What is Kung Fu?
First and foremost: Kung Fu is not a style of Martial Arts. Most English-speakers use the term to mean Chinese Martial Arts or CMA or Traditional Chinese Martial Arts (TCMA).
Although this does indeed help distinguish it from other Martial Art systems like Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Jujitsu, etc., it says very little, other than a slight reference to the martial art system’s country of origin. Just as with most martial arts systems, there are actually many different styles of Kung Fu, like ours, Northern Shaolin.
And oddly enough, the term “Kung Fu” is the Romanized version of the Chinese word 功 夫, and refers to any discipline or skill achieved through hard work and practice, not necessarily martial arts.
Perhaps even more strange is that there are many different Chinese words that mean “Martial Arts.” But a popular one is 武 術 Wushu, which also commonly refers to the Chinese competitive sport of Wushu, which is not what we do.
Kung Fu: An Atlanta Tradition
Kung Fu has been in Atlanta, GA, for many years. Northern Shaolin is our flagship style and has been in Atlanta since the early 1980s.
Furthermore, the style has been in the Southeastern region of the USA since well before.
Chin Woo, Hung Gar, Southern & Northern Praying Mantis, Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan), Ba Gua Zhang, Xing Yi Quan, Chang Quan, Eagle Claw, Hop Gar, Jow Gar, Lama Pai, and other styles of Kung Fu have made appearances in the area.
The PATHS Atlanta Kung Fu school has undergone many changes since its founding in 2007. Learn more About PATHS Atlanta Kung Fu.
Sifu Kiessling‘s Northern Shaolin Kung Fu classes have also transformed.
Our classes have always been near downtown Decatur, Georgia, just minutes outside Atlanta and accessible via major highways, roads, and MARTA. See our Class Schedule & Locations for details.
Adult Classes
Unlike many other martial arts schools, we specialize in Adult Kung Fu classes, and Teens are also welcome.
All classes are Teens and Adult Martial Arts Classes, with varying ages all together in one group.
Teens and Adults, Ages 15 – 40, are what we consider to be the sweet spot.
And, unfortunately, we do not have the resources to run proper children’s classes, adaptively-abled classes, and the like, however much we’d love to.
Every individual is unique – the final decision is up to Sifu.
We’ve seen youngsters come in and grow through their Kung Fu training. So why not give it a shot? Because you truly deserve this opportunity!
Check out Our Prices and try a class today!
Martial Excellence
You want to be a Martial Artist and might wish to learn practical, effective self-defense.
Perhaps you want to master your physical art, to really develop Kung Fu and not just Wushu.
In a buy-your-belt type of martial arts school, how does that happen?
As you may have guessed, it won’t. And we do not foster that type of environment.
Instead, we focus on YOU, the individual – someone with their own goals, weaknesses & strengths.
Additionally, we break things down into minute detail – lengthen the spine, pivot on the heel of the foot, coordinate breath with movement, align the joints – and so much more.
We work on Anatomical Intelligence or Body Awareness through direct experience, creating experiential wisdom. How to strengthen this part of the body, use gravity plus XYZ muscles to develop power, and so on.