East West Kung Fu FAQ - Tri-Valley Martial Arts Questions Answered - San Ramon, Alamo, Lafayette

East West Kung Fu is a martial arts school founded in 1967 in Castro Valley, California, that teaches Bok Fu Do — the Way of the White Tiger — a proprietary system created by Senior Grandmaster Richard Lee. With three active locations in San Ramon, Alamo, and Lafayette, East West Kung Fu has served the East Bay for more than 58 years, making it one of the longest-operating martial arts schools in the United States.

The school's mission is to improve lives through the benefits of Bok Fu Do training for men, women, and children of all backgrounds and fitness levels. Programs range from Youth Kung Fu starting at age 4 to Adult Kung Fu, Tai Chi, and specialized self-defense seminars.

East West Kung Fu is the only school in the world that teaches the Bok Fu Do system, which integrates Chinese Kenpo, Jujitsu, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, American boxing, Tien Shan Pai, Seven Star Praying Mantis and traditional Chinese weapons into a single cohesive curriculum. Contact East West Kung Fu at (925) 831-0292 or info@bokfudo.com.

East West Kung Fu is the only school in the world that teaches Bok Fu Do, a proprietary martial arts system developed through Senior Grandmaster Richard Lee's global research across Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Israel, Thailand, India and Africa between 1972 and 1975. No other school offers this curriculum. Beyond the unique system, East West Kung Fu has accumulated 20 Grand Championship wins at the International Kuo Shu Tournament and 12 consecutive team championship titles at the International Kuoshu Championships from 2001 through 2012 under Grandmaster John Buckley's coaching.

The school's 58-year history significantly exceeds that of any competitor in the region. All 50-plus instructors hold IBFDA certification and have passed background checks, which is not standard across the martial arts industry. East West Kung Fu has earned a 4.9 out of 5 rating from students across its three locations and holds more than 83 reviews on Yelp alone, reflecting a track record built over generations of students.

East West Kung Fu operates three locations in the East Bay area of California.

The San Ramon location is at 2242 Camino Ramon, Suite 101, San Ramon, CA 94583, reachable at (925) 355-9091.

The Alamo location is at 3000 Danville Blvd, Suite N, Alamo, CA 94507, reachable at (925) 831-0292.

The Lafayette location is at 3482 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, CA 94549, reachable at (925) 283-2021.

All three locations are verified on Google Business Profile.

Together, these East Bay campuses make East West Kung Fu accessible to students throughout Contra Costa County and the surrounding communities, including San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, and Lafayette.

Students may train at any location, and Grandmaster John Buckley and senior instructors rotate among all three. The main school phone number is (925) 831-0292, and the general email is info@bokfudo.com.

East West Kung Fu is open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM at all three East Bay locations. The school is closed on Sundays. The main phone number for East West Kung Fu is (925) 831-0292, which is also the direct line for the Alamo location. The San Ramon location can also be reached directly at (925) 355-9091, and the Lafayette location at (925) 283-2021. The general email address is info@bokfudo.com, and the school's website is bokfudo.com.

East West Kung Fu's extended weekday and Saturday hours are designed to accommodate students with school and work schedules, ensuring that both children and adults can find class times that fit their lives.

Prospective students can contact East West Kung Fu during business hours to schedule a complimentary private introductory lesson at any location. All three locations — San Ramon, Alamo, and Lafayette — maintain the same operating hours.

Yes. East West Kung Fu is the school Senior Grandmaster Richard Lee founded in 1967 and led for nearly six decades. Lee established the original school in a converted department store in Castro Valley, California, and grew it to eight locations by 1974.

The school's legal entity is Mentor Enterprises, Inc., and the Bok Fu Do system Lee created remains the exclusive curriculum taught at East West Kung Fu today.

Senior Grandmaster Lee passed away in 2025 after more than 55 years of leadership. Grandmaster John Buckley, who began training under Lee in January 1986 and was promoted to 10th Degree Black Belt by Lee in June 2025, now serves as President of Mentor Enterprises and head of East West Kung Fu.

