Serious training that respects your time
Teen classes are taught at an adult pace, with realism and respect. You’ll drill Taekwondo basics, work through forms, and get into partner drills that apply technique against a live, resisting person. Every session ends with the same discipline and respect you’d expect from a serious dojo — because that’s what carries over into school, sports and the rest of life.
This is where the three styles really come together. Taekwondo gives you the striking, Kobudo adds weapons work that sharpens focus and coordination, and Aiki Jutsu teaches you how to redirect an attacker’s momentum into joint locks, throws and pins. Learning to move comfortably and confidently is a powerful thing at this age — whether your goal is fitness, self-defense or competition.
Teens train in the same groups as adults for parts of the week and have dedicated teen classes at others, so there’s always a level that fits. Many of our teen students go on to compete on the Lions Karate Circuit or help lead the kids’ classes as they grow.
Train all three styles the way martial artists do
Taekwondo
High, powerful kicks and dynamic strikes, with a ranked path from white to black belt.
TKD requirementsKobudo weapons
Bo, nunchaku, sai, tonfa, kama and more — building coordination and a unique skill set.
Weapons programAiki Jutsu
Joint locks, throws and pins that redirect an attacker’s force — a skill that means something to a teenager.
Aiki ranksTrained under a proven lineage
Our head instructor Mr. Steve Hanford holds a 6th Dan in Taekwondo, a 4th Dan in Kobudo and a 2nd Dan in Aiki Jutsu, and he began training here at age 7 — taught by founder Mr. Ken Gillenwater, who opened the school in 1986 and founded the Kenji Ryu lineage. That’s four decades of real teaching experience behind every teen class.
Meet our black belts →Teen classes by location
126 S Main Street, North Webster, IN 46555
Dedicated teen classes run most weekdays, with a teen Aiki Jutsu class on Thursdays. Contact Mr. Hanford to find the right session.
Monday
- 6:00–7:00Teen Advanced
Tuesday
- 6:00–7:00Teen Intermediate
- 7:15–8:15Teen Novice
Wednesday
- Belt tests / seminars
Thursday
- 6:00–7:00Teen Advanced
- 7:15–8:15Teen Aiki Jutsu
Friday
- 6:00–7:00Teen Intermediate
- 7:15–8:15Teen Novice
Columbia City YMCA (upstairs), 950 E Van Buren St
Teens are welcome in the Tuesday and Thursday evening advanced classes at the YMCA. Contact Mrs. Bond.
Tuesday
- 6:45–7:45Advanced (teens welcome)
Thursday
- 6:45–7:45Advanced (teens welcome)
Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 2417 Getz Rd, Fort Wayne
Wednesday advanced sessions at Aldersgate are open to experienced teen students. Contact Mr. Hanford.
Wednesday
- 11:00–12:15Advanced
- 2:30–3:45Advanced
Class times change seasonally. The calendar and Facebook page always have the latest.
Start with a free class — and a free uniform
Book a free first class, show up in comfortable clothes, and see whether teen karate is the right fit. No commitment, no pressure.
What families say about Teen Karate
“Add your real parent testimonial here — the dojo supplies the quote and name.”
Parent name — parent of a student
A note to the Lions Karate team: replace the placeholder above with real family testimonials for this program.
Teens questions, answered
My teen has never done martial arts. Is that okay?
Yes. Teen classes are grouped so beginners train with other beginners, while advancing students push each other. Nothing is expected beyond showing up ready to learn — many of our most dedicated teen students started from zero.
Will it help with fitness and school stress?
Training builds strength, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness, and the structure and focus carry straight into school, sports and life. Many teens find the dojo a genuinely useful outlet — a place to move, sweat and clear their head.
Can teens spar and compete?
Yes, when a student is ready. Controlled sparring is done with full protective gear, and teens who want to compete can enter tournaments and earn points on the Lions Karate Circuit — see the tournaments page and point-circuit standings.
What makes teen classes different from kids’ classes?
Teen classes are taught at an adult pace with real self-defense application. You train all three styles — Taekwondo, Kobudo weapons and Aiki Jutsu — so you learn striking, weapons and practical joint locks and throws, not just basics.
How does the free class work?
Book a free first class, show up in comfortable clothes, and train with the group. There is no commitment and no pressure — if it clicks, we talk about the free uniform and next steps; if not, no hard feelings.
Try a teen class this week
Build confidence, fitness and self-defense — book your free class in under a minute.