ones that take it and work with it progress and become better students. I have many students young and old who I have watched as they grow and progress. Many times I have given out push ups and called my students out during class. My own kids did their chores for fear of my telling their Sensei Angela Fice. Did it upset them to have her single them out. Absolutely. Then they figured it out and carried on.

Did Angela tell me about this site? Yes. How else am I going to know about the COWARDS who say negative and slanderous things but refuse to give their names.

I will defend this club and the instructors here. I teach karate because I love it and it is a part of who I am.

If your child did not like karate, they should quit. If your child did not like being exposed as lazy, disrespectful, or undisciplined, in front of the class, then they need to be here even more.

As I read through all these reviews I am struck with the awareness the many of the good ones were written about the same time! Would it affect your opinion to find out those reviews were written at the request of Ms. Fice? I know it's a fact that she did ask her friends to write them. One of them so obviously written by her former lover, one whom she called "Grasshopper", see how much he praises himself in his review? Though I must agree with his comments concerning Cindy, she was always great to me and my child!

Ms. Fice makes you sign a contract and will go after you if you break it, anyone staying for a considerable length of time HAD to stay or experience the all consuming wrath of Ms. Fice!

She doesn't like the bad opinions of her and she has a warped view of Karma. She seems to believe Karma doesn't affect her, just all those who she wants it to affect. Karma has already got her, but she is not smart enough to figure it out, rather than repairing the problems she caused, perhaps apologizing for her ridiculous behavior, she uses tricks, lies and manipulation instead. The club is not recommendable. Perhaps if she left it to her kids to run, it would come back to it's former glory... but then she would actually have to PAY them to work.

For all the drama wrapped up in this "club", you would be smart to stay far away!

My name is Debra. I am a parent of a former student. I am at a loss for words reading these reviews. I can see the negative ones are nameless and some of the positive ones have names or you can identify the child/parent. Mrs Fice is NOT a warm and cuddly person and frankly I am glad. Many of us used the threat of her at home to encourage our children to behave, do chores, etc.. I find it surprising so much is NOT said about how the training that was great, just personal attacks from people who according to your own admission stayed a prolonged period of time. If it was as horrible as you are stating, why would you stay so long? Seems like people who did not agree with belt testings and hold a grudge. We left because our son wanted to play rep soccer. For those of you leaving negative comments have the stones to leave a name. For a woman who you paid for months and months on end it could not have been that bad. Karma has a way of catching up on you.

Definitely not enough attention on the children.

The owner can be quite cruel both to the children and the parents. We couldn't take our daughter being bullied anymore- or us- for that matter.

I spoke to another martial arts studio who couldn't believe how our daughter was being treated.

I do not recommend this 'dojo' to anyone...not if you have your children's best interests at heart.

Renchi Fice runs a non nonsense Dojo. If you don't earn it you don't get it! Both my grand children have been attending for over a year now. The difference in both kids is amazing. There much more secure and sure of themselves. There level of discipline has increased dramatically. They both feel they are truly part of a group and community.Sensi Ryan is extremely talented , great with the kids and his peers and my grand children have great respect and affinity for him.

Renchi Fice is very direct and it does take a while to get used to her way, once you are though you realize she simply has the best interest of the club in her students at heart. We do miss Sensi Rachel though but we are blessed with her presence every time she has a school break.We were truly lucky to have landed here

I am a former Black Belt of Silent Tiger. I was very pleased to read recent reviews of how well the cob is excelling but was horrified by some other reviews here. I cannot say I am surprised though. Renshaw Fice and ALL her black belts live by many principals one being no belt will be given away but rather must be earned. If you want your child to have false feeling of accomplishment then this club is not for you. With that being said if you want your child to actually learn something that is life practical and earn their way through the ranks STMA should be at the top of your list. Unfortunately there have been students and or parents who felt they were missing treated but the truth is they were only being told the truth about where they were at the time when it related to the arts. I have learned many have opinions on black belts and whether or not they were earned. What people don't see is the behind the scenes and the blood sweat and tears that go into achieving such a goal. I was appalled when reading a review about Sensei Cindy and Sensei Nolan. Yes they may have been close with Renshaw Fice but I assure you from first hand knowledge never once were these two treated with favoritism. As a matter of fact I would go as far as saying they were pushed harder then most to ensure nobody would question their credentials. As far as earning their belts in 2 years well people again are misinformed. Sensei Cindy and Nolan almost failed belt tests but worked hard to overcome it. I challenge whoever wrote such a review to stand in the same dojo with either Sensei as I am sure they would pale in comparison to these two. Credentials of one's teacher can say a lot about a student but what is undeniable is the achievements the student makes. Again I can say 1st hand Sensei Cindy and Nolan have won a many awards and championships and have much to be proud of as they lived at that dojo every day for hrs on end at times to achieve their goals. The other black belts at STMA have all taken this path and are nothing short of tremendous instructors and role models.itvis unfortunate the politics that sometimes gets in the way of the arts but I guess in the end there are always the ones who want to knock the top perfoemers off their pedestals. For all you out there questioning the true credentials of STMA black belts just go see for yourself.