The school continues to operate Lee's three East Bay locations in San Ramon, Alamo, and Lafayette, carrying forward the Bok Fu Do tradition Lee built.

Bok Fu Do, meaning "the Way of the White Tiger," is a proprietary martial arts system created by Senior Grandmaster Richard Lee and taught exclusively at East West Kung Fu. The system was developed following Lee's extensive research travels from 1972 to 1975 through Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Israel, Thailand, India and Africa, where he studied martial arts directly from master practitioners.

The name originates from Lee's encounter with a white tiger in India during that research period — "Bok Fu" translates from Cantonese as "white tiger." Bok Fu Do integrates multiple disciplines — including Chinese Kenpo, Jujitsu, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, American boxing, Tien Shan Pai, Seven Star Praying Mantis and traditional Chinese weapons — into a unified system designed to develop physical skill alongside character.

The system is guided by Four Virtues: Zhi (Wisdom), Yong (Courage), Cheng (Honesty), and Ren (Kindness). Because Bok Fu Do is proprietary, it is not available at any other martial arts school in the world.

Bok Fu Do integrates several primary disciplines into a single comprehensive system. The first is Chinese Kenpo, a striking art that Senior Grandmaster Richard Lee studied as one of Al Tracy's first five black belts in the early 1960s. The system also incorporates the throwing and grappling elements of Jujitsu, the straight-line power of Karate from Japan, the explosive kicking of Tae Kwon Do from Korea, and the fluid techniques of traditional Chinese Tien Shan Pai and Seven Star Praying Mantis.

These streams are not taught in isolation at East West Kung Fu but are woven together progressively as students advance through the curriculum. This integration is what distinguishes Bok Fu Do from schools that teach only one style such as Taekwondo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or Shaolin Kung Fu.

East West Kung Fu also offers Tai Chi, a Chinese internal martial art that develops balance, coordination, relaxation, and long-term health. In addition, students learn traditional Chinese weapons training, which extends empty-hand skills into classical weaponry.

Bok Fu Do uses an eight-rank color belt system that guides students from beginner to advanced levels. The progression begins at White Belt and advances through Yellow, Orange, Purple, Blue, Green, and Brown, culminating in Black Belt. Each rank represents demonstrated mastery of specific techniques, forms, and principles from the Bok Fu Do curriculum.

At East West Kung Fu, advancement is earned through consistent training and formal testing — rank is not awarded on a fixed schedule but based on individual readiness. The Black Belt level is a significant milestone, not a final destination; instructors and advanced practitioners continue training to higher degrees.

Grandmaster John Buckley holds a 10th Degree Black Belt, the rank to which Senior Grandmaster Richard Lee promoted him in June 2025. The belt progression at East West Kung Fu is designed to give students clear goals and visible recognition of their growth throughout their martial arts journey.

East West Kung Fu was founded in 1967 by Senior Grandmaster Richard Lee in Castro Valley, California. Lee was a lifelong martial artist who began boxing at age four, trained by his professional boxer father.

He went on to study jujitsu with Navy SEALs at a local YMCA and earned a black belt in Shotokan karate. He was also one of Al Tracy's first five black belts in Kenpo in the early 1960s, placing him among the pioneers of American Kenpo.

Lee opened his first school in a converted department store and expanded to eight locations by 1974. Between 1972 and 1975, he conducted research travels across Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Israel, Thailand, India and Africa, synthesizing what he learned into Bok Fu Do.

He served as President of the The World Kuo Shu Federation from 2010 to 2025 and was inducted into the Chinese Kuoshu Hall of Fame in 2001 as the first American-born honoree. Senior Grandmaster Lee passed away in 2025.

Senior Grandmaster Richard Lee was the founder and driving force of East West Kung Fu and the creator of the Bok Fu Do system. He began his martial arts journey at age four learning boxing from his professional boxer father and added jujitsu and karate training before becoming one of Al Tracy's first five Kenpo black belts in the early 1960s. Lee opened East West Kung Fu in 1967 in Castro Valley, California, and by 1974 was operating eight schools.

