Renowned for being a top martial arts school in Austin, Life Ki-do has been voted:
Best Afterschool Activity ~ Austin Chronicle
Favorite Sports Education ~ KidsOutandAbout.com
Best Martial Arts Youth Program ~ Austin Family & Austin Fit Magazines
Martial Arts Classes for Kids
You want the best for your children. You want them to feel their best and perform their best.
Give them the gift of kids' martial arts classes that strengthens and nourishes their mind, body, and spirit (all while having a blast!).
Whether your kid is super shy or has boundless energy, through our kids martial arts classes they’ll develop the strength to ground and center themselves to thrive both
in the dojo and beyond.
And yes, you deserve the best too! We also have adult martial arts classes near you!
Join a supportive community and train mind, body & spirit to manage everyday stress & live with more strength, peace & well-being.
Ages 3+
Join your child in playful, cooperative and connection-strengthening activities.
FIND MARTIAL ARTS CLASSES NEAR YOU
Whether you are looking for Austin karate or martial arts classes for kids or adults, you will find it at Life Ki-do.
Come check out one of our multiple locations! Find the closest martial arts classes near you:
AUSTIN MARTIAL ARTS & LIFE SKILLS
FOR THE DOJO & BEYOND
Looking for award-winning karate classes near you? There are plenty of Austin karate programs for kids and adults. Our Martial Arts classes for kids, teens, and adults offer a unique curriculum that blends Systema, Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu, Karate, Tai Chi, Qigong, and self-defense training.
But our program goes far beyond martial arts.
At Life Ki-do, students are empowered with these Life Education Tools:
FOCUS & MINDFULNESS
Students learn how to be more present increasing focus in academics, extracurricular activities, and work.
RELAXATION FOR STRESS & ANXIETY
Students learn how to transform stress and anxiety into a calm, positive presence.
CONFIDENCE &
RESILIENCE
Students develop a never give up attitude and a stronger sense of self, always ready to give their best.
EMPATHY, KINDNESS & FRIENDSHIP
Students learn how to develop strong social skills and create healthy, respectful relationships.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
“My son was a shy, bullied boy & thanks to your staff he has become a strong, calm, centered, confident young man. I fully believe in the transformative powers of your program and recommend it to everyone. You reach down into the heart & soul of the student and through hard work and dedication they become better individuals from the inside out.”
— Robin S.
THE RIVER: OUR MARTIAL ARTS TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
We all have an inner strength and spirit, our River. When we are operating from our river, we are strong yet fluid, always moving towards something greater. Instead of getting stuck on obstacles, we flow and move around them.
It’s our quest to be like a River.
Below is the analogy we use with our students to help them become self-aware and return to their River.
ICE
Trying too hard.
Feeling stuck, pressured, or stressed.
PUDDLE
Trying too little
Feeling dull, lazy or bored.
RIVER
Doing your best + finding your flow.
Feeling, happy, confident and true to yourself
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
"This class is not just about the moves. The lessons taught are deep and profound, put in a simple way for the kids to learn and understand. Lessons about life, self-control, and self-confidence, just to name a few.
— Chad Y..
BODY, BREATH & BRAIN
To operate from the River is to flow with all of life's joys and challenges and use them as opportunities to strengthen ourselves both inside and out. In our martial arts & movement classes, we teach kids and adults alike how to find their River by connecting their 3 B’s: Body, Breath and Brain.
BODY
A strong, fluid posture (not too tight, and not too loose) feels the best & allows for ultimate performance.
BREATH
The power of mindful breathing brings both focus and relaxation while combating stress and anxiety.
BRAIN
A clear and focused headspace allows you to stay present and coach yourself to do your personal best & not give up.
01
GROUND TRAINING
Systema / Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu / Wrestling
Ground training is a crucial component in a comprehensive martial arts program. Our students learn and practice how to fall and roll safely, effective takedowns, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and wrestling techniques, as well as Systema strikes and breaks from the ground. Aside from the practical self-defense benefits, ground skills can also greatly enhance a student’s self-confidence and ability “to go with the flow.”
02
STAND-UP TRAINING
Systema / Sparring
We incorporate moves, drills, and freestyle sparring from a variety of martial arts styles so that students may develop stand-up blocking, punching, and kicking skills. However, our emphasis in stand-up training is on the Systema principles of fluidity and partnering that involves mutual care and respect.
03
FLOW FORMS
Tai Chi / Qigong / Traditional Karate
Students first learn to connect a series of individual movements using their breath then they progress to a pre-choreographed set of moves from Tai Chi and traditional karate katas. This individual practice not only builds tremendous body awareness, coordination, strength, and stamina but also develops focus, confidence, and determination.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
“As a Mom (and also a pediatrician), I highly recommend this phenomenal program. Joyful, physically challenging, and enlightening. ”
— Mother of Power Ninja Student, Age 7
LETTER FROM THE FOUNDER, SENSEI JONATHAN HEWITT
Hi, I’m Jonathan Hewitt.
Welcome to Life Ki-do, where martial arts meets inner well-being. I’m so honored you found your way here.
The path to my own inner well-being was a long journey. Like many others, I grew up thinking that my happiness was dependent on how well I performed.
As an actor in television commercials, captain of three sports, and state wrestling champion, I was consistently recognized for my accomplishments and accolades.
I soon realized my identity was wrapped in who I needed to be for other people. It was wrapped in what I needed to do to receive the attention in order to feel okay. It masked my insecurities and lack of self-love.
This realization kickstarted my journey into discovering the meaning of life and what it truly means to be happy. I delved into learning everything about meditation and mindfulness.
Through that journey, I learned that true happiness flows from the inside out. I learned what it means to become your own best friend and to truly love and respect yourself.
I discovered how to have intrinsic motivation to become who I wanted to be vs. having to rely on external validation.
I no longer felt the need to compare, compete, or control.
Instead, my consciousness grew and I became more compassionate and cooperative. As a result, my relationships with myself, others, and the world grew stronger and healthier.
I found my inner power — my River.
And now it’s my life’s work to help other people find theirs.
I’ve combined my 30 years of study in meditation, mindfulness, and the brain-body connection with a lifetime of martial arts training to create the Life Ki-do curriculum.
It truly lights me up the moment students discover the inner power they never knew they had access to.
It’s something you have to experience for yourself. Hope to see you soon!
-Jonathan
WELCOME TO THE LIFE KI-DO FAMILY
Life Ki-do is much more than an Austin Martial Arts School
It’s a supportive, nurturing community that feels like family. Every member of our team is deeply committed to the families we serve and the transformational work we do.
Founder
& Lead Instructor
Sensei Jonathan Hewitt
Combining his 30 years of study in meditation, mindfulness, and the brain-body connection with a lifetime of martial arts training, Sensei Jonathan is the Founder and Creator of Life Ki-do.
Youth Program Director
& Lead Instructor
Sensei Doug Diamond
Sensei Doug's experience as both a state champion black belt in martial arts and a Montessori teacher come together in his outstanding talent as Lead Instructor and Youth Program Director.
Lead Instructor
Sensei Deven Penn
A black belt in Life Ki-do with over 10 years experience teaching children, Sensei Deven taught in a classroom setting before becoming a Lead Instructor at Life Ki-do.
AUSTIN MARTIAL ARTS LOCATIONS NEAR YOU
For more than 30 years we've been teaching martial arts classes in Austin. Our Austin dojo locations include our headquarters in Austin Westlake Dojo as well as satellite locations in South Austin
Please email or call us with any questions or visit our FAQ .
