A nice shaolin temple that teaches authentic martial arts from the mountains in China.read more

They offer kung fu, qigong, and sanda classes. Both of the masters (shifu) are really nice and…read moreaccomodating. Kids who take classes here are amazing!

I've been attending the adult classes for about a year now. I've been previously training at gyms…read morefor strength and conditioning on and off for a few years. I was looking for something more consistent that both me and my wife can join together that would be a fun activity but also be useful in our daily lives. My goal for myself was to learn proper self defense, gain flexibility, learn moves that not only look cool but were effective, and to learn some history and tradition. And I also did not want a school that would be too intimidating for my wife who gardens for a living and had never had any previous fight training. Our first impressions were we loved the bamboo garden outside and the Dojang was clean, everyone was very respectful, welcoming, and had a very diverse group of students from all skill levels. Our first week of class felt like having a personal trainer, very qualified, strong, friendly and knowledgeable. After a few months, we've already seen a huge boost in our confidence levels. And one year later, we were consistently able to attend the classes, learn so many new techniques and forms, and learned much about the art. Grand Master S.H. Yu's school has elements of many traditional styles, including Taekwondo kicks, Shotokan forms, Hapkido takedowns, boxing techniques, and martial arts stances from many different styles that also help condition and improve balance. The adult classes, however are not geared for competition, this is mostly for self defense and self improvement. We practice safety in our techniques to avoid injury and not set our goals backwards. It's geared toward longevity as a martial arts practitioner. I did notice that these classes continue to improve me and my wife's skills, has a huge benefit both mentally and physically, and is something we both always look forward to attending.

I can't say enough about the profound impact this Taekwondo Dojhang has had on my daughter. She…read morejoined several years ago during a difficult time in her life, when she was enduring some pretty intense bullying. She needed not only a physical outlet for the pain and trauma, but a place where she could rebuild her spirit and regain her confidence. From the very first day, the dojhang became that healing space. I owe so much to Supreme GrandMaster Yu and Master Wilson for their unwavering support and guidance. Their commitment to fostering a positive, affirming environment has helped my daughter grow in ways I never imagined. Thanks to their training and mentorship, she's not only progressed to First Dan Black Belt but has also discovered new strength in herself--mentally, emotionally, and physically. This place is about so much more than mastering techniques; it's about developing the values of respect, resilience, perseverance, and integrity. It's been a place where my daughter has not only gained focus, improved her posture, and built confidence, but also healed and flourished. She's now thriving, both on and off the mat, and I am forever grateful for the safe, supportive community that has been such a huge part of her journey. If you're looking for a place that will nurture both your child's martial arts skills and their inner strength, this Dojhang is truly a treasure.

Wright's Traditional Kung Fu and Kickboxing is THE place for all of your workout needs…read more Below I will try to explain why I think that, and more importantly why you should exercise properly - with a dedicated, patient and experienced teacher- 'Shifu' Timothy Wright. When modern society was invented it also changed the basic model for stress, and its usefulness. 40,000 years ago, the "fight or flight" response which is an innate part of every human being, and resides within our autonomic nervous system - was used to escape dangerous situations. For example by fleeing from a lion, we would escape it - thereby effectively solving the stressor. In today's world we can take flight from let's say a social issue, by avoiding something or someone. This will lessen our level of anxiety and its physical symptoms - but it will not solve the problem, in fact it may make it worse. Today's society is just too complicated and inter-tangled with rules which make the release of stress and its closure hard if not impossible. Stress, and its proper release, is just one of many reasons why you should exercise, and do it properly. Master Tim (Apache) Wright's classes will make you a better human being, and even more importantly your evolutionary propensities shall be resolved. If you're not convinced yet, you should definitely keep on reading. Since our lives are busier then ever - we deal with more stress today than ever before. Because of today's society's specific rules of conduct which we must follow in order to be considered "normal", we are unable to properly release the pent up tension. This hectic modern sedentary lifestyle is one of the causes of this distress, as are biopsychosocial reasons. Chronic stressors are associated with measurable hormonal and cardiac changes, as are genetic (inherited) predisposition, biological malfunctioning, environmental stressors, conditioning and social learning, and even the excepted medical model are all partially to blame. Since stress is the prevalent trigger of most non-genetic related psyche issues, psychological disorders run amok among our society. It almost seems like there is really no "normal" people left in the world today. We add fuel to the fire with improper diet and lack of exercise. Therein lays your answer. Exercise is definitely relaxing and extremely healthy. It increases the body's supply of endorphins, or opioid peptides, chemicals that mimic the effects of opium-based drugs such as morphine--they elevate mood and reduce pain. They also affect memory, learning, blood pressure, appetite, and sexual activity. In reality, proper exercise does even more than that. It increases your stamina, strength, reflexes, improves memory and concentration. Your heart gets stronger, and beats more rhythmically, bed cholesterol disappears, and you become more self-aware and confident. Proper exercise can even help with addictions, such as tobacco or alcohol, as it is physically impossible to use them while concurrently doing Martial Arts and or Kickboxing training. As with everything in life - you get out of it, precisely what you put into it. I am not going to lie to you however; it takes countless hours of practice, and extremely hard work. As a result it strengthens your personality, as well as your physical prowess. You have to make a commitment and stick to it, no matter the obstacles. Finally, adaptation is organism's reaction to CHANGE in the Environment. I emphasized word change, because I feel that is the core of the issue. That very ability is extremely important to our evolution and survival. Our bodies alert us to both bad and good change. They give us distress in time of duress, and pleasure in tranquility. Without the ability to adapt to changes in the surrounding environment, none of our most basic everyday activities would be possible. May I suggest than - that you adapt, and contact Master 'Apache' (Timothy Wright) at Wright"s Kung Fu. He is a true champion, and he will help you adapt to our amazing, ever changing world, while altering you in ways you cannot possibly even fathom. And that is why I think, Master Tim and Wright's Traditional Kung Fu can help you on your road to success. Who am I? My name is Victor and I am a student of Master Tim "Apache" Wright.

