The mission of Charlottesville's Laughing Dragon Kung Fu Academy is to combine practical self-defense skills with a total body workout and inspire a lifelong love of Chinese martial arts. At Laughing Dragon we teach two primary styles of traditional Chinese kung fu: Jow Ga Kuen (Jow family boxing) and Shaolin Mizong Quan (Shaolin Temple Secret Sect boxing), as well as the Yang family style of Tai Chi.
Jow Ga, which originated in Southern China, is a hybrid system that includes practical and effective techniques from both Southern and Northern Shaolin systems. Shaolin Mizong, a major system from Northern China, combines "external" techniques from Northern Shaolin longfist with "internal" techniques from Tai Chi, Xingyi and Bagua.
Jow Ga, which originated in Southern China, is a hybrid system that includes practical and effective techniques from both Southern and Northern Shaolin systems. Shaolin Mizong, a major system from Northern China, combines "external" techniques from Northern Shaolin longfist with "internal" techniques from Tai Chi, Xingyi and Bagua.
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The mission of Laughing Dragon Kung Fu is to combine practical self-defense skills with a total body workout and inspire a lifelong love of Chinese martial arts. Our training is available to anyone interested, provided they have a sincere desire to learn and are of good moral character. As a traditional school, however, we believe that kung fu is about much more than the physical training.
Sifu Chris Goodbar is the founder and chief instructor of the Laughing Dragon Kung Fu Academy. He began his martial arts training in 1994 at the age of 21 and has devoted his entire adult life to the study and promotion of these skills and values.
His early training began in Western Massachusetts with Kokondo Karate and the Shaolin Five Animals style of Kung Fu; a relocation in the mid-90's led him to the Wah Lum Tam Tui Northen Praying Mantis system.He studied Wah Lum until 2000 when he moved to Charlottesville, Virginia.
His early training began in Western Massachusetts with Kokondo Karate and the Shaolin Five Animals style of Kung Fu; a relocation in the mid-90's led him to the Wah Lum Tam Tui Northen Praying Mantis system.He studied Wah Lum until 2000 when he moved to Charlottesville, Virginia.
Our 6000+ square foot facility features two large training halls, a spacious family-friendly lobby with play area, a pro-shop, a quiet study room for homework as well as dressing rooms with showers and lockers. We're conveniently located just off 29, midway between downtown Charlottesville and the Forest Lakes and Hollymead area, with ample off-street parking.
Our age-specific kids' classes are high-energy and upbeat, combining conditioning and aerobic exercise with games and creative activities in a fun, non-competitive setting. Our kids' classes promote self-confidence, focus and physical fitness for students ages four through twelve. The four and five year old students attend class once a week, while kids six and up attend twice weekly.
Our Kung Fu classes for ages 13 and up are designed to challenge students both mentally and physically regardless of age, fitness level or prior experience with martial arts. Beginners who haven't set foot in a gym for years and seasoned martial artists alike will be pushed to improve themselves and reach new goals, however modest or ambitious those goals may be.
Reviews (6)
Roy Meares
Oct 13, 2019
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Jenny Gladding
Aug 10, 2018
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My daughter is radiant after class exuding the innocent contentment of her younger years. She proudly practices her forms like a graceful feline. Her transformation is so apparent I had to attend class with her last night at Laughing Dragon Kung Fu. In my yoga practice I find a singular space to inhabit in which my mind and my body blend into one meditative focus. In contrast, I was much more aware of my fellow participants in Kung Fu. I discovered, after 2 hours of practice, that Sifu Chris is the force of goodness that leads this group of individuals in a flow of movement characterized by beauty
Michael Spears
Jun 28, 2018
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Ellie Thomas
Jun 13, 2018
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We are delighted to have found this studio. Chris, who teaches the four and five year olds, is an incredible educator. He makes ups fanciful stories that engage their imagination, and he has them physically act the stories while getting in all of the skill building. The kids have a blast, and I appreciate that it's completely uncompetitive (at least at this level). Since my son is new, one of the four instructors present in his class will stand next to him to show him how to do things, keeping it positive and encouraging. The staff and parents have been welcoming, unpretentious, and supportive
Marie Bruggeman
Dec 30, 2016
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Sara
Aug 26, 2015
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I'd like to preface this by saying that my husband has practiced martial arts for 2 decades; we've been researching and discussing styles and schools since my son was in the womb. Although we live north of Lynchburg, we thought this school may be worth trying a lesson or two since we were going to be in Charlottesville anyways. My husband was so impressed with the instructor's style of teaching and obvious competence that I knew within 15 minutes we would be back despite the long commute. We've looked at schools from Roanoke to Charlottesville and couldn't be happier to find a school with everything
