Overview

Tactical Kung Fu and MMA is proud to provide a variety of classes at the Levin Jewish Community Center in Durham, NC.  Classes are purchased in 6 week blocks from the JCC, and schedules change with the session and in response to demand.  Curriculum is designed to extend across multiple blocks for the same classes.  For example, students can expect to earn rank in Kajukenbo/Wun Hop Kuen Do over time, by participating in several blocks of the Kajukenbo program we offer there.

Currently Offered Classes

Escrima

Escrima is a Filipino martial art that focuses on use of sticks and knives.  Have fun swinging a stick while learning practical self-defense skills that can be used to defend against such weapons.  Techniques covered include the proper use of both sticks and knives (as well as safety!), and both armed and unarmed defense against stick and knife attacks.  This class is also great for building hand-eye coordination.  Appropriate for ages 7+; children (under 13). however, need to be accompanied by an adult to class and take the class with their child

Tuesdays: 7:00-8:00 pm

 General Information

 Goldsmith Kung Fu has helped establish the UNC-CH MMA and Self-Defense Club at UNC-Chapel Hill. The club has been formed to spread and teach Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) on the UNC-CH campus and to promote an atmosphere of self- and community empowerment through the martial arts.

Schedule

For the Spring, 2012 Semester we have classes on the following days/times

Tuesday: 4:30-6:00 pm, Woolen Gym Combatives Room

Thursday: 4:30-6:00 pm, Woolen Gym Combatives Room

Saturday: 2:00-3:30 pm, Woolen Gym Combatives Room

Because the class is taught by a variety of UNC students and faculty, an email list exists to confirm the weekly schedule in case of any unexpected conficts, so please email Sifu Jason if you are interested in trying out the club so that you can be added to the list.  You can also join directly through the student life club website. 

Contact Information

To contact the UNC-CH MMA & Self-Defense Club, please see the UNC Club Page.  The current officers are:

Connor Forman, president 

Chantelle Martin, vice president

Kelli Paice, secretary 

Alternatively, you can call the school number at 919-213-1705.

Tactical Kung Fu and MMA offers four options for your child and family.  If your child is 10+ years of age, they may take our adult classes at our headquarters as long as they are accompanied by a parent.  If they are under 10 years of age, they may instead take our Tactical Tumblers class, which focuses on basic coordination and grappling skills, or our Youth Grappling program, if they are between 1st and 12th grade.  Alternatively, you or your child can can join our Levin JCC program, or your child can join the AIAC after school kung fu program that we offer.  Details on these programs are provided below.

Tactical Tumblers

Our Tactical Tumblers program is designed for students 10 years of age and younger, and focuses on basic coordination, tumbling, and grappling skills.  However, this is not a traditional martial arts program, and no ranks are earned.  Rather, your child will learn solid physical fundamentals, alongside self-discipline and self-confidence, that will prepare them both for our adult program and for life in general.  Because competition is an important aspect of grappling, this program provides the proper education for your child to compete in grappling tournaments if they are interested in doing so, but competition is not required or expected.  

Youth Grappling

This program focuses on grappling for youths of all ages, from 1st-12th grade.  Emphasis is placed on a solid grappling fundamentals, with a focus on grappling competitions.  The program teaches a mix of judo, wrestling, no gi submission grappling, and BJJ.  

Levin JCC Children and Family Programs

In January, we will be offering martial arts to children and families at the Levin JCC in Durham.  You need not be a member to join the program.

The JCC offers classes in 6 week cycles, with payment due at the beginning of each cycle.  The 3, 6-week cycles offered for the winter/spring are:

•  1/9/2012-2/16/2012
•  2/20/2012-3/30/2012
•  4/16/2012-5/26/2012

American School of Asian Culture After School Program

Tactical Kung Fu is currently offering after-school kung fu education once per week as part of AIAC's offerings. These classes focus on teaching your child several important skills:

1. Body coordination and awareness
2. Fundamental stranger avoidance and self-defense skills geared specifically towards children
3. Basics of Kung Fu, including both Northern and Southern styles

Classes are targeted towards children from 6-11 years in age. Older children (12+) are encouraged to attend classes at our Chapel Hill location alongside a parent, or our Levin JCC program.

Classes are from 4:15 to 5:15 pm.

On Monday afternoon we are a the Church of Reconciliation (110 Elliott Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27514).

On Tuesday afternoon we are at Seawell Elementary School (9115 Seawell School Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27516).

The cost for enrollment is $30/month if your child does not attend AIAC. If your child is already a member of  AIAC, your tuition is included free of charge as part of your after school program dues.

General Information

Tactical Kung Fu and Mixed Martial Arts classes are taught in a ~4000 square foot matted room in basement beneath the Taekwondo & Hapkido Academy of Chapel Hill.  We teach a variety of courses at our location.  Please see the course descriptions below.

Classes (with noted exceptions) are open to students of all skill levels (and prior martial arts experience).  The curriculum is based on the specific class, as described below. Classes are for adults and teens only (13+) with one exception: parents with children (10+) may enroll jointly with one of their parents. As a practically-oriented martial art, our programs require a strong understanding of the consequences of your actions in a self-defense situation, which is why we require a parent to attend classes with their child. 

