About
Azad's Martial Arts Center offers Kids Martial Arts, Teen Martial Arts, and Adult Martial Arts, along with Tai Chi, Self-Defense, and the specialized systems Jongshindo and ShimKenDo. The center provides beginner-friendly programs with a structured curriculum and belt progression, and it offers a free trial class with no commitment required, with gear provided for the trial.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Class options available Monday–Saturday during morning and afternoon/evening hours
Founded in 1985, Azad's Martial Arts Center has been described as Chico's premier martial arts center for close to four decades and has empowered more than 21,000 students across Chico and Butte County. The leadership team includes Grandmaster Azad (Founder & Head Instructor), Mrs. Lastufka, Ms. Miranda, Mr. Griffin, Mr. Anderson, Miss Corona, and Mr. Andrew as instructors. Grandmaster Azad has over 40 years of martial arts experience, holds multiple black belt rankings across numerous disciplines, and developed the specialized systems Jongshindo and ShimKenDo.
The center’s mission is “Empowering Lives Through Martial Arts,” and it states that it has empowered over 21,000 students through physical fitness, mental growth, personal empowerment, and positive citizenship. Programs emphasize martial arts technique along with civic duty, community service, commitment to sustainability, educational excellence, and building strong character, and they serve students from age 3 through senior Tai Chi practitioners. Training at the center emphasizes civic duty, community service, positive citizenship, and commitment to sustainability.
Azad's Martial Arts Center is a 10-time “Best of Chico” award winner and reports ratings of 5.0 from 479 Google Reviews and 5.0 from 18 Yelp Reviews. One parent reports that their daughter “has truly fallen in love with this journey” and “has built so much courage and confidence in just a short period,” and another parent notes that instructors are “extremely accommodating and flexible” and have created “a very positive and welcoming atmosphere.” Another family shares that their daughters “had such a fun and positive experience,” and an adult student reports achieving “a strong spirit” and increased community involvement. Grandmaster Azad describes martial arts at the center as “a vehicle for personal empowerment — physical fitness, mental growth, civic duty, and positive citizenship are all part of the journey.”
Last updated August 6, 2026.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Class options available Monday–Saturday during morning and afternoon/evening hours
Founded in 1985, Azad's Martial Arts Center has been described as Chico's premier martial arts center for close to four decades and has empowered more than 21,000 students across Chico and Butte County. The leadership team includes Grandmaster Azad (Founder & Head Instructor), Mrs. Lastufka, Ms. Miranda, Mr. Griffin, Mr. Anderson, Miss Corona, and Mr. Andrew as instructors. Grandmaster Azad has over 40 years of martial arts experience, holds multiple black belt rankings across numerous disciplines, and developed the specialized systems Jongshindo and ShimKenDo.
The center’s mission is “Empowering Lives Through Martial Arts,” and it states that it has empowered over 21,000 students through physical fitness, mental growth, personal empowerment, and positive citizenship. Programs emphasize martial arts technique along with civic duty, community service, commitment to sustainability, educational excellence, and building strong character, and they serve students from age 3 through senior Tai Chi practitioners. Training at the center emphasizes civic duty, community service, positive citizenship, and commitment to sustainability.
Azad's Martial Arts Center is a 10-time “Best of Chico” award winner and reports ratings of 5.0 from 479 Google Reviews and 5.0 from 18 Yelp Reviews. One parent reports that their daughter “has truly fallen in love with this journey” and “has built so much courage and confidence in just a short period,” and another parent notes that instructors are “extremely accommodating and flexible” and have created “a very positive and welcoming atmosphere.” Another family shares that their daughters “had such a fun and positive experience,” and an adult student reports achieving “a strong spirit” and increased community involvement. Grandmaster Azad describes martial arts at the center as “a vehicle for personal empowerment — physical fitness, mental growth, civic duty, and positive citizenship are all part of the journey.”
Last updated August 6, 2026.
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