Chicago Martial Arts
Chicago Martial Arts, 151 South Pfingsten Road, Chicago, IL 60015
About
Chicago Martial Arts offers Taekwondo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes, along with a Little Ninjas program for kids. The program also includes self-defense classes for women. Classes are available for both kids and adults, and students follow a 4-Stripe System with Green, Blue, Red, and Black stripes, with promotion exams held every two months during normal class time.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Classes are available day and night, on weekdays and weekends.
Chicago Martial Arts has been serving the greater Chicago community since 1999 and was founded under the direction of Master William Lee. Master William Lee is a Tae Kwon Do Master and U.S. Navy veteran, skilled in Tae Kwon Do, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Hapkido, and Kumdo. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor John Troy Hanson is a first-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from Brazilian Top Team under Professor Marcello Bergo and began training Jiu Jitsu in 2009 while serving as an Active Duty Navy Diver. Little Ninjas starts with children as young as three years old, Tae Kwon Do classes are available for age 4 and up, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is available for age 13 and up. CMA’s staff offers both group and private lessons, and the facility has free parking and free Wi-Fi.
The program’s stated goal is to create an environment that enriches mind, body, and spirit, with programs developed to strengthen the body, cultivate stronger mental balance, heighten personal energy, and unify membership into a community. The disciplines of Taekwondo are described as bolstering students with feelings of confidence, well-being, and peace, and reinforcing discipline, respect, and courtesy. Taekwondo at Chicago Martial Arts is described as instilling mental, physical, and spiritual balance so that the practitioner learns to savor life’s benefits and is not overwhelmed or absorbed by its difficulties. Chicago Martial Arts stresses life skills and has a strong commitment to anti-bullying.
Chicago Martial Arts is a Top Reviewed Studio and is described as a FIVE STAR reviewed martial arts studio. Instructors have years of experience teaching students and progressing at their individual pace, and classes progress with students based on dedication, how quickly they catch on, and testing performance. Promotion exams require a Testing Application, a Student Evaluation, a testing fee, and an official uniform, and an official uniform must be worn during the Promotion Exam.
Chicago Martial Arts will oversee LifeTime’s Tae Kwon Do Program starting February 7th, 2013. In LifeTime’s Tae Kwon Do Program, classes were divided according to age groups, and parents are required to fill out a weekly assessment sheet of their child each time they attend class.
One parent, Valerie Dolenga, states that “Master Lee (and his instructors) is fabulous with the kids. He is encouraging and supportive, and knows how to inspire kids to do their best. He is a positive role model and teaches life skills. This is the place for boys and girls at any age who want to do martial arts!” Another parent, Jim Brown, states that the program is an “incredible opportunity for my son and daughter to learn a useful skill while gaining coordination, discipline, weekly fitness and overall confidence. Instructors are tough but always fair and treat both students and parents as part of the family/team. Glad we found this class – my kids love it!”
Last updated April 18, 2026.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Classes are available day and night, on weekdays and weekends.
Chicago Martial Arts has been serving the greater Chicago community since 1999 and was founded under the direction of Master William Lee. Master William Lee is a Tae Kwon Do Master and U.S. Navy veteran, skilled in Tae Kwon Do, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Hapkido, and Kumdo. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor John Troy Hanson is a first-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from Brazilian Top Team under Professor Marcello Bergo and began training Jiu Jitsu in 2009 while serving as an Active Duty Navy Diver. Little Ninjas starts with children as young as three years old, Tae Kwon Do classes are available for age 4 and up, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is available for age 13 and up. CMA’s staff offers both group and private lessons, and the facility has free parking and free Wi-Fi.
The program’s stated goal is to create an environment that enriches mind, body, and spirit, with programs developed to strengthen the body, cultivate stronger mental balance, heighten personal energy, and unify membership into a community. The disciplines of Taekwondo are described as bolstering students with feelings of confidence, well-being, and peace, and reinforcing discipline, respect, and courtesy. Taekwondo at Chicago Martial Arts is described as instilling mental, physical, and spiritual balance so that the practitioner learns to savor life’s benefits and is not overwhelmed or absorbed by its difficulties. Chicago Martial Arts stresses life skills and has a strong commitment to anti-bullying.
Chicago Martial Arts is a Top Reviewed Studio and is described as a FIVE STAR reviewed martial arts studio. Instructors have years of experience teaching students and progressing at their individual pace, and classes progress with students based on dedication, how quickly they catch on, and testing performance. Promotion exams require a Testing Application, a Student Evaluation, a testing fee, and an official uniform, and an official uniform must be worn during the Promotion Exam.
Chicago Martial Arts will oversee LifeTime’s Tae Kwon Do Program starting February 7th, 2013. In LifeTime’s Tae Kwon Do Program, classes were divided according to age groups, and parents are required to fill out a weekly assessment sheet of their child each time they attend class.
One parent, Valerie Dolenga, states that “Master Lee (and his instructors) is fabulous with the kids. He is encouraging and supportive, and knows how to inspire kids to do their best. He is a positive role model and teaches life skills. This is the place for boys and girls at any age who want to do martial arts!” Another parent, Jim Brown, states that the program is an “incredible opportunity for my son and daughter to learn a useful skill while gaining coordination, discipline, weekly fitness and overall confidence. Instructors are tough but always fair and treat both students and parents as part of the family/team. Glad we found this class – my kids love it!”
Last updated April 18, 2026.
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