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, women, and men. No experience is necessary! Contact Us!

Santanu Rahman - Director & Co-Founder

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 is an Education Coordinator for the City of Austin. His work has been published in a variety of journals.

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.

ARIEL RODRIGUEZ - INSTRUCTOR

Ariel Rodriguez teaches our Adults Kung Fu classes, open sessions, and coaches the Self Defense Jiu Jitsu classes. Growing up, he earned a Junior Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and a Junior Black Sash in Cheung Kune Pai style Kung Fu. As an adult, Ariel has trained in a variety of Chinese martial arts styles including modern Wushu (Chang Quan and Nan Quan) and Northern Shaolin Long Fist, holding a fourth degree black sash in Choy Lay Fut. He also holds the Combatives Belt in the Gracie Combatives program. In addition to his martial arts credentials, Ariel also has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Ariel has trained adults for several years in both engineering and Kung Fu.