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0123456789001234567890YEARS FAMILY OWNED
01234567890GENERATIONS STRONG
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NURSERY NINJAS
AGE 2-3
INTRO NINJAS
Age 8-10

5:30 Mondays or 6:30 TuesdaysINTRO NINJAS

INTRO NINJAS
Age 4-5

5:30 ThursdaysINTRO NINJAS

INTRO NINJAS
Age 11+
INTRO NINJAS
Age 6-7
TEENS
TEEN

7:00 MondaysTEENS

Viola Karate

TESTIMONIALS

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Arnold Schwarzenegger

"Martial arts shows true character! Thank you for your expertise."

Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
FITNESS ICON

The martial arts builds character and you [Cameron] are a true champion.

Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Hollywood Icon

This is a world class martial arts tournament! I am proud to be apart of the event every year.

Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle
WWE Olympic Champion

About

NORWIN NINJAS

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🥷Norwin Ninjas is an award-winning children’s karate program based in Irwin, Pennsylvania, developed by the Allegheny Shotokan Karate Club and the Viola family. Established in 1969, this family-owned dojo has been serving the Irwin, North Huntingdon, and greater Pittsburgh regions for over 56 years. The program offers martial arts classes for children as young as two years old, emphasizing life skills such as respect, confidence, and focus through their exclusive “Sensei Says®” curriculum.

The Viola family’s martial arts legacy is often spans three generations, with each generation contributing uniquely to the growth and evolution of their programs and the broader martial arts community.  In 2019, the City of Pittsburgh proclaimed September 23rd as “Sensei Viola Day” to recognize the 50-year anniversary of Allegheny Shotokan Karate, founded by the Viola family, with the date also being the birthday of Bill Viola Jr.’s son, William Viola IV. 

 
 
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Norwin

NINJAS 🥷

Norwin Ninjas is an award-winning martial arts program developed by the Allegheny Shotokan Karate Club and the Viola family. The 空手 (karate) school has been family-owned and operated since 1969, serving Irwin, North Huntingdon, Western PA, and the greater Pittsburgh region for over 50 years. We offer certified karate instruction and classes for kids—experience you can trust. Our classes feature the exclusive Sensei Says® life skills curriculum, created by Sensei Bill Viola Jr. 🥋. We teach budo (the martial way), a philosophy centered on building character. Learn more about becoming a Black Belt in Life®, or check out Sensei Viola’s award-winning "CommonSensei" book series. We are the oldest and most established karate school in the Irwin and North Huntingdon area.

📅 Free lessons available every Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday at 5:30 PM.
📞 Call or text (fastest response) to schedule your appointment: 1-724-640-2111


SEE DETAILS

LIFE SKILLS

SENSEI SAYS 12-Month Life Skills Program
Award winning program exclusive to Norwin Ninjas
🌟 LIFESKILLS

💡 Why Norwin Ninjas Life Skills Matter

🧠 1. Builds Mental Focus

Kids learn to tune in, listen closely, and stay on task — skills that boost performance in school and other activities.

💬 2. Reinforces Respect

From bowing to saying “yes sir/ma’am,” children practice respect for others, authority, and themselves — a cornerstone of strong character.

💪 3. Develops Confidence

Every belt earned, every challenge overcome, builds self-belief. Shy kids come out of their shells, and bold kids learn humility and responsibility.

🚦 4. Teaches Discipline & Self-Control

Students are taught to pause, breathe, and think before reacting — essential for handling frustration, conflict, and emotional regulation.

🛡️ 5. Prepares Kids to Handle Bullying

Through martial arts training and mindset coaching, kids learn to:

  • Stand up for themselves
  • Defuse situations verbally
  • Know when to walk away and when to speak up

❤️ 6. Fosters Empathy & Teamwork

Working in pairs, encouraging classmates, and helping younger students fosters a sense of community and compassion.

🥋 7. Sets a Foundation for Leadership

The program encourages older or advanced students to mentor and guide beginners, laying the groundwork for strong leadership skills.

SEE DETAILS

FITNESS

Agility, Balance, Coordination, Flexibility
Nationally recognized speed and agility programs are incorporated into our courses
💪 FITNESS

💪 Why Fitness Matters at Norwin Ninjas

🏃‍♂️ 1. Builds Total-Body Strength

Martial arts uses every muscle group — from core to legs to upper body — helping kids build functional strength and endurance.

🔥 2. Improves Cardiovascular Health

Kicking, punching, and sparring are high-energy activities that get the heart rate up, improving cardio fitness and stamina.

🧘‍♀️ 3. Enhances Flexibility & Balance

Warmups, stretches, and karate techniques increase mobility and coordination, which helps prevent injury in other sports too.

4. Boosts Agility & Speed

Drills like footwork, pad striking, and obstacle courses train reflexes and quickness — key for both self-defense and athletics.

📏 5. Promotes Healthy Growth

Regular movement supports bone development, muscle tone, and a healthy metabolism — especially important during growing years.

📈 6. Encourages Positive Habits

By setting fitness goals (like earning belts or mastering moves), kids learn consistency, perseverance, and the value of daily effort.

💃 7. It’s FUN — So Kids Stick With It!

Karate is action-packed and engaging, so kids look forward to class. It feels like play, but the results are real.

SEE DETAILS

COMPETITION

World Champions
Home WAKO World Champions Under the United States Olympic Committee
🏆 COMPETITION

🥇 Why Competition Matters at Norwin Ninjas

💪 1. Builds Resilience

Win or lose, kids learn to bounce back, keep trying, and never give up — a mindset that carries into school, sports, and life.

🎯 2. Sharpens Focus & Discipline

Knowing they’re being judged or timed pushes kids to practice with intent, improve their technique, and stay focused under pressure.

💬 3. Teaches Grace in Victory & Defeat

Competing gives kids the opportunity to learn sportsmanship: how to win humbly and lose with dignity.

🌱 4. Promotes Personal Growth

It’s not just about beating others — it’s about beating your personal best. Competition challenges kids to set goals, work hard, and achieve them.

👀 5. Builds Confidence

Standing on a mat in front of judges and an audience takes guts. Over time, kids develop the self-assurance to perform under pressure.

🤝 6. Fosters Camaraderie

Team events, cheering on peers, and sharing post-match stories help build friendships and team spirit.

🔥 7. Inspires Motivation

Competition adds excitement and purpose to training. It gives kids a reason to push harder and show what they’ve learned.

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Readers' Choice Gold Awards

Best Karate School in Pittsburgh area

Quest for the Best Gold Winner

Best martial arts in North Huntingdon
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Best of the Best Trib

Best martial arts school in Westmoreland county

Readers' Choice Gold Award

Best Karate school in Westmoreland county
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