Beijing Tai-Chi & Kung Fu Academy

I have trained with Sifu Wang for over five years. I want to reiterate all the other good things about Sifu Wang from the other reviews. I have studied Kung fu and other martial arts most of my adult life and Sifu Wang is the real deal. With so many half baked and half trained Kung fu and tai chi teachers around, it is refreshing to study with a Sifu who really knows his subject. Sifu Wang’s teachers are some of the best martial artists in a China (these teachers include his father who is really great to train with), and he has the ability to translate their knowledge to westerners. Sifu really goes the extra mile to accommodate his students, having classes during the week including weekends. He also gives private lessons. In addition to the more typical offerings like tai chi Sifu also teaches a few styles not often taught in the US. These styles include Eagle Claw Kung Fu, Xing I chuan and Ba qua chuan. He also teaches fighting, self defense, and grappling in addition to form practice. Sifu Wang is also a genuinely nice person, who is incredibly knowledgable and interesting to talk to. I feel very fortunate to be his student.

I’ve been on and off with martial arts since I was a kid in China. I’ve known both masters who are as traditional as they come, and fully «Westernized» teachers in the U.S.A. I would describe Shifu Wang as the first generation of «modern» kung fu, where the skill and knowledge of the original traditions have not yet been diluted but the mindsets are much more liberal and flexible.
I dislike indoctrination and prefer meritocracy. On the other hand, I’ve seen — and have tremendous respect for — what the real (as in, genuinely competent, not that «authenticity» nonsense) old-​schoolers can do, so I can’t bring myself to train with American McDojos. As a result, it’s extremely difficult for me to find a martial arts school I’m happy with. Shifu Wang is the perfect balance; he’s both a great martial artist and a great teacher, and that is incredibly hard to come by.
He’s friendly, easygoing, a little mischievous, super fun to talk to, talented and ridiculously knowledgeable. His teaching philosophy is almost entirely a «put in what you get out» approach. He won’t force you to train a certain way, or at a certain level. He’s also very understanding and flexible about his business structure. My SO and I both have insane work/​school schedules, and he was willing to train us once a week (provided, of course, that we could keep up). He’s always honest and easy to respect, and not once have I felt the slightest reluctance to pay my dues here, even on my student-​life budget.
The kung fu classes are a nice mix of individual and group work, with a great balance between forms, applications, and conditioning. My SO does the weapons class, and though he’s an experienced MMA fighter who’s been training his whole life, he always comes out of his sessions sweaty, hungry, and very happy.
He also spars with Shifu in the Sanda class, and gets his ass handed to him in spectacular fashion (I should mention that he loves it, and learns faster, when better fighters beat the crap out of him). Shifu Wang also has a great sense of humor and a scampish side, which tends to show when he’s kicking my SO around the gym (we both find it hilarious, really). While we were still deliberating whether or not to join the school, a few «hands-​on» demonstrations — more than all of Shifu’s impressive credentials — convinced us pretty quickly that this was worth our while.
If I must have a criticism, it’s that the same freedom and open-​mindedness which makes it such a great environment accompanies some lower standards of discipline. Coming from a background where traditional technique is EVERYTHING, it’s hard for me to adjust to the different focus and criteria here. I tend to reinforce all my time here with personal emphasis and touching-​up on form. That being said, I do think it’s a better teaching model for the school; and honestly, purely traditional kung fu training is almost NEVER a good business in America. So this is only a personal preference. But it’s worth keeping in mind that while the fun comes largely from the atmosphere, the learning primarily comes from getting all you can, at every opportunity, out of your time with the fantastic teacher.
Overall, definitely highly recommended.
***UPDATE 8/​1/​2013***
A short time after I first wrote this review, the kung fu class setup changed. Now we do about 15 minutes of warm-​ups and stretches, then anywhere from 15 minutes to half an hour of stances and drills to work on form and technique. The rest of the class is still reserved for working on forms, but we go at our own paces and work individually even when we’re doing the same forms.
The teachers are very diligent about moving between students and making sure that everyone gets one-​on-​one time to improve on whatever they need. In short, my one «gripe» about the school has pretty much disappeared. I always considered Shifu Wang the best martial arts teacher I have ever had, but now I am equally convinced that this is, all around, the best school I have ever trained in.

