Guardians of the Light is Shaolin Kung Fu Academy's program for young adults of all genders, ages 12 to 17.

“Kung Fu is an art, not a sport. The expression of the self is the art.”
— Grandmaster Si Tai Gong George Ming Esteban

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The greatest gift my teachers gave me was permission to explore what “being myself” truly meant, especially as a teenager. Kung Fu allowed me to express my feelings both physically and out loud (if I felt comfortable, of course!). It let me be creative and it gave me a community of friends that I both had fun with and got to hear different perspectives from. It was a place outside of high school that I got to be with my peers in a way that felt like respite from a world that didn't understand me.

I got to make mistakes and it was okay; I got to ask questions or say when I didn’t understand something and I didn't feel like I was a burden for doing so; I was encouraged to look at the world with a different perspective and question the way that things worked; I was taught that I can be rebellious and respectful at the same time, and in fact, the two actually go hand-in-hand.

— Si Bok Blue Norush (they/she)

Our teen program focuses on not only teaching the students self-defense, but also self-expression through various traditional styles, basics, and weapons. Class begins with a group reflection and meditation that aligns with our school’s philosophical principles and allows students to explore their inner-wisdom. Physical training occurs in a group setting with the entire class, followed by one-on-one with an instructor to honor the individual path that each student is on. Non-contact sparring ends the class is done to music to encourage expression and individuality and to help each student seek the formless within the form.

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“At this point in my life, I am dedicated to teaching and training the youth.
My heart’s desire is to pass the art on to the next generation.
To offer them something that will provide protection and guidance in an increasingly difficult and chaotic world.
The great gift of martial arts training is learning to focus on a goal and then to achieve it.
Once these principles are learned, the dedicated student will be able to create a life that will bring peace, contentment, happiness, and health.
In short, to live a life worth defending.
Oh yeah, and learning Kung Fu is really, really, really cool!”
— Grandmaster Si Gong Robert Firestine