About
Arnott Kenpo Karate offers Kids Karate, Mighty Tigers, Adult Classes, Self Defense classes, fitness classes, seminars, and tournament classes for self defense, sparring, and kata. Mighty Tigers is a half hour class. Kenpo at this studio is a techniques-based martial art built around “what-if” scenarios and uses a belt system, with instruction that is tailored to the individual and scalable as situations escalate.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Schedule: Mighty Tigers meets in a half hour class
Mark Arnott is a 5th Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo Karate and leads Arnott Kenpo Karate. He has been teaching karate in studios, public and private schools in the Pasadena/South Pasadena area and SPEF since 1992, and he continues his study of American Kenpo Karate under Grandmaster Bob White at Bob and Barbara White's Kenpo studio in Costa Mesa, CA. He created The Waverly School's first high school varsity sports program and has written a series of manuals covering Yellow through 3rd Degree Black.
Arnott Kenpo Karate states that it stays focused on the student and that the studio’s central value is respect for oneself and for others, and that the instructors love teaching and constantly seek to improve their skills and methods. Patient and challenging instructors provide individualized instruction for students of all ages, and students control the pace of their learning and the level of contact. For 4–6 year olds, Mighty Tigers focuses on karate fundamentals, learning focus, respect, and how to work with others, while Kids Karate is offered for ages 6 and up. Adult Classes begin with flexibility, conditioning, and coordination exercises, then move into kata, self defense techniques, and drills, and sparring is done with controlled contact; students are encouraged to pad up when sparring to prevent injury.
Seminars are hosted by well known experts in fields that the studio believes improve students’ training, and tournament classes are offered for self defense, sparring, and kata. The studio serves families from South Pasadena, Eagle Rock, San Marino, Altadena, La Canada, Arcadia, Alhambra, Los Angeles, Glendale, and Burbank. Arnott Kenpo Karate of Pasadena Fitness and Self Defense Studio has won Best Martial Arts Studio in Pasadena in every year it has been open. Mark Arnott was inducted into the Kenpo International Hall Of Fame in 2013 in recognition of his exceptional efforts, leadership, and wisdom in self defense and martial arts. Families can sign up for a free private lesson, and tuition can be slightly to greatly reduced by becoming an assistant instructor or trading out a skill.
One parent from South Pasadena reports that many class times are offered to fit different schedules and that kids have fun on the mat while being required to be respectful and focused, and also notes that classes at Arnott Kenpo are considerably more affordable than other local martial arts studios. Another student from Pasadena reports feeling pushed to excel but not unsafely and describes prices as totally reasonable. A testimonial from the Head Coach at CalTech describes the atmosphere as friendly, welcoming, and respectful, notes that Mark is very specific in his instruction and patient, and mentions that he encourages everyone to pad up when sparring to prevent injury. Another parent from Los Angeles describes the studio as inviting and friendly, and describes Mark as patient, very attuned to different needs and skill levels, and receptive to questions and input on techniques.
Last updated April 21, 2026.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Schedule: Mighty Tigers meets in a half hour class
Mark Arnott is a 5th Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo Karate and leads Arnott Kenpo Karate. He has been teaching karate in studios, public and private schools in the Pasadena/South Pasadena area and SPEF since 1992, and he continues his study of American Kenpo Karate under Grandmaster Bob White at Bob and Barbara White's Kenpo studio in Costa Mesa, CA. He created The Waverly School's first high school varsity sports program and has written a series of manuals covering Yellow through 3rd Degree Black.
Arnott Kenpo Karate states that it stays focused on the student and that the studio’s central value is respect for oneself and for others, and that the instructors love teaching and constantly seek to improve their skills and methods. Patient and challenging instructors provide individualized instruction for students of all ages, and students control the pace of their learning and the level of contact. For 4–6 year olds, Mighty Tigers focuses on karate fundamentals, learning focus, respect, and how to work with others, while Kids Karate is offered for ages 6 and up. Adult Classes begin with flexibility, conditioning, and coordination exercises, then move into kata, self defense techniques, and drills, and sparring is done with controlled contact; students are encouraged to pad up when sparring to prevent injury.
Seminars are hosted by well known experts in fields that the studio believes improve students’ training, and tournament classes are offered for self defense, sparring, and kata. The studio serves families from South Pasadena, Eagle Rock, San Marino, Altadena, La Canada, Arcadia, Alhambra, Los Angeles, Glendale, and Burbank. Arnott Kenpo Karate of Pasadena Fitness and Self Defense Studio has won Best Martial Arts Studio in Pasadena in every year it has been open. Mark Arnott was inducted into the Kenpo International Hall Of Fame in 2013 in recognition of his exceptional efforts, leadership, and wisdom in self defense and martial arts. Families can sign up for a free private lesson, and tuition can be slightly to greatly reduced by becoming an assistant instructor or trading out a skill.
One parent from South Pasadena reports that many class times are offered to fit different schedules and that kids have fun on the mat while being required to be respectful and focused, and also notes that classes at Arnott Kenpo are considerably more affordable than other local martial arts studios. Another student from Pasadena reports feeling pushed to excel but not unsafely and describes prices as totally reasonable. A testimonial from the Head Coach at CalTech describes the atmosphere as friendly, welcoming, and respectful, notes that Mark is very specific in his instruction and patient, and mentions that he encourages everyone to pad up when sparring to prevent injury. Another parent from Los Angeles describes the studio as inviting and friendly, and describes Mark as patient, very attuned to different needs and skill levels, and receptive to questions and input on techniques.
Last updated April 21, 2026.
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