The school also has classes in traditional karate weapons for advanced students, a particular favorite of my son. In addition students have the option of attending a wide variety of seminars.(I know what you are thinking here, that you have to attend the seminars and incur the extra cost in order to grade or to speed up the grading process. This is not the case, this is supplemental training made available to those who choose to take it.)

Silent Tiger has an active website available for information, and also utilizes facebook for real time communication with the dojo's community. Things like reminders about testing, weather closures, emergencies etc are published via closed facebook groups. That means the status of the nights classes are never more then a click away on my smartphone. Beyond that monthly newsletters and other FAQs are available at the club.

Students who need help at STMA receive it in a variety of ways. Senior students/black belts might offer one on one assistance during class, after class, during Saturday morning "help class" or via appointment. Help is offered and given freely at STMA.

The dojo also runs a number of events for the STMA community including holiday parties, camps, the aforementioned seminars, an annual Fear Factor, tournaments etc. Lots of chances to socialize both on and off the mats makes STMA more then a business, its a community.

In closing, my son, when asked where he would be without his training at STMA has simply answered "I don't know." Its a part of his life, and a part of who he is.

My son has studied at Silent Tiger for about 6 years. In that time he has grown into a young man that I am proud of.

The dojo was exactly what I was looking for when I began to look for dojos in the Bowmanville area. Not too big that my son(a quiet boy) would be lost in the numbers, and not too small that it could simply cease operation next Friday. The head instructor studied has studied under a variety of Sensei, including one that I studied under 20 years ago.

The school offers several different curriculum, depending on needs. A ladies fitness kickboxing program, a program geared towards those with special needs, and a general program focusing on karate.

Children are evaluated by a senior black belt prior to being enrolled, and they have no issue letting parents know whether or not kids are ready to start martial arts training.

Instruction is done primarily by senior black belts, most notably the head instructor's son, who is a gifted martial artist, a talented teacher and most importantly, a fundamentally decent young man. The head instructor is a direct and blunt woman who has a wealth of knowledge with regard to the martial arts and many contacts within the martial arts community. You always know where you stand with her. There are no games, no illusions. She also has a heart of gold, and her door is always open to students, parents etc.

The core course curriculum offers instruction in blocking/striking techniques, with focus to their inclusion in kata/forms, and their practical applications via self defense training and sparring. Classes are of reasonable time lengths(between 30 and 60 minutes) and also reasonable size. Material is taught, practiced and reviewed. Students are evaluated based on their understanding and application of the material and tested when they are ready.

Testing occurs on a monthly basis, the last Thursday of every month. When a student is ready to test they receive an information package including a form to be completed by parents and teacher(s). Good performance on the mats is not enough to test, students must be demonstrating appropriate behave at home and school as well. The school integrates respect and discipline into all facets of a students life. Students earn their belts through practice, effort, behavior and demonstrating the mastery of the required material.

I have been with STMA for almost 2 years now. I joined after interviewing several clubs as his previous club had my son in tears on the mat more than once. I have a special needs son who needs to be taught differently than most children and I was delighted when I was told that the blackbelts in the club were well trained in how to help exceptional children.

Originally we all agreed to put my son into the regular stream classes and hopefully things would work out as the instructors were all made aware of his needs. After about 3 weeks of initial trial Sensei Renshi, very tactfully and respectfully, introduced me to the Sho Do Ryu program. It is a special program with limited class size that was developed with Grandview Children’s center. The idea behind it is that anyone can earn a blackbelt, you just have to modify the program and teaching methods for those with exceptional needs.