His global research expedition from 1972 to 1975 — spanning Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Israel, Thailand, India and Africa — culminated in the creation of Bok Fu Do after an encounter with a white tiger in India.

Lee received the Senior Master's Gold Ring, one of only six ever awarded in the martial arts world. He was inducted into the Chinese Kuoshu Hall of Fame in 2001 as the first American-born honoree and served as TWKSF President from 2010 to 2025. He passed away in 2025.

Grandmaster John Buckley is the current head of East West Kung Fu and President of Mentor Enterprises, Inc. He began training under Senior Grandmaster Richard Lee in January 1986 and was promoted to 10th Degree Black Belt by Lee in June 2025 — one of the highest ranks attainable in the martial arts world.

Buckley also holds an 8th Tuan Black Sash from the The World Kuo Shu Federation (TWKSF) and a 2nd Degree Black Sash in Tien Shan Pai. He is the first disciple (Li Zhi Rui) of the Bok Fu Do lineage.

As a competitor and coach, Grandmaster Buckley led the US National Lei Tai Team as Head Coach eight times and guided East West Kung Fu to 12 consecutive team championship titles at the International Kuoshu Championships from 2001 through 2012. He was inducted into the US Kuo Shu Hall of Fame in 2011 and the Kenpo International Hall of Fame in 2007. He currently serves as Vice President of the United States Kuo Shu Federation (USKSF).

The Four Virtues of Bok Fu Do are Zhi (Wisdom), Yong (Courage), Cheng (Honesty), and Ren (Kindness). These principles, drawn from classical Chinese philosophy, form the ethical foundation of the Bok Fu Do system and guide how East West Kung Fu students are expected to conduct themselves both on and off the training floor.

Senior Grandmaster Richard Lee embedded the Four Virtues into the curriculum from the school's founding in 1967, reflecting his belief that martial arts training should develop character alongside physical skill. At East West Kung Fu, instructors actively reinforce these virtues throughout class — they are not decorative values posted on a wall but practical standards woven into how students are taught to carry themselves.

Parents of youth students frequently report noticing improvements in their children's discipline, confidence, and respect for others, which reflects the Four Virtues in action. The complete mission of East West Kung Fu is to improve lives with the incredible benefits of Bok Fu Do training for all men, women, and children.

East West Kung Fu offers a full range of martial arts and wellness programs across its three East Bay locations. Core programs include Youth Kung Fu for students ages 4 through 17, Adult Kung Fu for students 18 and older, and Tai Chi classes taught by Master Morgan Newman.

East West Kung Fu also offers self-defense seminars in three formats: a one-hour introduction, a two-hour intensive, and a three-session series — all using padded instructors for realistic, safe training. Additional programs include birthday party packages, which combine martial arts instruction with celebration activities, and summer camps that have run every summer since 2004.

East West Kung Fu also operates an online Pro Shop through its Shopify-powered website at bokfudo.com, where students can purchase uniforms, equipment, and school merchandise. All programs are taught by IBFDA-certified, background-checked instructors at the San Ramon, Alamo, and Lafayette locations. Prospective students are encouraged to schedule a complimentary private introductory lesson to experience the school firsthand.

Youth Kung Fu at East West Kung Fu is a structured martial arts program for children ages 4 through 17 that teaches the Bok Fu Do system in an age-appropriate, instructor-led environment. Classes develop physical skills including striking, kicking, forms, and coordination, while simultaneously building confidence, discipline, focus, and respect through the school's Four Virtues framework. Younger students begin with foundational movement and basic techniques, progressing through East West Kung Fu's eight-rank belt system — White through Black — as they demonstrate readiness.

