Traditional Martial Arts Schools in New Orleans, LA

12 of the 25 martial arts schools we list in New Orleans 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.

Aikido of New Orleans Karate / taekwondo

3900 General Taylor St, New Orleans, LA 70125-2915

+15043809233 Website Directions

BLUE LION Karate Academy Karate / taekwondo

9954 Lake Forest Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70127-2635

+15042448395 Directions

Chayon NOLA Taekwondo Karate / taekwondo

7100 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70118-3542

+15044513396 Directions

Church's Karate Academy Kids classesKarate / taekwondo

4716 Paris Ave, New Orleans, LA 70122-2553

+15043767009 Website Directions

Forever Driven Martial Arts Kids classesKarate / taekwondo

225 W Harrison Ave, New Orleans, LA 70124-1302

+15045097050 Website Directions

NOLA Aikido Karate / taekwondo

3909 Bienville Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119-5141

+15042084861 Website Directions

New Orleans Shaolin Kids classesKarate / taekwondo

3921 St Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117-5453

+15045095310 Website Directions

Randy Rose Shotokan Karate Club Karate / taekwondo

3446 Kabel Dr, New Orleans, LA 70131-6926

+15049319629 Directions

Shaolin Institute Kids classesMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo

1995 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70119-1700

+15048351877 Website Directions

Tamashii Karate & Tai Center Karate / taekwondo

8132 Willow St, New Orleans, LA 70118-2816

+15048662241 Website Directions

White Crane Kung Fu And Martial Arts Studio Karate / taekwondo

5215 Annunciation St, New Orleans, LA 70115

(504) 390-3888 Website Directions

XS Martial Arts Dojo Karate / taekwondo

2000 Earhart Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113-2140

+15045589850 Website 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.

Also in New Orleans

Traditional Martial Arts Schools near New Orleans

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.