About
Kempo Karate of Darien offers karate, kung fu, kickboxing, self-defense, and other martial arts classes, along with fitness programming. The program also runs after school enrichment programs, camps and parties, and karate tournaments and events.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Schedule: Class options Monday–Friday 8:30 am–8:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am–2:00 pm
Kempo Karate of Darien is led by Chief Instructor Sensei Michael Nahan, a 4th Degree Black Belt with over 25 years of martial arts experience, who owns the school, created the Leadership Program, administers belt test ceremonies for other karate dojos, teaches martial arts to karate instructors across other Kempo Karate locations, and started the FightGains martial arts YouTube channel. Instructor Sensei Trish Jackson is a 2nd Degree Black Belt with 14 years of martial arts experience, a certified Kickboxing Instructor, a graduate of a two-year training course in teaching martial arts, and a core member of the Off-Site Events Team. Together, the karate instructors have over 30 years of cumulative martial arts experience.
The mission at Kempo Darien is to empower students to succeed beyond the martial arts, with a teaching philosophy that every student is important, that each person learns differently, and that each student needs something unique to become their best. The school offers after school enrichment programs for both Preschools and Elementary Schools in Darien, and Sensei Trish Jackson teaches many after school enrichment programs through yourafterschool.com, introducing karate to new students in Darien and surrounding towns. The Off-Site Events Team develops the school’s presence in the community, and the program also offers camps and parties and karate tournaments and events for the entire family.
One parent from Stamford, CT, describes Kempo Darien as “so knowledgeable and kid friendly - from 4 years to 14 years old and beyond,” and says the school “really knows how to communicate with all ages to motivate and inspire at every skill level.” Another parent from Norwalk, CT, says that “Sensei Nahan and his team have created an excellent learning environment at Kempo Karate of Darien” and notes that “the skills, focus, and confidence gained by kids is noteworthy.” The school is described as the most well known, highly praised, and sought after martial arts school in Darien, CT.
Last updated July 24, 2026.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Schedule: Class options Monday–Friday 8:30 am–8:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am–2:00 pm
Kempo Karate of Darien is led by Chief Instructor Sensei Michael Nahan, a 4th Degree Black Belt with over 25 years of martial arts experience, who owns the school, created the Leadership Program, administers belt test ceremonies for other karate dojos, teaches martial arts to karate instructors across other Kempo Karate locations, and started the FightGains martial arts YouTube channel. Instructor Sensei Trish Jackson is a 2nd Degree Black Belt with 14 years of martial arts experience, a certified Kickboxing Instructor, a graduate of a two-year training course in teaching martial arts, and a core member of the Off-Site Events Team. Together, the karate instructors have over 30 years of cumulative martial arts experience.
The mission at Kempo Darien is to empower students to succeed beyond the martial arts, with a teaching philosophy that every student is important, that each person learns differently, and that each student needs something unique to become their best. The school offers after school enrichment programs for both Preschools and Elementary Schools in Darien, and Sensei Trish Jackson teaches many after school enrichment programs through yourafterschool.com, introducing karate to new students in Darien and surrounding towns. The Off-Site Events Team develops the school’s presence in the community, and the program also offers camps and parties and karate tournaments and events for the entire family.
One parent from Stamford, CT, describes Kempo Darien as “so knowledgeable and kid friendly - from 4 years to 14 years old and beyond,” and says the school “really knows how to communicate with all ages to motivate and inspire at every skill level.” Another parent from Norwalk, CT, says that “Sensei Nahan and his team have created an excellent learning environment at Kempo Karate of Darien” and notes that “the skills, focus, and confidence gained by kids is noteworthy.” The school is described as the most well known, highly praised, and sought after martial arts school in Darien, CT.
Last updated July 24, 2026.
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