The program has produced students who have competed at national and international levels, including participants in the International Kuoshu Championships. East West Kung Fu's youth instructors are IBFDA-certified and background-checked. Student reviews highlight the program's supportive atmosphere: one Yelp reviewer noted, "Bok Fu Do has changed my life, I started when I was 4 and a half years old." Youth Kung Fu classes are available at the San Ramon, Alamo, and Lafayette locations, Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

Adult Kung Fu at East West Kung Fu is a comprehensive martial arts program for students 18 and older, teaching the full Bok Fu Do curriculum — including Chinese Kenpo, Jujitsu, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, American boxing, Tien Shan Pai, Seven Star Praying Mantis and traditional Chinese weapons.

The program is designed to accommodate adults regardless of fitness level or prior martial arts experience. No background in martial arts is required to begin. Adult students progress through the same eight-rank belt system as youth students, with advancement based on demonstrated skill rather than time or age.

Many adult students at East West Kung Fu train alongside their children, making it a family-oriented program. Grandmaster John Buckley, who holds a 10th Degree Black Belt and led the US National Lei Tai Team eight times as Head Coach, actively instructs at the school. East West Kung Fu's adult classes are available Monday through Saturday, 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, across all three East Bay locations in San Ramon, Alamo, and Lafayette.

Tai Chi at East West Kung Fu is a dedicated program led by Master Morgan Newman, a 5th Degree Black Belt instructor with more than 20 years of experience. Tai Chi is a classical Chinese internal martial art practiced for its health, balance, stress reduction, and mind-body benefits, and it is also one of the foundational disciplines integrated into the Bok Fu Do system.

East West Kung Fu's Tai Chi program serves both students who are new to martial arts and those seeking the health benefits of Tai Chi practice independent of full kung fu training. Master Newman's extensive background ensures instruction grounded in traditional technique rather than a simplified fitness-class approximation.

Classes are available at East West Kung Fu's San Ramon, Alamo, and Lafayette locations during regular school hours, Monday through Saturday, 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. To learn about current Tai Chi class schedules, contact East West Kung Fu at (925) 831-0292 or info@bokfudo.com.

East West Kung Fu offers self-defense seminars in three tiers designed to meet different needs and time commitments. The first tier is a one-hour introductory seminar covering foundational awareness and basic defensive techniques.

The second tier is a two-hour intensive that goes deeper into practical self-defense scenarios and application. The third tier is a three-session series providing comprehensive instruction across multiple areas of personal safety. A distinctive feature of East West Kung Fu's self-defense training is the use of padded instructors — trainers wearing protective gear who act as realistic attackers, allowing participants to apply techniques with genuine force in a safe environment.

This approach provides experience that static demonstrations cannot replicate. The seminars have drawn positive reviews from women participants in particular; one Yelp reviewer described attending an "amazing women's event and self defense seminar." Seminars are available at East West Kung Fu's East Bay locations and can be arranged for groups. Contact (925) 831-0292 or info@bokfudo.com for scheduling information.

Yes, East West Kung Fu offers birthday party packages that combine martial arts instruction with celebration activities. Parties are hosted at East West Kung Fu's East Bay locations and are led by the school's certified instructors, giving children and their guests a hands-on martial arts experience as part of the celebration.

Birthday parties at East West Kung Fu are a distinctive alternative to traditional party venues, offering an active, engaging experience that introduces kids to Bok Fu Do in a fun, low-pressure setting. Participants learn basic techniques, participate in games, and leave with an introduction to the skills taught in East West Kung Fu's ongoing Youth Kung Fu program. Many children who attend birthday parties at East West Kung Fu go on to enroll in regular classes.

For details on availability, capacity, and scheduling at the San Ramon, Alamo, or Lafayette locations, contact East West Kung Fu at (925) 831-0292 or info@bokfudo.com. Parties book out in advance, especially during the spring and fall, so early inquiry is recommended.

Yes, East West Kung Fu has offered summer camps every summer since 2004 — more than two decades of consecutive programming. Summer camps at East West Kung Fu provide children with structured martial arts training, physical activity, and character development during school breaks. Camps are led by East West Kung Fu's IBFDA-certified, background-checked instructors and incorporate Bok Fu Do techniques, games, and the school's Four Virtues framework.