Since moving my son across to this specialized program his self-esteem has skyrocketed. He is incredibly proud of the accomplishments he’s had in Karate, has graded belts a couple of times and has been in a number of tournaments. You think any child gets excited when they receive a medal, imagine what a child with a mental disability feels like when a room full of people erupt into cheers just for him because he got up the courage to stand up and do his form for the judges. This is the same child who is usually bullied and left out because the symptoms of autism don’t let him truly fit into many groups. Here my son is accepted and his gifts are encouraged. There’s a great deal of positive encouragement and absolutely nothing is said to make him think he can’t do something or to make him feel less than the amazing kid he is.

This school has been a powerful influence on my son. He is more active and fit than he’s ever been. He’s used the self-confidence and self-defense techniques he’s been taught in class many times in defense of both himself and his little sister, non-violently, standing up to children who are 5 -6 years older than him.

I would recommend this school in a heartbeat to anyone who asks.

My Name is Marcia. My son has been going to karate since he was four years old and is now eleven. He feels at home on the dojo and has brought problems to Renshi and his Sensei with the confidence he will be listened to and it will be solved. There are many skills, forms, self defense and martial arts being taught at the school. Regarding previous reviews, life skills are all around us and are at the school also ie smoking. Teach your children the risks of smoking, don't make it someone else's job or responsibility. Get to know Renshi, learn about her MS and her love of Martial Arts, animals, cooking and her students. Watch a class and recognize that Sensei helps and corrects throughout the class with examples and encouraging words.

My son words about Silent Tiger Martial Arts are" theses are real classes about self defense not fighting, they are very open and have a lot of classes at different times. If you need extra help they offer classes for that. There isn't only karate there is kickboxing, sparring, bow and different weapons to train with. There is a Black Belt Club that I am apart of."

Money well spent!

Unfortunately, we only stayed for the two month promotion. Our family budget did not allow for the monthly payments. We understand that things cost money. The instruction was great. All teachers friendly. Angela Fice was a character, but always polite and more than willing to work with us. My daughter loved karate and if we ever decide to go back, we will go there. Sensei Rachel was a true role model for our daughter and Sensei Ryan showed patience beyond his years. Sensei Shane we only saw a few times but very determined. Thanks for a good introduction to the martial arts.

I was shocked when surfing the Internet and saw this. As a former kickboxing student and putting my child in the Tiny Tiger program. We were very happy at STMA. When we experienced a family set back and then were forced to relocate, Mrs. Fice (Sensei) helped us in ways I can't even put into words. To say the younger black belts are no credible is ridiculous. To imply she is incompetent is laughable. If we still lived in the area, or ever move back I would NOT train anywhere else. The compassion and sensitivity showed to myself and my child went above and beyond. As for the man that will remain as "N" he was there when I was there and as much as I might not have liked him, that was him not the school. Agreed Angela has a unique personality of her own, but I found her to be straight forward and always willing to discuss any issues. I was taken aback at the petty comments that were directed about her. The school is Amazing and I highly recommend to ALL

Both of my sons have trained and I train at STMA. My boys are well rounded, strong and respectful individuals and a lot of that was as a result of their training at STMA. The students there are happy and progressing well. In the years I have been there I have seen many students excel and go on to advanced level and black belts. It seems that many of the reviews involved assumption and conjecture. What happens off the mats does not affect the teachers on the mats. The young teachers have been training since they were in preschool, and have many years under their well earned blackbelts. If there is any question whether they deserve to be up there look in the trophy case.

I joined STMA for kickboxing. I truly enjoy the class and for once in my life, I actually enjoy exercise. Angie keeps the class entertaining and uses different pieces of equipment to change up the routine. I would recommend this club for kickboxing.

I've read through these reviews and find it hard to believe that we are talking about the same school. My son has been at Silent Tiger for a year and half and we love it. It is refreshing to have him learn some real life lessons. Now a days kids are not taught to earn things. They know very little about disappointment and even less about hard work. I for one do not think its right that they do not have to earn passing grades to be promoted. That they don't have to be good at a sport to make a team.

Is STMA tough, yes it is and it has taught my son a lot in the past year. To say there is no respect is most certainly a false statement.

I don't know who Nolan is or what it was like when he was there but I think this is a great dojo.

