176 Soho Hill, Handsworth, Birmingham, West Midlands, B19 1AL.
Zen-Shin Martial Arts Association – Karate & Kickboxing Classes in Birmingham
Karate and Kickboxing in Birmingham
Established in 1980, Zen-Shin Martial Arts Association is a professional, family-run martial arts academy offering Traditional Shotokan Karate and Kickboxing classes across Birmingham and the surrounding areas.
With over 50 years of experience, our aim is to help children, teenagers and adults develop physically, emotionally and socially through the practice of martial arts.
At Zen-Shin Academy, we believe martial arts is about much more than learning to fight or defend yourself. It is about building confidence, self-esteem, discipline, respect, focus and a positive attitude towards life.
Our mission is to help every student become more successful in life by developing the values and skills they learn through martial arts training. We encourage our students to embrace our philosophy of ‘Black Belt Excellence’ – setting personal goals, striving for continuous self-improvement and developing the determination and never-give-up spirit needed to overcome challenges and achieve success.
We proudly teach traditional Japanese Shotokan Karate, alongside dynamic Kickboxing classes, providing enjoyable and rewarding martial arts training for all abilities.
Whether you are looking for children’s karate classes, adult karate training, or kickboxing classes in Birmingham, Zen-Shin Martial Arts Association offers a welcoming, supportive and family-friendly environment where everyone can learn, grow and reach their full potential.
Our Classes
Little Ninja Karate
Our ‘Little Ninja’ classes start from 5-6 years. In these classes we focus on coordination and listening skills. All the things that make our children great students. We use karate as a way to reinforce self-control, and responsibility for their actions. Our classes are designed to be fun and engaging, and a great way for your child to make some new friends.
Junior Karate
Our ‘Junior’ classes start from 7-11 years. These classes use Karate to increase your child’s coordination, confidence and self-control. Karate is not just about kicking and punching, but has so much more to offer your child. Many of our students make new friends, and find joy in being able to be a ‘karate kid’ in a safe environment.
Karate has the power to benefit children with mental and physical disabilities. We work with your child to bring the best out of them. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child.
Senior Karate
The ultimate aim of Karate at Zen-Shin is to make young adults that will go on to become the best that they can be. We do this through challenging them physically, to get fitter and stronger, to face their fears, and to stand up for themselves. We strongly believe Karate classes can be a safe space to challenge our teenage students to excel against their peers. We strive to create students that have the confidence to lead others, to know what they want in life, and have the confidence and self-discipline to work towards that goal.
Kickboxing
Our Kickboxing classes are for adults and children (12yrs+) take place at our club on Soho Hill. We also have a ladies only class!
Kickboxing is a fantastic workout while learning a great martial art. Expect to improve your fitness, flexibility, mobility, coordination, strength and stamina.
Our Team
Kyoshi John Richards
Founder & Chief Instructor
Kyoshi John Richards
Melanie Richards
The Boss
Melanie Richards
Sensei Jumoke Richards
Senior Instructor
Sensei Jumoke Richards
Sensei Abian Richards
Senior Instructor
Sensei Abian Richards
Sensei Afiya Richards
Project Manager & Instructor
Sensei Afiya Richards
Sensei Jane Garrett
Instructor & Referee
Sensei Jane Garrett
Sensei Abdul Hafeez
Instructor
Sensei Abdul Hafeez
Sensei Frankie Richards
Instructor
Sensei Frankie Richards
Sensei Sylvia John
Instructor
Sensei Sylvia John
Sensei Paul Beckford Instructor
Sensei Paul Beckford
Sensei Sabah Idrisi
Sensei Sabah Idrisi
Sensei Jennifer Juwah Instructor
Sensei Jennifer Juwah
Sensei James Garratt
Sensei James Garratt
Senpai Gyan Bhogal
Location
Zen-Shin Martial Arts Academy
176 Soho Hill
Handsworth Birmingham West Midlands B19 1AL
Tel: 07976401214
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264 Washwood Heath Road
B8 2XS
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Zen-Shin Coleshill
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Harborne Academy
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Tel:
Edgbaston Karate Club
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Tel: 07976401214
“Before moving to Australia in 2006 my son and daughter attended lessons at Sutton Coldfield. We found John Richards to have a true passion about the martial arts he was teaching. It was done in a proffesional way and upon meeting John for the first time was put at complete ease. He was pleasant, understanding and very patient and this showed throughout his immediate family who all showed the same traits. My children looked forward to all their lessons.I would recommend Zen – Shin above all others and wish John and his family all the very best and thank you.”
Mark
“I joined ladies kickboxing and it has inspired me! I was encouraged to keep going by the new friends I made at the club , and a few others helped me along the path. I was a complete beginner when I joined and I’ve been getting better. It has been great for my health. My instructor Sensei Pansy Wright made me realise to never give up, Sensei made me work hard and it has all been worth it in the end. She has taught me alot.”
Kate
“Great for improving kids confidence, fitness and discipline. Highly recommend”
Mrs Samuels
“Our daughter is a hemiplegic as a result of a stroke, which means that one side of her body is weaker and considerably thinner than the other side. She hated ballet, but the thought of self-defence appealed to her and us. We contacted a few clubs and found that nobody would consider taking her. We had no idea that the day we spoke to Sensei John Richards and Sensei Paul Beckford, that our lives would change so much. She calls Sensei Paul Beckford, the BFP (Big Friendly Paul). He is brilliant with kids in general, but he instilled focus in her and she is able to now use her weaker side much more efficiently. Getting a belt possibly every 3 months really motivates her and her smile from her achievements is across her face for days after the grading. At the Summer Club, we met Pansy, who is a force to be reckoned with, but with a heart of gold. She treats her no differently, which we support. Sensei John Richards is a family man and our daughter has been fortunate to be taught by both his sons who she respects and looks up to. However, if truth be told, it is Afiya who is her true inspiration. This is not a club, but a family, but our journey has only just started. We have been blessed to be a part of it. I can highly recommend this club to any children fully able or otherwise as you are given a chance to shine here. Parents of a 7 year old”
Parent of a 7 year old