Sifu Jonathan Wang at BTKA has a broad and synthetic approach to traditional chinese martial arts. Modeling his impressive curriculum off the Nanking Gonfu Wushu Institute of the 1930’s, Sifu Wang’s knowledge and skills are impressive in its breadth… He is a true multi-​stylist (!) and extremely skilled and talented. Sifu Wang is also especially notable in his understanding of the martial application of the forms that he teaches. What I think is great is that at the end of his form classes, Sifu Wang has his students practice the practical applications of the movements they learn in the form. I don’t currently live in Los Angeles anymore, but I would love to come back and learn sparring from Jonathan.
BTKA’s main teaching gym is at a great location just off the 10 freeway in Santa Monica (off 20^th Street). (Classes and lessons are also held at variety of parks on the westside). I was going to the evening classes after work hours, where most of the students were adults mixed age. But, Sifu Jonathan is particularly talented at teaching kids! I know because I’ve watched him wrestle, spar, and joust with a particularly wild and hyper child! Anyhow, I felt that there’s a great community of people at BTKA, where everybody was super friendly and supportive. I’ve met a lot of great people there, many of which I still keep in touch with today!

I have studied Kungfu with Sifu Wang for almost 7 Years now. He is a great teacher and teaches some forms of Kung Fu that you will not find at another school in the united states. If you are interested in Traditional Kung fu, vs more modern Wushu, he has tracked down many styles to their most authentic roots, traveling around the world to meet different masters to do so. If you are interested in learning some of the more exotic and esoteric weapons in chinese martial arts, look no further. We have a selection of 18 Traditional Chinese weapons that we study, not including an entire series of weapons from Bagua, and Xing Yi. Dont expect that you will be able to learn everything all at once. It takes a lot of time to learn Kung fu, but if you are in the area, this is the place to do it.

I have been training in TaiChi with Sifu Wang for only 3 months now, but the welcoming vibe was there from the first day. Sifu is a very down to earth teacher that knows his craft inside out, but more importantly knows how to pass it on. All the instructors are patient, supportive, and enjoy seeing their students «get it». The classes run the gamut from people that just want a way to stay active with moderate exercise to hardcore martial arts training. (full list available on their website, check it out!)
Everyone is the class is dedicated, and it’s not hard to see why, the atmosphere is relaxed but focused, and it feels like every student is getting what they need out of the superior instruction provided.
Whether you’re just looking for a way to get fit again, or a serious challenge in martial arts, I would totally recommend checking it out, and see for yourself, visitors are always welcome and never pressured, that’s how I got hooked, and never looked back.

This Kung Fu school is the best. Sifu Wang is very knowledgeable and also teaches the philosophical aspects of the arts. When I started three years ago, I was quite out of shape and couldn’t move or flow. After training in Kung Fu and Wushu at BTKA, i am living a healthy and balanced life. The most appealing aspect is that Sifu Wang is real and at the same time very friendly. He is willing to help if you don’t understand and answers all related questions. His martial arts experiences from his days in China provide an understanding of «why» and «how» the Kung Fu. This goes beyond just movements. It’s understanding the blueprint of it all.

I trained at BTKA since 2006. I love this school! Sifu Wang has a wealth of knowledge and a winner of 500+ Gold Medals in Martial Arts Competitions. Beijing Tai-​Chi & Kung Fu Academy offers Traditional Chinese Kung Fu training you can not find anywhere else. Sifu Wang teaches Ba gua, Xing Yi, Sanda, Wushu, Traditional Kung Fu and Kung Fu weapons, Chi Gong, and Yang Tai Chi. The Traditional Kung Fu curriculum consists of learning forms and applications in Ba Ji, Pi Gua, Mantis, Eagle Claw and Chuo Jiao. In the weapons curriculum, you will learn spear, long staff, straight sword and broadsword, as well as some of the more exotic weapons like double deerhorn knives and three-​sectional. Sifu Wang travels to China periodically, and trains with his old Chinese Masters and brings this much valued experience to his students.
The classes are challenging, fun and you will learn discipline, agility, flexibility, coordination while being exposed to an education in the different types of kung fu. For those that prefer fighting to forms, there are Sanda (sparring classes) to hone your skills at full contact fighting. Unlike many schools in California that require yearly contracts, you can pay month to month. The Traditional kung fu class costs $ 85/​month for two classes a week, a very reasonable price in Los Angeles. The classes run 1 hour and 10 minutes (sometimes longer). You can get a discount if you pay for more months upfront.
Unlike schools with hidden costs, there are no belt tests that require money. Certificates are offered when a student finishes a curriculum and passes the test.
The people that attend the school are fun and helpful. Once a year, Sifu and the students go for their dim sum around Chinese New Year.
So if you are looking for a fulfilling, well-​rounded Traditional Chinese Martial Arts Training in Kung Fu or Tai Chi, Beijing Tai-​Chi & Kung Fu Academy is the place!

Sifu Wang is a walking encyclopedia of Chinese martial arts, he’s incredible !!! From internal arts like Tai chi, and Bagau, to external arts like Sanda, and Wushu he’s got it covered. He truly lives for this stuff, is constantly learning new forms, and incorporating them into his curriculum. Definitely check the school out if you’re serious about kung fu.