So... Yesterday I gave a kinda bad review of a martial arts school here and then I dunno why I didn't give a review of on I thought was pretty good! lolz Anyways, I chatted with the teacher again today, and so thought about reviewing them too! I have been here to learn the kung fu probably about ten times or so. Last year (2014) is when I started with these guys. They had a special listed on their web site of 1 free months! So i figure why not,. They not a school, but teacher n studetns who practice outside. I went for 3 wednesday in row. For some reason, most of the current student were on vacation or weird work schedule, so every class I saw complete different peoples. I have some backgrounds in martial art. I was happy to see that the teacher recognize that. But I still have to do basics stufs. I understand that thinking tho - thanks grandpa! - its like riding a bike - you did it and you can do it again, but you can also rate yourself how good you wanna be. Anyway my first question was where are all the other girls and where are the kids? The teacher said its difficult to keep females cuz they want to workout with other females; that he needs to have 2 at a minmum fo them to stay. At first I was a bit unnerve by this statement, but then realize he was right. I was judging thm right then by the number of females in there. lolz! Anyway, as for kids, he said he does not teach kids. So this is interesting. Every school I been too does. So just know you will be working out wiht adults instead of kids. This kinda scared me! =P But, overall it was a good experience! I thought I knew alot about kung fu, but in just one class I learned way more than I thought. And then I had more free classes to go! The advance students were doing forms, and applications that made them look like you dont want to see them angry. But theyr were laughing and stuff. The teacher wanted to put me on their student website but since I wasnt sure I didnt join - but supposedly after you join (I guess thsi means after you pay $$$ lol) that you get access to written materials for studying language and other stuff. Kinda coool. Oh! I must point this out! Okay I give this a 3-Star rating because it's outside and they get in your business (friendly, but for just checking it out initialy it feels awkward) a bit too much for beginner. PROS Dropin - Biggie for me....They have a drop-in rate. As I said, I wanted to give it a go but wasn't for real for sure. So the teacher let me just pay cash for the day I was there. That was kinda cool since I'd been to other schools adn asked to pay $$$ right there. (Not for me but for some could be) Applications on first time - I am not beginner okay. I have had time in other kung fu style. But even so...Even if you are beginner, learning basic stuffs one the first day, the teacher shows you how to use it in real life and how to practice it to be automatic. But those basic stuffs I already know. And it seems like thi9s is pretty important in the school. You practice what they call "applycations" every class. It's not what I was in to, nut it's cool if you are. Softer Side - This sounds like it's different from what I just wrote, but its not. Even though they go through applications stuffs, the teacher knows the mind-body-spirit stuff. I was surprisded. My grandma is old school Chinese. She taught me some wierd things and I asked the teacher some questions I already knew the asnwer too. And to my surprise, he knew what I was talking about! $ I asked him a few months back how much it would cost if I wanted to come to the usual class on regular base. I can say that I was looking round for other acadamies at the tiem. I was surprise at the respons. no contracts, no testing fees and under $100 per month. Trads - Okay I am Chinese. But the teacher speaks more mandarin language than I do And he is a white guy! Weird but cool. That told me he is actually studying this stuffs. Like for real. Cuz I tell you as even a Chinese, the languages are NOT so easy to just pic up. CONS Okay foks there is no school. They have the classes outside. That's why I talked to the teacher today. I liked my previous experience but didnt want to be out in the cold. I checked in and yep - they're still going at it in the park. Okay that now kinda sounds like a pro for the folks actually doing it, but it's just too much for me. They don't do uniforms. I thought I would have to buy one or get one to borrow, but no, they just kinda casually show up in workout clothes. When I asked about it today, the teacher said that they wear them only on special occasions like demonstrations n stuff but I dunno. It's not like the outfit has the kung fu but it just feels funner when ur wearing something together I think. Only a cpl class per week offering. read more