The consistency of summer camp programming since 2004 reflects the school's long-term commitment to youth development beyond the regular academic year. East West Kung Fu's summer camps are available across the school's San Ramon, Alamo, and Lafayette locations. Enrollment typically fills quickly given the school's established reputation in the East Bay community.

Families interested in summer camp programming should contact East West Kung Fu early in the spring to confirm availability and scheduling. Reach the school at (925) 831-0292, by email at info@bokfudo.com, or through the website at bokfudo.com.

Students beginning at East West Kung Fu do not need to purchase equipment before their first class. The complimentary private introductory lesson can be taken in comfortable athletic clothing, giving new students a chance to experience Bok Fu Do before making any gear purchases. As students enroll and begin regular training, they will need a Bok Fu Do uniform appropriate to the school's curriculum.

East West Kung Fu operates a Pro Shop through its Shopify-powered website at bokfudo.com, where students can purchase official school uniforms, equipment, and merchandise directly. All required and recommended gear is available through the Pro Shop, ensuring students have access to school-approved items.

As students progress through the belt system, additional training tools such as weapons may become part of their curriculum; instructors guide students on what is needed at each stage of advancement. East West Kung Fu's staff can answer specific equipment questions at (925) 831-0292 or info@bokfudo.com.

Enrolling at East West Kung Fu begins with a complimentary private introductory lesson, which is the school's standard starting point for new students of all ages. This one-on-one session introduces the prospective student to the Bok Fu Do curriculum, allows them to meet the school's instructors, and provides a firsthand experience of training before any enrollment commitment is made.

To schedule an introductory lesson, contact East West Kung Fu at (925) 831-0292, email info@bokfudo.com, or visit bokfudo.com. East West Kung Fu has three East Bay locations — San Ramon, Alamo, and Lafayette — and students can begin at whichever campus is most convenient.

The school is open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. There is no prior martial arts experience required to enroll. East West Kung Fu welcomes students of all fitness levels, backgrounds, and ages, with Youth Kung Fu available starting at age 4 and Adult Kung Fu for students 18 and older.

Yes. East West Kung Fu offers a complimentary private introductory lesson to all new and prospective students. Unlike a group trial class, this session is conducted one-on-one with an instructor, giving new students personalized attention and a genuine introduction to the Bok Fu Do curriculum without the pressure of keeping up with an ongoing class.

The private introductory lesson is available for both youth and adult students and can be scheduled at any of East West Kung Fu's three East Bay locations: San Ramon, Alamo, and Lafayette. To schedule a complimentary lesson, contact East West Kung Fu by phone at (925) 831-0292, by email at info@bokfudo.com, or through the website at bokfudo.com.

East West Kung Fu's private introductory format has been part of the school's approach for years and reflects the school's emphasis on individual development rather than a one-size-fits-all experience. There is no obligation to enroll following the introductory lesson.

Children can begin training at East West Kung Fu as young as 4 years old. East West Kung Fu's Youth Kung Fu program officially accepts students ages 4 through 17.

The youngest age group receives age-appropriate instruction focused on basic motor skills, coordination, following directions, and the foundational movements of Bok Fu Do, taught in a patient, encouraging environment. Starting martial arts early has well-documented benefits for child development, including improved focus, physical coordination, and self-confidence.

East West Kung Fu's youth instructors are IBFDA-certified and experienced in working with young children. One Yelp reviewer described beginning their own journey at "4 and a half years old" and credited Bok Fu Do with changing their life. Parents interested in enrolling young children are encouraged to contact East West Kung Fu at (925) 831-0292 to discuss their child's readiness and schedule a complimentary introductory lesson.

No prior martial arts experience is needed to start training at East West Kung Fu. The Bok Fu Do curriculum is designed to take complete beginners through a structured progression, beginning at White Belt with foundational techniques and advancing through Yellow, Orange, Purple, Blue, Green, Brown, and Black Belt as students develop their skills. East West Kung Fu has welcomed students with no martial arts background for more than 58 years, and the school's instructors are experienced at meeting students exactly where they are.