Hands didn't the best at what he does! He takes time to really get to know the children in class…read morehelps them patiently to perfect the skill set. I've lost tons of weight by going to the kickboxing class. Sifu Tim knows his stuff!!! No doubt!

I have been going to class here for a few months now and it has been a life changing experience…read more It's everything I was looking for in getting back into martial arts. I feel stronger and healthier than I did when I played Rugby in high school. Sifu Kennedy is a natural teacher who adapts to each student individually. I am so happy I signed up to learn and train Kung Fu with this great school!

I have been training at Chicago Tao under Sifu Kennedy for 6 years, not only has it benefitted my…read morelife in ways I could not have imagined (I began to live a healthier life in all aspects, diet, excessive, spirituality), but the camaraderie developed by sifu and his school has given me a support system of people willing to help me an my family achieve our goals.

the Best martial artist in the Chicago land area. Great instructor. If you want to learn how to…read moredefend yourself-learn from Andrew Lee.

My child cried for days after the way he was treated here. All the parents that I've spoken to have…read morehad AWFUL experiences with these people. Don't waste your time and money and whatever you do don't alow your children near these people!

If you want to study Kung Fu directly from a 8th Dahn Chinese Master then go to CGFI…read more Master Zhang offers classes in TaiJi, Wushu and External martial arts. Zhang has plenty of credentials in Kung Fu and Tai Ji- its rare to study directly from the master so If your into Kung Fu then you should go train here!

Looking for the best tai chi in Chicago? The Chinese Gong Fu Institute at Western and Wilson may…read morejust be it! Choosing a tai chi teacher is tricky. To reap the many benefits of the art, one needs to learn it correctly. But students don't know enough to evaluate the skill level of instructors, so what's the answer? For me, it was to find the most experienced, credentialed tai chi teacher I could find--Grandmaster Zhang of the Chinese Gong Fu Institute. Grandmaster Zhang is the real deal. Trained in China under elite and rigorous martial artists, he brings a technical insight and wisdom to his teaching that ensures his students will receive the proven rewards--strength, health, flexibility, and peace of mind--of tai chi practice, rather than waste their time doing it wrong. Anyone can wave their hands around in a slow motion dance, but tai chi is so much more than that! For example, after just 12 classes with Master Zhang, my balance and posture have improved tremendously and I am amazed at how this has reduced my daily stress level. I feel more "grounded" going about my daily life, with the result of less anxiety and more confidence. For those with flexible schedules, the weekday morning classes avoid rush hour and are great, but there are evening and Saturday classes, too. In addition to tai chi, classes in fighting-style kung fu (/gong fu) are also offered. Master Zhang (pronounced "jong," rhymes with "long") teaches all of his classes personally with a section of each class devoted to working individually with students. The other students are a friendly, helpful bunch, and his top student--a woman named Molly--is positively inspiring to watch! After 20 years of studying tai chi with Master Zhang, she is the embodiment of strength, flexibility and grace. Another thing I love: sometimes, during warm up or while we're doing the forms, Master Zhang will sit down and play the zither, a horizontal string instrument that I had previously only seen played by zen masters in martial arts movies. It is quite beautiful. We are very lucky to have Master Zhang here in Chicago, as tai chi teachers with his training, lineage, and artistry are becoming increasingly rare. Learn with him now, while you still can. Someday he'll retire and you'll have missed your chance!

Great school! With amazing instructors and very family oriented! Definitely recommend!read more