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Traditional Martial Arts Schools in Pasadena, CA

14 of the 36 martial arts schools we list in Pasadena have traditional styles. A basic map listing can't tell you whether a "martial arts" result teaches lineage-based traditional forms like karate, taekwondo, or kung fu, or runs a modern fitness-kickboxing class under the same label. Every school on this page has its traditional style confirmed from its own website or class listings, not inferred from the business name.

Arnott Kenpo Karate Karate / taekwondo

915 S Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105

6267932255 Directions

American Kenpo Karate Karate / taekwondo

801 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105-3223

+16269938528 Directions

K Taekwondo - Pasadena Karate / taekwondo

1229 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91106-1879

+17473721808 Website Directions

Kenpo Pasadena Kids classesBJJ / grapplingKarate / taekwondoMMA

1614 E Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104-2746

+16267941700 Website Directions

Kim's Hapkido Martial Arts Kids classesMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo

3324 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107-3861

+16265789779 Website Directions

Larry Tatum 's Kenpo Karate Karate / taekwondo

553 S Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101

6267964029 Website Directions

Legacy Kenpo Academy BJJ / grapplingKarate / taekwondo

2062 Lincoln Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103

(626) 460-8099 Website Directions

Nanka Kyudo Kai Karate / taekwondo

595 Lincoln Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103-3300

+16263679157 Website Directions

National TaeKwonDo Center Kids classesKarate / taekwondo

1324 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104

+16267972900 Website Directions

Pasadena Aikikai Karate / taekwondo

595 Lincoln Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103-3300

+15089510790 Website Directions

Pasadena Shotokan Karate Dojo Karate / taekwondo

595 Lincoln Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103-3300

+17149282705 Website Directions

Red Dragon Karate Pasadena Karate / taekwondo

1259 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104-2855

+16266840368 Website Directions

Shan Tung Kung Fu Kids classesKarate / taekwondo

1192 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91106-1835

+16265770525 Website Directions

Young Park Taekwondo-Karate Karate / taekwondo

1774 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91106

(626) 796-3481 Directions

Ask exactly which style and lineage the school teaches before your first class. "Traditional" covers very different systems — striking-focused styles like karate and taekwondo, grappling-focused styles like judo and aikido, and internal styles like tai chi — so the right fit depends on what you actually want to train.

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Good to know

What's the difference between traditional and modern martial arts schools?
Traditional schools generally follow a set curriculum tied to a specific style's history, forms, and belt-ranking system, often with added emphasis on etiquette and philosophy. Modern or hybrid schools tend to blend techniques from multiple styles or focus more narrowly on fitness or competition.

How long does it take to get a black belt in a traditional martial art?
Most traditional styles take about 3-5 years of consistent training to reach black belt, though the exact timeline varies by style, school, and how often a student trains. A school that awards black belts much faster than that is generally worth a closer look before signing up.