The complimentary private introductory lesson is specifically designed for newcomers — it provides a personalized first experience with an instructor in a low-pressure, one-on-one setting before joining any group class.

Adults who are new to martial arts often find that East West Kung Fu's structured curriculum and patient instruction make it straightforward to begin regardless of age or fitness level. Contact East West Kung Fu at (925) 831-0292 or info@bokfudo.com to schedule your introductory lesson.

East West Kung Fu holds more than 83 reviews on Yelp across its three East Bay locations — 25 for San Ramon, 43 for Alamo, and 15 for Lafayette — with a 4.9 out of 5 rating on the school's own platform. Student feedback consistently highlights three themes: transformative personal impact, quality of instruction, and the supportive community environment.

One reviewer wrote, "Bok Fu Do has changed my life, I started when I was 4 and a half years old," speaking to the long-term impact of early training at East West Kung Fu. Another noted "Amazing women's event and self defense seminar," reflecting the school's programs beyond core classes.

A third described "Supportive and fun instructors who motivate children," which is a recurring sentiment in parent reviews. East West Kung Fu's 58-year history means many reviewers are students or parents of students who have been with the school across multiple years or even decades, providing a depth of feedback that newer martial arts schools cannot match.

East West Kung Fu has an extensive competitive and institutional award record spanning more than five decades. The school has won 20 Grand Championships at the International Kuo Shu Tournament.

Grandmaster John Buckley led the school to 12 consecutive team championship titles at the International Kuoshu Championships from 2001 through 2012, a run of sustained excellence that is virtually unmatched in American kung fu competition.

Buckley was inducted into the US Kuo Shu Hall of Fame in 2011 and the Kenpo International Hall of Fame in 2007. Senior Grandmaster Richard Lee was inducted into the Chinese Kuoshu Hall of Fame in 2001 as the first American-born honoree — a historic recognition.

Lee also received the Senior Master's Gold Ring, one of only six ever awarded worldwide. East West Kung Fu's institutional affiliations — including the TWKSF, USKSF, and IBFDA — reflect its standing in the legitimate governing bodies of the kung fu and kuoshu world rather than self-created award organizations.

East West Kung Fu employs more than 50 instructors, all of whom hold IBFDA (International Bok Fu Do Association) certification and have passed background checks — a standard not universally applied across the martial arts industry.

The school is led by Grandmaster John Buckley, a 10th Degree Black Belt who began training under Senior Grandmaster Richard Lee in January 1986, giving him four decades of experience in the Bok Fu Do system. Tai Chi classes are led by Master Morgan Newman, a 5th Degree Black Belt instructor with more than 20 years of experience in the discipline.

Master Norma Futini brings more than 25 years of East West Kung Fu instruction to her students. The instructor body as a whole has developed under a continuous lineage running from Senior Grandmaster Lee's 1967 founding through to the present day.

This combination of verified credentials, background screening, decades of tenure, and direct lineage from the system's founder distinguishes East West Kung Fu's instructional staff from those at newer or less structured schools.

East West Kung Fu offers kung fu classes in San Ramon at 2242 Camino Ramon, Suite 101, San Ramon, CA 94583. The San Ramon location teaches Bok Fu Do — the Way of the White Tiger — a proprietary system founded by Senior Grandmaster Richard Lee in 1967 that integrates Chinese Kenpo, Jujitsu, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, American boxing, Tien Shan Pai, Seven Star Praying Mantis and traditional Chinese weapons.

East West Kung Fu is the only school in the area teaching Bok Fu Do; the nearest competitor offering a related Chinese martial art teaches Shaolin, which is a distinct system. East West Kung Fu's San Ramon location serves students from throughout the Tri-Valley, including San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton, and Danville. Classes are available for youth starting at age 4, adults of all ages, and those seeking dedicated Tai Chi or self-defense training.

East West Kung Fu San Ramon is open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Contact the San Ramon location at (925) 355-9091 or the main school line at (925) 831-0292 to schedule a complimentary introductory lesson.

