Our story

A school, not a gym

Hanshi Robert Torres, founder and head instructor of Crescent Moon Karate.

The story

The story behind CMK

Crescent Moon Karate was born from a calling, not a business plan.

After decades of training under world-class masters and earning black belts across four martial arts systems, Hanshi Robert Torres recognized a gap in Los Angeles — not a lack of karate schools, but a deficiency in academies that genuinely developed individuals.

While many schools offered karate classes focused solely on technique, few emphasized character development. Hanshi Torres aimed to create something unique — a dojo where the lessons learned in karate classes translated directly into stronger students, stronger families, and stronger futures.

In 2008, Crescent Moon Karate opened its doors in Los Angeles with its first classes for just 6 students. By 2012, the school was recognized as having the Best Martial Arts Program by LA Parent Magazine. In 2013, it received the prestigious Los Angeles Award for excellence in martial arts instruction.

Today, the dojo trains over 100 active students across all age groups — kids, teens, adults, and families.

“I didn't open Crescent Moon Karate just to teach karate classes. I created a space where individuals come to discover who they really are.”
Hanshi Robert Torres, Founder

Instructors and students together at Crescent Moon Karate.

“Crescent Moon Karate is a gem of a dojo in LA! My whole family train here in both karate and jiu jitsu. Hanshi Robert Torres is a wonderful teacher who really strives to lead by example. He is a sixth degree black belt in karate and a black belt in BJJ. The kids love him and he strikes a great balance between being fun and friendly but also firm and disciplined. We've been at this dojo since my son was four and this year will mark our tenth year training with CMK! 10/10 would recommend.”

martina nemoianu · Google

Discipline · Respect · Leadership

Philosophy

Martial arts as character training, not only technique

Kicks and blocks are the vocabulary. The subject is how a young person carries themselves — and that is trained deliberately, class after class.

Structured training
Every class follows a form students can count on, so they always know what is expected of them.
Earned progress
Rank is earned, never given. Students learn that effort is what moves them forward.
Personal attention
Classes are capped at 12 students so no one trains unnoticed.
Age-appropriate instruction
A four-year-old and a fifteen-year-old need different teaching. They get it.
Benefits that transfer
What is trained on the mat is meant to show up at home and at school.