I was looking for a way to change my life when I found Authentic Kung Fu. I left a message so I…read morecould ask questions and got an immediate response. I was invited to come to 2 days of classes to decide which style would suit me. The building isn't in the greatest neighborhood and the school was ok. The impressive thing about the school was the quantity and diversity of weapons around the school. Sifu Cottrell, the owner and teacher at the school greeted me warmly. Classes were in session and Sifu took the time to give me a tour. He Started with his lineage, who his teachers were and who his teacher's teachers were. In Sifu's lineage, Ip man had taught his teacher! We sat for a while, while he educated me on Wing Chun and how Bruce Lee was the most famous practitioner. I came the next day to see Praying Mantis style, which even for a lay person was vastly different than Wing Chun. I had never seen anything quite like it, especially after watching so many Kung Fu movies. Sifu and I agreed Mantis would suit me best and it has. The instructors are top of the line. So patient, will explain and demonstrate techniques 100 million ways until you get it. I always felt supported and inspired to learn from the community of students. I never heard anyone speak an ill word or treat anyone poorly. The community of students welcomed me and I felt safe to both succeed and feel failure. Truly, I could go on and on, but there really is no greater place to learn Kung Fu and to embrace your potential.

I cannot say enough positive words about Authentic Kung Fu. My 8 year old son loves to go to his…read moreclasses, as does my husband for the evening (packed) adult class. Sifu Cotrell is the epitome of what I would look for in a martial arts educator. He is patient and soft spoken with the children. However, his expectations of their ability to learn movements with discipline and precision creates excellent students with a solid foundation of praying mantis Kung Fu. I love the fact that this is not just another "belt factory" establishment with a free uniform for joining. It is a fabulous school intended to enlighten and enhance any humans life from 8 to 88..... 5 Stars!!

Shifu Chen and Iris are INCREDIBLE teachers! They are passionate about the heart of the matter and…read morecommunicate concepts clearly and concisely.

From the owner: Capped classes. Real ratios. No junior instructors…read more Dragon Claw Academy is an invitation-based kung fu school — we cap every class so your child gets real instruction, not a crowded floor. Ages 5 and up. We're not just building better martial artists. We're building thick skin to handle what life throws at them, and soft hearts to offer grace to those who need it. Come see the difference for yourself

I would absolutely recommend this school for anyone interested in learning traditional Northern…read moreShaolin kung fu. Authentic Chin Woo forms. The school has been in existence for over 30 years. They also teach Lion Dance. The only negative review you'll find of the school is from a disgruntled student who had to be dismissed due to bad behavior and is now trying to play the victim.

I've been at this gym for a little over a year now and it's such a great place to learn Kung Fu and…read moreTai Chi from Grand Master Jimmy Wong. I'm loving my elite tai chi class and I have friends in the Kung Fu who all really love their classes too. This is a first rate place, and very professional and respectful. Master Wong traveled for a couple of years before the pandemic but since the pandemic, he's hands on and I'm so incredibly grateful to have an instructor with so much knowledge and experience. The other teachers are amazing as well

I have been attending the Cheng Ming Tai Chi school for about 5 months. I can't give enough praise…read moreto Master Eric and his mom Annie. I have received a lot of help in developing my practice from both of them. Also, the advanced students are more than willing to help me. I feel very comfortable here, and would recommend anyone interested in really learning Tai Chi to come out and join us. E. Guest B.S.Pharm., RPh.

If you are looking for a place to learn Tai Chi, Cheng Ming USA is the best. They also have other…read moremartial arts classes too. Master Eric and his mom, Annie, are very knowledgeable and authentic teachers in this field that you will ever find in this area. They are very kind and patient with each and every student. Ever since I have started Tai Chi classes, I have missed several classes due to my health. When I return, Eric and Annie are always kind enough to work with me to continue from where I left. The group of people come to these classes have become my friends. When I miss a class or two, my friends help me to catch up too. So with great teachers and friends, I look forward to going to my Tai Chi classes. Best place to learn Tai Chi from the best masters

Authentic Chinese Kung Fu! Tai Chi for health, relaxation, and self-defense! Chinese Healing…read moreExercises and Meditation. Get strong both inside and out!

Great environment, instructors and black belts are friendly, loving it as a beginner. Awesome place…read moreto learn and get in shape, and FUN

We started going to Kung Fu Academy in February, and I must say that it had been such a joy to…read morewatch my children love the sport so much. It has given them an enormous amount of confidence, agility and discipline. Sifu is PHENOMENAL!!!! He teaches both adults and kids, and it's fascinating to watch how he uses different Kung Fu techniques across age groups. If you're looking for a great martial arts school, look no further! *the photo is from monthly belt testing, where my boys advanced from white belts to orange belts!

