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Powell's Way of Kenpo

5 ★★★★★ 17 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Westchester, Illinois

Part of Kenpo / Kempo Karate

Karate dojo Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons

Affiliated dojo — reviews and the dojo's own info point to a recognized Karate style organization or franchise (think Shotokan/JKA, Kyokushin, Goju-Ryu, Isshinryu, Tiger Schulmann's or Villari's). If lineage matters to you, ask which style and organization the dojo belongs to, and under whom the head sensei earned their black belt.

Plan your first class

  • Free trial / intro class most dojos welcome new students with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • Membership memberships around $80/mo — many dojos also offer a discounted first month and family plans, so ask about new-student rates
  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth Karate classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Private lessons private, one-on-one instruction available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • Adult classes adult Karate classes — training built for grown-ups, from fitness and fundamentals to kumite (sparring) at your own pace
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule wayofkenpo.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (630) 447-9073

Hours

Monday 7–9 PM
Tuesday 6:30–9 PM
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 6:30–9 PM
Friday Closed
Saturday 9 AM–1:30 PM
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, belt tests, and seminars — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Karate classes on the schedule at Powell's Way of Kenpo, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 3 mentions

“This place rocks, the instructors are incredible and very patient with the kids.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

👤 Private Lessons

“Aikido classes on Mondays are great, class is small so you get more 1 on 1 practice, loving it”

All dojos that run private lessons →

🛡️ Self-Defense 3 mentions

“Absolutely the BEST place to learn Kenpo karate, Brazillian ju jitsu, reality self defense in one place that I've ever experienced.”

All dojos that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

Karate dojos are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at Powell's Way of Kenpo — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🛡️ Self-Defense 3 mentions

“Absolutely the BEST place to learn Kenpo karate, Brazillian ju jitsu, reality self defense in one place that I've ever experienced.”

Other dojos that also teach self-defense →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the dojo's own info — they show what students have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want taekwondo, jiu-jitsu, or kickboxing alongside your Karate, confirm the current schedule with the dojo.

What students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 17 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 4 mentions

“I no longer live in the state, but the incredible instructors, each with their own unique insight, have planted a seed that keeps growing to this day.”

traditional style & affiliation 2 mentions

“Absolutely the BEST place to learn Kenpo karate, Brazillian ju jitsu, reality self defense in one place that I've ever experienced.”

From the reviews

Showed up when I was a 21 year old kid with no direction. What I learned and experienced at PWOK has changed me forever. I’m now a 34 year year old man with a growing family and teaching my toddler how to hit a heavy bag.

★★★★★ — Sean, Oct 2020

My Daughter and I were looking for a Martial arts place to attend classes. Tried several places before and after we attended Powell's way of Kenpo. We were very impressed with the level of instruction, real world practical fighting and self defense being taught. This is no ordinary karate dojo.

★★★★★ — Sean, Apr 2019

Absolutely the BEST place to learn Kenpo karate, Brazillian ju jitsu, reality self defense in one place that I've ever experienced. Best instructors, best training for life long skills.

★★★★★ — De, Jul 2020

This place rocks, the instructors are incredible and very patient with the kids. I have not seen a better business yet. They give you 3 free classes to try before you buy. They teach actual self defense and not just how to score points. Love their approach and it's only $80 a month for 3 classes a week.

★★★★★ — Urban, Sep 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 17 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Powell's Way of Kenpo

Powell's Way of Kenpo comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo — noted on their own site. If you've never thrown a punch or set foot in a dojo, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and the sensei scales the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable dojos build fundamentals (stances, blocks, punches, and kicks) for weeks, and kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, with pads and control. Third, all levels and ages really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most dojos are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

See their beginner class info

Your first Karate class at Powell's Way of Kenpo

Nervous about walking into a Karate dojo for the first time? Almost everyone is, and a good sensei expects beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic stances, blocks, punches, and kicks — not hard sparring. Step to the side whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot. What to bring: water, and a mouthguard if you have one — many dojos lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi and the belt your dojo awards you. Kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the sensei. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Karate is a contact sport. Ease in, train within your limits, listen to your instructors, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Powell's Way of Kenpo

1921 S Mannheim Rd, Westchester, IL60154

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this dojo? Claim your listing — it's free.