ABOUT US

Austin Kung-Fu Academy started in February of 2006. We wanted to create a community that practiced self defense oriented martial arts for developing the mind, body, and spirit in a very safe, cooperative, and friendly atmosphere. We offer classes for children and adults. No experience is necessary! All of our classes are streamed live on Zoom for those who want to learn/train but can’t come in-person. Contact Us!

OUR STYLE OF MARTIAL ARTS

Our foundational style of martial arts is called Choy Lay Fut Kung-Fu.
We do incorporate concepts from other styles of martial arts, such as Yang Style Tai Chi, Baguazhang, and Jiu Jitsu. The most important aspect of the training is to develop a strong foundation, understand the diverse concepts, and knowing when to apply them.

INSTRUCTOR

Santanu Rahman - Director & Co-Founder

—CLICK HERE to see images of who Santanu has studied under!
—Here’s a VIDEO of Santanu Training!
Head Instructor Santanu Rahman has trained in the martial arts for over 30 years and has been teaching for over 20. He reached a Black Belt Instructor Status in Choy Lay Fut Kung-Fu Academy under Master Tat Mau Wong (San Francisco, CA), has trained extensively with Sifu Sam Ng (Chicago, IL), and has earned a Blue Belt from the Gracie Academy. Santanu holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling Psychology, and a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Illiniois at Urbana-Champaign. He has worked in the area of Multicultural Education and Leadership Development at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and UT-Austin. He was also an Education Coordinator for the City of Austin at the Asian American Resource Center. His work has been published in a variety of journals.
Santanu has a deep passion for education and teaching. He uses martial arts as the vehicle to help people see a bigger picture of themselves. His belief is that martial arts is not simply a tool for self defense, but rather a pathway towards self-improvement. He leads by example: training at least 1.5 hours every day, and doing qigong meditation every morning for 30 minutes.

NISHA PATEL - OPERATIONS DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER

Nisha Patel teaches our Cardio Kung-Fu classes. She has a third degree black sash in Choy Lay Fut and a Pink Belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy's Women Empowered program. She co-founded Austin Kung-Fu Academy’s Women Empowerment Group. Since then the group has participated in various community services in the Austin area. Always in a zone of pushing her physical performance, she has participated in several Tri-Athlons and has ran the New York City Marathon. Nisha also has a Bachelor’s of Science in Radiological Studies. She has trained students in Sonography and fitness. Nisha oversees all of the infrastructural systems such as communication, marketing, sales, and human resources.