San Rafael Martial Arts

San Rafael, United States

4.8

10 reviews

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 415-459-5425
Website:
sanrafaelmartialarts.com
Address:
861 4th St, San Rafael, CA, 94901
QR code
Download QR Image Download vCard

Map

Streetview

Activate map

Today

Today –
Local time (San Rafael) 6:36 PM Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday –
Wednesday –
Thursday –
Friday –
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Located in the heart of Downtown San Rafael, San Rafael Martial Arts specializes in Choy Li Fut Kung Fu and Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan.

We offer classes for:

Kids 4 – 5 years old,

Kids 6 – 9 years old,

Teens 10 – 14 years old,

Adults 15 and up.

All Classes from kids to adults offers traditional Choy Li Fut Kung Fu.

Kids Program:

Our Kids Program also offers listening, stranger danger awareness, crowd safety and other life skill drills to keep our kids safe.

Teens Program:

Builds confidence and the can do attitude by incorporating self defense, self awareness and positive attitude training.

Adult Program:

A great cardio workout to maintain or get in shape. Coupled with traditional yet effective self defense.

Kung Fu:

Choy Li Fut Kung Fu was founded in 1836 with roots from both Northern and Southern China. These roots make Choy Li Fut a complete martial art with many pressure points, joint locks, throws, sweeps and of course punches and kicks. As a traditional martial art, we teach traditional weapon and hand forms. These forms have many techniques that are taught and are a great way to learn valuable self-​defense, build confidence and stay in shape.

Tai Chi:

Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan is known for having many health benefits. Tai Chi is a martial art with many self defense techniques. Practiced slow, this art is great to develop and maintain balance, flexibility, muscle and core development; making this art great for all ages.

History

Established in 2011.

I started teaching martial arts in Marin County in 1993. Finally opening my first school; San Rafael Martial Arts, in 2011.

During this time we have participated in and placed in many tournaments as well as finish in the top 3 twice for Pacific Sun’s Best of Marin. The most recent being 2nd Place for 2015.

Meet the Business Owner

Terrance T.

Business Owner

Hello, My name is Sifu Terrance Thornton, Owner and Head Instructor of San Rafael Martial Arts. I started teaching in Marin County in 1993. With over 30 years of martial arts experience, I share the knowledge and traditions associated with Choy Li Fut Kung Fu and Tai Chi Chuan with all students.

Learning under Sifu Jason Wong and Grandmaster Doc-​Fai Wong in San Francisco I now pass on the winning traditions from previous generations to the next generation.

San Rafael Martial Arts also recommends

Doc-​Fai Wong Martial Arts Center

27

reviews

Martial Arts

Terrance T. says,

«This is the school where I started my Kung Fu and Tai Chi training. The school has quality instructors committed to your training and development.»

Double Rainbow Café

142

reviews

Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt

,

Cafes

Terrance T. says,

«Great service and Great food centrally located. My favorite; the Californian.»

Teance

172

reviews

Coffee & Tea

,

Tea Rooms

Terrance T. says,

«A Great Tea shop with high quality and high standards. If you are not a fan of Tea, then you probably have not tried Teance.»

Arizmendi Bakery

158

reviews

Bakeries

,

Pizza

,

Sandwiches

Terrance T. says,

«Just a block away from my school, this place has a great selection of organic and gluten free muffins that taste GOOD.»

Vicinity

Browse nearby places:
20
ft
Dowds Home Furnishing
861 4th St
20
ft
Bangkok Thai Express
857 4th St
40
ft
Napoli
869 4th St
60
ft
Knimble Clothing
851 4th St
80
ft
San Rafael Luggage Center
871 4th St
90
ft
Institute for Salon Spa Professional
854 4th St

