universal kempo club





what is universal kempo club?



Universal Kempo Club is a martial art school created for and by the community. We offer classes in Kempo, Tai Chi Ch'uan and Self Defense focusing on real life issues. Our goal is to help you develop balance, confidence, flexibility, strength, fitness, discipline, and personal safety. We offer monthly memberships with no long term contracts to ensure all members love and enjoy their training.


TRIAL & INTRODUCTORY PROGRAM OFFERS

Our Students
We take great pride in the quality of our teaching and it shows in the talent, drive, and character of our students. Black Belt is the goal, but the journey to achieve this rank is what creates confidence, respect, self control, self discipline, perseverance and improved fitness. Our students learn the skills to achieve their goals inside and out of the martial arts school.





Services



kempo



self defense



Tai Chi Ch'uan



kempo kids



CLASS SCHEDULE



KEMPO





Monday 7:30-8:30pm

Tuesday 10-11:00am

Tuesday 7-8:00pm

Wednesday 7:30-8:30pm

Thursday 10-11:00am

Thursday 7-8:00pm

Saturday 9:30-10:30am



KEMPO KIDS





Monday 6:30-7:20pm

Wednesday 6:30-7:20pm

Saturday 11-11:50am



TAI CHI CH'UAN





Monday 5:30-6:20pm

Tuesday 11-11:50am

Wednesday 5:30-6:20pm

Thursday 11-11:50am

Saturday 8:30-9:20am



SELF DEFENSE W/O





Tuesday 6-6:50pm

Thursday 6-6:50pm



kempo





Shaolin Kempo is one of the oldest martial art systems with its roots beginning as far back as 495 AD in China. This versatile art with multiple striking patterns utilizes all four ways of fighting-- with your hands, kicking, felling, and grappling. The movements are fluent with a mixture of hard and soft strikes. Modern upright fighting stances along with combining circular, linear and angular movements makes Kempo the ultimate in self defense.


INTRO PROGRAM DETAILS

tai chi ch'uan





Tai Chi Ch'uan is an ancient form of exercise, about 2,000 years old. Its series of postures and movements are designed to improve and maintain health. This program teaches the 108 movement Yang style form, Qi Gong exercises, and a review of the self defense applications of the movements in the form. Health benefits from practicing include improvements in balance, posture, joints, flexibility, stress reduction, increased circulation, and more.


INTRO PROGRAM DETAILS

self defense WORKOUT





Our Self Defense program takes the core basics from Kempo to help you learn effective personal safety. We cover striking with the hand (open and closed) and any part of the arm kicking with the foot, knee, and leg knocking an opponent off their feet and defending from the ground. There's no shortcut in learning self defense so we've developed this year-round program to help you learn and practice these martial art skills to keep you safe. As an added bonus, we've set these skills in an action paced circuit to help you get in fighting shape.


INTRO PROGRAM DETAILS

kempo kids





Our Kempo Kids learn the same versatile art of Kempo with multiple striking patterns utilizing all four ways of fighting, but with a focus on the specific developmental needs of their age group. Our program increases focus, self discipline, self control, balance, integrity, and confidence- the best tools for their ultimate success.


INTRO PROGRAM DETAILS

private lessons/ seminars





We offer private instruction on premises. Advanced scheduling required.


We offer seminars both on premises and at your location. Seminar subjects can be customized to your request. Advanced scheduling required.



retail store





We sell retail martial art supplies to the public during business hours. Membership not required.

Contact us for custom orders (silk screening, embroidery).



A Compliment is always more Powerful when it comes from Someone else.



"Universal Kempo Club is truly an example of incredible martial arts training. The school places a strong emphasis on self-discipline, effort, and respect. With impeccable instruction, students will learn how to defend themselves through various techniques, and will also be taught how to temper those techniques with self-control. It is clear that Sifu Emily values her students, and their education."





Matteo Cornetta, Northport, NY


Google Reviews

there's no substitute for experienced, professional instruction



WHY IS OUR INTRO PROGRAM SIX WEEKS LONG?

We want all of our students to make the right choice in membership. We've been teaching for thirty years and we know firsthand that two week trials are not enough to make an informed decision on something that will impact you for a lifetime.

Six weeks will allow you to experience a range of classes over time, get to know your classmates and instructors, and give you a full experience of the type of martial art you will be committing to. After all, we're not just an activity, but a lifestyle. We're helping you build confidence, increase your fitness and flexibility, learn self defense tools, and more. We're here for you to succeed!



We are the best at what we do


start now

TWO WEEK TRIAL WITH TIGER TEE



If you're already committed to training in the martial arts of Kempo, Tai Chi and/or Self Defense, but want to experience what makes our school the right choice for you.


START NOW

schedule A free intro lesson


CALL or text

Sifu Emily Barnes





Awards in Business & Teaching

  • Action Martial Arts Magazine Hall of Honors, World History Book Inductee, published 2020
  • Action Martial Arts Magazine Hall of Honors, 2016, “Outstanding Achievements in Martial Arts”
  • Small Business Commerce Association, “Best of Business”
  • Action Martial Arts Magazine Hall of Honors, 2010, "Exemplary Contributions as an Ambassador to the Martial Arts"
  • USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame, "Female Kempo Instructor of the Year, New York State Representative"
  • Action Martial Arts Magazine Hall of Fame 2005, “Excellence in Teaching” & “Martial Arts Spirit Award”


Awards as Community Leader and Volunteer

  • Boy Scouts of America, Suffolk County, Matinecock District, "Spark Plug Award" for going above and beyond as a volunteer leader 2013 and 2015


Published Writer & Awards

  • New York Lift-Off Film Festival 2024, Selection, “Miguel”
  • Hollywood Stage Script Film Competition, Winner 2025, “Miguel”
  • Black Belt Magazine, February 2005,“Film Camp”
  • Action Martial Arts Magazine, Issue #61, Nov 2004-Jan 2005,“Michael DePasquale Jr’s Action Film Academy


Other


Sifu Emily Barnes has been teaching martial arts for thirty years with her first school opening in 1998. Her main school remained on Long Island, but she also taught in Rhode Island and led the Kempo Club at Harvard University, Massachusetts.

Her relocation to Rochester, NY came in 2023 after her retirement from teaching. Since living in Rochester she has come to love the area and the community, but couldn't help but notice the absence of real life self defense training and traditional martial arts for adults.

In 2026 Sifu Emily decided to start the Universal Kempo Club to fill the needs of the community by offering real life self defense and traditional martial arts training for children and adults with a focus on underrepresented communities.



WORKSHOPS FOR THE COMMUNITY





We offer workshops for the community on self defense and self improvement. These workshops are a one-time event offered to benefit our surrounding community. Follow us on social media or bookmark this page so you don't miss the next one.



past community workshops



self defense



tai chi ch'uan



kid's self defense



more to come



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Universal Kempo Club



585-210-0386
4 Elton St, Rochester, NY 14607
Neighborhood of the Arts