Kensho Kids Martial Arts

Kensho Kids Martial Arts offers toddler martial arts classes and children’s martial arts that include activities such as music, games, yoga, story time, and basic martial arts. As students grow, the program includes training in kickboxing, mixed martial arts, boxing, Muay Thai, Savate, Kali weapons, JKD, Thai Boxing, Judo, Jiu Jitsu, Kali, Bando, wrestling, Krabi Krabong, Shoot Boxing, Escrima, Arnis, Panantukan, Silat, Wing Chun Gung Fu, and Pilates. Kensho’s Lil Heroes toddler martial arts classes are a parent–child play class where parents and younger kids interact in a playful atmosphere while working on basic martial arts technique and personal development, and the Lil Heroes program is described as a bonding experience for parents and kids 2 and 3 years old.

• Ages: 2–12 years old

Kensho’s toddler martial arts classes incorporate children’s martial arts with the support of a parent or caregiver in a playful environment, using music, games, yoga, story time, and basic martial arts to instill confidence, gross motor abilities, and balance in their movements. Kensho’s kids programs state that they help children build focus, discipline, and respect, and the program notes that expectations are progressively raised as children mature. In beginning level classes, students do partner drills that are described as fun and are specifically designed to develop skills quickly, and the boxing and kickboxing curriculum is described as comprehensive and continually developed and refined to build students’ skills quickly. Kickboxing classes use a MYZONE system that tracks training effort and progress.

Kensho Kids Martial Arts is led by Founder and Head Instructor Roger Luri. He is a 7th Degree Black Belt, a former kickboxing champion, and a former head instructor under Grand Master Fred Degerberg at the Degerberg Academy of Martial Arts in Chicago. He has been a certified Muay Thai instructor since the mid-1980s, is a Red Ring Master Instructor under the United States Thai Boxing Federation and United World Muay Thai Council, and is a former Director of the Chicago Branch of the Thai Boxing Association of the USA under Ajarn Surachai Sirisute. He was awarded the Silver Glove, the highest rank in B.F. Savate, by the French Federation of B.F. Savate in Strasbourg, France, in 1990, and is a two-time United States Heavyweight B.F. Savate Combat (full contact) Champion. He is also twice United States heavyweight kickboxing champion, the President and a founding member of the United States Savate Federation, an instructor in Lameco Escrima under Punong Guro Edgar Sulite, and an associate instructor under Guro Ron Balicki’s Martial Arts Research Systems. He received his apprentice instructorship in both Kali and Jun Fan/JKD under Guro/Sifu Dan Inosanto in 1989.

Kensho’s philosophy is described as closely aligned with Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do concepts, with an emphasis on trained individuals using what works best for them in a self-defense situation. The name Kensho is explained as a Zen term for an initial enlightenment or awakening, or a glimpse of one’s true nature. The program states that day-to-day stresses can cause people to feel distracted and lose confidence, and that martial arts helps maintain confidence, inner calm, and mental clarity by keeping mind and body connected and in harmony.

Degerberg Academy of Martial Arts in Chicago, where Roger Luri previously taught, was awarded “Best Overall School” by Black Belt Magazine in a 2006 worldwide vote. Kensho Mixed Martial Arts notes that it is conveniently located between Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Bucktown, Wicker Park, River North, and the Gold Coast. The program also notes that there is free garage parking and pro level equipment, and mentions that the training space has a notable view.

Last updated April 18, 2026.