Seattle Shaolin Kungfu Academy: Kung fu (Shaolin) and Tai chi in Bellevue, WA

Master Lei Zhou, a 34th generation Shaolin Temple disciple, opened the Seattle Shaolin Kungfu Academy in Bellevue in 2011 and heads it. The academy describes him as a classically trained master who specialized in traditional Shaolin boxing and wellness exercises. A second branch of the academy runs in Bothell. In Master Zhou's own words, what matters most is that students “inherit the spirit of Shaolin: Compassion, Wisdom, Peace, and Harmony.”

Shaolin kung fu is the core of the program, taught to children, teens, adults and seniors. The academy says training builds “character, discipline, balance and flexibility, agility, and strength,” and offers kung fu as a fitness program for all ages, with self-defense techniques part of it. Adults have a kung fu class on Tuesday evenings and a self-defense and sparring class on Thursday evenings. Advanced students from purple to black belt have a sparring and self-defense class on Saturday afternoons, and a class open to any level meets on Sunday afternoons. A demo team trains on Fridays and Sundays.

The wellness side is aimed at seniors and anyone drawn to internal cultivation. A tai chi class meets on Saturday mornings, and the wider wellness program covers qigong, tai chi, Ba-Duan Jin, Yijin Jing, Xisui Jing and Soft Fist exercises. The academy also teaches traditional Chinese lion dance and dragon dance, with performance teams that appear at festivals, schools and events. Private lessons with Master Zhou are available.

Newcomers can start with a free trial class or with a one-month unlimited pass. What to wear to the trial isn't stated, so that's worth settling when you register for it. Kids have their own kung fu classes and an after-school program at the Bellevue location.

Kids and juniors at Seattle Shaolin Kungfu Academy

Kids kung fu runs Tuesday to Friday in two groups. Children ages 3 to 7 train in the afternoon class for beginner to yellow belt; ages 8 to 15 train in the following class, which covers green to purple and brown to black belt.

The after-school program is for elementary and middle school students at the Bellevue location. The academy picks children up from a long list of nearby public and private schools, and the afternoon combines kung fu training, homework help, arts and crafts, and Chinese reading and writing until 6 pm. Families choose from one to five days a week. The program follows the Bellevue School District calendar and doesn't run on school breaks. In summer, most of the after-school program moves into the academy's summer camps, which run full or half days and can be booked week by week. Birthday parties are held by appointment.

Classes at Seattle Shaolin Kungfu Academy

Class	Who	Ages	Level
After School Program	kids	elementary and middle school students
Kids Kung Fu, ages 3-7	kids	Age 3-7	Beginner – Yellow
Kids Kung Fu, ages 8-15	kids	Age 8-15	Green – Purple, Brown – Black
Adult Kung Fu	adults	not listed
Adult Self Defense and Sparring	adults	not listed
Wellness Class (Tai Chi)	adults	not listed
Demo Team	competition	not listed

What training at Seattle Shaolin Kungfu Academy costs

Plan	Price	Per
After School Program, 5 days/week, pick-up included	$700	month
After School Program, 4 days/week, pick-up included	$640	month
After School Program, 3 days/week, pick-up included	$600	month
After School Program, 2 days/week, pick-up included	$480	month
After School Program, 1 day/week, pick-up included	$290	month
After School Program, Wednesday only	$90	day

Prices as of November 2026, from the school's website.

Facts from seattleshaolinkungfu.com, checked November 2026. Something out of date? Send a correction.

Seattle Shaolin Kungfu Academy

Kids and juniors at Seattle Shaolin Kungfu Academy

Classes at Seattle Shaolin Kungfu Academy

When classes meet

Instructors at Seattle Shaolin Kungfu Academy

What training at Seattle Shaolin Kungfu Academy costs