St Albans Kempo Karate

What a fantastic day for our club! 🥋🎉

Eight students from St Albans Kempo Club took part in our recent club grading—the biggest grading event in our club's history so far. We couldn't be prouder of every single participant, especially those grading for the very first time, who stepped up and challenged themselves with courage and determination.

Although a technical issue meant we were unable to use the dojo, it didn't stop anyone from achieving what they came for. The dedication and discipline shown by every student were truly inspiring, and the results reflected the many months of hard work they had put in, both inside and outside the dojo.

A huge congratulations to everyone who successfully earned their new grades—you've truly deserved them! Every belt represents not only technical ability but also perseverance, resilience, and personal growth.

We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Gergely Békési, who travelled more than 1,000 miles from Hungary to St Albans to be our examiner of this grading. Your support to our club mean a great deal to all of us.

This grading marked another important milestone in our club's journey, and we can't wait to see what the future holds. Well done, everyone—we're incredibly proud of you! 👏🥋

First time in the UK, we had a Zen Bu Kan Kempo grading this weekend.

I am very proud of that milestone as well as of George who has made his first grading. He started his kempo martial art journey only 7 months ago. He showed his preparedness and his heart with no doubt and gained his very well deserved 11. kyu (yellow) belt.

Thanks a lot Gábor Kiss for coming over from Hungary and helping us to making it happen.

We continue our kempo trainings from Monday. Contact me (Gyula Lestyán) if you want to join us.

🌍 Welcome to the world of Kempo Karate; A modern martial art grounded in tradition.

🏋️‍♂️ Training now available in St Albans.
Multiple classes per week
Mon 7:00 - 8:00 – Combat Gym Sandridge
Wed 19:00 - 20:00 – Westminster Lodge (outside from April)
Fri 7:00 - 8:00 – Combat Gym Sandridge

✅ Suitable for all ages (18+) and levels – especially beginners

☝️Come and try now, the first class is free!
No Gi or additional equipment required to start.

So… What is Kempo?
🇯🇵 Kempo is a complex martial art with Japanese origins but tailored to the present day.
🥊 It takes the traditional influences of Karate and expands it with modern combat techniques such as traditional boxing, Muay Thai, kickboxing, judo, Brazilian Jiujitsu and more…
🤼‍♂️ Centred around self-defence, Kempo is designed to be simple, practical, and effective in any fighting situation.
🥋As you progress along your journey as a Kempoka, you will learn the fundamentals of all aspects of fighting and are given the opportunity to progress through the belt system to hone your skills and become a formidable fighter.
🚀 Whether your interest lies in progressing through belts, self-defence, competition,building self-confidence or simply get fit and enjoy martial art, Kempo has everything that you could ask for.

But… What makes Kempo different?
💫 Kempo has you covered in any practical fighting situation.
Striking, kicking, throws, grappling, chokes & joint locks, weapons, street self-defence and kata (forms). It is very rare that one single martial art equips you with all types of fighting techniques. At the same time, we adhere to our principle that we do not use our knowledge except in defence of ourselves or others.

➕It is a positive way of life.
“Give way as to conquer…” the central tenet of Kempo, is designed to impart positivity, efficiency, and a respect for community. Kempoka (kempo practitioners) are encouraged to help and support one another through their martial arts journey.
We rather build than destroy.

💧Kempo is an OPEN martial art.
Although Kempo has long-standing fundamentals, the set of techniques are always improving and expanding. Every Kempoka has its on way of kempo and they are encouraged to bring in and share their ongoing martial arts experience and build kempo further. It is the core mentality of kempo that we adapt our knowledge to the actual situation.

Ok and… what are the benefits?
You will:
🔥 Get FITTER, STRONGER and gain SELF CONFIDENCE. Improve your REACTION TIMES and STAMINA.
👊 Learn TRADITIONAL Karate, Judo and grappling techniques alongside MODERN self-defence suitable in various situations
🏆 Start you kempo journey and progress through BELTS and /or COMPETITION.
🤝 Become part of the Kempo COMMUNITY as a Kempoka.
📈 CHALLENGE YOURSELF to become a better fighter and a more rounded individual.
🫵 Get a good habit of regular martial arts training and find your way in Kempo.

👀 Where to find us?

Facebook - St Albans Kempo Karate

Email - [email protected]

Further information on associated Websites - zenbukankempo.com (HUN 🇭🇺), zenbukankempo.com.au (AUS 🇦🇺)

👍 Why not come and try this week, as the FIRST CLASS IS FREE!

ZEN BU KAN KEMPO Zenbukankempo, Budapest, Pécs, Székesfehérvár, Eger, Veszprém, Debrecen

Happy New Year everyone and Welcome 2024!

We continue the kempo classes this year with lots of variety and new challenges. Classes are most suitable for beginners even with no martial arts experience. We always start with the basics, how we stand, move, punch or kick and how to fall or roll on the ground. We then connect those movements and use them in combinations and forms and later in self defence, rolling or sparring. We do all the above in a way to build good habits into our day-to-day life.

Morning classes are now at Combat Gym, St Albans (Unit B2, Allbright House, 156 St Albans road, Sandridge, AL4 9LP) where we have mats, boxing bags and many other equipment.

Classes are as below:
Monday morning 7.00-8.00 (Combat Gym)
Wednesday evening 18.00-20.30 (Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre, Sport Hall)
Friday morning 7.00-8.00 (Combat Gym)

Prices:
First training is free for everyone.
Pay as you go: morning class £8, evening class £10
Monthly free (unlimited): £50

Give it a try and explore your inner martial artist!

APPLY TO YOUR LIFE A MOTTO “GIVE WAY SO AS TO CONQUER”

I am in Verquin, France at the UWSKF World SportKempo Championship this weekend so no kempo classes this Friday and next Monday. See you next Wednesday!

A bit of basics and lots of self defense on today’s kempo class. Well done everyone!

What do you need for your first kempo training?

Just comfortable shorts and a t-shirt. Indoor shoes is optional if bare foot is inconvenient at the beginning. A small bottle of water can be useful as we can get sweaty easily during the training. 🙂 It is really as simple as that. Don’t forget your fist is always at hand anyway!

Later on once you are involved in bag or pad work and sparring, protective equipment is more than useful. Boxing gloves, mouth guard, shin guard, head guard, etc.

Our traditional clothing is karate gi uniform, starting with black jacket, white trousers and white belt. During your kempo journey, you need that when you start taking exams and get graded for various belts.

First session is always free! Just come and give it a go!

Classes are at Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre as per below.

Monday - 07:00, Exercise Studio
Wednesday - 18:00, Sports Hall
Friday - 07:00, Exercise Studio

First kempo class today. We had lots of opportunities to practice together and get tired. We looked at some good self defence techniques, especially how we do it in the ‘kempo way’. Hope you enjoyed Khan Khnz!