Chevy Chase's Most Respected Taekwondo Dojang For Families

Taekwondo Classes in Chevy Chase: Olympic-Style Training Built On Real Progress

For over 6 years, families throughout Chevy Chase have chosen our dojang – taekwondo school – for one clear reason: Taekwondo Classes in Chevy Chase deliver real, measurable progress, character that carries far beyond the training floor, and a community built on mutual respect from the very first bow.

Build Genuine, Lasting Confidence

The kind that shows up at the dinner table, in the classroom, and on the playground

A Dojang Where Ego Stays At The Door

Every student is known by name and welcomed, no matter their skill level

Earn Every Belt With Purpose

A transparent curriculum covering poomsae (patterns), kyorugi (sparring), and kyukpa (breaking), so your progress is always clear

Black Belt Instructors Who Teach For A Living

Patient with beginners, precise with detail, and fully invested in your journey

57+

Five-Star Google Reviews

6+ Years

Proudly Serving Chevy Chase Since 2020

4.9 ★

Average Google Rating

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NOT SURE WHICH CLASS IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Find The Taekwondo Class That Fits Your Goals

Preschool Taekwondo
Ages 3-4

Kids Taekwondo
Ages 5-12

Teen Taekwondo
Ages 13-17

Adult Taekwondo
Ages 18+

The Real Challenge

Why Chevy Chase Families Choose Taekwondo Classes In The First Place

The first phone call often starts the same way: “I think my kid needs something — I just don’t know what.”

Or from an adult: “I used to be in shape, I used to feel sharp. Something has to change.”

Different words, same underlying need.

A need for structure. For discipline that’s earned, not forced. For an outlet that builds something real — not just something to pass the time.

That something is Taekwondo.

And KenZen-Do Martial Arts is where Chevy Chase families come to find it.

For 6+ years, we’ve poured effort, hard work, and expertise into refining our program, and the result is a dojang (taekwondo school) parents describe as the place where their child finally clicked. Where adults discover a practice that challenges the body and calms the mind. Where beginners are welcomed, never judged, and the path from white belt to black belt is mapped out clearly from day one.

Our curriculum is rooted in the original principles of Taekwondo — tae (foot), kwon (fist), do (way) — and grounded in the Five Tenets that have guided Taekwondo since its founding in Korea: Courtesy. Integrity. Perseverance. Self-Control. Indomitable Spirit.

We don’t just talk about these values. Students live them, drill them, and carry them until they become second nature.

For Adults Ready For More

You Want A Challenge You Haven't Admitted Out Loud

Somewhere along the way the gym stopped working, running got boring, and streaming workouts started to feel hollow. What you need isn't another routine — it's a discipline. Taekwondo offers a craft you can train for a lifetime, built on technique, timing, and constant refinement.

Your Mind Needs A Space Where Work Can't Follow

Inboxes, deadlines, and group chats never really let your brain rest. Our dojang (taekwondo school) is one of the few places where your phone stays zipped in your bag. After an hour of poomsae (patterns), drills, and sparring, students consistently tell us the same thing: I forgot what was bothering me.

You Want To Be Strong, Capable, And A Little Unstoppable

Most fitness routines leave you tired but not truly capable. Taekwondo builds power, balance, flexibility, and real stand-up self-defense skills as a natural result of training. By the time you earn your first color belt, you'll move differently — and people will notice.

You've Always Respected Martial Arts But Never Took The Leap

Maybe the Olympics caught your attention, or a class once left you feeling out of place. Most adults assume that door has closed — it hasn't. KenZen-Do Martial Arts was built for adults starting fresh, with a curriculum paced so you learn at your own speed without ever feeling like the slowest one in the room.

For Parents Who Want More For Their Kids

You Want An Activity That Shapes Who Your Child Is Becoming

Sports build skill in one narrow context. Screens build nothing at all. Taekwondo builds character — a child who bows when entering a room, finishes what they start, handles losing with grace, and carries quiet confidence. Parents consistently tell us it's the most valuable hour of their child's week.

Your Child Is Capable Of More Than They Realize

Kids are constantly told they're amazing, but rarely given the chance to prove it. Taekwondo flips that script. We give them hard things to master — a tricky kick, a long form, an intimidating board to break — and let them earn that satisfaction for themselves. Real confidence is what's left behind.

Focus, Listening, And Self-Control — Skills Kids Rarely Get To Practice

Schools are stretched thin, and devices fragment attention. Kids today aren't short on ability — they're short on the experience of sustained, focused effort that builds the brain for school and life. Every kids' Taekwondo class at KenZen-Do Martial Arts is designed to require focus, patience, and follow-through, and parents often see the change at home faster than they expect.

