Thousand Waves Martial Arts & Self-Defense Center
Thousand Waves Martial Arts & Self-Defense Center, 1220 West Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
About
Thousand Waves Martial Arts & Self-Defense Center offers Karate for Kids, Juniors classes, Youth & Teens - All Levels classes, and a Junior Black Belt Syllabus class, along with Adult Karate Class and Karate for Adults. The program also offers Empowerment self-defense, Self-Defense, Adult Blue to Black Belts, Adult White Belts, Green to Black Belts, and Adult Sparring Skills & Free Sparring classes. Additional activities include Spirit Challenge Events Week, Adult and Junior Black Belt Testing, and Regular Meetings of the Thousand Waves Board of Directors.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Hours of operation are Monday 3–8, Tuesday–Thursday noon–8, Friday noon–6, Saturday 9–3, and Sunday 9:30–noon, with multiple youth and teen karate and self-defense class options during these times.
Thousand Waves Martial Arts & Self-Defense Center teaches martial arts as a holistic fitness program to build strength, stamina, and spirit, and describes adult workouts as vigorous and challenging for adults of all ages, physical abilities, and fitness levels. Karate for children is presented as a body, mind, and spirit practice to improve fitness, concentration, and coordination, and kids learn age-appropriate skills for dealing with bullying and other forms of violence. Empowerment self-defense is rooted in mental, verbal, and physical skills that address violence in all its forms, and programs range from short workshops to in-depth courses for individuals and groups. The organization encourages everyone’s participation regardless of racial or ethnic background, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or fitness level, and currently serves over 225 members of all ages and genders.
In 1984, founders Nancy Lanoue and her partner Jeannette Pappas created the Women’s Gym, a feminist health club that offered training in Seido karate. In 1991, instructor and leader Sarah Ludden joined Thousand Waves, studying Seido karate and teaching Kajukenbo kung fu. In 1995, the Women’s Gym began offering programming for all genders and changed its name to Thousand Waves. In 2001, Thousand Waves incorporated as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization governed by a board of directors. In 2016, Lanoue and Ludden transitioned out of their roles as Co-Executive Directors, and longtime Director of Operations and Instructor Ryan Libel, who had been hired as the first non-founding Executive Director, continues to serve as Executive Director. Through partnerships with schools, other non-profits, businesses, and government agencies, Thousand Waves brings violence prevention and personal empowerment programming to diverse communities.
Last updated April 18, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Hours of operation are Monday 3–8, Tuesday–Thursday noon–8, Friday noon–6, Saturday 9–3, and Sunday 9:30–noon, with multiple youth and teen karate and self-defense class options during these times.
Thousand Waves Martial Arts & Self-Defense Center teaches martial arts as a holistic fitness program to build strength, stamina, and spirit, and describes adult workouts as vigorous and challenging for adults of all ages, physical abilities, and fitness levels. Karate for children is presented as a body, mind, and spirit practice to improve fitness, concentration, and coordination, and kids learn age-appropriate skills for dealing with bullying and other forms of violence. Empowerment self-defense is rooted in mental, verbal, and physical skills that address violence in all its forms, and programs range from short workshops to in-depth courses for individuals and groups. The organization encourages everyone’s participation regardless of racial or ethnic background, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or fitness level, and currently serves over 225 members of all ages and genders.
In 1984, founders Nancy Lanoue and her partner Jeannette Pappas created the Women’s Gym, a feminist health club that offered training in Seido karate. In 1991, instructor and leader Sarah Ludden joined Thousand Waves, studying Seido karate and teaching Kajukenbo kung fu. In 1995, the Women’s Gym began offering programming for all genders and changed its name to Thousand Waves. In 2001, Thousand Waves incorporated as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization governed by a board of directors. In 2016, Lanoue and Ludden transitioned out of their roles as Co-Executive Directors, and longtime Director of Operations and Instructor Ryan Libel, who had been hired as the first non-founding Executive Director, continues to serve as Executive Director. Through partnerships with schools, other non-profits, businesses, and government agencies, Thousand Waves brings violence prevention and personal empowerment programming to diverse communities.
Last updated April 18, 2026.
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