About
San Rafael Martial Arts offers a Kids Kung Fu Program, Teens Kung Fu classes, Adult Kung Fu classes, and Tai Chi classes. The program teaches Choy Li Fut Kung Fu and Yang style Tai Chi, including traditional hand forms, weapon forms, and self-defense applications. Tai Chi classes follow Yang style Tai Chi with detailed instruction where every movement is a self-defense move, and the school emphasizes a clean, safe, and comfortable atmosphere.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Class options Monday–Saturday in the afternoon and evening, with the school open Monday–Friday from 3:00 pm into the evening and on Saturdays from morning into early afternoon.
San Rafael Martial Arts was founded in 2011 by Sifu Terrance Thornton, who has over 35 years of martial arts experience. Sifu Thornton began training in Choy Li Fut Kung Fu and Yang style Tai Chi at the Doc-Fai Wong Martial Arts Center, founded in 1968 by Grandmaster Doc-Fai Wong, and has learned from Tai Sifu Jason Wong, the Chief Instructor of that center. The school states that it is committed to students’ martial arts success and goals and that this commitment to excellence is shown by all instructors.
San Rafael Martial Arts has been a contributor to the SF-Marin Food Bank for over 10 years and has been a member of the Business Improvement District since 2012, serving on its Board of Directors. The school is also a member of San Rafael Clean and participates in keeping its surroundings free of debris and graffiti and in keeping nearby gutters clean, and it states that it gives back to the community through training, community work, and donations. The program has been voted Best Martial Arts School in Marin County by Pacific Sun and Best Martial Arts Academy in the Independent Journal’s Readers Choice Award.
A parent testimonial states that “Sifu Terrance has a great way with kids (and parents!). My son has been attending for a year and I've watched him grow in confidence and character since he started taking kung fu.”
Last updated March 17, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Class options Monday–Saturday in the afternoon and evening, with the school open Monday–Friday from 3:00 pm into the evening and on Saturdays from morning into early afternoon.
San Rafael Martial Arts was founded in 2011 by Sifu Terrance Thornton, who has over 35 years of martial arts experience. Sifu Thornton began training in Choy Li Fut Kung Fu and Yang style Tai Chi at the Doc-Fai Wong Martial Arts Center, founded in 1968 by Grandmaster Doc-Fai Wong, and has learned from Tai Sifu Jason Wong, the Chief Instructor of that center. The school states that it is committed to students’ martial arts success and goals and that this commitment to excellence is shown by all instructors.
San Rafael Martial Arts has been a contributor to the SF-Marin Food Bank for over 10 years and has been a member of the Business Improvement District since 2012, serving on its Board of Directors. The school is also a member of San Rafael Clean and participates in keeping its surroundings free of debris and graffiti and in keeping nearby gutters clean, and it states that it gives back to the community through training, community work, and donations. The program has been voted Best Martial Arts School in Marin County by Pacific Sun and Best Martial Arts Academy in the Independent Journal’s Readers Choice Award.
A parent testimonial states that “Sifu Terrance has a great way with kids (and parents!). My son has been attending for a year and I've watched him grow in confidence and character since he started taking kung fu.”
Last updated March 17, 2026.
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