Bullying Looks Different Today, But The Answer Hasn't Changed

A child who walks tall, makes eye contact, and carries themselves with composure is far less likely to be targeted. Taekwondo builds exactly that. And on the rare occasion something does happen, your child will know how to use voice, posture, and — only if truly necessary — physical skill to protect themselves without becoming the aggressor.

The Process

Starting Taekwondo Classes In Chevy Chase Is Easier Than You Think

No mountain of paperwork. No high-pressure sales pitch. Just four simple steps from “I should check this out” to your first class on the mat.

Reserve Your Class Pass

Choose a time that works for your schedule, show up in clothes you can move in, and that's it.

Train Alongside Real Students

You'll bow in with our regular students, learn foundational stances, and practice core kicks (front kick, roundhouse, side kick) and basic blocks. You'll watch — or even try — poomsae (patterns / forms) and a light round of kyorugi (sparring).

Map Out Your Schedule

We'll talk through your goals — fitness, family, self-defense, or competition — and recommend the program and class times that fit your week best.

Begin Your Belt Journey

White belt, yellow stripe, yellow belt — your journey begins here. Every belt is a milestone, every milestone has clear criteria, and you'll always know exactly what's next.

Real Success Stories

What Chevy Chase Students Say About Our Taekwondo Classes

From parents who saw their kids transform in the first 90 days, to adults who finally found a practice that stuck.

I’m 80, and have had balance issues (some severe falls). I signed up for Ricky’s stretching class, and haven’t fallen since. Plus, the overall routine is a whole body toning/strengthening program. I’ve loved it.

My son started here two years ago and he absolutely loves it! Mr. Ricky is amazing with the kids. Absolutely amazing. He forms true bonds with the kids and encourages the kids to succeed. He shows them that’s it’s ok to fail but then to pick yourself up and use that to your advantage. Not only is Mr. Ricky great but ALL of the staff is amazing. This is their passion and it shows with their interactions with the kids. This dojo is truly a blessing in the community and I would recommend it a hundreds over!

We are having such a great experience at KenZen-Do!

My children have been students at KenZen Do for the past 10 years, and it has been one of the most positive and enriching experiences of their lives. Under the guidance of Mr. Ricky and his outstanding staff, my son earned his black belt—a milestone he is incredibly proud of, and rightly so. What sets Mr. Ricky apart is not just his deep knowledge of karate, but the way he uses it as a vehicle to teach so much more. His curriculum goes well beyond physical technique. He and his staff consistently promote values like kindness, respect, and integrity, helping students grow not just as martial artists, but as compassionate, confident individuals. The program is incredibly effective at building self-esteem and encouraging a healthy, positive mindset. Mr. Ricky has a special talent for working with all kinds of students—including those with anxiety, ADHD, or confidence issues. He meets each child where they are, listens closely, and inspires them to shine. I cannot say enough good things about KenZen Do. The staff are professional, fair, and truly invested in the success and well-being of every student. I highly recommend this program to any family looking to support their child’s physical, emotional, and personal development—and it’s equally rewarding for adults as well.

Kenzen-Do is a top-notch martial arts school. The facility is clean, spacious, and in excellent condition (no damages). Mr. Ricky and his staff are extremely knowledgeable in karate, and are well versed in how to teach it to multiple students with different learning strengths. What is challenging to put into words is how enthusiastic Mr. Ricky is about teaching martial arts. It is abundantly clear that this is what he loves to do, and that enthusiasm is quite infectious. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner, you will feel welcomed, and excited about learning and training here.

Master Ricky is the consummate professional. He has knowledge, experience, and knows how to impart his skills to his students. I couldn’t ask for a better instructor and an even better role model for my daughter. His classes aren’t just about karate, but about how to build character, resilience, and confidence. Life lessons. I wouldn’t expect anything less from a true master.

Absolutely great Karate dojo - a great combination of discipline, motivation, fun, and Karate. The head instructor knows every student by name as well as the names of that student's parents! A lifelong discipline with a true practitioner of both the forms of Karate and the warrior spirit.

Great place to learn martial arts! The instructions are not only attentive to the students, but also come from a great martial arts legacy. This is the place to go if you want your child to learn discipline, self defense, and respect.

Great place, my son has participated for 4+ years and it is a great place to learn, grow, thrive and also listen (the first time). Mr. Ricky is a great leader and mentor, and you can tell he truly cares for his students.

I'm a student here at Ken-Zen Do. I love Mr. Ricky as he's a really great teacher. He's really changed my life. he's been really improving myself to become the person I am now.

Our Solution

Why Students At KenZen-Do Martial Arts Stay — And Show Up Transformed

Plenty of academies teach kicks. Few build the kind of environment that keeps students walking through the door three, five, even ten years later. Here’s what sets us apart.

