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Tempe Shao-Lin Kempo
4.8 ★★★★★ 18 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Tempe, Arizona
Part of Kenpo / Kempo Karate
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
- 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 (ages 8–12) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Women's classes dedicated women's Karate classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- 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
- Weapons / kobudo traditional weapons (kobudo) classes — kata with the bo, sai, and nunchaku, taught with control and discipline
- 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 shao-linkempo.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 480-838-1962
Hours
| Monday | 4–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 4–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 4–8 pm |
| Thursday | 4–8 pm |
| Friday | 4–8 pm |
| Saturday | 8:30 am–2 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“It’s our first time here with my daughter joining karate and we really like it.”
“They work with people of all levels, patiently explaining and demonstrating until you are able to grasp the concepts that will allow you to apply them in a way that works for you.”
“I started taking women's self defense and I enjoyed the instruction so much I decided to join the adults class as well.”
“This, in combination with group classes and/or private instruction will arm you with the tools you need to feel safer in everything you do!”
“I started taking women's self defense and I enjoyed the instruction so much I decided to join the adults class as well.”
“I started taking women's self defense and I enjoyed the instruction so much I decided to join the adults class as well.”
Other martial arts here
“I started taking women's self defense and I enjoyed the instruction so much I decided to join the adults class as well.”
What students say
“The head instructor, Ricky, is knowledgeable and caters to your needs and interests.”
“They work with people of all levels, patiently explaining and demonstrating until you are able to grasp the concepts that will allow you to apply them in a way that works for you.”
“The studio offers a welcoming and inclusive environment, making it a great place for beginners and experienced practitioners alike.”
“The instructors at Tempe Shao-Lin Kempo are remarkably generous with their time and expertise, visibly thrilled by your understanding and application of the material.”
“As a USMC combat vet who still battles PTSD, this system has honestly been an invaluable tool for my own mental health.”
From the reviews
What an amazing dojo and an amazing system. Lessons are self paced so that you can go hard if you're ready for a heavy workout, or take it a little easier on days when you just don't feel 100%. Young or old, the instructors teach within your personal, physical limitations.
I started taking women's self defense and I enjoyed the instruction so much I decided to join the adults class as well. The head instructor, Ricky, is knowledgeable and caters to your needs and interests.
Always striving to meet the needs of their students, there is something for everyone in their malleable approach to teaching martial arts! The instructors at Tempe Shao-Lin Kempo are remarkably generous with their time and expertise, visibly thrilled by your understanding and application of the material.
Head instructor Ricky is an expert and clearly passionate about teaching and running a great school. He's super attentive to individual student's needs and creates a calming, fun and safe environment to learn a unique martial art at whatever pace you want!
New to Karate? Start at Tempe Shao-Lin Kempo
Tempe Shao-Lin Kempo comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo, going by their listing and students’ reviews. 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.
Your first Karate class at Tempe Shao-Lin Kempo
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.
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