Pallen's Martial Arts

Pallen's Martial Arts offers preschool martial arts, kids martial arts, teen martial arts, and adult martial arts, along with self defense and martial arts training. Classes take place in a martial arts training area and include a focus on both body and mind, with a disciplined and structured environment that uses exciting games and themed based classes. Families that work out together are welcomed, and parents can work out at Vault Fitness while their kids are in class.

• Ages: 4–18 years old

Pallen’s Martial Arts began in Oakland, California in 1968 and has been working with families since 1968, with over 50 years of martial arts experience. The program started with traditional Kenpo and expanded to Kajukenbo, which incorporates traditional karate, judo, kenpo, and Chinese boxing (kung fu). Kajukenbo at Pallen’s Martial Arts uses hand and foot techniques, mat work including throws, rolls, and falls, traditional forms, and self-defense through punching attack and grab art defenses. In the 1980s, the Philippine Martial Art was added, and in the 1990s, Tae Kwon Do was incorporated within the system, and Pallen’s is described as one of the first martial arts schools to practice the Philippine Martial Art in the United States. Pallen’s Martial Arts has provided championship fighters and martial arts excellence for decades and describes itself as Stayton's premiere martial arts school.

The lead instructor, Sifu Chris Lemke, is a 3rd Degree Black Belt in the Pallen’s Martial Arts system and has been a blackbelt instructor for more than 7 years. Throughout his life, he has trained in Jiu-jitsu, Kendo, and Kung fu, and he eventually found his home with Kajukenbo and the Filipino martial arts within the Pallen’s Martial Arts system. The leadership team lists Sifu Chris Lemke as the Lead Instructor.

The mission of Pallen’s Martial Arts is to help families build good humans, with a focus on developing fundamental character-building traits such as respect, confidence, discipline, and focus. The program states that it prizes honor, courage, discipline, and integrity and offers a realistic and practical approach to self defense. It describes its environment as safe, comfortable, and welcoming for all students and family members, and as a place for individuals to achieve, develop, and succeed in their personal goals. The program states that members have seen improvements in as little as 7 days and that its legacy is built on the principle that a community that strives together, thrives together.

Pallen’s Martial Arts provides martial arts classes to Stayton, the Greater Santiam Canyon, and Mid Willamette Valley communities. The program advises participants to wear comfortable clothes suitable for sports and to bring a water bottle to martial arts classes.

Parent and reviewer comments describe Sifu Chris as an amazing teacher who is motivating and caring about students’ journeys in self-defense, and as a great instructor who loves what he does. Several parents report that their children have gained confidence, enjoyed the classes, and experienced good, healthy relationships and leadership. One parent notes that their timid son built up his confidence to become a junior black belt with the help of Chris and the Pallen's family. Other comments describe the atmosphere as friendly, the program as an amazing experience, and Chris as a great mentor who gives advice on how to bounce back mentally and physically.

Last updated January 7, 2026.