First to address a common question posed on Reddit by searches for various martial arts schools,…read morelet me say that I am 73 years of age and have been with Wah Lum Kung Fu and Tai Chi of Dallas for over 3 years. I started with White Crane Kung Fu at the age of 12 in Honolulu and have continuously trained in the martial arts in some form: Aikido, Karate, Jujitsu and Taekwondo / Hapkido throughout the years. In a program that caters to individual training, an aging decrepit body does not seem to be an issue. "Sifu" Hedison Mui heralds out of the Wah Lum school in Florida. He is an aeronautical engineer by education and was trained at the primary Wah Lum school in Orlando. He is fluent in English, Spanish and Cantonese. His wife "Simo" Samantha also trained in the Wah Lum system (forever) and is adept with physical therapy, is proficient in acutely managing musculoskeletal injuries and instructs classes. Her father has lineage in the Wah Lum school. His brother "Si hing" K. P. is a biochemist by education and has trained forever in the Wah Lum system and also instructs classes. Wah Lum Kung Fu is a predominantly Northern praying mantis style of Kung Fu but incorporates a blend of other Kung Fu styles and martial arts sparring techniques applicable to the mid range combat zone. While takedowns and joint locks are taught, grappling techniques are not incorporated in free sparring. There is no belt level testing or ranking in the system. The instruction of forms and weapons is individualized with each student, depending on training and physical capability. The adult class consists of women and men, ranging from high school through adulthood. The approach is individual student focused, encouraging the student to "do the best that they can" recognizing that every person has a different level of physical capability. There is an atmosphere of camaraderie amongst the students making class very enjoyable. There is also a children's class for lower and middle school aged students. TaiChi classes for those seeking a style to address balance and flexability, incorporate the broadsword and long sword forms in their curriculum as well. The Adult class starts with 30 minutes period of stretching and graduated calesthenics usually crossing the anaerobic threshold. The next 15 minutes are focused on a different topic each week (joint lock - self defense techniques (similar to Aikido/Hapkido), upper extremity techniques (punches, chops), lower extremity techniques (predominantly ground based kicks, sweeps), cardio conditioning, flexability, strength building, special weapon techniques and open sparring techniques. The remaining 15 minutes of class are spent teaching various forms or classical weapons on a level appropriate on a one to one basis i.e. "sifu to student" with the Sifu. Advancement through a form, with or without a weapon appears to be a function of involvement, in that Sifu teaches each student a bit of a form at nearly every class. The system offers training in the full gamut of ancient Chinese weapons. Some of the students are interested in participating in national tournaments for open style sparring and forms. Sifu will cater training for those students in preparation for the competition and offers inclusive time on alternate days (Tuesdays and Thursdays) for additional specialized training in sparring techniques. As an aside, there is a "Performance" team available which performs Lion Dance with the last head count of 3 lions using the Kung Fu drums, cymbals, gong and horn, demonstrating forms at schools, wedding receptions, birthday events, business openings, etc.

I practiced Shaolin Kung Fu with Sifu for a number of years. The months leading up to my green…read morebelt test were met with a different test called life. As life had different plans for me I was not able to test. At the very beginning, Sifu had us write a paper on a specific topic about kung fu. I laughed a bit inside because who writes papers in a kung fu class. Little did I know that I would reach far deeper into myself, not to come up with comical kung fu paper, but to discover more about myself. I told Sifu I wanted to write about Bruce Lee and his influences from Shaolin Kung Fu, Wing Chun and Tai Chi. Sifu paused and explained that Jeet Kun Do is a slight departure from traditional kung fu. He said if I could break each aspect down and explain it then I would have his blessing to write the paper. He pulled me aside after class when he handed back the papers and said that I have an introspective energy that could be put to good use in his class and to focus. Fast forward years and belts later and I still remember the energy I cultivated. I do not live anywhere close to this school anymore but what I would do to return! If you come to class expecting the instructors to show you forms and mimic then you're not in it for the right reason. Any circus animal can learn tricks. However, we are humans with mighty amounts of chi. Use it during class and practice and you will discover another you. I am from the class of Mr. Diaz and Mr. English. I ran into them at Chili's once in Addison and they progressed wonderfully. I think both of them were already instructors back then. It has definitely been a long time since I have seen them. This school comes highly recommended from me. Sifu treats everyone the same and so do his instructors. The classes are thorough and he explains a lot so pay attention. Well worth it to push you to become a better you!

This is a great place to learn martial arts. I have been training at White Lions of Shaolin for…read more quite sometime now and to be able to learn Tai Chi, Wing Chun, and Choy Li Fut kung fu at one school is a blessing short of a miracle :) The atmosphere is great and the school is filled with loving and kind people. Sifu Giatrakis is not only a very skilled martial artist, but he is also a great friend. I am thankful to have him as a teacher. You can also enroll in his college class at Brookhaven community college which is where I got started about 5-6 years ago. For more info visit the website www.wlions.com One more thing, I feel that I must comment on Kendra's comment. Sifu Giatrakis did not teach Choy Li Fut, Tai Chi, or Wing Chun back in 2003-2007. As a matter of fact the school was not even called White Lions of Shaolin. You were taught "Long fist" from a completely different system, which is not part of the Plum Blossom Federation. The system that you were taught moved to Plano several years ago.