Let me start by saying that if I could give more than 5 stars to a place, this would be it. Shifu…read moreChris and his wife manage and instruct students in this family-owned dojo. Shifu (master in Chinese) Chris is an excellent teacher. He has been doing martial arts for almost his own life, and he is very knowledgeable. He had spent 13 years in China working with different masters. As a result, he is an expert in different styles of martial arts such as Chinese boxing, Kung fu Shaolin. Following his mission to keep Shaolin kung fu alive in the US, he started this dojo in VA. Currently, they offer two free sessions to let people experience the school before joining. I joined this class after participating in two free sessions. The environment and students in the dojo are great. Everybody is friendly and respects each other. From a covid standpoint, everybody wears a mask throughout the class, and there are sanitizers for both hands and equipment. Each session includes warmup, practicing the basics, form, partner work, and meditation at the end. Shifu Chris changes the structure of the class and always has new activities and challenges in each session. After two months of going to this class, I already feel really accomplished. I am able to do basic techniques and self-defense. It had even effects on my day-to-day life and helps me to be more focused. I recommend this class to whoever is looking for martial arts or even looking for a fun and effective workout class.

Wonderful experience, great exercise, friendly classmates. The sessions have everything I enjoy --…read morestretches, warm ups, boxing, defense, individual and partner work, meditation, some qi gong... lots of variety and progressive mental/physical challenges so you're never bored and always growing. I started this class three months ago feeling very out of shape -- and as a total beginner to martial arts. Now, I feel like I have energy enough for classes, plus I'm starting to hit the gym more too and feel less stressed during the work week. It's definitely the kind of work out that isn't a chore -- it's energizing. Come take the two free lessons and try it out for yourself to get hooked too. Shifu Chris and Weiwei, who assists, are patient, thoughtful teachers who care about culture, health, and overall wellbeing. Class is always a positive, welcoming environment.

There is a great team that leads the Laughing Dragon studios. The facilities are not great but it…read moreis right out of a Bruce Lee film where the technique takes center stage over the looks of the place. Our kids love the lessons and I am impressed that it isn't a belt-driven system. We have friends whose kids are testing for belts constantly while at Laughing Dragon it is about form, style, and the Shaolin method. I am impressed.

From the owner: The mission of Laughing Dragon Kung Fu is to combine practical self-defense skills with a total…read morebody workout and inspire a lifelong love of Chinese martial arts. Our training is available to anyone interested, provided they have a sincere desire to learn and are of good moral character. We offer free trial sessions for every class!

I enjoy learning from the excellent staff . I feel challenged but encouraged . My balance has…read moreimproved 75 percent . Bonnie Bowers

This is an outstanding school and I am extremely happy I found it…read more My health is really what drove me to try this place out. As I got older, I started developing back problems. I did a ton of research on ways to strengthen my core, and Kung Fu repeatedly came up as a recommendation. Reviews like the ones here helped guide me to the Jow Ga Shaolin Institute. I was hesitant to take on Kung Fu as a middle aged adult. I had always considered martial arts as a younger person's sport and didn't want to be the older new guy in a sea of 12-15 year olds. My experiences at JGSI have totally eliminated that misconception. The classes are diverse in age and experience levels. The instructors are patient and adjust their teachings to the individual they're working with. The other students are warm, welcoming and extremely supportive. The classes themselves are challenging, but rewarding. They focus on concentration, stability, meditation, and strength with styles rooted in both traditional Northern and Southern forms. The school is well rounded and teaches multiple styles and solid technique, as well as real life applications of the forms. They also stay true to the culture of Kung Fu and support the history and tradition that has made this art form so great. It doesn't matter if you are looking for self-defense or exercise, discipline or focus, you can find each of those and more at the Jow Ga Shaolin Institute.

Very kid friendly Martial Arts Studio. The training is authentic from the ancient Chinese Martial…read moreArts. The Shifu (Master of the School) is welcoming, patient, and stern with the students. Differently a great place to learn Martial Arts.

Shi Fi-- the teacher and owner who runs this place is amazing. He has small classes and…read moredifferentiates instruction for all students. He also has parent & children classes...meaning us parents who typically chart our children around and then sit and wait for them to finish, can actually participate and get in some exercise too. Me, I'm a 46 year old mother who has steadily advanced to a blue belt with his careful instruction which meets you where you are, and then teaches you how to move higher. My daughter, age 13, (and moving at a faster pace than me), has been challenged and is learning self-discipline. Every class is different and amazing-- this isn't a cookie factory martial art school. It's a real gem, and if you're lucky, you'll find it. :)

On Tuesday (5/7), one of the school management (not the manager) approached me and asked me about…read morethe previous review I posted on Yelp. We had a conversation about the issues. And the school agreed to work on it and would try their best to communicate better in the future. On Sunday (5/12) the school manager invited me to meet and we had a conversation about the other issue. She apologized, explained the situations, and promised to do her best together with parents to make the school better. I appreciate all the efforts the school had made to solve these issues.

Like the focus on training by Shaolin monks from China, with careful attention to meditation and…read moremental aspects of practice. Sorry to say not many can hope to become as skilled as the monks, but the mental and physical journey toward expertise is no doubt beneficial. Thankfully the monks and management set outstanding examples.

The best martial arts studio in Virginia! I studied there for years and would still be there but…read moremoved too far away.

Don't waste your time Kung Fu doesn't work in a real life self defense situation especially Wing…read moreChun.

John is an incredible instructor…read more Whether you have multiple disciplines of Martial Arts under your belt or Wing Chun would be your first; you will be challenged and learn a lot from Wing Chun and East West.

I've trained wing chun at two other schools and this is by far the best. I've been coming for a…read moreyear and a half now and strongly recommend it. John is a fantastic teacher who breaks things down to be simple and step-by-step without being overwhelming, including sparring, and is available for questions and feedback anytime. The members are from diverse backgrounds and the attitude here is relaxed, supportive, and fun--the perfect balance of competitive and cooperative. I think there's a right style for everyone, and if you think wing chun kung fu might be yours, come in for a free lesson and see for yourself.

Look no further for a better school to learn Wushu. With various international competitions and…read moreaccolades under his belt, Stephon Morton is already very well-known in the Wushu community. Outside of competition, however, Stephon has found his true calling as a beloved teacher and father figure to his young students. They say that only the great ones pass on their knowledge to the next generation. Stephon is the perfect representation of that sentiment, truly embodying the warrior spirit.

From the owner: Northern Virgina Wushu Academy is a professional martial arts center that teaches contemporary and…read moretraditional wushu styles along with weapons, health qigong and tai-chi. At NOVA Wushu, our primary focus is on the development of the student, either concerning personal growth or physical exercise.