Kung Fu Kids & Seattle Kjknbo

Definitely check out Seattle Kajukenbo! The kids program there is called 'Kung Fu Kids' and the website is www.seattlekajukenbo.com This style is a combination of Korean Karate, Judo, Jujitsu, Kempo, and Chinese Boxing (Kung Fu). The kids also practice tumbling and games that develop hand-eye coordination and strategic thinking skills, and of course they have a fabulous time doing it! There are several class options to choose from and even if you have to wait a little while to get into a class it is really worth it. The Sifu and all the teachers are great. The kids learn so much from them. I have been especially impressed by their ability to teach so many important skills to the kids in a non-stressful and encouraging environment. My seven year old has been at the school for almost a year now and always has such a great time at her classes. The school is centrally located at 22nd and Union, and easy to get to from anywhere in Seattle. As with any school, you have to check it out for yourself, and let your child try a class. Seattle Kajukenbo teaches real skills and anyone who wants to learn, will really benefit. Self-defense skills are important! more

The Kung Fu Kids program at Seattle Kajukenbo is really popular. The kids' program begins with students as young as four. When I come in for the adult classes and catch the tail end of the kids' classes, they are all having such a blast that I almost want to join them. Our Sifu and her assistant instructors are all amazing with kids. They are incredibly patient and really seem to know how to engage kids with the material. Class attendance is sometimes pretty high, but the kids always break out and work with partners or small groups while the instructors circle the room and give them feedback. More so than the adult classes, the kids' classes seem to be broken up by belt rank or experience (as well as by age group). The kids' program focuses on self-defense principles and building self-esteem and confidence, but it also includes training in kung fu basics, most of which overlaps with the adult material covered at the same belt rank. For more information about the school, visit the website: http://www.seattle-kajukenbo.com/index2.html Both kids and adults are taught the Charles Gaylord method of Chuan Fa Kajukenbo Kung Fu. It's an eclectic martial art that incorporates techniques (and takes it name) from KArate, JUjitsu and judo, KENpo, and Chinese BOxing (kung fu). Kajukenbo was developed to be an effective martial art for street fighting (aka real-life fight situations). From the very start of your training at Seattle Kajukenbo, you learn kicks, hand techniques, street fighting targets and combinations, techniques for countering punches from an attacker, sparring, forms (choreographed fight moves), and how to fight with and defend against weapons (sticks/clubs and knives). It's very exciting and challenging, but I've never seen anyone forced or feel pressured to do anything they're not capable of. I've been training for just over a year. It's the first time I've ever studied a martial art and I'm very happy that I picked this style to learn. more

Seattle Kajukenbo is really two schools in one. The majority of the students are children enrolled in the 'Kung Fu Kids' program. This is a great program for young children. Classes focus on the study of Kung Fu while also integrating elements of gymnastics to develop self-confidence, self esteem, and self-defense skills in a very safe, very supportive and really fun environment. Children are taught concepts including respect for one's self and others, diligence, complete effort, leadership, and peace-keeping skills. The adult program is similar (though classes are typically much more quiet). The school teaches Chuan Fa Kajukenbo Kung Fu which includes elements of Tang Su Do Korean Karate, Kodokan Judo, Ju-jitsu, Kara-Ho Kempo, and Chinese Boxing, or Kung Fu. Designed as a comprehensive art, Kajukenbo is a very practical martial art that emphasizes close-in street fighting strategies, which includes refinement of self-defense judgment and techniques, as well as practice in more traditional forms and fighting sets. Chuan Fa Kajukenbo incorporates the soft and the hard characteristics of martial arts training, from classical Kempo movement to classical Chinese Kung Fu. The jead Instructor of Seattle Kajukenbo & Kung Fu Kids is Sifu Melinda Johnson. She holds the rank of fourth degree black belt in Kajukenbo, a black belt in Aikido, and has more than 20 years experience teaching martial arts and gymnastics. more