Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Traditional Kung Fu & Tai Chi Classes in Seattle
Established in 1963, the Seattle Kung Fu Club has dedicated over six decades to teaching traditional martial arts, emphasizing discipline, health, and respect. Our programs blend physical exercise with mental and spiritual growth, offering two distinct Kung Fu styles: Hung Gar Kuen and Tai Chi Chuan. Grandmaster John S.S. Leong, a direct disciple of Great Grandmaster Wong Lei, founded our school to preserve authentic Shaolin teachings while adapting them for modern practitioners. We serve students of all ages and skill levels, fostering a family-like environment where individuals train together in mixed-level classes. Our curriculum includes weapon forms, sparring, and traditional Chinese lion and dragon dance performances, with opportunities to participate in community events.The club's legacy is rooted in cultural preservation, having hosted annual demonstrations since 1968 and collaborated with the Shaolin Temple. We emphasize holistic development, helping students build confidence, patience, and self-awareness through consistent practice. Our instructors combine decades of experience with a commitment to passing on techniques unchanged from their origins in southern China. The club also operates a martial arts supply store and publishes historical works to support broader engagement with Kung Fu traditions. This enduring dedication to authenticity and community makes us a trusted institution for martial arts education in Seattle.
Services
Kung Fu Classes
Tai Chi Training
Lion and Dragon Dance
Youth Programs
Martial Arts Supplies
Details
- Year established: 1963
Highlights and features
- We offer over 60 years of continuous traditional martial arts instruction in Seattle
- Our instructors are direct descendants of Shaolin Temple lineage holders
- We combine physical training with cultural education through lion dance performances
- Family-friendly environment with mixed-skill-level classes for all ages
- We maintain unchanged the Hung Gar techniques passed down from Great Grandmaster Wong Lei
Services
Hung Gar Kuen
Hung Gar Kuen is a powerful external martial art emphasizing strong stances, precise strikes, and practical self-defense techniques. Our curriculum develops physical strength, balance, and combat readiness through traditional forms and weapon training. Students progress from basic exercises to advanced sparring and weapon forms while preserving techniques unchanged since the Shaolin Temple era.
Tai Chi Chuan
Ng Style Tai Chi Chuan teaches fluid movements and internal energy cultivation through slow, deliberate forms. This practice improves flexibility, mental focus, and defensive capabilities by redirecting opponents' energy. Our program includes traditional 18-exercise warm-ups, 20-minute hand forms, and weapon training adapted for modern practitioners.
Lion Dance Training
Traditional Chinese lion and dragon dance instruction prepares students for public performances at community events. This training develops coordination, teamwork, and cultural appreciation while maintaining centuries-old performance traditions. Participants learn rhythmic movements synchronized with traditional musical accompaniment.
People
Grandmaster John S.S. Leong
Founder
Grandmaster Leong began training in 1949 under Great Grandmaster Wong Lei. He established Seattle's first traditional Kung Fu school in 1963, preserving authentic Shaolin techniques while making them accessible to modern students. His leadership emphasizes cultural preservation and community engagement.
Questions
What martial arts styles do you teach?
We teach Hung Gar Kuen (hard style) and Ng Style Tai Chi Chuan (soft style), both preserved from their original Shaolin Temple traditions.
Are classes available for children?
Yes, we offer Kung Fu Kids classes for children aged 4-12 and family rates for multi-member enrollment.
Do you participate in community events?
We perform lion and dragon dances at local festivals and donate event proceeds to charitable organizations.
Is prior experience required?
No prior experience needed. All classes accommodate mixed skill levels with individualized instruction.
Do you sell martial arts equipment?
Yes, our Seattle Martial Arts Supply Store offers uniforms, weapons, training gear, and related books/media.