10 reviews of San Rafael Martial Arts

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Novato, CA
My grandson, now 11, has been learning Kung Fu twice a week at this dojo for 2+ years. Sifu Thornton is an excellent teacher, very clear about his expectations but kind with his presentation. He not only teaches martial arts but encourages focus and respect in all aspects of life. San Rafael Martial Arts is the best!
Place rating: 5
Corte Madera, CA
Our two girls (ages 4 and 6) asked to learn kung fu and after looking into a couple of places we decided on San Rafael Martial Arts with Sifu Terrance. We’ve been attending for about 6 months and LOVE IT! Sifu Terrance is great with kids, giving them the attention they need, showing them the right form, instilling confidence, and having fun! We’re thrilled with the skills and listening our girls have learned. HIGHLY RECOMMEND San Rafael Martial Arts.
Place rating: 5
San Rafael, CA
Sifu Terrance has a great way with kids (and parents!). My son has been attending for a year and I’ve watched him grow in confidence and character since he started taking kung fu. We had tried another studio prior to this one and it wasn’t the right fit. I’m very happy we found San Rafael Martial Arts!
Place rating: 4
Novato, CA
Terrence is a really great teacher, giving each student some attention when they need it. He takes Tai Chi seriously as more than just a form of exercise but as it is, a martial art; meticulously explaining each step throughly and having us go over it well. If you want to learn it fast and not worry about details and proper form, this isn’t the place. But if you want to learn Tai Chi throughly, this is the place.
I just wish I could afford to attend more often which is the only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars, the pricing was a bit high but it’s in Marin so I’m sure his overhead is high.
Place rating: 5
Fairfax, CA
I started training with Sifu Thornton nearly 5 years ago in Sausalito. If you spend any time with him, you will see that this is not just a hobby or a job for him, but an authentic way of life. His knowledge of the arts is deep and wide. I’m inspired by his dedication to his students, and how he makes even the most difficult techniques accessible to both children and adults. I feel truly fortunate to have found a teacher like Sifu Thornton. I’ll be with him for many years to come.
Place rating: 5
Fairfax, CA
I started Tai Chi here about 6 weeks ago and I am absolutely loving it. Sifu Thornton is a fantastic teacher — he’s patient, explains things well, and is clearly a master. I am in my late 30’s and the class includes everyone from older children aged 10 or so, to folks in their 60’s and 70’s. It’s open and accessible to all, but still quite challenging. It also seems to attract very friendly people.
My husband has been studying Kung Fu with Sifu Thornton for more than 3 years. He liked him and his teaching style so much that he moved with Sifu from the school he used to teach at to this new location in San Rafael. My husband thought I would like Tai Chi and finally convinced me to try it, and I’m so glad I did.
This is a great school in a perfect central location. If you’re looking for a way to keep your workout interesting and learn an ancient martial art, you can’t go wrong coming to San Rafael Martial Arts.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
Just wonderful! We followed Terrance from the martial arts studio in Sausalito to his newly opened studio in San Rafael and our son is still excited (especially since his new studio is really cool-​lookin’!)
Terrance is great with children! Along with instructing them in the various forms and style of Choy Li Fut, Terrance incorporates principles such as respect, responsibility, and accountability in his instruction to help the children develop their levels of confidence and self-​discipline. He’s patient and attentive, yet firm in his expectations. Later on in the summer, I plan on signing up for the adult classes (which I’m stoked about!)
Thank you, Terrance, for being such a strong leader and role model for our son!
Place rating: 5
San Rafael, CA
I started Tai Chi with Sifu Terrance a month ago and I am so excited! He has been so patient, so meticulous with the movements and a great teacher! Very interesting to see how my learning being in my late 50s is so different than when much younger. I can literally feel my brain cells turn and come alive as I learn and memorize each and every movement. Tai Chi is such a fantastic moving meditation and the best part of it is learning the martial arts aspect. You will be amazed!
I must say, my husband was very impressed! If you want to get all the health benefits and learn the martial arts side of Tai Chi, come join the Tai Chi class on Mon & Wed evenings or Tue and Thur afternoons. Sifu Terrance is a truly wonderful and amazing person. San Rafael is very lucky to have his Martial Arts studio.
Place rating: 4
San Rafael, CA
Great sifu!
Terrance is great with the kids and teaches them great values of life along with exercise and agility.
Come and try it out kids or adults you won’t be disappointed.
Place rating: 5
Sausalito, CA
I really can’t say enough about how special this place is. Terrance, the owner and main teacher, is an exceptional person with the most welcoming smile. We had a wonderful year with him as our teacher for our son at Shaolin Martial Arts Center in Sausalito. He has recently opened his very own studio and now, without hesitation, we drive to San Rafael to continue to study with him.
Terrance is an incredible resource for local kids and has been so important for the development of my 7 year old son and the other kids we know in his classes. He is an incredibly skilled teacher who commands respect, attention and dedication using enthusiasm, seemingly-​endless energy and true fun. He is great with the littlest guys, as well as the older kids, and fosters a strong sense of camaraderie and pride.
When he began, my son was pretty new to group sports/​classes and was very shy at first. After the first class, he was totally hooked, and he is now a confident kung fu student, always happy to go to class.
Another thing I love about the way the classes are organized is that you can pay to come once per week or twice, and you are free to choose whichever days work for you. That way, if your child is sick or something comes up, you can just come the next day and not have to over-​pay that week.
Spread the word! The San Rafael Martial Arts Center is truly a treasure.