I'm not sure why my previous review of this (nearly 4 years ago!) didn't show up, but here goes... I can only attest to the Northern Shaolin class, as I've yet to try out their Xingyi. I started training Kung Fu with Sifu Craig privately a few years ago. Since I travel often, it's rare that I can make a regular class. Cool thing is that is okay. He allows for drop-ins - just pay cash for the day you come. Or if you are regular, then you can do the monthly bit. No contracts, which seems to be unique in the martial art schools. Prices are affordable. Be warned, however, the classes are OUTDOORS... So in seasons like it is right now - COLD...You had better dress accordingly. This is the reason I didn't give it Five stars. Aside from that, it's pretty awesome. Traditional for sure. You get a helluva workout - so you don't have to be in shape when you show up. I could barely do much exercise when I first started, but can happily say that now I am in much better shape. It's Chinese Kung Fu, so you're doing a bunch of forms and stuff, but he really breaks the stuff down to its very nitty-gritty details; where you put this or that is all important. And as for applying the stuff...Well this is A BIG DEAL. You actually learn and practice the applications of the movements from the get-go. This seems to be a bit of a rarity for kung fu schools for some reason. But yeah. The teacher is laid back but hard core. I've only mixed with the other students a few times, since I do privates with the teacher mainly. But the times I have, I really enjoyed -they are all very friendly and helpful and fun. We may have all gone out for beers once or twice after class even. :P Anyway, I'd definitely recommend you check it out. But again - it's OUTDOORS! Oh, and I don't think he takes children students though. read more

Awesome! These guys offer several different styles, but I can only comment about one: Northern Shaolin kung fu. I met the teacher back earlier this year at a Chinese New Year festival & demo expo at another kung fu school here in Atlanta. I didn't start right away, but a month or so later, I decided to try it out. I've had some traditional kung fu training before when I lived in Hong Kong and then in Singapore - and even did some Northern Shaolin kung fu in Hong Kong. But unfortunately there was a little bit of stereotyping towards Americans and I didn't have the best time. The Northern Shaolin teacher at PATHS Atlanta knows his stuff and can teach it. I've been taking private lessons with him now for almost half a year and I am still loving it - even though I often feel quite sore :P Yeah, you get a great work-out of course, but you also learn real kung fu, qigong, chinese language (I know a good bit of Cantonese, so his Mandarin is new for me :)), philosophy, strategy, applications, history and a bunch of stuff. They've got a few intro forms (I am on my second one and although it appears pretty simplistic at first - I am seeing its true depths now), I think like 10 or so main hand forms, two man forms, conditioning, drills, skill-work, applications, extra forms and weaponry too. This is getting too long so i will cut it short, but just wanted to say - This is THE STUFF! Go Sifu Craig! Um...Wow! Andy, the guy before me (and he reviewed just YESTERDAY!) is taking privates from the same guy as I am and yet I have never seen him! Hope to meet ya one day, Andy. Nvmd - need to send you a message. read more

Wow... I am not what I would consider to be a true martial artist, but I have started and stopped at quite a few different martial arts schools around Atlanta. Even though I just am not in the place in my life right now to commit to something like this, I gotta say that these guys ROCK! They have like three different kung fu styles in Atlanta and a few up in Athens I think. I tried all three here in Atlanta. They're all very different - each with their own teacher and stuff, but each one of them can definitely kick tail, and yet the stuff you learn is actually FUN! You get a helluva workout for the northern shaolin, bagua and hsing i. And you learn all the applications, plus you get a cool looking art to boot! It's pretty much the cheapest classes I have ever seen and they don't make you sign up for months or a year with contracts etc., but it's very cool and laid back. Even though I don't take classes anymore (I know, I'm kinda lazy at the moment :P), I still practice some of what I can remember cuz it's fun, and I still keep in touch with some of the dudes from back there cuz you make friends pretty quick. Anyway I think you ought to check it out if you are up for it. read more

It's been awhile since I trained with the instructor, but I remember my time well. I've since moved, and gone on to train in another style, but what I was taught here gave me a stronger foundation than I have seen anywhere else. Not to mention the calisthenics and overall conditioning - be prepared to work! Northern Shaolin is an interesting style with a solid history, and even though I am involved in something else now, I still practice my Tan Tui, Leinbokuen, Tun Dah and Broadsword forms on a regular basis =) read more

I came only to couple class by this north shaolin teacher here but i really enjoy. I been some others in here Atlanta and was disappoint. But this fellow is passion and knows good his north shaolin kongfu. I am from China and really impress that foreigner can know and teach so well the traditional Chinese kongfu. But even this - I am still studying in school so can not committed to this art form but I can suggest ANYONE can go here :) read more

These guys are great! Fun, friendly, affordable and real kung fu! Check them out for sure - I've been around the traditional Chinese martial arts block in Atlanta, and was extremely impressed by these guys. read more