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May 2024 by Troy Hestle
Love this school. My kids have been enrolled for years. Family owned business. True kungfu shaolin masters with multi-generation heritage.
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December 2022 by Max Trinh
Shifu Gao is really good at teaching both children and adults alike. He gets to know all his students well and understands how to beat accommodate them.The classes are usually segmented into 3 parts (warmup, stretching/basics, and forms/sparring). The segments are flexible as Shifu Gao will tailor them to whomever is in class at that time.There are also a lot of forms to learn for both hand and weapons.
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December 2021 by Kalki Nozomi
Fast forward to 2021... What a arrogant little snot I was! The lessons I received from Sifu Jin Lee and Sifu Gao changed my life forever. My EGO got in the way of how "John" treated me, and it over shadowed my ability to see the divine grace I was gifted by meeting these Sifu's. I am training with Sifu GAO now and he is a real life savior. I literally would not be able to cope with reality without his training, and everything he does for the students is unbelievable. His level of patience is that of an Abbot! I find that in youth we have the most degusting arrogance, and Sifu's sure showed me that. I am so dearly sorry for my younger self's lack of ability to see the truth as it is, for in my older age I am reaching towards Nirvana. Thank you so much Sifu's! <3V---- Young EGO ARROGANCEI went here in 2012 looking to learn some real Shaolin Kung fu. I wasn't interested in forms, I mean every school teaches that here in the USA. So when I went here I expected more than I could get, but I did have the honor to spar two Sifu's there. Most of all besides the lack of Buddhist value and adherence, this school's owner John a 20 year old cop veteran comes off really cool. Sadly though I bought a Jian from him thinking it would be good for form and instead of teaching me about the Tang and the steel quality he just said "you won't cut any trees down with it hehehehe". I said oh yeah well this is a real enough sword for me! So naive with my intention of learning the real Jian... it just turned out to be a small tang manufactured bronze casing piece of scrap. I learned after going there that if I want to pursue real Kung Fu or the Old Martial Arts I need to go to Asia. Traditionally though they did not tech you jack about Kung Fu history in this school and how Bodhidharma is the founder of Kung Fu. Further more I have to add how appalled I was that they claim it is a Shaolin system yet there is no adherence on Buddhist values as stated before. How can you expect to learn the real Shaolin way if you do not incorpte what the Buddha taught into your Kung Fu regime? Beats me, that's why the Monastery is the best place for someone who wants real Kung Fu.
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December 2020 by Camay Wells
My daughter has been training since she was 4.5 years old and my son started at 3.5 years old. Master Gao is an amazing Kung Fu master and most importantly, patient with the kids. Master Gao and his wife are like family to us.
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December 2019 by Zoey Li
My two daughtes love Master Gao‘s class. Master Gao and Master Zheng are really professional in Shaolin Kungfu and responsible to the students. We would love to spend years here.
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December 2019 by Nerf War
The environment here is hygienic and comfortable. Master Gao has good teaching experience and training methods. Now besides Master Gao, there is another master who is also responsible for assisting in teaching. There is also combat training every Friday. The targeted and practical training has been improved. Children’s interest in Kung Fu and its practical applications. Every Seattle friend who loves Chinese martial arts and wants their children to learn real Kung Fu strongly recommends this Shaolin Kung Fu Zen Academy [strong]
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December 2018 by Yen Amy
My family has enjoyed joining Chan Academy Shaolin Kung FuI myself to Tai Chi and my 2 daughters started one at age of 3 and other age of 5. Since joining they are more disciplined, more confident in themselves, and healthier and both now are on the demo team.One of the things that directed me to this school is Master Gao. He is very skilled and knowledgeable having trained at shaolin temple for many years. He is very patient each student especially the kids and guides each student to advance at his own ability and comfort level.Another thing I love is the camaraderie of the students and willingness to help and guide the beginners.I had looked at many schools around the area before I choose Chan Academy as it was a good fit for my family. I would recommend taking the free trial class and meeting Master Gao, and talking to the other students and parents to see if this school will be a good fit for you.