Kajukenbo/Wun Hop Kuen Do-Wu Hun Dao

This is the flag-ship program offered at Tactical Kung Fu, and is taught in accordance with the philosophical meaning of Kajukenbo: “through this fist art one gains long life and happiness.” Through the study of WHKD, students will not only gain the ability to defend themselves, but also an overall physical, mental, and spiritual wellness and strength. Classes focus on practical self-defense skills that translate well to both the street, and for those who are interested, combat sport.  Emphasis is placed on the integration of all ranges of combat.  Striking training focuses on a unique blend of kung fu and kickboxing that is unorthodox and highly effective.  Grappling is focused, but not limited to, a no-gi adaptation of Judo and submission grappling, supplemented by wrestling.  Weapons training is focused on stick and knife work.  

These classes are divided by rank.  

• General classes are open to all ranks.  
• Beginner's classes focus on white to orange sash material, but all students are welcome to participate.  
• Intermediate classes are for purple sashes and up, only, as well as members of the fight team.
• Advanced classes are for green sashes and up, only, as well as members of the fight team.

Boxing

The "sweet science," boxing classes focus on sound punching technique and footwork.  

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and Submission Grappling

BJJ is an adaptation of Judo that focuses on ground grappling, founded by Helio Gracie and developed throughout the 20th century.  It has risen to prominence with its introduction as the main grappling art of the early UFC competitions.  

Our ground grappling classes offer a mix of BJJ (with a gi), and submission grappling (no gi) training opportunities, as denoted on the schedule.

Cardio Kickboxing

Our cardio kickboxing classes will help you get in shape, while teaching your proper technique.  Unlike other programs that may simply have you go through the motions, our program will teach you how to punch and kick properly while working up a sweat.  This is one of our few programs that does not spar regularly, so if you are concerned about sparring, but want to get in shape while learning how to punch and kick, this is the class for you.

Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA)

We are proud to house Goldsmith Western Martial Arts, a HEMA study group that is part of the HEMA Alliance.  HEMA classes primarily focus on the longsword, using a mixture of German and Italian technique, based on available reference manuals and modern interpretations.  The class operates as a collaborate study group.  Practice is a mixture of drills and both unarmored and armored sparring (loaner armor is available for use).  Both sparring formats use batted steel blades and safety equipment is mandatory.   

Kung Fu Forms

These classes focus on teaching the kung fu forms (kuens), stances, and exercises that are part of the Wun Hop Kuen Do-Wu Hun Dao curriculum.  We teach a mixture of Northern and Southern Kung Fu forms, focusing on the Shaolin and Hung Gar lineages.  If you are interested an intensive, traditional kung fu experience, these classes are ideal for you.  There is no sparring in this class.  

MMA and Fight Team

MMA classes focus on techniques and skills oriented towards combat sport.  However, there is a large overlap between MMA and self-defense skills, although the ruleset of MMA precludes some techniques and shifts the emphasis towards others, and thus these classes are great if you are looking for an intense workout with a higher level of contact during sparring.  Some of these classes are open to all students, while other classes are designed at "Fight Team Only" on the schedule, which means you must be a part of our fight team (invitation only) in order to participate.  Not all members of the fight team are fighters (some members simply train with the fighters and help them prepare for their fights), but all members of the fight team are prepared for and seek out the heavy contact training these classes entail.   

Self-Defense

Our self-defense classes are ideal for students who want to learn the key skills needed to defend yourself, without going through a longer martial arts curriculum.  Because these classes are on-going, you will develop a more thorough and effective skillset in this course than you would in a 2 hour (or one month) workshop.  The curriculum is also designed so that you can join at any time, as the skills taught repeat on a monthly basis, to ensure that you receive enough repetitions to develop the proper abilities as a student.

Finally, because many of our students have been victims in the past, we offer a special sub-set of these classes for "Victims and Families" (as denoted on the schedule), that are restricted to prior victims of violence and any family members (or friends) who the victim wishes to take the class with.  These classes are designed to be a safe environment where you can learn empowering self-defense skills in a nurturing atmosphere.  

Standing Grappling

These classes focus on clinch work, throws, takedowns, and the corresponding defensive techniques.  These classes have a mix of wrestling and judo instructors that rotate.  One of the oldest martial arts in the world, wrestling focuses on the art of the takedown and pin.  Our wrestling focuses provide a mix of freestyle and Greco-Roman skills, taught by the members of the UNC-CH wresting team coaching staff, and some of our skilled fighters with a wrestling background. Known as the gentle art, Judo is a throwing and grappling art from Japan, created in 1882 by Jigoro Kano, that focuses on throws instead of the takedowns seen in wrestling.  

Tai Chi and Qi Gong

We offer a series of Tai Chi and Qi Gong programs, hosted by Magic Tortoise.  More details will be posted shortly.  

Schedule

**Will be updated and expanded in Winter, 2012.  

The schedule can be found here, or on the link on the left side of the page.  

Contact Information

Address

We are located at 1705B Legion Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517.

Phone

919-213-1705

Email

Please use the contact form on the main page to reach us.