Kung Fu Kids at Hacienda is a key part of Wushu Central Martial Arts Academy and plays a significant role in the overall organization, according to Founder, CEO, and Master Instructor Sifu David Chang. The company’s mission is to help children grow into successful adults by instilling confidence, discipline, and resilience through martial arts training. Kung Fu Kids opened at Hacienda in the beginning of 2023.

“We focus on developing life skills in addition to martial arts techniques,” says Chang. “Our programs are designed to build character, helping children excel not just in martial arts but also in school and life. Our Kung Fu Kids program is a cornerstone of what we offer. It’s specifically designed to teach young children important values like respect and perseverance while keeping them physically active. Within our offerings is our Spectrum Stars class, which is specifically designed to accommodate children on the autism spectrum and sets them up for success in martial arts.”

The Spectrum Stars program introduces specialized skill-based training for children who have limited physical, intellectual, social, and emotional abilities. The program emphasizes building fundamental skills along with a strategic balance of martial arts training. The company also offers programs for children aged two to three, four to six, seven to nine, and 10 to 14.

Adults may be surprised by how much martial arts can improve a child’s academic performance and behavior. “It’s not just about self-defense; it’s about shaping better, more confident individuals,” Chang notes. “Our program focuses not only on physical fitness but also on personal development. Martial arts teaches children skills that last a lifetime, skills that are critical for success in any endeavor. We're helping turn children into successful adults through the life skills that we're teaching them. The process of growing in the martial arts gives them confidence, teaches them how to have a growth mindset, and teaches them to become very resilient. We help catapult these children to greater success.”

Wushu Central Martial Arts has received wide recognition. It was nominated as Best Traditional Martial Arts Academy in the United States by Black Belt magazine. It was voted the Family Favorite by other local martial arts academies in Bay Area Parent magazine, and has been featured on NBC News, the Discovery Channel, and in the San Jose Mercury newspaper.

Three full-time employees work at the Hacienda location. Wushu Central also has locations in Palo Alto and San Jose, where it offers classes to adults. The company has doubled in size over the past eight months. Currently, it employs 30 people total. A nonprofit arm of the company, Benefits for Life Foundation, provides scholarships to allow underprivileged children to take the classes.

“We moved to Hacienda to better serve the Pleasanton community and to provide a convenient, accessible location for families looking for high-quality martial arts training for their children,” says Chang. “The move allowed us to expand our facilities and grow our Kung Fu Kids program.”

For more information about Kung Fu Kids, please visit https://kung-fu-kids.com, https://www.facebook.com/kungfukids.pleasanton, or https://www.instagram.com/wushucentral.