Dragon Family Martial Arts Center

I have been in attendance and studying under Sifu Bryan for more than a year now and honestly it has changed my life. I've always wanted to learn the art of Jeet Kune Do, ever since having been influenced philosophically by Bruce Lee in my late teens and now I am finally dedicated to this practice. Sifu has a direct lineage to Bruce Lee and it shows and that is important. He's a patient instructor and listens. It's a good time to be in KC area if you want to learn Jeet Kune Do because I think it's the only place you can learn it around here, let alone by a teacher who has been taught by one of Bruce Lee's students. There aren't many in the world.Though I used to live too far away, I finally moved close enough to Dragon Family to attend, and attend I have. There are day and night classes that both work with my varying schedule, allowing me to train on some nights and some days. I have 2 kids in different classes there, too.What we are taught revolves around the 4 different eras of JKD, including some Wing Chun. The classes are varied, with the necessary openness to question and discuss this scientific art. It was important to me that the teachers guide me but don't shackle me, as that would be quite the opposite to how I feel Bruce Lee developed this martial art in the first place. No way as way right? We even get homework assignments if we want. And after some time, you have the option to really develop through controlled sparring. I've also met good people there that are also on the same martial art path, which is pretty badass and gives variety in discussion and the ability to grow together and offer different insights.All in all, my only gripe is that I wish some classes were longer, like 4 hour sessions but I understand why that's not feasible. I'd also like weight training classes for beginners based on Bruce Lee's philosophy on physical development with workout equipment, and weights. But this is personal trainer stuff, not exactly martial arts. And I can do this outside of the kwoon. It is a martial arts center after all, not a boxing gym.

What a cool place. Every Tuesday Tina gives free self defense classes for women. Now I'm not sayin' I'll ever be in the situation to use these types of skills, no, not me. I don't like danger. I don't want no part of it.BUT....you never know. So I decided to start attending self defense classes. They are on the same night as a kid's martial art's class.I'm fascinated with self defense, and items that could be nearly lethal. It seems I'm also fascinated with projectile weapons, this I understand. Small self defense weapons you can carry on your key chains, as long as you know how to use them are also worth having. Tina sells the items at Dragon Family.And Tina teaches you ways to use them. So that feeds my fascination with these kind of things. Last night I learned how to use a kubaton. Now I know I've no reason to buy a kubaton, but if someone came up to me in a parking lot and I was holding it, I'd go straight for the groin, or better yet the eyes. I really like this place. Her martial arts class last night with the kids seemed to be a great way for them to achieve some type of focus, and something to work for, which would be a new orange belt. It's also an excellent skill. Glad I found this place. Tina empowers women. Nothing wrong with that. Girl Power!

Great classes with a lot of inside knowledge. Small class sizes with a lot of attention to detail.

Unimpressed... Driving to work today, I saw this gym again and thought I'd share my opinion. Over the summer my friend and I signed up for the week trial package. My first impression of this place was unclean and cluttered. There were chairs from some event or something everywhere and the bathrooms were disgusting. It was very awkward walking in to see there is no front desk and the owner/teacher resembled his environment. His appearance gives off a drug addict vibe. However, since the trial was a small fee, why not give it a try and see if I was wrong with my first impression. To no shock, the classes were disorganized and the students, only being 3 or 4 each class, stood around talking most of the time. Each class nobody really seemed motivated to do much. There is a mma class taught by an older gentlemen who seems to be more professional, but the class has low participation as well. I personally did not feel this gym was attempting to provide an exercise environment, improve it's current situation, or develop a strong class. All in all I would recommend looking into other gyms and not waste time or money here.Like