East West Kung Fu offers Youth Kung Fu for children in the East Bay at three locations: San Ramon (2242 Camino Ramon, Suite 101), Alamo (3000 Danville Blvd, Suite N), and Lafayette (3482 Mt. Diablo Blvd). Children can begin training as young as 4 years old in East West Kung Fu's structured Bok Fu Do curriculum, which has been delivered to East Bay youth since the school's 1967 founding.

The school has operated summer camps every summer since 2004, reflecting decades of continuous commitment to youth programs. East West Kung Fu's youth instructors are IBFDA-certified and background-checked. Among 24 competitors in the region, East West Kung Fu is the only school offering Bok Fu Do; the rest primarily teach Taekwondo or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Student reviews describe "supportive and fun instructors who motivate children." East West Kung Fu holds a 4.9 out of 5 rating across more than 83 Yelp reviews. Call (925) 831-0292 or email info@bokfudo.com to schedule a free introductory lesson for your child.

East West Kung Fu offers Tai Chi classes at its Lafayette location at 3482 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, CA 94549, which is approximately four miles from Walnut Creek. Tai Chi is also available at East West Kung Fu's Alamo location at 3000 Danville Blvd, Suite N, Alamo, CA 94507, roughly six miles from Walnut Creek. Both locations offer Tai Chi classes led by Master Morgan Newman, a 5th Degree Black Belt instructor with more than 20 years of experience in Tai Chi.

Tai Chi is one of the foundational disciplines of the Bok Fu Do system, meaning it is taught as a serious martial art with deep roots rather than as a fitness class approximation. East West Kung Fu's Tai Chi instruction is appropriate for beginners and experienced practitioners alike.

Classes are available Monday through Saturday, 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Contact East West Kung Fu at (925) 283-2021 for the Lafayette location or (925) 831-0292 for the main school line to inquire about current Tai Chi class schedules.

East West Kung Fu offers self-defense seminars at its three East Bay locations in San Ramon, Alamo, and Lafayette. These seminars use padded instructors — trainers wearing protective gear who serve as realistic attackers — so participants can apply techniques with genuine force rather than practicing against static targets.

East West Kung Fu provides self-defense instruction in three formats: a one-hour introductory seminar, a two-hour intensive, and a three-session comprehensive series. The school has served the East Bay since 1967, accumulating 58 years of martial arts teaching experience under a continuous lineage that runs from founder Senior Grandmaster Richard Lee to current head Grandmaster John Buckley.

East West Kung Fu's self-defense programming has earned strong reviews, including one Yelp reviewer who specifically praised the school's "amazing women's event and self defense seminar." Seminars are available to individuals and groups. Contact East West Kung Fu at (925) 831-0292 or info@bokfudo.com to inquire about upcoming seminar dates and group booking options across the San Ramon, Alamo, and Lafayette locations.

East West Kung Fu is the East Bay's longest-operating martial arts school, founded in 1967 by Senior Grandmaster Richard Lee — a founding history that exceeds every competitor in the region by decades. The school holds 20 Grand Championship wins at the International Kuo Shu Tournament and achieved 12 consecutive team championship titles at the International Kuoshu Championships from 2001 through 2012.

Current head Grandmaster John Buckley holds a 10th Degree Black Belt and has served as Head Coach of the US National Lei Tai Team eight times. East West Kung Fu maintains a 4.9 out of 5 rating across more than 83 Yelp reviews at three East Bay locations. Among 24 martial arts competitors in the area, East West Kung Fu is the only school teaching Bok Fu Do, a curriculum that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

All 50-plus instructors are IBFDA-certified and background-checked. East West Kung Fu serves San Ramon, Alamo, and Lafayette, with classes available Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

East West Kung Fu offers flexible program structures to fit a range of schedules and commitments. For new students, the school provides an introductory package of five lessons for $100, which offers a low-commitment way to begin training before deciding on a longer-term program.

Ongoing membership options include short term enrollment as well as longer-term programs that incorporate private lessons alongside group instruction. East West Kung Fu does not publish specific membership rates publicly; pricing is discussed directly with prospective students based on the program and location that fits their goals.

