PATHS Atlanta Kung Fu

Great Kung Fu class. The class sizes are much smaller than you would typically expect for a martial arts school, but it comes with the huge benefit of getting more one-on-one time during class, which is incredibly important especially for the beginner levels. The class is a mixture of fitness (in the form of circuit workouts) form/technique, and historical & philosophical education, all geared toward giving the practitioner a comprehensive Kung Fu curriculum (as opposed to just see opponent, hit opponent).
Sifu Craig loves teaching and is invested in making sure that his students feel confident

Coming to Altanta two years ago from Toledo, Ohio, I have had an amazing experience at PATHS. Sifu Kiessling has such a deep knowledge of Chinese culture -- history, traditions, language, medicine as well as martial arts. As you move up the levels from basic, he pushes you to explore applications from the forms so that you figure it out for yourself like a puzzle. I had trained for almost five years previously in a different Northern Shaolin lineage, but my knowledge and skills have improved dramatically here. Small intimate setting is also supportive, but to get a good result you need to put in

Sifu Craig Kiessling is a wonderfully unique teacher in every sense of the word. No matter your level of experience, you will walk away from a class with him with many things; physically exhausted yet also stronger and healthier, pondering the answer to a philosophical question and perhaps thinking of a new question you wouldn't typically think about. Classes contain everything from meditation to martial applications from traditional forms. But don't take my word. Come out and try a class!

I've been attending Tai Chi classes at PATHS for 5 months-ish now. While most students study Northern Shaolin and Tai Chi together, I only attend the latter. I'm in it for the physical and mental health more than the external or martial application. The class format has been updated during my time here and for the better in my opinion. We warm up, learn forms together, have instructor-informed but group-led discussions of the principles of Taijiquan as well as Traditional Chinese Medicine and other relevant fields, and we close out with Qigong and reflection. You have to practice between these

I had to leave Atlanta for work sooner than I would have liked, but I loved my time at PATHS, and would have stayed forever if I could. Sifu Craig's tutelage will challenge you physically and mentally, but you will be rewarded with growth in all aspects of your life. I highly recommend to anyone interested in martial arts, or just looking for a way to be active and meet great people.

I’ve been training under Sifu Craig Kiessling for about 9 years now, so as you might imagine, I am a fan. If you are looking for a good workout, this is the place for you. If you are ONLY looking for a good workout, you’re going to get more than you bargained for. In fact, I would say you are generally in for more than you bargained for if you train with us at all. At its core, our style is principle based. You will be shown very basic and boring looking movement and be told to practice it over and over. Then you will be shown a seemingly endless number of ways to apply said movement and not

I first came to Northen Shaolin last Thanksgiving. Since then I have dove in headfirst attending an average of two classes per week. This was due to the many benefits I began to notice.
The things I was learning here translated immediately over to my other practices (Taichi, Qigong, etc.) Stubborn physical issue I had been unable to address slowly began to improve from the conditioning we practice. Looking back, so much positive changes have occured in such a short time physically, mentally, and emotionally.
The friends I quickly made after starting have become as brothers (and sister!) through

My first time studying Kung fu & it was the best experience. I'm moving to another state which is the ONLY reason I have to leave the class. I love it here. The teacher is GREAT. We not only learn how to fight & defend ourselves, we also learn how to become better people. The class is awesome. Very loving & friendly. I've felt super comfortable since day one. I'm stronger mentally, physically, & spiritually because of the class ☺️... I'm pretty sad to leave but they've given me so much to take with me so I can continue progressing with my king fu & with self.

I've been a student in the Northern Shaolin curriculum since mid-2014 and have loved every minute of it.

The teacher, Craig Kiessling, is not just a good teacher, he is an AMAZING teacher. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience of various cultures and martial arts styles (not just Chinese) that really comes through both in and out of class. It isn't a stretch to say each class will teach you something new, even if you are just reviewing over skills you already know.

Classes contain everything from qigong and meditative techniques to forms to conditioning and everything in between

I've been practicing Northern Shaolin with PATHS Atlanta for about a year now. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in learning Kung Fu.
Class typically begin with a variety of stretching exercises and a circuit drill for conditioning. Following that we get into the substance of Nothern Shaolin. There is a heavy emphasis on forms and applications. I really like how we learn how each movement in a form could be used practically. We will also learn meditative techniques, history of Northern Shaolin and other styles, and the theories behind our martial practice.
There is a lot of individual

This was the first time that my wife and I had joined to take a Kung Fu class. It was way better than expected. From the accommodating class times to the very skilled and knowledgeable instructors, we decided that we still have a lot to learn. My wife and I spoke after a few classes and decided that this is definitely where we want to be and we would recommend PATHS to anyone! Thank you for being so welcoming in such a different environment for us!

I practice Northern Shaolin with this organization, so it's only that one class that I'm specifically referring to in this review.

I've practiced other martial arts in the past, and I've found my home here. The class structure is usually some warm-ups, followed by some conditioning and some drill work, concluded with a bit of forms work. There is a great breadth to the types of movements that a student learns, but they are all martially applicable. A good deal of time is spent on learning the applications to the techniques and practicing with classmates in order to become