Looking for a welcoming way to get fit, build confidence, or learn practical self-defence? Discover how Kempo Ju Jitsu, kickboxing, and a strong martial arts community can help you and your family grow.
By Sensei Rebecca Kane, Head of Weapon Systems & Master Grade FMA | 1 September 2026
Martial Arts for Every Experience Level
Starting martial arts can feel like a big step. You may be wondering whether you are fit enough, experienced enough, or confident enough to join a class.
The answer is simple: you do not need to be an expert before you begin.
At the British Kempo Society, our training is designed to support beginners, families, experienced martial artists, competitors, and other clubs looking to develop their skills. We bring together traditional martial arts values with practical, modern training methods.
Our main focus is Kempo Ju Jitsu, supported by kickboxing, Thai boxing, Filipino Martial Arts, Brazilian Ju Jitsu, and other specialist disciplines within our wider society.
Whether your goal is fitness, confidence, competition, or personal safety, you can find a positive place within our community.
Learn more about the British Kempo Society.
What Is Kempo Ju Jitsu?
Kempo Ju Jitsu is a versatile martial art that combines striking and grappling techniques.
The Kempo side includes punches, kicks, blocks, movement, and combinations. The Ju Jitsu side adds throws, escapes, joint control, holds, and ground awareness. Together, these skills give you a well-rounded approach to martial arts and self-defence.
You are not only learning how to strike. You are also learning how to move safely, create space, respond to grabs, and stay calm when a situation becomes difficult.
This makes Kempo Ju Jitsu suitable for people who want more than a standard fitness class. It gives your body a workout while also challenging your focus, coordination, decision-making, and discipline.
Training is always developed progressively. As a beginner, you can learn the basics at a steady pace. As your confidence grows, you can work towards gradings, seminars, instructor development, and competition.
Practical Self-Defence for Adults and Children
Self-defence is not about looking for trouble or trying to become aggressive. The most important part of self-defence is awareness: noticing what is happening around you, understanding risk, and knowing when to leave or ask for help.
In suitable self-defence classes, you can develop skills such as:
- Awareness of your surroundings and personal space
- Verbal confidence and simple de-escalation
- Escaping common grabs and holds
- Moving safely away from danger
- Protecting yourself if you are pushed, held, or taken to the ground
- Staying calm enough to make sensible decisions
Our aim is to help you feel more prepared, not frightened. Good martial arts training teaches responsibility and control. It also reminds you that avoiding a confrontation is often the strongest choice.
Self-Defence for Adults
Many adults begin training because they want to feel safer when travelling, walking home, or dealing with unfamiliar situations. Others want to improve their fitness or find a new challenge after time away from exercise.
Martial arts for adults can support all these goals. You can build strength, improve stamina, practise useful movement, and develop confidence in a friendly environment.
You do not have to be at peak fitness to begin. Your fitness improves as you train.
Martial Arts for Kids
Martial arts for kids should be about much more than learning to punch and kick. A well-run class can help your child develop focus, confidence, discipline, coordination, and respect.
Your child will learn to listen, follow instructions, work with training partners, and keep trying when a technique feels difficult. They also learn that progress comes from regular effort rather than instant success.
The class environment can give children a strong sense of belonging. They have the chance to make friends, celebrate each other’s progress, and become part of a supportive community.
Kickboxing Training for Fitness and Confidence
Kickboxing training is a great choice if you want an energetic workout that develops both strength and stamina.
Sessions may include pad work, footwork, combinations, conditioning drills, and controlled partner exercises. This can help improve:
- Cardiovascular fitness
- Core strength and balance
- Coordination and reaction speed
- Mobility and flexibility
- Focus and concentration
- Confidence under pressure
For beginners, kickboxing can be an enjoyable way to start martial arts without needing previous experience. Beginners kickboxing training should give you time to learn stance, guard, basic punches, kicks, and movement before progressing to more demanding combinations.
For experienced students and competitors, training can be adapted to develop timing, fitness, technique, and ring awareness.
The British Kempo Society also benefits from the experience of senior figures in kickboxing and Thai boxing. Grand Master Ronnie Green, Head of Kickboxing and Thai Boxing, has an extensive competitive background, including multiple world titles. Rebecca Kane has also competed in K1 kickboxing and Thai boxing, alongside her achievements in Filipino Martial Arts.
A Community That Helps You Keep Going
One of the biggest benefits of martial arts is the community you build around your training.
It is easier to stay motivated when people know your name, notice your progress, and encourage you through the sessions that feel challenging. In a good club, beginners are welcomed by experienced members, and experienced students continue to learn from others.
At the British Kempo Society, we value inclusion, fairness, and tradition. These principles shape the way we train and work together.
Our society was founded around 2001 by instructors who wanted to share their knowledge in a non-political environment. Since then, it has grown into a nationwide community connected by a shared interest in Kempo and related martial arts.
We also support instructor-level training and workshops for novice, intermediate, and advanced students. This creates opportunities for clubs and centres to keep developing while remaining connected to a wider martial arts network.
For other martial arts clubs, joining a wider community can offer fresh ideas, technical development, and opportunities to learn from instructors with different backgrounds.
Meet the British Kempo Society Instructors
Our instructors bring experience from several martial arts disciplines. This helps us offer a broad perspective while keeping Kempo Ju Jitsu at the heart of our work.
Our leadership includes:
- Shihan Ben Ledwick, Head of Kempo Ju Jitsu
- Rebecca Kane, Head of Weapon Systems and Master Grade FMA
- Grand Master Ronnie Green, Head of Kickboxing and Thai Boxing
- Ady Tredwell, Head of Jiu Jitsu and Kempo
- Andrew Williams, leading our Brazilian Ju Jitsu programme
- Stephen Walker, Kempo Ju Jitsu and Filipino Martial Arts instructor in Huddersfield
You can meet our instructors and leaders to learn more about their backgrounds and areas of expertise.
Rebecca also shares her work in empowerment, resilience, dance, and self-defence through The Dancing Fighter. Her work focuses particularly on helping women, children, schools, and community groups build confidence and resilience.
Is Martial Arts Right for You?
Martial arts could be a good fit if you want to:
- Improve your fitness without relying only on gym machines
- Learn practical self-defence skills
- Build confidence in a supportive environment
- Help your child develop focus and discipline
- Try Kempo, Ju Jitsu, kickboxing, or related martial arts
- Prepare for a grading, seminar, or competition
- Connect with other clubs and instructors
- Take on a new challenge at any age
You do not need to choose between fitness and self-defence. Training can provide both. You can work hard physically while also learning skills that support confidence, awareness, and personal safety.
If you have been searching for karate Huddersfield, self defence classes, ju jitsu classes, or martial arts for adults, Kempo Ju Jitsu may offer the variety you are looking for. Families can also explore martial arts for kids as a positive activity that supports both physical and personal development.
Start Your Martial Arts Journey
The best way to understand martial arts is to experience the training for yourself.
Take a look at the British Kempo Society About page, meet the instructors, and then contact us to ask about training, clubs, workshops, or joining the network.
You can be a complete beginner. You can return to training after many years away. You can be an experienced martial artist looking for a new challenge. There is space for you in our community.
Ready to take the first step?
- Learn more about Kempo Ju Jitsu
- Meet our instructors
- Contact the British Kempo Society
- Read more martial arts and self-defence articles
Subscribe to the British Kempo Society newsletter to hear about upcoming training sessions, gradings, seminars, and community events. Staying connected means you can keep learning, keep training, and keep growing with the wider Kempo community.