Seven Star Women's Kung Fu

And this is a great place to learn. I've been training for about a year at 7 star, and I couldn't have asked for a better environment to train in--seriously. I was worried when I first starting training, because I was very overweight (I was at 280 pounds). I was frightened that I wouldn't be able to keep up, and that I would be made to feel out of place. As it turned out, it wasn't like that at all--the instructors work with you exactly where you are, and are patient and committed to helping you move towards your goals. In the year that I've been training I've lost over 40 pounds, and have experienced a complete overhaul in my strength and physical abilities. And it's more than just physical--I've found that training in martial arts has given me an increased confidence and a calmness in stressful and frightening situations. Plus, the school offers a wide range of class work--not only in Kajunkenbo (which is itself a mix of five styles), but in stick fighting, Shaolin weapons, street fighting, and more. I never get bored training at this school, ever. more

if you're a woman looking to study self defense and/or to get in shape, this is an excellent place to do so. Training will not be easy (no martial arts is easy!), but you will be well supported, and never made to feel dumb like some dojos do. more

If you only do one thing for yourself in 2007, make it Seven Star Women's Kung Fu. The school offers a try a class night where you can meet some of the Seven Star students and teachers, and get a taste of the curriculum and teaching style. The next try-a-class-night is December 28, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. check out our website for more details. The eight week beginner cycle starts on January 2, 2007 and as mentioned in the other reviews provides not only a great foundation in the art of Kajukenbo, but also offers some practical hands on self defense techniques you can use right away! I found this aspect of the beginner training very reassuring. Additionally, you don't have to be an Olympic athlete to practice Kajukenbo. You will see students of many different ages, body shapes, sizes and abilities all practicing under the excellent guidance of the dedicated teachers. So do something nice for yourself in 2007 and come on down to Seven Star and join us. We've got a white belt with your name on it. more

I’m a student at Seven Star Women’s Kung Fu in Seattle where we have just celebrated the school’s 25th anniversary, recognizing four generations of “women teaching women” martial arts. Seven Star is one of the few all-women’s martial art schools in the country. One of the great things about an all-women’s school is the amount of support we give each other, both on an emotional level and also by understanding the training needs of women. For example, the school provides free child care and offers both daytime and evening classes to help with busy schedules. Also, as an all-women’s school, Seven Star students have an opportunity to learn not only martial arts but also practical, street-wise safety skills especially geared to women. You can attend classes that teach you how to deal with verbal harassment at work or on the street and how to physically protect and defend yourself. Just the self-defense part of the training program makes signing up for classes at Seven Star well worth your consideration. Seven Star is also unusual because it is democratically run. Unlike traditional martial arts schools, Seven Star is run by a steering committee made up of students and teachers. We have an all-school meeting once a month when everyone can vote on issues that are important to the school (we even took a vote on what color to paint the walls!). If you are thinking about self-defense or martial arts training, please visit the school’s website for more information. (By the way, you don’t have to be fit to start marital arts training – you become fit as you train. And you don’t have to be young. We have had students ranging from 13 to over 60 join our classes.) more

I've trained in three styles of martial arts, but only stuck with one. The one I stuck with for more than a year was Kajukenbo, and the reason is that Seven Star offers childcare, scholarships and is full of wonderful people. Michelle is an excellent teacher, as are all the other teachers. They teach martial arts with kindness and it is effective. I started training at 7star because a male karate teacher friend of mine told me that 7star students are "very tough ladies" and that they had a reputation for kicking boy butt at open sparring. Recently, I invited another male friend of mine to open sparring and he said, and I quote, "You know why they have co-ed open sparring? So they can get men to come and get their asses kicked by girls!" Though I've never seen a situation at open sparring where anyone got their "ass kicked" and the teachers stress checking in with your sparring partner, I think it does say something about the effectiveness of training at an all women school. Basically, that training with other women doesn't mean it's less effective training. Seven star also teaches self-defense for women. The beginners cycle involves a lot of using your voice, thinking about body language, and even how to de-escalate situations. If you do the beginners cycle and nothing else, you are better off. If you do the beginners cycle and you feel like you aren't getting enough excercise, then keep with it because it does feel a lot more like excercise after the beginner's cycle (in my experience atleast). This is an excellent school. I couldn't say enough about how great this school is, so you should try it!! Check the website for the next try-a-class night, or for the next beginner's cycle. www.7starwomenskungfu.org more

Granted I am the head instructor of Seven Star Women's Kung Fu but I can still recommend it. If you are a woman looking for a place to try doing martial arts and would feel more comfortable in an all women's environment check us out. You can take the 8 week beginner's cycle and see if it's for you. Or you can come to Try A Class Night which happens quarterly just before each beginner's cycle starts and see if you like it--you are likely to have a lot of fun. Check out the website for the next scheduled classes: 7starwomenskungfu.org We teach the art of Kajukenbo Kung Fu and practice Street Fighting/Sparring/Forms/Basics/Punch Attacks etc. Call if you'd like to come by and watch a class. We are a 501(c)3 non profit. We have a sliding scale for dues and scholarships available. We offer free childcare. All this to allow more women to train. We are celebrating our 25th anniversary this year!! We also offer self defense classes every quarter open to any women age 13 and older if you are interested in strictly self defense. For men who are interested check out our neighbors Seattle Kajukenbo-they teach the same art and also have kid's classes. more

Seven Star Women's Kung Fu is a great martial arts school in the Central District. They teach Kajukenbo, which is a modern eclectic style. Before I tried class I wasn't sure if training at an all-women's school would be intense enough, but the women there train every bit as hard as any place I've studied. In fact, they emphasize strength training more than a lot of places do, and they devote as much time to self-defense and street-style techniques as they do to more classical forms, etc. That said, Seven Star is very safety conscious and focuses a lot on good body mechanics. The instructors are all very positive, the instruction is very clear and precise, and the community is totally supportive regardless of your skill level or lack of natural aptitude. There's even free on site childcare so moms can train! Their web site is www.7starwomenskungfu.org. For any guys who may be interested, Seattle Kajukenbo is a closely related school that offers co-ed classes. more