A Curriculum That Maps Out Your Entire Journey

From the day you tie on your white belt, the road ahead is clear. Our syllabus follows a structured progression of poomsae (patterns / forms), technique requirements, sparring milestones, and breaking achievements. Training three days a week, most students earn their first color belt within a year, and their black belt within ten. No guesswork, no politics — just a clear path forward.

Instructors Who Know Your Name By Day Two

Our instructors are full-time educators, not weekend hobbyists. They train weekly, pursue continuing education, and prepare for class with the same care a great schoolteacher brings. You'll never be just a number here — walk in tomorrow and we'll remember your goals, your last test, and what you said you wanted to work on.

Character That Becomes Second Nature

The Five Tenets aren't posters on a wall — they're drilled, spoken aloud, and reinforced constantly. Students bow when they arrive, address instructors with respect, and acknowledge their training partners. Within months, it's no longer performance — it's simply who they are. Parents, teachers, and employers notice the difference.

A Community That Genuinely Roots For Each Other

Step into the dojang (taekwondo school) on a Tuesday night and you'll see something rare — people of every age and fitness level cheering each other on. Students show up for belt tests they aren't even taking, befriend each other's kids, and check in when someone misses a week. The training is the draw — the community is why people stay.

Our Programs

Taekwondo Classes in Chevy Chase — Designed Around Your Stage Of Life

Whatever brought you here — a parent looking for the right activity for a child, a teen needing direction, an adult ready to begin — we have a class designed around exactly that.

Preschool Taekwondo (Ages 3-4)

Where Confidence Starts

Little ones discover just how amazing their bodies can be. Through playful, movement-based training, kids build coordination, listening skills, and self-control naturally — all while having fun and gaining the confidence to try something new.

Kids Taekwondo (Ages 5-12)

The Activity Parents Tell Other Parents About

The change from kids’ Taekwondo doesn’t stay on the mat — it shows up at school and at home. Through structured belt progression, kids build focus, respect, and resilience that carries into every part of their lives.

Teen Taekwondo (Ages 13-17)

Where Teens Find Direction Without Being Lectured

Adolescence comes with pressure that didn’t exist a generation ago. Our teen program offers real structure, a peer group built on mutual respect, and a clear path toward leadership and a junior black belt.

Adult Taekwondo (Ages 18+)

The Practice You'll Train For The Next 30 Years

This isn’t another fitness fad. Adult Taekwondo offers a practice with real depth — one that builds strength, sharpens focus, and rewards you more the longer you train, whether you’re 25 or 65.

Interested In Joining Our Taekwondo Classes?

We offer Taekwondo classes in Chevy Chase for every age and every starting point. Let us help you find the right fit — no pressure, just come try a class!

Real Results

What Taekwondo Classes in Chevy Chase Have Done For Real Students

These are real students, real families, and real transformations. Names have been shortened for privacy, but every story is one we’ve watched unfold firsthand.

Tyler, Age 9 — Kids Taekwondo

BEFORE

AFTER

Volunteered to lead the class warm-up within his first three months
Performs his poomsae (patterns / forms) in front of the dojang (taekwondo school) without flinching
Teacher reports he's become one of the most reliable kids in the classroom
Just earned his orange belt and asked for a second class per week

Diane, Age 41 — Adult Taekwondo

BEFORE

AFTER

Trains four nights a week and competes in friendly in-house tournaments
Kicks above her own head in class — something she said was "biologically impossible" a year ago
Has lost 22 pounds without ever stepping on a scale on purpose
Earned her green belt and brought her partner along to start training

Jordan, Age 16 — Teen Taekwondo

BEFORE

AFTER

Trains five days a week and is on track for his black belt before he leaves for university
Has become an assistant in our junior class — a role that requires patience and presence
Grades climbed a full letter average within two semesters
Now the kid that the younger students look up to

Why Choose KenZen-Do Martial Arts?

What Sets KenZen-Do Martial Arts Apart From Other Taekwondo Schools In Chevy Chase

Plenty of dojangs can teach you a roundhouse kick. Very few build a place that feels like a second home. Here’s what makes us different.

Teachers First, Performers Second

Every black belt on our staff is a working instructor, not a part-time hobbyist. They're trained to break down complex techniques into pieces a six-year-old or a sixty-year-old can grasp with ease.

A Beginner Experience Designed On Purpose

Most martial arts schools throw new students into the deep end. We don't. Our white belt curriculum builds confidence and competence side by side, so you leave every class feeling like you improved — not overwhelmed.

Character Lives In The Curriculum, Not On The Wall

The Five Tenets aren't just framed on the wall — they're drilled into every moment of class. Your child doesn't just learn about courtesy and perseverance; they live it until it becomes instinct. By month three, the shift is real: they bow naturally, encourage their partners, and push through fatigue. That discipline carries into the classroom, the dinner table, and their friendships.