The comment on playing tag is bothersome to me. These kids train several days a week and they train hard. The kids love having a rare night of so called "tag", taking a break from the structured classes for a little fun not even realizing that that they are still being taught in the process.

Previous reviewers failed to mention that Renshi suffers from MS. So is she on the mats all the time, no. She does however oversee the classes from the sidelines and if something is not being done correctly she points it out. The sensei running the class may be young but he is unreal! You should see his forms, sparring and weapons.

You get a belt when you earn that belt. I would much rather my son experience the disappointment of being told he is not ready then just be handed something he did not earn.

Our dojo has placed at every tournament we have attended so far.

My family will stay a part of the STMA family for years to come.

I was a martial arts student at another Dojo a long time ago and am appalled by how this dojo is run. I am appalled by the behaviour of Angela, and if she is the leader there she is setting a poor example to follow. I learned respect formerly and others and all this sense wants to do is gossip, yell and not teach anything. It's disgraceful. My son isn't learning any formal karate, just tag. It's horrible. There is not one good thing to say. In fact I even caught Angela having a huge gob of drool come dripping from her mouth as she was tying a students belt. She is a poor example of a sense who instills no values or moral code on respect

When I started as a student years ago I thought the school was great, until a male student and the sensei started an illicit affair which greatly affected the club as he and her new female bff became black belts in only 2 years!!!! It takes everyone else 5!!! And there is good reason for that because you need 5 yrs (like any other dojo) to truly be a martial artist, as one of the black belt testers from another school stated "you would never get a black belt from my school with this performance". There is Total Favouritism of certain students and their children. Both myself and my children were subjected to this and the gossip.....about other parents and students including myself was just the final straw, I do not want or need to be subject of gossip due to covering up lies and not playing nice with the best friends. Only friends are allowed to learn special weapons and have private classes at her home.

Despite this, you should not go to silent tiger as it is truly unprofessional (I have attended two other schools and they are run very differently), it is QUITE EXPENSIVE,the sensei never starts on time, is harsh over innate things, takes many smoke breaks, then has lower belt adults or teenagers teach, and then the sensei will talk about your badly behaved child to other adults who hang out only to gossip. The competitions you attend are only other small schools and "international" ones are in mexico or Dominican republic and maybe one or two other countries attend. Silent Tiger students are not good enough to compete in real local PMA competitions due to "politics" as Angie says. The truth is they don't attend because they never place in any division, thus for all the money and abuse, I recommend you sign up for karate in a school that is not scared of some real competition.

I did learn a lot of useful karate when it was taught and I ignored the politics and the gossip, if not for these things the school could be decent but has regressed so much, that you don't want to associate with the reputation of silent tiger.

If you are looking fro a dojo that teaches any of the martial arts true meaning then avoid this "school" If all you want to do is give your hard earned money away to a head teacher who sits in her office and lets her kids do all the work, then go ahead, sign up

I placed my son in Silent Tiger Martial Arts after reading about their accomplishments in the paper--

My son enjoyed his time in the beginning--Although I was unimpressed by the smoking that went on at the front of the building-all the children need to walk through to get to class. The owner is rarely on the mat--she also uses unacceptable language in front of the children and adults and seems to be more focused on the socializing aspect.

I pulled my son because he was getting scared of being there--He was belittled a number of times in front of classmates and felt humiliated. It became an unsafe atmosphere for my child.

Please don't take your children here--Take time and do your research on Dojo's on the area.

My kids also took lessons at this club for a few years but when the special relationship between the owner and one of her students became blatantly obvious, I had to pull them. They were beginning to ask questions that I was not comfortable answering. I agree with most of the other posters here, the owner rarely teaches a class, has inexperienced people teaching her classes for her, uses an abundance of foul language and threatens her students constantly. I do not recommend you take your children to this "family-oriented" club!

I bought a wagjag for the kickboxing classes at this club...I did not join! The owner/instructor is harsh and inappropriate. Often there were unqualified instructors teaching the classes with seemingly no martial arts experience. If we tried to take a water break before the instructor told us we would have to do several push-ups as punishment. I will stick to classes at clubs where the the instructors are helpful and friendly...not belittling!

When I hear all they do is go outside and smoke then come in and yell at us it is time to find a new hobby. This coming from a 9 year old