Kung Fu for Teens and Young Adults

The Teen and Young-Adult Years

The teen and young-adult years are unlike any other. You are building the foundation for who you are going to become, and the habits, values, and skills you develop in these years stay with you for the rest of your life. At East West Kung Fu, we take that seriously.

Our teen and young-adult students train in the Bok Fu Do system alongside focused, respectful peers and a world-class instructional staff who hold every student to a high standard. The Bok Fu Do system is a complete martial arts curriculum built on a 58-year lineage. It demands your best, and it rewards it.

Confidence You Can Stand On

Real confidence is not given to you. It is built from the inside, one session at a time, as you realize you can handle things you did not think you could. As your skills grow and you develop the ability to protect yourself or someone you care about, a steady and grounded confidence takes hold. That confidence shows up everywhere in your life, in how you carry yourself, in how you respond under pressure, and in how you approach new challenges. Self-defense is a core part of every class, taught with control and respect from the very first session.

Focus That Carries Off the Mat

Bok Fu Do trains the mind as much as the body. Every movement requires precise attention and intentional execution. Learning to perform technique with focus and refinement builds a kind of mental discipline that is hard to develop anywhere else. Students learn to set goals, work through setbacks, and stay with something until they get it right. Those habits carry straight into the classroom, into work, and into everything that calls for sustained effort.

Strength, Fitness, and a Real Outlet

Training is a serious, full-body workout that builds strength, cardiovascular endurance, coordination, balance, and stamina. It is also one of the best ways for teens to step away from the pressures of daily life and burn off stress in a productive, purposeful setting. Most students leave each class clearer, calmer, and stronger than when they walked in.

A Community That Expects Your Best

You train next to people who are working to improve themselves, alongside instructors who set a genuine standard and want you to reach it. The Bok Fu Do system is built on four core values: wisdom, courage, honesty, and kindness. These are not slogans. They are part of how the school runs every day. For many students, the East West Kung Fu community becomes one of the most grounding and consistent parts of their teen and young-adult years.

Clear Goals, Real Progress

Bok Fu Do has a clear belt progression from white belt through black belt, so you always know what you are working toward and can measure how far you have come. For students who want to test themselves further, East West Kung Fu has a long tradition of competitive success through international Kuo Shu tournaments, and students who choose that path have a dedicated training environment to prepare for it.

There Is No Better Time

The confidence, discipline, and resilience you build in these years stay with you for life. Whether you want to compete, get fit, learn to defend yourself, or find a place where people are serious about getting better, Bok Fu Do meets you where you are.

A Note for Parents

East West Kung Fu has trained students of all ages since 1967. All instructors are background-checked and certified. Students are placed in the class that fits their age and experience level, and you are always welcome to watch a class.

Come Train With Us — Try a Class Free

Alamo, CA
3000 Danville Boulevard, Suite N
(925) 831-0292

San Ramon, CA
2242 Camino Ramon, Suite 101
(925) 355-9091

Lafayette, CA
3482 Mt. Diablo Boulevard
(925) 283-2021

Looking for a different age group? Explore our Youth Kung Fu program (ages 4–17) and Adult Kung Fu  program (18+), or learn more about the Bok Fu Do system.

Have a teen or young adult? See our Kung Fu for Teens & Young Adults (ages 13–22) program.

Younger students (ages 13–22)? Explore our Kung Fu for Teens & Young Adults program.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age range is this training for?

East West Kung Fu welcomes teens and young adults at its San Ramon, Alamo, and Lafayette locations. Students are placed in classes that fit their age and experience level, so high school and college-age students train at the right pace from their first day.

Does my teen need any experience to start?

No prior experience is needed. East West Kung Fu trains complete beginners every week, teaching the Bok Fu Do system step by step from white belt onward. The first class is free, so new students can try it before committing.

Is the training safe?

Yes. Self-defense and sparring are taught with control, proper technique, and supervision by certified instructors. All East West Kung Fu instructors are background-checked and certified, and training moves at a pace matched to each student's level.

How is Bok Fu Do different from karate or taekwondo?

Bok Fu Do is a complete martial arts system founded in 1967 and taught only at East West Kung Fu and its sister school in San Jose, KO Kung Fu. It blends Chinese Kenpo, jujitsu, karate, tae kwon do, boxing, and traditional Chinese weapons, so students learn striking, grappling, forms, and self-defense rather than focusing on a single aspect of martial arts.

Can martial arts help with confidence and handling pressure?

Yes. As they improve their skills and self-defense ability, our teens develop a grounded confidence that shows in how they carry themselves and handle peer pressure. Bok Fu Do also builds focus, discipline, and emotional control that carry into school and daily life.

How do we get started?

Getting started is simple. East West Kung Fu offers a free introductory class at any of its three East Bay locations in San Ramon, Alamo, and Lafayette. New students can book by phone or through bokfudo.com and begin in the program that fits their age and level.