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December 2018 by Sharon Goh
My son has been taking Kung Fu lessons from Master Gao ever since he was 4 years old. It has been 6 years now, I continue to see improvements from my son and other kids that has been with this school for several years. Master Gao has the ability to work with his students of different age groups. Not only he is knowledgeable, he is patient and most of all, a very humble and down to earth person. My whole family including myself, is taking lessons from Master Gao as he has so much to offer. My son and husband are learning the different forms and weapons, while I am taking the self defense classes from Master Gao.A lot of people has the misconception that learning the Kung Fu forms is more of memorizing the movements and routines. What they do not understand is that, every movement serves a purpose, it is either a strike or a defense. Master Gao will actually help you to understand the mechanics of your body so you can throw a proper strike or an effective defense. Kung Fu is not something you can be good overnight, it takes years and years of practice and commitment to build and strengthen your foundation. This is also the reason why I would prefer my son to learn Kung Fu than other form of martial arts.If you are interested in something with a faster pace, Kung Fu will be suitable for you. If you prefer a slower pace exercise for general well-being, Tai-Chi will be the best option.The people around that knows me, knows that I am a very particular person when it comes to picking the right school / lessons for my son and family. The reason we are still with this school is because we know we are learning from the best instructor, and I don't believe I can find another one as good as Master Gao around this area.There was a comment I read earlier that somebody posted years ago, and I think there were quite a few corrections that I would like to point out here.1. Before Shaolin Kung Fu Chan Academy, this school was previously known as Chi Life Studio.2. I know the owner of Chi Life Studio and I know the owner of Shaolin Kung Fu Chan Academy as well. The previous owner wasn't John, he was helping to manage the school, and John is a nice man with great sense of humor.3. To incorporate Buddha teachings in the class? People come here to learn Kung Fu, this is not a religious school or gathering. This is a one hour class for Kung Fu.4. If you can't even survive the classes here, don't even think about going to the Shaolin Temple as it will be 10 times harder.5. You want to learn Kung Fu history, go look it up in Wikipedia. You paid for one hour class is to learn Kung Fu, not history class. It is clearly stated that this place offers Kung Fu lessons, not history class. Everyone who comes here know what they are paying for.6. Every martial art school will not sell you a real weapon in order to learn a form because it is illegal to sell weapons. If you can't handle your form with a prop that is similar to a real weapon, can you even handle a real weapon? The reason people are using props to learn so that they won't injure themselves or others during the learning process. It is common sense!7. You do not like learning forms, fine, obviously you also do not understand the fact that every movement has a purpose, either as a strike or a defense, unless you are doing it like a dance.My take is, to some people out there, unless you know very well what you are talking about, or really understand Kung Fu, or if you don't have common sense, don't leave some unfair comments to tarnish the image of this school. Master Gao works very hard and teaches all his students whole heartedly, and that I can see, so do all the other families that has been around with this school for years (from Chi Life Studio till now Shaolin Kung Fu Chan Academy).
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December 2018 by Hui Chen
I picked this Martial Arts studio to learn Shaolin Kungfu from Master Gao because I went to see The Microsoft Asian Spring Festival this year. It was a fantastic demonstration I have never seen before. And then I think it’s time to practice for me. I love this school. Master Gao is very patient with all students. The atmosphere is so good there. I highly recommend this school to everyone whose likes Kungfu or martial arts.
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December 2018 by Kenn Magnum
My son is a competitive Kung Fu athlete and we have travelled the world to train with the most elite Master's of Chinese Kung Fu.When we moved to Shaolin about 10 years ago my son trained with Master Gao at Shaolin's famed Wushu Guan.Master Gao's Kung Fu is extraodinary, and his ability to teach is just as exceptional. He is very patient and has a kind demeanor.Since that time we have moved back to Phoenix Arizona. However, when we heard Master Gao opened a school in Redmond we began to fly in several times a month to train with him. I am often asked, "is he really THAT good?" To which i always answer with an unequivalent "Yes!"My son has gone on to win a gold and a silver medal at the World Kung Fu Championships.If you are looking for the very best in training then you can not go wrong with this school.As a side note, I also know his wife, Rachel, as well. She works the front desk and gives little kids hugs when they need one.Rachel is a very kind woman. She often checked in on my son at the school in China. She would bring him dumplings, and since she spoke English she was able to tutor him and help him understand his Chinese classes.Master Gao and Rachel make a great team and run a top notch school. I am very proud to recommend them to you.
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December 2017 by 王慧瑜
Best Kungfu studio to learn authentic Kungfu . Good for kids and adults.
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December 2017 by Yi ZHENG
It's also good for adults to learn Kung Fu?
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December 2017 by Claire Fang
Both of my kids, 4 and 6, have been taking lessons at Shaolin Kung Fu Chan Academy. They were really shy at the beginning. Shifu Gao is a great teacher. He made classes fun, and at the same timex challenging for kids of all ages. My kids now love Kungfu, and it's one of those things that they look forward to every week. I can see them practicing for a long time. It's great for their fitness and character building.
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December 2017 by Noise Maker
Our two kids has been with Shaolin Kungfu Chan Academy for 5+ year now. The kids not only learn Kungfu and good characters, but also gain friendship there. They also offer performance opportunities @ some school and community events to help the kids build their confidence. Shifu Gao has rich experience on different aged group kids and adults, very patient, and treat everyone fairly. Highly recommend!
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December 2017 by 在我
My whole family have been this martial school for 2years, quite a long time. Before that, I didn't know anything about martial. However, after I saw this school on my way home, I was wondering what the differences between TKD and Martial. I went to this school try to figure it out. Sifu Gao was a really nice people, he explained me about the differences and benefits between being TKD and Martial. I was totally interested in Martial. After I enrolled in this school, I took my family there. My kids are doing Kung Fu, too