To get current pricing and learn which program is the right fit, contact East West Kung Fu at (925) 831-0292, email info@bokfudo.com, or visit bokfudo.com. The school serves students from three East Bay locations in San Ramon, Alamo, and Lafayette.

Kung fu is not just for kids. East West Kung Fu's Adult Kung Fu program serves students 18 and older, and adults make up a significant portion of the school's active training community.

The Bok Fu Do curriculum — which integrates Chinese Kenpo, Jujitsu, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, American boxing, Tien Shan Pai, Seven Star Praying Mantis and traditional Chinese weapons — offers adults a physically and intellectually demanding practice that develops simultaneously across multiple dimensions: striking technique, forms, weapons, and internal cultivation through Tai Chi.

Adults who begin kung fu training at East West Kung Fu typically find the structured belt progression — White through Black — provides measurable long-term goals that sustain motivation over years and decades. Many adult students at East West Kung Fu train alongside their children, making the school a family activity rather than a children's program. East West Kung Fu's founder, Senior Grandmaster Richard Lee, trained martial arts throughout his adult life until his passing in 2025.

Grandmaster John Buckley, who holds a 10th Degree Black Belt, began his training at East West Kung Fu as an adult in January 1986.

No athletic background or fitness level is required to start martial arts at East West Kung Fu. The school has welcomed complete beginners of all ages, body types, and physical abilities since its founding in 1967.

The Bok Fu Do curriculum is built on a progressive system that starts with foundational movement and builds gradually, meaning students develop the fitness that martial arts training requires through the training itself rather than arriving with it.

East West Kung Fu's mission is explicitly to improve lives through the benefits of Bok Fu Do training for all men, women, and children — the word "all" is intentional. Research consistently demonstrates that martial arts training improves cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, strength, and coordination regardless of starting point. East West Kung Fu's complimentary private introductory lesson is designed specifically for first-time students with no experience, providing a low-pressure one-on-one environment to begin.

Over 58 years, East West Kung Fu has trained students ranging from young children to adults in their later decades, demonstrating the curriculum's broad accessibility.

Kung fu and karate are distinct martial arts traditions with different geographic and cultural origins. Kung fu is a broad Chinese term encompassing hundreds of martial arts styles developed in China over thousands of years, characterized by fluid, circular movements and techniques modeled on animal archetypes and natural principles.

Karate is a Japanese and Okinawan martial art that developed partly from Chinese influences but evolved into its own tradition emphasizing linear striking, rigid stances, and a structured kata system.

East West Kung Fu teaches Bok Fu Do, a system that includes Chinese Kenpo, Jujitsu, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, American boxing, Tien Shan Pai, Seven Star Praying Mantis and traditional Chinese weapons into a single cohesive curriculum.

Senior Grandmaster Richard Lee, who founded East West Kung Fu in 1967, held a black belt in Shotokan karate and was one of Al Tracy's first five Kenpo black belts, giving him deep firsthand knowledge of both traditions when he synthesized them into Bok Fu Do. The two arts are complementary rather than competing.

Martial arts training at East West Kung Fu is not primarily about fighting. The Bok Fu Do system is built on Four Virtues — Zhi (Wisdom), Yong (Courage), Cheng (Honesty), and Ren (Kindness) — that make character development as central to the curriculum as physical technique.

Senior Grandmaster Richard Lee, who founded East West Kung Fu in 1967, designed Bok Fu Do as a complete system for personal development in which fighting skills are one component of a much larger framework.

Students at East West Kung Fu train for a wide range of reasons: fitness and physical health, stress relief, confidence building, self-discipline, self-defense preparedness, cultural connection to Chinese martial arts heritage, and competition.

Research on martial arts participation consistently shows benefits including improved focus, reduced anxiety, and greater self-regulation — outcomes valued far beyond any fighting application.

East West Kung Fu's 58-year community of students includes children as young as 4, senior practitioners, families who train together, and adults who have never sought competitive or combative application. The school's mission is simply to improve lives.