Belt Promotions You Can Actually Trust

Promotions here are earned through demonstrated skill, attendance, and Five Tenet conduct — never simply through time as a paying member. When you earn a belt at KenZen-Do Martial Arts, it actually means something.

Programs Built Around Real Human Ages

Six-year-olds aren't tiny adults. Teenagers don't want to be treated like children. Adults don't want to be overlooked on a kids' floor. Every class is designed specifically for its age group and taught by an instructor who specializes in it.

A Training Environment That Reflects What We Value

Clean mats. Well-maintained equipment. Inspected uniforms. Aligned students. The dojang itself is part of the lesson, and our standards reflect what we expect of ourselves and our students.

Traditional Curriculum, Olympic-Style Edge

Our students train in both worlds — the depth of traditional poomsae (patterns / forms), breaking, and self-defense, paired with the speed and footwork of Olympic-style kyorugi (sparring). Together, they build a complete Taekwondo practitioner.

Train As A Family, Grow As A Family

Share the mat with your child, sibling, or spouse. Build strength and skill together, and create bonds that extend far beyond the dojang.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything You Need To Know Before Booking Your First Taekwondo Class in Chevy Chase

Here are the questions we hear most often. Don’t see yours? Call us at 202-369-9910 and we’ll answer it directly.

What is Taekwondo?

Taekwondo is a Korean martial art built on kicks, strikes, and disciplined movement, guided by the Five Tenets: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit.

Is Taekwondo or Karate better?

Both are excellent martial arts, but they emphasize different things. Taekwondo focuses heavily on dynamic kicking techniques, speed, and flexibility, while Karate places more emphasis on hand strikes. Many students choose Taekwondo Classes in Chevy Chase for the athletic, kick-driven style and clear belt progression.

Is Taekwondo or Jiu-Jitsu better?

Taekwondo and Jiu-Jitsu serve different purposes. Taekwondo emphasizes striking, kicking, and stand-up self-defense, while Jiu-Jitsu focuses on ground grappling. Neither is objectively better — it depends on your goals, and many students enjoy Taekwondo for its fitness, discipline, and confidence-building benefits.

What is so special about Taekwondo Classes in Chevy Chase?

Taekwondo Classes in Chevy Chase are built around a transparent belt curriculum, black belt instructors who teach full-time, and a supportive community where every student is known by name. Classes are offered for every age, from preschoolers to adults.

What are the main benefits of practicing Taekwondo?

Regular practice builds strength, flexibility, balance, and cardiovascular fitness, while also developing focus, discipline, self-control, and genuine confidence that carries beyond the dojang.

What skills do Taekwondo Classes in Chevy Chase focus on?

Our taekwondo lessons focus on poomsae (patterns/forms), kyorugi (sparring), and kyukpa (breaking), along with core values like courtesy, perseverance, and self-control.

What is the difference between Olympic Taekwondo and traditional Taekwondo?

Olympic-style Taekwondo emphasizes fast, controlled sparring under competition rules, while traditional Taekwondo places equal focus on forms, self-defense, and breaking techniques. At our dojang, students train in both styles for a well-rounded practice.

Does Taekwondo focus more on kicks or punches?

Taekwondo is known for its dynamic, high, and fast kicking techniques, though punches, blocks, and stand-up self-defense are also part of the curriculum.

How long does it take to progress through Taekwondo belts?

Progress depends on attendance and effort. Students who train three days a week typically earn their first color belt within about a year, with black belt achievable within around ten years of consistent training.

What equipment or uniform do you need for Taekwondo?

Beginners can start their taekwondo training in comfortable workout clothes. Once you commit to the program, you’ll be fitted for a standard taekwondo uniform (dobok) and belt as part of your training.

Take The First Step — Your Taekwondo Journey Begins With One Class

Whether you’re a parent searching for the activity that finally clicks for your child, an adult ready to start something with real depth, or a teen looking for direction and a peer group worth belonging to — your first class is where the journey becomes real. Show up, train beside our regular students, and discover for yourself why Chevy Chase families have been walking through our doors for over 6 years.

Searching for Taekwondo Classes in Chevy Chase or nearby areas like Bethesda, NW Washington DC, Kenwood, Brookmont, Somerset, Friendship Heights, Chevy Chase Terrace, Chevy Chase Village, or Westgate? KenZen-Do Martial Arts is located at the Corner of Chevy Chase Village Community Center, with free parking in the garage of our building at 5550 Friendship Blvd. and available street parking, plus class times built around real family schedules.

Class pass spots are limited each week — lock yours in today.

KenZen-Do Martial Arts

Chevy Chase

Chevy Chase, Bethesda, NW Washington DC, Kenwood, Brookmont, Somerset, Friendship Heights, Chevy Chase Terrace, Chevy Chase Village, Westgate

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